Message from Organising Chairman

On behalf of the Organising Committee and the Malaysian Endocrine & Metabolic Society (MEMS), I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the 14th Asia-Oceania Congress of Endocrinology which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December of 2010.

The Organising Committee is currently in the process of preparing an exciting scientific programme that will cover a wide range of topics in endocrinology focusing on basic science and molecular advances as well as their clinical applications. A number of distinguished scholars will also be invited to serve as conference faculty. They will share with us the most recent advances in the various areas of endocrinology. At the same time we hope the congress will provide a platform for researchers and clinicians to present their work in the form of oral and poster presentations.

The challenges facing endocrinology practice in this region are quite unique. There exist discrepancies that are at times marked, with regards to healthcare access and quality, between the resource-rich versus resource-poor nations of this region. There is also a paucity of trained endocrinologists, an issue that needs our attention in the planning of medium and long-term solutions.

Furthermore, the Asia-Oceana region is one of the areas in the world currently facing an explosion of diabetes. This epidemic will consume a lot of our resources for several decades to come. It is perhaps timely that after a decade into the new millennium, we will have occasion to review our efforts in curbing the advance of this disease.

The Congress will also give you a chance to visit our beautiful country with its unique culture and heritage, and to experience our warm hospitality. I hope you will avail yourselves of this opportunity.

We look forward to meeting you in Kuala Lumpur in 2010.

Sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Nor Azmi Kamaruddin
Chairman, Organising Committee,
14th Asia-Oceania Congress of Endocrinology,
Kuala Lumpur 2010.