Some 20 technologists, comprising Hamad Medical Corporation’s Laboratory Medicine and Pathology department staff and Qatar University’s Biomedical Sciences programme graduates, have received the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) board certification. They were honoured for achieving the highest rating in clinical laboratory services worldwide in a high-profile ceremony held recently at the Hajar auditorium. The event presided over by Laboratory and Pathology chairperson Dr Ajayeb al-Nabit was attended by Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences associate dean for Academic Affairs Dr Eiman Mustafawi.Graduates from Qatar University are the first to achieve this unique distinction outside of the US, which is the highest rating in clinical laboratory services worldwide,” Dr Mustafawi said. The four-year BSc Programme in Biomedical Sciences was developed 28 years ago by HMC’s Laboratory department and the Biomedical Sciences faculty of Qatar University. “As part of the collaboration, staff from HMC’s Laboratory department participate actively in teaching and guiding the students in achieving excellence in their field. It caters to the growing need for well trained lab technologists in the country. Many of the graduates are employed with HMC,” Dr al-Nabit said.In 2008, it was the first such programme outside of the US to achieve the highest academic accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). It is committed to being the premier international agency worldwide for accreditation and approval of educational programmes in the clinical laboratory sciences and related health professions through the involvement of expert volunteers and its dedication to public service.The NAACLS accreditation enabled all graduates from the Biomedical Sciences Programme to sit for the ASCP exam. The board certification is the culmination of their training in the health professions and demonstrates that they have met a high internationally recognised standard.“Since the last three years, 13 graduates from the programme have successfully passed the ASCP exam and with this achievement, the graduates have now become Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), as they have achieved the highest academic rating anywhere in the world,” HMC Laboratory manager Dr Victor Skrinska said.Seven other laboratory staff have been recently awarded an international board certification by ASCP.Also in attendance at the ceremony was Laboratory and Pathology assistant chairperson Dr Mohamed Elkhalifa along with other notable HMC staff and QU senior faculty.