Professor KT Foo, (Singapore)
Director, ASU






The Asian School of Urology (ASU) is the education arm of the Urological Association of Asia (UAA). It was the brainchild of Prof Pichai Bunyaratavej from Thailand who was the first Director. Dr Rohan Malek continues the good work and laid the foundations for further improvement of the school.

ASU is a "virtual" school meaning it has no physical structure, it acts as a coordinating center, supplementing the existing national level Urological training program in the UAA member countries. It exists to help in the various aspects of Urological training in the member Asian countries.

Certainly, UAA member countries differ in their requirements and expectations. In countries where the specialty of Urology is already well established with a national training program and large Urological fraternity, the need for outside help is probably minimal. In contrast, in the developing countries where the Urology specialty is still being developed, the need for such assistance is greater. In the presence of such diversity, what relevance would the ASU have? In these early stages, what is required is to promote greater awareness of the ASU with having some program of its own which hopefully in time would attract more participation of its member countries. It may not be possible to satisfy the needs of every member but at the very least it would lead to more interactions.

For the ASU to function effectively it would require cooperation between the UAA member countries. The aim should be to promote advanced educational activities especially for the Urological trainees. This would also encourage contacts, cooperation and exchange of ideas amongst the Urologists from member countries.

Current Program

1. ASU would be pleased to help organized workshops/symposia in conjunction with regional/ international meetings organized by member nations. ASU would help to co-ordinate the collaboration of various subspecialty societies affiliated to UAA, in the running of these workshops/symposia. Please give at least 6 months notice of request.

2. The ASU would continue to sponsor UAA lecturers to National meetings of member nations. Member nations are encouraged to write to ASU/UAA for the named lecture (UAA lecture) at their Annual Scientific Meetings. Member nation can suggest the lecturer of their choice or the topic, or request ASU to appoint one.

3. ASU will continue to hold the Asian Symposium alternating with the ACU every other year to coincide with the Annual Business of UAA. (The 5th Asian Symposium will be held from 4th to 6th June 2009 in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam. This is in collaboration with the Vietnam Urological Association.)

4.. ASU in conjunction with the Singapore Urological Association will continue to run annually “The Advanced Course in Urology” in August/September , mainly for Urological trainees (less than 35 years of age). ASU is planning to continue sponsoring this course for the urological trainees from the region in Year 2009

There would be an oral examination (Viva) held on the last day of the course. We hope that this would be gradually elevated to a Board Exam for the Asian Board of Urology in the future. In future the model of this course can be duplicated in other region in Asia.

5. UAA Fellowship program, for more senior Urologists over the age of 35 working in a public institution to go to another center of choice for 2 to 4 weeks of clinical attachment as an observer.

6. The creation of UAA Visiting Consultant (VC) Program would be useful in transferring and sharing expertise to Departments in Asia. ASU will help to recommend such VC and coordinate the visit. The ASU will provide return economy airfare for the VC, while the host Department will take care of accommodation and hospitality. The duration for such program is one week.

Collaboration with International Organizations

UAA/ASU is in discussion with international Urological organizations namely Societe Internationale Urologie (SIU), European Association of Urology (EAU) and American Urological Association (AUA) to help UAA in sourcing for faculty for our various workshops, symposia, and to provide the airfare/travel allowance of their faculty.

Expert advice and exchange of experiences would be sought for the setting up of the Asian Board of Urology in future. This would help to standardize the practice of Urology in Asia, and promote better urological care.