by Dr Evelyn Ho

244 participants, mostly from Malaysia and some from Singapore and Indonesia were treated to 2 days of a variety of topics –covering common topics to advances such as virtual autopsy (post mortem imaging with Computed Tomography) and Molecular Spies for Personalised Imaging.

Interest in the STAR has grown over the years: 1999 (130 participants), 2003 (159 participants) and this year in 2006 there has been a 90% increase in the participants from 1999. We congratulate Schering and Siemens for their commitment to this global partnership for continuing professional development/medical education.

STAR 2006 was “conducted” by a very distinguished faculty headed by Prof Dr Hans Ringertz, the Scientific Director. The faculty was made up of Professor Dr Robert Brasch, University of California, San Francisco, Professor Dr William G. Bradley, University of California, San Diego, Assoc Professor Joachim Wildberger, University of Technology, Aachen, Germany and Dr Anders Persson, Director of Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, Linköping University, Sweden.

Professor Dr Hans Ringertz, affiliated to the Karolinska Institute and Hospital is co-author of some 200 scientific articles, 6 books and about 500 invited international lectures. He is a permanent member of the Nobel Assembly for Physiology and Medicine since 1986, Vice chairman 2002, and Chairman 2003. He is also a Trustee of the Nobel foundation since 2001. Prof Ringertz is the honorary member of 13 radiological societies including the RSNA, F.F.R.RCSI since 1995 and FRCR(Hon) since 1998 and FACR (Hon) since 2004; President of European Society of Paediatric Radiology 1990-91, of the Swedish Society of Medical Radiology 1995-97, of the European Congress of Radiology 1995-97, and of the European Association of Radiology March 1997-99.

The large number of participants therefore came as no surprise. The sponsors and co-organisers, Siemens and Schering were naturally very pleased that their continuing professional and medical education programme had been very well received.

The programme started off with some welcome remarks from the Prof Dr Basri JJ Abdullah, President, College of Radiology; Mr Ashraf Al-Ouf, Managing Director of Schering Malaysia/Singapore, Mr Lim Adam, Director, Meditel (Siemens) and Prof Dr Hans Ringertz, Scientific Director of the STAR programme.

In addition to lectures, there were concurrent workshops on some aspects of Radiology, including practical issues on the last day of the programme. The closing remarks were led by Prof Dr Hans Ringertz and Dr Klaus Fleck really brought smiles to all when he gave his closing speech in Bahasa Melayu!! Everyone applauded his impressive effort. This was followed by the “lucky draw” for the Sony Cybershot camera and consolation prizes. Other closing remarks were made by Mr Axel Lorz from Siemens, Germany, Mr Ashraf Al-Ouf, Managing Director of Schering Malaysia/Singapore and Prof Dr Basri JJ Abdullah.

The Faculty, from L to R: Joachim Wildberger, William Bradley, Hans Ringertz, Robert Brasch, Anders Persson

About STAR
STAR is an international educational forum sponsored by Schering and Siemens. Its aim is to present cutting-edge developments in radiology for practising radiologists. The program is held as a regular forum on a regional basis which normally involves 2 days of lectures by eminent independent experts from all fields of radiology.

A Global Partnership
Schering and Siemens are perfect partners in this educational enterprise. We believe that much of our success is due to the close links we maintain with radiologists around the world. STAR is one example in supporting the education of radiologists. Its unique approach is that it is run without commercial overtones, which is guaranteed by the close cooperation of national and international Radiological Societies and independent advisors.

http://www.star-program.com/