The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), the world’s largest professional association dedicated to promoting innovation, development and application of magnetic resonance techniques in medicine and biology, has selected Singapore as the venue for its 24th Annual Meeting & Exhibition.
The seven-day conference will be held 7 – 13 May 2016 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The annual ISMRM event aims to promote communication, research, development and applications of magnetic resonance in the fields of medicine and biology as well as developing and providing avenues for continuing education in the field.
The gathering of the best of minds at this world congress will advance the translation of biomedical research discoveries into clinical applications using magnetic resonance techniques. Due to the wide-ranging applications of magnetic resonance, ISMRM has a strong multidisciplinary membership comprising clinicians, physicists, engineers, biochemists, technologists and students from more than 40 countries. Thus, the event aims to draw some 8,500 attendees to Singapore.
This will be the second time the event is held in Asia, and its first time in South-East Asia. With a significantly growing membership in Asia, the selection of Singapore is extremely timely. Commenting on their decision to hold the event in Singapore, Ms Roberta Kravitz, Executive Director, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) said, “Singapore was chosen because not only is it a modern and developed city with excellent access and a reliable infrastructure to support an event of our scale, it is also a forerunner in scientific research, making it an ideal location for our members to exchange ideas and explore the latest scientific developments, especially those within the Asian context.”
Singapore’s strong scientific foundation is evidenced by the presence of more than 6,000 international researchers and the establishment of seven research institutes and five research consortia in key fields that include clinical sciences, genomics, bioengineering, molecular/cell biology, medical biology, bioimaging and immunology. This is complemented by a dynamic business environment that has attracted the regional headquarters of more than 30 leading biomedical sciences companies such as Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline. It is no wonder that ISMRM is not alone in their choice of Singapore as a meeting destination. Upcoming scientific meetings to be held in Singapore include:
-
Joint Conference of Human Genome Meeting (HGM) & International Congress of Genetics (ICG) 2013;
-
World Health Summit Regional Meeting Asia (WHSRMA) 2013;
-
International Congress of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISNPO) 2014;
-
Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC) 2014;
-
World Congress on Cosmetic Dermatology (WCOCD) 2014;
-
World Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) 2015;
-
International Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (2015);
-
Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress 2017; and
-
International Bacteriology & Applied Microbiology & Mycology Congress and the International Virology Congress (IUMS) 2017.
“We are honoured to host the 2016 ISMRM Annual Meeting & Exhibition and thank the ISMRM for selecting our city,” said Ms Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board. “I would also like to thank the local meetings industry and scientific community for their contributions to this win. This joint effort between the local stakeholders and the Singapore Tourism Board once again demonstrates that Singapore is a leading biomedical hub and meetings destination.”
The decision to hold the 2016 ISMRM conference in Singapore is certainly a significant development for the local scientific community, which is excited about and supportive of the event.
“The scientists, radiologists and clinicians who are working in Singapore are excited to hear that this important annual meeting is coming here. Many of us have been active in the Society and look forward to contributing,” said Dr CC Tchoyoson Lim, President-elect of the College of Radiologists Singapore. “The Singapore Radiological Society looks forward to working with the event organisers, to make this a memorable and successful conference,” added Dr Pua Uei, President, Singapore Radiological Society.
“On behalf of the Singapore Society of Radiographers, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to ISMRM for the 2016 event in Singapore. We look forward to working with the organizing committees in promoting the conference and making it a great success,” commented Ms Tan Chek Wee, President, Singapore Society of Radiographers.
