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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.
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