Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS), an institution for postgraduate medical education and training, has partnered with global non-governmental organisation Orbis International to increase skilled human resources for eye health in the country.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to this end between the two entities at a ceremony held at the Ophthalmology Skill Lab of BCPS at Mohakhali in the capital on Wednesday. BCPS Honorary Secretary Prof Billal Alam and Orbis International Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides while BCPS President Prof Dr Quazi Deen Mohammad graced the ceremony as the chief guest.
Under the agreement, Orbis International will work to strengthen the capacity of BCPS faculty and the Ophthalmology Skill Lab facilities. And with the support of Orbis International, BCPS will introduce Orbis Cybersight resources, forge academic partnerships with international universities in ophthalmology for training, learning and remote mentorship, and improve library facilities for faculty members and trainees.
Moreover, Orbis International will organise Cybersight-based mandatory training courses and optional courses for doctors.
The organisation, dedicated to saving sight worldwide, will also organise seminars and symposiums to share experiential learning of Cybersight-based training, opportunities, and options.
BCPS Ophthalmology Faculty Chairman Prof Dr Jalal Ahmed, Member Secretary Prof Dr Zafar Khaled and Joint Secretary Prof Ashraf Sayeed, Prof Dr Ava Hossain and Prof Dr Sanawar Hossain, among others, spoke at the event.
BCPS Skill Development Department Chairman Prof Dr AHM Shamsul Alam presided over the event while the department’s Secretary Prof Dr Fatema Ashraf conducted it.
Other faculty members and officials of BCPS were present.
Speakers at the event described the partnership as a timely step and observed that it would be a milestone for eye health in Bangladesh.
At the event, Orbis handed over copies of the ‘Ophthalmology Skill Manual’ to BCPS. Ophthalmology Faculty of the College developed the manual in partnership with Orbis International, which also produced it.