Page 96 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition July-August 2024

reaching out to students all over the world to
join up. It soon grew to become the largest
global community of optometry students. As
an extension of this effort, OPTOGLOBE was
scheduled as the first-ever global optometry
student virtual summit.
Over 1,500 participants got to listen to
distinguished speakers who addressed pressing
topics, shared their expertise and insights over
four days. On the first day of the summit, 11
July, the discussions were centred on Asia’s
unique challenges and advancements. The next
day’s focus was the Middle East, North Africa,
and Arabic-speaking countries, highlighting
specific needs and innovations in these areas.
Discussions on the diverse practices and
research across North and South America
followed. The last day was devoted to talks on
different perspectives and developments in
Europe, Australia, and Africa. management, exchange programs and
research. She also emphasised the benefits,
Dr Hector Santiago, president of VOSH challenges and opportunities for the global
International, focused on worldwide challenges students’ community, the need for professional
like uncorrected refractive errors and the need advancements, and curriculum disparities.
for cultural competence in healthcare. While
Dr Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, president,
addressing curriculum and scope disparities, American Academy of Optometry (African
Dr Anderson Chimeziri, president, Nigeria chapter), shared his inspiring journey, discussed
Optometric Association, proposed solutions such the impact of student networks and encouraged
as an international board exam and increased them to pursue their passion fearlessly.
student involvement in global organisations.
The speakers included other experts:
Dr Maryam Jabbar from the University of Dr Abdullah Nasir, Kinza Zeb, Dania Alomran,
Faisalabad, Pakistan, spoke about the various Eman Saleh Alshahrani, Prof Dr Mudher Alasaly,
career opportunities within optometry. Dr Megan Webber, Erickson Jean François, Anna
Mustafa Abdu Ali from the University of Jeddah Krawiec, Donkoh Mark and Luke Quadros.
drew attention to the critical role of budding
professionals in shaping the future of optometry. The students participated enthusiastically in
Dr Tarek Mahmoud delineated the business and the interactive Q&A sessions, asking pressing
financial prospects in healthcare. The attendees questions and contributing to the global
got to know about student exchange programs dialogue. Certificates were awarded to attendees
and its benefits from Dr Jennifer Lyn Viñola, on request, providing them with a valuable
dean, Administration and Quality Assurance, addition to their professional portfolios.
College of Optometry, Manila Central University.
The summit was made possible thanks to
Dr Yogita Rajgandhi, the president of the invaluable support of VOSH/International
VOSH – India chapter and vice president of as partners. Encouraged by its success, plans
Delhi Optometrists Association, shared are already on to host an in-person summit of
the history of the profession, its evolution students from across the globe to share, learn,
through five decades in the country, the and network. OPTOGLOBE as a new platform
present status of optometrists, universities for further global dialogue and innovation could
offering optometry programs, practice help steer the advancement of optometry.

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