It is my greatest honour and privilege to serve as your new President of ELSA!

First and foremost, I would like to extend a hearty salute to our immediate past president Prof Suthep Udomsawaengsup and all office bearers. Amidst one of the most challenging times in ELSA’s history, Prof Udomsawaengsup and his highly capable team were undaunted by the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity in our educational and training efforts by organizing webinar courses that are accessible to enthusiastic surgeons wherever they are, undeterred by lockdowns and travel restrictions. Not only do these webinars empower members to excel in their profession with enhanced knowledge and expertise of MIS/ endoscopic surgery and latest technology – at an even faster pace than before – they have also become a platform for making regular connections and strengthening communications with members who are spread across different parts of Asia. We will certainly keep these informative and interactive webinars going!

Just a month ago we organized the 15th Asia-Pacific ELSA Congress in Hong Kong. I am very glad to report that the congress, which was held in a hybrid format onsite and online due to travel restrictions and social distancing, concluded with resounding success. We have more than 2,600 registered participants attending 34 robustly designed scientific sessions with 150 didactic lectures. This would not have been possible without the tremendous support from distinguished faculties from Asia and around the world, industrial sponsors and delegates, as well as dedicated members of ELSA and the organizing committee.

Mentioned above are just a tiny fraction of ELSA’s successes that I am proud of over the years. Today, serving as its President following the visionary and acute stewardship of my predecessors, it is my aspiring wish to continue its legacy by augmenting our efforts in the following areas:

  1. To promote education and training activities in endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery in Asia especially in countries starting the development of minimally invasive surgery
  2. To enhance collaboration in research and technological development for minimally invasive surgery between Asian countries
  3. To tighten the collaboration of leading professional societies among Asia, Europe and United States in upholding standards of surgical training in minimally invasive surgery

Taking these goals as the main driving force during my term, I humbly look forward to working closely with the Executive Committees and Board of Governors, while inviting the support of all members in leading ELSA in the advancement of education, training and research in minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery for bettering patient care.

Prof. Philip Chiu

Dec 2021