Leadership Development Program

Mission Statement | Program Goals | Guidelines for Participation
Participant Selection | Advisors and Mentors | Program Outline

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Leadership Development Program is to provide both orientation and skill development to future leaders of Ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific region.

Program Goals

  1. Identify individuals with the potential to become leaders in Ophthalmology.
  2. Provide orientation and skills to allow potential leaders to promote Ophthalmology locally and regionally.
  3. Facilitate the promotion of program graduates into leadership positions both locally and regionally.
  4. Build a culture to serve the Ophthalmology society.

Guidelines for Participation

  1. Each member organization and council member of APAO may submit up to 2 nominations for consideration by the Selection Committee.
  2. The nominee should be
    • a visionary future leader with passion and determination to serve the profession and society at-large;
    • a qualified eye doctor;
    • aged 49 or below (the application deadline of the year as the cut-off day: January 31, 2009);
    • highly proficient in English.
  3. The nominee must agree to participate in all elements of the Leadership Development Program as noted in the program outline, i.e. attend all designated meetings, complete a self-initiated project, etc.
  4. APAO will bear the cost of organizing the symposia and workshop for the program. The participants will be waived registration fees for the congresses. Other participation cost such as expenses for traveling and accommodation will be borne by the individual participant. Member organizations are encouraged to find ways to support their participants.
  5. Estimated annual Leadership Development Program class size: up to 30 participants.

Participant Selection

  1. The Leadership Development Program Committee will review and select participants based on completed nomination forms received on or before the closing date.
  2. Nominees who are not selected may be re-nominated the following year.
  3. The Leadership Development Program Committee comprises of the following members:
    • Convener: Dr Frank Martin (APAO President, Australia)
    • Deputy Convener: Dr Philip Lam (APAO Deputy Secretary-General, Hong Kong)
    • Ex-officio Member: Prof Dennis Lam (APAO Secretary-General, Hong Kong)
    • Members: Dr S Natarajan* (India), Dr Jun Shyan Wong* (Malaysia)

(*Graduates of the AAO LDP)

Advisors and Mentors

APAO will invite the following world leaders as advisors to the Leadership Development Program:

  • Dr. Michael Brennan (President, AAO)
  • Prof. Richard Abbott (President, PAAO)
  • Prof. Arthur Lim (Immediate Past Secretary-General, APAO)
  • Prof. David Chang (Chairman, Cataract Clinical Committee, ASCRS)
  • Prof. S Selvarajah (Chairman, Advisory Committee, APAO)

A Board of Advisors and Mentors will form. This comprises of the advisors and mentors invited from the APAO Council, international or regional subspecialty leaders and prominent individuals.

Program Outline

The Leadership Development Program will be conducted during two consecutive congresses.


Last update on June 9, 2009