Asian Medical Students' Association International

There are two conferences held yearly under AMSA International. These biannual conferences are managed and supervised by the Director of Membership and Development (Conferences). Two Chapters are elected yearly to host the conferences of AMSA International. Each conference features a specific theme of programmes.

The Asian Medical Students’ Conference[8] is a conference unique to AMSA International. It is a yearly conference conducted during summer. It is about a week long and encompasses three programme pillars of AMSA International - Academic, Socio-cultural and Community Service programmes. It involves participation from all the chapters affiliated to AMSA International which counts for hundreds of participation.

The first Asian Medical Students’ Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1980, 5 years before the establishment of the organisation. There were only a small group of medical students from four countries – India, Japan, Singapore and Thailand then. The group of medical students gathered and discussed issues of community medicine, nutrition, water and infection. Many years have passed and Asian Medical Students’ Conference has grown extensively along with AMSA International. As the hallmark activity of AMSA International, it draws hundreds of participants yearly from Asia-Pacific and beyond.[9]

Starting from 2020, the Annual General Meeting of AMSA International is to be held at this yearly conference. The Annual General Meeting is imperatively served as the regeneration point of the International Executive Board (I-EB). In the event when AMSC is not held, the Annual General Meeting should be held before the 20th of July in the same year that it is not held.

The East Asian Medical Students’ Conference[10] is another conference unique to AMSA International. It is a yearly conference conducted during winter. It encompasses the three programmes pillars of AMSA International, similar to Asian Medical Students' Conference.

During the early years of AMSA International, there were mini conferences held between two East Asian Chapters. One of the first few was between AMSA Korea and AMSA Taiwan and it was called the “Korea-China Medical Students’ Conference” or ”Sino-Korea Medical Students’ Conference”. Other East Asian Chapters were gradually organised to gather at this conference and it was then renamed to East Asian Medical Students’ Conference. It was 2002 when all Chapters were invited to the East Asian Medical Students’ Conference, making it an official conference of AMSA International.[11][2]

The Asian Medical Students' Exchange Programme[12] is an active subsidiary of AMSA International since its establishment in 2003. It took three years of setting-up to successfully conduct the first exchange programme that was held between AMSA Japan and AMSA Indonesia in 2006. It was established to diversify the activities for medical students under AMSA International. An Asian Medical Students' Exchange Programme is generally a week long and encompasses three programme pillars of AMSA International - Academic, Socio-cultural and Community Service programmes.

To properly run the subsidiary, a hierarchical management system is practised to advocate "Friendship". The Director of AMSEP (DoAMSEP) of AMSA International is the utmost position in the Asian Medical Students' Exchange Programme, governing the subsidiary as a whole. The National DoAMSEP of respective Chapters has the responsibility to facilitate discussions and assist the DoAMSEP of AMSA International at Chapter level. Each National DoAMSEP is assisted by Local DoAMSEPs at university level.

Exchanges were previously confined within AMSA International. Throughout the past years, the subsidiary grew and started having interorganisational exchanges through inter-organisational partnerships with European Medical Students' Association (EMSA) and Federation of African Medical Students' Association. Both exchanges are commonly named as European-Asian Medical Students’ Exchange Programme (EAMSEP) and Federation of African-Asian Medical Students’ Exchange Programme (FAMSEP) respectively.[13]

In 2020, the subsidiary has also introduced another programme named as AMSEP-Elective. The programme aims to provide long and flexible exchange periods for elective postings. However, the project had to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. A relaunch is scheduled in 2021.

The Academics subsidiary of AMSA International emphasises on the "Knowledge" vision of AMSA International. The subsidiary has been known to hold biannual competitions on specific topics complying to medical education syllabus n such as diabetes, hepatitis, haemophilia, and many more.[14][15] These competitions improve members' knowledge through scientific papers, public health posters, social campaigns and white papers.[16]

To properly run the subsidiary, a hierarchical management system is practised to advocate "Knowledge". The Director of Academics (DoA) of AMSA International is the utmost position in the Academics subsidiary, governing the hierarchy. The National DoA of respective Chapters has the responsibility to assist the DoA of AMSA International at Chapter level. By cooperating with professional healthcare providers and academicians all over the world, this subsidiary aims to provide a borderless and gratis experience towards knowledge-transfer.

The Public Health subsidiary of AMSA International emphasises on the "Action" vision of AMSA International. The subsidiary has been known to liaise through interorganisational partnerships to discuss pressing health issues. The subsidiary generally functions to coordinate and promote public health activities intended for further development of AMSA International at Chapter level, and global health initiatives at International level.

To properly run the subsidiary, a hierarchical management system is practised to advocate "Action". The Director of Public Health (DoPH) of AMSA International is the utmost position in the Public Health subsidiary, governing the hierarchy. The National DoPH of respective Chapters has the responsibility to assist the DoPH of AMSA International at Chapter level and initiate local public health advocacies. By cooperating with international health organisations like World Health Organisation (WHO), this subsidiary aims to provide gratis and impactful global health experiences.

The Journal of Asian Medical Students’ Association [ISSN 2226-3403][17] is a biannual student-led medical journal of AMSA International. It is coordinated by the Chief Editor of Journal of Asian Medical Students' Association.

The Journal of Asian Medical Students’ Association was established in 2012 with its first volume release, making AMSA International one of the very few medical students' organisation that run its own international, indexed, peer reviewed, student led biomedical research journal. Over the years, this medical journal has been indexed in Google scholar, Ulrichsweb, IndexCopernicus and Gale Cangage learning, enabling student researchers to gain international recognition in the scientific world without extending any publication charges.

This unique journal of AMSA International was established to provide a platform for members of AMSA International to publish their original research articles, reviews, case reports, conference reports and perspective articles. Taking forward the vision of AMSA International: Knowledge, Action and Friendship, Journal of Asian Medical Students’ Association acknowledges the scientific and research curiosity of students through their medical school by catering them editorial, management and scientific reviewing services in medicine and research.

The AMSA International eNewsletter [18] is a quarterly publication of AMSA International on the organisation's notices, subsidiaries and activities. It is coordinated by the Chief Editor of Newsletter.

The AMSA International eNewsletter is expected to provide members a broad insight regarding latest opportunities under AMSA International and discussions towards current health issues. All members of AMSA International are welcomed to contribute to the eNewsletter. With that being said, the eNewsletter also serves as a platform to strengthen relationships between members, alumni and partners of AMSA International. Alumni and members from other medical student organisations are also welcomed to contribute to the eNewsletter at every call for submission.