New centre for training

When ESASO was founded in 2008 with the mission to further and support advanced education of young ophthalmologists, nobody was able to anticipate the quick evolution and international attractiveness of this initiative. In 2011, in light of the rapid and continuous growth, ideas emerged to establish ESASO’s own lab and training centre in Lugano, Switzerland. The following years saw strong joint efforts of all stakeholders towards realising a centre of excellence in Lugano. The new ESASO training centre (ETC) is conceived as the main campus for ESASO’s educational programme. The spacious ETC offers excellent equipment, with plenty of opportunities for didactical training and hands-on education of ophthalmologists. The ESASO Training Centre contains: l A classroom for approximately 60 people, equipped with cutting-edge technological devices l A 200m2 wet laboratory, which was built to host ophthalmic courses, but can also be adapted to a wide range of situations and needs l A dry laboratory equipped with ophthalmology simulators l An eye tech centre to expose innovations l Modular space for small meetings l A fully equipped control room, thanks to which a wide range of activities can effectively be managed Currently, ESASO trains its participants at the university campus of the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). The two institutions have shared a long and strong partnership. The available space and times are, however, restricted due to the university’s own needs. Thus, ESASO’s constantly increasing demand fostered the need to build its own training facilities. While ESASO searched for ideal educational facilities, it was the idea of Dr Fabrizio Barazzoni, Medical Director and then responsible for the development, research and innovation of the Association of the Public Cantonal Hospitals in Ticino, to construct it on the top of the Regional Hospital in Lugano. In a close collaboration with the director of the hospital, Ing Luca Jelmoni, ESASO passed all the necessary bureaucratic steps that led to the new construction of its school. The new centre fits well with Lugano’s and Canton Ticino’s economical development objectives. Traditionally a city of banking, Lugano is now dedicated to also becoming a city of science and advanced learning. Together the involved partners will create new bonds for the city, not only for the soon-to-come medical faculty but also with selected medical devices and pharma industry partners. As a centre of excellence with international faculty and delegates, the ETC will thus contribute to Lugano’s increasing attractiveness as a centre of science, technology and education. Giuseppe Guarnaccia, the Global Executive Director of ESASO, notes: “When we founded ESASO, we had a vision of collaboration. I hope that our project will continue growing, so physicians come to Lugano to teach and learn from each other. I hope they will grow into the next generation of skilled experts for the benefit of their patients.