Future plans of the Secretaries' Committee

I have been the member of the Secretaries' Committee of IFMBE since 1995. During WC2003 I was elected to be the chair of this committee. (I would like to thank all those who elected me in Sydney.)

I never felt the work in the committee boring or tiresome but considered the committee rather like a friendly community. The main function of a national secretary is to act as a contact person between the national society and IFMBE. Our committee has to assure a bi-directional information flow. As the national secretaries know each other quite well we can exchange experiences and help propagate the best practice.

The Secretary General intends to intensify the communication links with the Secretaries' Committee. I will do my best to help him realise it.

As Director of Studies at my university I have been involved in the discussions concerning the reform of the higher education. In Europe it is better known as the process initiated by the Bologna Declaration. In the field of biomedical engineering the two-cycle education is easily applicable. The harmonisation of programs and the exchange of experiences in our field have been started years ago. Our committee will catalyse these activities.

I especially appreciated the way Marc (Prof. Nyssen) chaired this committee. I will try to maintain the standard he set up, he promised to help as a co-chair. I will not bother national secretaries with unimportant and uninteresting matters. I will try to manage things as much as possible electronically.

Akos Jobbagy