Organizational Structure

A Biotechnology programme with coordinator, advisory committee and administrative staff

Edif Bolivar

The UNU-BIOLAC Programme operates under the authority of the UNU Rector. The Rector acts as the University’s chief academic and administrative officer.

UNU-BIOLAC personnel comprise a Programme Coordinator, a Senior Assistant to the Programme Coordinator, two Administration clerks and a professional committed to media and communications.

The Coordinator is responsible for the general direction, organization and management of the programme and the assessment of different academic proposals and fellowship candidates, as well as following the latest developments in biotechnology to reflect those advances in our monthly newsletter.

The Programme Coordinator is guided by the UNU-BIOLAC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which comprises four academic researchers. SAC membership aims to represent a diverse mix of countries from the Latin America and the Caribbean region and academic expertise that aligns with UNU-BIOLAC priority areas. The SAC and the programme coordinator guide programme development and ensure training is conducted in line with the programme mission. The SAC meets once a year to review the conceptual and substantial approach of the programme activities but maintains regular e-communication throughout the year.

The UNU-BIOLAC office is hosted by the Venezuelan Government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology at the premises of the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA) — a central scientific and technological hub in Caracas near the main campus of Simón Bolívar University.