INSTITUTE FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT (ILAM) –

A WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS

J. Helppi

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany

Directors, managers, and supervisors of laboratory animal facilities have seen their roles grow more and more complex over the years, and they have found themselves in a unique profession. People in management positions must be able to interpret the social, political and economic environments in which they operate and use administrative and technical skills to maintain and improve their animal care and use programs. The vast majority of persons in these positions were trained in biologic and veterinary sciences and must find additional training in management skills to fulfill their administrative roles.

The Institute of Laboratory Animal Management (ILAM) is an AALAS educational program founded in 1992. It is developed to provide instruction in management concepts that are applicable to the communication, team building, and networking among colleagues with mutual interests. The school provides a progressive program over a two-year period including 64 hours of instruction. Classes for each level are held during the second or third week of May in Olive Branch, near Memphis, in USA. Class topics vary from year to year depending on the needs of the industry and the requests of the students, including i.e. Facility Technology, Problem Solving, Team Building, Performance Appraisals and Financial Management.

ILAM is an excellent opportunity for all people in management level positions to expand their knowledge of management skills, as well as being an exceptional change for networking with other professionals on the field.