New International Regional Advisors and International Committee structure
The International Committee
Since the formation of International Committee in 2011, the Committee has been delegated responsibility from Council for matters relating to the development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of all aspects of the College’s international strategy, activities and work. The main responsibilities of the International Committee include, but are not limited to:
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creating and executing the College’s International Strategy, objectives and outcomes
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engaging with the international membership
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devising an international work plan to deliver the College’s strategic international priorities
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coordinating and maintaining the College’s international relationships and strategic alliances.
International Committee members meet biannually to discuss progress, concerns and future opportunities in accordance with its purpose and the aforementioned responsibilities.
The College understands the value and strength that diversity brings, and we are proud to be an organisation of members from a wide range of backgrounds. Our International Committee exemplifies this commitment, actively fostering inclusive participation of College fellows and partnerships from across the globe.
Membership of the International Committee consists of a variety of roles, each typically held for an initial term of 3 years. In some cases, these terms may be extended for an additional 2 years. Members of the Committee include the following:
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Clinical Director for International Activities (Chair of the International Committee)
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Deputy Clinical Director for International Activities (appointed when necessary)
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Vice President for Learning
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International Regional Advisor – Americas
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International Regional Advisor – Europe
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International Regional Advisor – Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
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International Regional Advisor – Southeast Asia
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International Regional Advisor – Sub-Saharan Africa
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International Regional Advisor – Western Pacific
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Lay International Committee member
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Representative from each of the International Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) partners.
The following are also invited to observe the Committee meetings:
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Clinical Director of Examinations
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Clinical Director of Training and Assessment.
New International Regional Advisors
Within the last year, the International team has appointed new International Regional Advisors (IRAs), as the current terms were coming to an end. We have now successfully appointed new IRAs for each of the College’s 6 international regions. The new IRAs are:
- Professor Medhat Askar – Americas
- Professor Danny David Jonigk – Europe
- Dr Omar Layth Qassid – MENA
- Dr Ranganathan N Iyer – Southeast Asia
- Professor Jaiyeola Olayemi Thomas – Sub-Saharan Africa
- Dr Brian Lam – Western Pacific
Read more about our International Regional Advisors at our Who’s Who page.
Changes to the International Committee last year
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening international partnerships, the College’s International Committee and diaspora group members have recently agreed a change in the arrangements for the biannual meetings. Some members of the diaspora group have associations with organisations in the countries they represent which hold MoUs with the College.
From now on, these members will attend meetings as representatives of those organisations, rather than as members of their diaspora group. The new arrangement has also allowed for more regular and meaningful engagement with our MoU partners, and fostered a wider, more collaborative network across our international contacts.
In accordance with this change, the International Committee Terms of Reference have also been updated.
Strengthening global partnerships and collaborations
In September, we also established an Agreement of Collaboration that will enable us to build partnerships with organisations for a fixed term, specific to an identified activity and that will generally have a single-specialty focus. These agreements may include, for example:
- support for a conference, course, or workshop
- provision of 1–2 speakers, either College Honorary Officers, fellows or contacts via our international network
- co-badging of an event
- CPD approval of an event.
The development of an Agreement of Collaboration responds to the growing number of requests from smaller organisations seeking to formally partner with the College. This simplified agreement will enable us to sustainably expand our international collaborations while ensuring the International team retains capacity to support the 9 existing MoUs and other work. Learn more about our MoU partners at our international partners and collaborations page.
The International team
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