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 RCSEd Council visits Sri Lanka, strengthening relationships and valuable links between the two surgical college
The College Council recently made a visit to Sri Lanka, from 21 August to 3 September 2011, to attend a number of significant events at the country’s surgical college, The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka.
The visit began with RCSEd President, Mr David Tolley formally opening the Skills Development Centre for Surgeons at the new premises of The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka. This was the brainchild of the current President of the Sri Lanka College, Dr KL Fernando.
This was closely followed by a joint academic meeting of the two colleges, with the theme ‘Optimising Surgical Training to Empower Surgeons’. Mr Tolley was Guest of Honour and was accompanied by Vice President, Ian Ritchie, and Council Members Chris Bulstrode, Pradip Datta, Judy Evans and Rowan Parks. Edinburgh was also represented by our Examinations Convenor, Mr Ken Hosie and Chief Executive, Alison Rooney. The Edinburgh delegates actively participated in the academic events by giving plenary lectures and co-hosting many of the academic sessions, all of which produced some lively debate and stimulating discussion.
While in the country the visiting Edinburgh delegates were treated to most gracious hospitality, including traditional dances and an informal Sri Lankan night at the CSSL where local surgeons impressed all with their musical skills.
A high point of the meeting was the agreement and signing of a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the two colleges, which will promote even closer cooperation between both organisations into the future, especially with regard to training and examining, syllabus development and the inclusion of the role of simulation in future curricula.
The following week, some council members stayed on for a week of MRCS examinations and were joined by other examiners from UK, India, and of course a large local team. The Edinburgh visitors were very impressed by the standard of the facilities they were offered, and the level of organisation which had gone into making sure the exams ran very smoothly. They were also very pleased to be able to come back, having passed a higher than average percentage of candidates - a true reflection on the high level of training in our host country.
As always with such a trip, old friendships were renewed, many new contacts made, research plans were consolidated and international training links were forged and developed.
Dr Judy Evans and Professor Mohan de Silva have been nominated to work together to extend and develop the colleges’ strategies over the next few years and a very productive outcome is expected.
The Edinburgh contingent would like to record their thanks and gratitude for a splendid visit, which left them with many good memories.
Judy Evans, Member of Council
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