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Patronized by His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the Fifth Conference on Laparoscopic Surgery was declared open on Thursday 16^th October. The conference was opened at the Danat Hotel in Al Ain in the presence of Professor Ghaleb Ali Al Hadrami, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment at UAEU, and Dr. Suleiman Al Hammadi, Interim Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

Dr. Al Hadrami praised His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan’s interest in such initiatives. These conferences explore topics vital to laparoscopic surgery and are consistent with the research goals and objectives of UAEU, and display the university leadership’s vision and pursuit of excellence in higher education and scientific research at both regional and international levels. Such conferences also enhance the knowledge base available to the local and scientific communities and contribute to alleviating medical problems in general and in the field of laparoscopic surgery in particular.

Dr. Al Hammadi, Interim Dean of the College of Medicine, highlighted the national and regional importance of this conference. He stressed that the UAEU College of Medicine is seeking to develop its capacity for scientific research and innovation in strategic medical fields. UAEU is also working on transferring expertise and other skills to various institutions and key individuals. The conference addressed two key areas: hernia surgery and colorectal surgery.

Dr. Fawaz Torab, Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAEU and the chair of the conference, reminded delegates that this conference represented an opportunity for a large groups of laparoscopic specialists to make themselves familiar with the latest scientific expertise and research findings. There was also an accompanying exhibition that saw 15 international companies who specialize in laparoscopic surgery providing consultancy services.