The 9th Emirates International Urological and 17th Annual Arab Association of Urology Hybrid Conference was accepted by the Education Committee for a non- funded add- on ICS course. The invited speakers were Alex Digesu, David Castro, Sherif Mourad and Frankie Bates to present on behalf of ICS. This was multidisciplinary with gynaecological, urology and nursing representation.
The conference was changed from a live event to a hybrid event earlier in the year, due to the pandemic. It was held on the 12th to 14 November at the Dubai World Trade Center, UEA.
David Castro Diaz gave a wonderful virtual overview on Neurogenic Voiding Dysfunction. Patient Selection for Surgical Intervention for BPH was covered by Sherif Mourad. Alex Digesu discussed Management of Failed Vaginal Sling for SUI with his co presenter, Tufan Tarcan . Frankie Bates presented at a nursing workshop on Evidenced based conservative management of UI and guidelines for intermittent catheterization
It was certainly exciting to part of this first time hybrid conference. Seeing the platform for the first time, it was amazing to be able to navigate around the “conference hall”. One could go to the lounge, click on a chair to start or join a meeting. One could visit the networking corner and connect with anyone from the list of participants to join you for a “chat” over coffee in your office!
E Posters were available where you could view and rate accepted posters and connect with the authors and chat and discuss the content.
The conference sponsors were accessed via the exhibition hall and one could visit the virtual booths within the sponsors tab and even manage a live chat.
Extensive networking opportunities were available in the virtual platform even though it wasn’t quite as wonderful as meeting our colleagues face to face!
In the session halls, there were plenary sessions, sponsor symposiums, workshops and abstracts to choose from. Sessions were all uploaded at the end of each day to watch at a more convenient time.
Workshops included Urodynamics, Botox, Laproscopic management of upper Urinary tract disorders, functional urology and Conservative management of UI /intermittent catheterization among others.
Speakers were all video- taped a few days before presenting in the event of IT glitches. A moderator was available to direct questions from both the live audience and the virtual participants. It appeared that most were fully engaged with plenty of questions, comments and discussions.
The latest outcomes in the field of urology were presented and brought together world-class speakers, researchers and clinicians, under one roof; virtually !
The 4 day program of experienced and resourceful speakers led to a fruitful and constructive conference.
It was an informative and worthwhile event and appeared to be a great success, being educational, productive and fun.
It is always a great opportunity for us, as ICS members to represent the ICS and promote the educational content, committee roles, learning modules and terminology. Thank you to the ICS for supporting and recognising this wonderfully educational event.