Abstract
United European Gastroenterology is a successful federation of gastroenterological societies (called member societies). Thanks to its organizational success it may allocate as much as half a million Euro to support postgraduate teaching in gastroenterology in Europe.
Every gastroenterological society that is a member of UEG (16 specialist societies “Ordinary Members” and 46 national societies “National Society Members”) may apply. This is a great opportunity!
Two main forms of postgraduate teaching are supported. One is the support of a single regular educational meeting (up to 25,000 euro may be granted). Second is the support of a long-term educational project planned for three consecutive years with the intention to develop stand-alone long-term educational event. In this type of event, the first year is granted with up to € 50,000 and the subsequent two years with up to €25,000 euro each year.
For the last two years a specially designed scoring system to evaluate applications is in place. It promotes several aspects of teaching that are regarded by UEG to be very important. Namely, the high scores are applied for such aspects like interactivity and multidisciplinarity. Therefore we check whether organizers allowed enough time for discussion, whether they are planning to use voting interactive system or include in the programme case presentation with participation of the audience in solving clinical problems. We also look at such aspects as balance in geographical distribution of speakers and attendees, age and gender of speakers, location of the postgraduate course and planned cooperation with other society. Of course, the typical and obvious criteria are also applied as justification of undertaking the course, the topic of the course, well-structured budget etc. Well visible is also such preparation of the course that the materials (e.g. recordings) may be used by the UEG e-learning platform.
All applications are scored by the members of the Educational Committee that consists of one representative from each Ordinary Member Society of UEG. Of course, members are excluded from judging their own society application. The system of voting and democratic methodology is regarded as fair and valuable. For example the number of applications per society as well as number of granted support per society is not limited. So, if there are many good proposals from a given society they all could be granted. In order to keep the high standards it was decided that the score below the 50% of attainable scoring will not be considered for support. Of course, nothing is ideal; but we think that such evaluation system is better than the old, opinion-based system.
Statistics of the last two years after introduction of new scoring system
There are several criteria that have to be fulfilled not only during application process but also during and after the education event. Examples are: a need to place a logo of UEG at all event materials and the event website, or a need to submit a report after the meeting has taken place. These points and others are required and if not fulfilled the grant will not be paid.
Details for those who want to place application may be found at www.ueg.eu/education/ts/.. This year application is open from February 17 until May 12 for 2015 events.
We invite all gastroenterological societies to try. We want to sponsor the best education in gastroenterology.