Sultan Qaboos University is hosting the 15^th Eastern Mediterranean Regional Meeting of International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) from 6 to 8 February 2019. The opening of the meeting was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Futaisi, the Advisor of the University at Sundus Rotana Muscat on Wednesday, 6 February. The regional and executive council members of IFMSA are attending the meeting.

This meeting coincides with the completion of 10 years of the Medical Student Group at SQU joining the IFMSA in 2009, and it is the first time for the Sultanate to host such an event, under the slogan "Occupational Health". As many as 13 medical student associations and 200 participants from different countries; Egypt, Jordan, Palestine , Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Iran, as well as members from Europe, South America, Asia and India are attending the meeting.

Dr. Adinus Wazeer, Regional Director IFMSA said that during the three days, the meeting would discuss many papers related to the public health issues in different communities, including the refugees’ health and women's health, as an initial experience of the organizing committee and their ability to absorb the huge number of ideas and discussions.”

Dr. Sharif Baaloui, head of the organizing committee of the regional meeting, said: “the aim of the meeting is to come out with a youth agreement that cares about occupational health, to be the first of its kind for young people and for the region".

The Organizing Committee has been working in full swing for more than two years preparing for the candidacy and applying the candidacy card. The Sultanate won largest number of votes. Accordingly, the Committee provides all possible means, in addition to providing a suitable environment for participants in this meeting.