In keeping with the aims of the International Academy of Pathology, the British Division attempts - as far as resources permit - to assist in the development of pathology as a diagnostic specialty in other parts of the world.

The British Division provides a Bursary, which helps overseas pathologists to travel to laboratories of the British Division to further their training.

We also provide a Travel Bursary, by which members of the British Division can get help to travel, especially to less affluent parts of the world, to do work (such as providing teaching) which furthers the aims of the BDIAP.

See also our appeal for help from our members.

Recent activities in this context include:

• The BDIAP is supporting two Studentships to train pathologists from disadvantaged Anglophone countries. Training is being provided in South Africa rather than t,he UK, to minimise costs, by agreement with South African Division of the IAP.
• The BDIAP also send "goodwill ambassadors" to support and lecture in national and international meetings in Africa, including a yearly sponsorship for the South African Divisional Meeting and two yearly for the APECSA (Association of Pathologists of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa). The last "goodwill ambassador" was Professor Michael Wells who visited South Africa in July 2007, giving 11 lectures.

ARAB DIVISION

• The Arab Division of the IAP covers 22 member states, some less affluent than others. The BDIAP has through Professor Kristin Henry long had links with the ADIAP. This has now been developed by into a 'Arab - British School of Pathology' with yearly educational meetings. Since December 2002, when the original meeting was held in Beirut, there have been five meetings in Damascus, Cairo, Bahrain and Aman, representing a wide coverage of Middle Eastern Arab-speaking countries. There has been excellent attendance at each of these meetings (varying from 50 to 250) and all have been a resounding educational and social success. The meeting will return to Beirut in May/June 2008, under the organisation of Professor Ghazi Zaatari.
• Speakers have also been provided to contribute to meetings of the Arab Division of the IAP. The next is the 25th anniversary meeting, at which the BDIAP will give support by sending three speakers, Professor Kristin Henry, Dr E Calonje and Professor Geraint Williams.
  
• The achievements of the Arab British School of Pathology were acknowledged by the awarding of a Gold Medal to its leading players at the Centenary IAP Congress in Montreal in September 2006

ASIA-PACIFIC DIVISION

• The BDIAP regularly supplies speakers for Asia - Pacific IAP meetings.

BOSNIA

• The Bosnian British School of Pathology has been set up along the same lines as the Arab and Sri Lankan British Schools. The inaugural meeting was on gastrointestinal pathology in August 2007, with Professor Neil Shepherd and Professor Geraint Williams (BDIAP General Secretary and President elect) as speakers. The success of the meeting was a tribute to the President, Dr Nurija Belalovic, and Dr Semir Vranic, who was the chief organiser of the meeting.
• The second Bosnian British School of Pathology will occur in Sarajevo in 2008 and will be on breast pathology, with a programme organised by Professor Sarah Pinder.
• The BDIAP Council has agreed to fund up to 14 trainees from the Balkans to attend the IAP World Congress in Athens in October 2008.
• The BDIAP has recently supplied a shipment of new Pathology Text books, to the value of just under £4000, to pathology departments in Bosnia.

INDIA

• The BDIAP has assisted with occasional meetings in India, the most recent being an 'Update in Pathology' meeting, in Pune, February 2008, with BDIAP speakers Stephen Hubscher, Sebastian Lucas and Roderick Simpson.

SRI LANKA

• In 2006, we established the Sri Lankan British School of Pathology. In concert with the Sri Lankan College of Pathologists, we will organise biennial symposia, in Sri Lanka, on systemic pathology. This is on similar lines to the Arab British School of Pathology. The first school was held in Colombo in September 2007, on gastrointestinal pathology, at which there were 150 delegates and the success of the meeting was a tribute to the local organiser, Dr Isha Prematilleke, and the College of Pathologists in Sri Lanka. The next meeting will be in 2009, featuring gynaecological pathology.

INTERNATIONAL IAP CONGRESSES

• We regularly provide financial support for trainees who wish to attend International Congresses. Such support is offered to up to 14 BDIAP trainees to attend the 2008 Congress in Athens (follow this link for details).

ASSISTANCE WITH PROVISION OF JOURNALS

• Pathology departments in underdeveloped countries often lack the resources to stock an effective library. We collaborate in a scheme to transport 'unwanted' journals from BDIAP members to such departments, where they will be well used. Some copies of the Division's Journal, Histopathology, are also provided.

Suggestions and requests for future links of this type should be made through:

Administrative Secretary:

Mrs C. Harris
BDIAP
P.O. Box 73
Westbury on Trym
Bristol BS9 1RY

Tel: (+44)(0)117 907 7940
Fax: (+44)(0)117 907 7941
Email bdiap@blueyonder.co.uk