10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress

10th ASIAN & OCEANIAN EPILEPSY CONGRESSSingapore, 7th - 10th August

ANNOUNCEMENT

10th ASIAN & OCEANIAN EPILEPSY CONGRESSSingapore, 7th - 10th August

ANNOUNCEMENT

www.epilepsysingapore2014.org

2013 - 11 - 2596 - ILAE (10th AOEC Final Annoucement2)_3.indd 1 1/17/2014 4:32:31 PM

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7th -10th August 2014

SCIENTIFIC ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Byung-In LEE (Korea), Co-ChairShih Hui LIM (Singapore), Co-ChairVinod SAXENA (India), Co-Chair

Josephine CASANOVA-GUTIERREZ (Philippines) Derrick CHAN (Singapore) Robert COLE (Australia) Kabhindra Man PRADHAN (Nepal) Chong Tin TAN (Malaysia) Tatsuya TANAKA (Japan)

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Derrick CHAN (Singapore), Co-ChairJohn DUNNE (Australia), Co-Chair

Wendyl D’SOUZA (Australia) Dede GUNAWAN (Indonesia) Yushi INOUE (Japan) Patrick KWAN (Hong Kong) Shichuo LI (China) Weiping LIAO (China) Kheng Seang LIM (Malaysia) Gouming LUAN (China)Man Mohan MEHNDIRATTA (India) Ernest SOMERVILLE (Australia)Jing-Jane TSAI (Taiwan)

ASSOCIATED COMMITTEES SUPPORTING THE 10th ASIAN & OCEANIAN EPILEPSY CONGRESS

Commission on Asian and Oceanian Affairs (CAOA)The Asian Epilepsy Academy (ASEPA)IBE Vice Presidents of Western Pacific and South East Asia IBE Western Pacific and South East Asia Regional Executive CommitteesExecutive members of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)Executive members of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)


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10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the Scientific Organising Committee and Scientific Advisory Committee, we warmly invite you to Singapore to participate in the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC), to be held from 7th to 10th August, 2014. This congress is the biennial regional congress of the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy. We are currently finalising the scientific programme, which encompasses recent scientific, clinical and social developments in the field of epilepsy. There will be a comprehensive range of main, post main and parallel sessions, lectures, video quizzes, debates, forums, workshops, teaching courses, as well as the inaugural Tournament of The Brainwaves. Your scientific research can also play a big part in this congress. Please consider submitting an abstract which will be presented in a platform session or displayed as a poster.

Singapore is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city, rich in contrast and colour. Yet despite it being a metropolis of glass and steel, Singapore has recently been ranked as the greenest city in Asia. The city is home to a diverse range of ethnicities, with many different languages, cultures, religions and gastronomic delights.

Further programme details will be announced shortly on the official website: www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

We look forward to welcoming you to Singapore for what promises to be an epilepsy meeting of excellent quality in the centre of Asia.

With best regards,

Byung-In LEECo-Chair

Scientific Organising Committee

Shih Hui LIMCo-Chair


Vinod SAXENACo-Chair





SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME – PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE




SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME – PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE




SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

MAIN SESSIONS

The Scientific Programme for the congress has been based on a comprehensive programme of main sessions which are as follows:

THE CHAIRMAN’S SYMPOSIUM: AED TOLERANCE AND RESISTANCE Chairs: Shih Hui LIM (Singapore) and Vinod SAXENA (India)

The definition and mechanism of AED tolerance and resistance Emilio PERUCCA (Italy) What's new in Drug Resistant Epilepsy (DRE)? Patrick KWAN (Hong Kong) Can DRE be prevented? Byung-In LEE (Korea) Pseudo-DRE John DUNNE (Australia)

EPILEPSY BURDENChairs: Athanasios COVANIS (Greece) and Jing-Jane TSAI (Taiwan) The epidemiological burden Wendyl D'SOUZA (Australia) Neuro-cognitive burden Sang-Ahm LEE (Korea) The psychosocial burden on patients Yushi INOUE (Japan) The burden of living with epilepsy from young to old - a personal journey TBA




NEURO-STIMULATION IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSYChairs: Mark COOK (Australia) and TBA Brain stimulation - state of the art in 2014 Mark COOK (Australia) Trans-cranial direct current stimulation TBA Trans-cranial magnetic stimulation Yuping WANG (China)

Deep brain stimulation TBA

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL MARKERS OF THE EPILEPTOGENIC ZONEChairs: Akio IKEDA (Japan) and Seung Bong HONG (Korea) The past and current role of scalp EEG in defining epileptogenic zones Derrick CHAN (Singapore)

High frequency oscillation in neocortical epilepsy Seung Bong HONG (Korea) Dense Array EEG source estimation in focal epilepsy Madoka YAMAZAKI (Japan) Future electrophysiological approaches in defining the epileptogenic zone Akio IKEDA (Japan)

POST MAIN SESSIONS

The main sessions of the congress will be supplemented by topical post main sessions which are as follows:

THE COST AND ECONOMIC BURDEN IN EPILEPSY Chairs: Robert COLE (Australia) and Kheng-Seang LIM (Malaysia) Methodological issues in estimating the cost of epilepsy Zhiliang LIU (China) Reducing the economic burden - lessons learnt from the west Samuel WIEBE (Canada) Reducing the economic burden of epilepsy in developing countries what has been and what else can be done? Kurupath RADHAKRISHNAN (India) Epilepsy and employment Kheng-Seang LIM (Malaysia)




EPILEPSY SURGERY IN ASIA: DEVELOPMENTS, UTILIZATION AND BARRIERS TO OVERCOMEChairs: Gary MATHERN (USA) and Taisuke OTSUKI (Japan) Identification of epilepsy surgery treatment gaps Gary MATHERN (USA) Build-up of "Epilepsy Care Network" in Japan Taisuke OTSUKI (Japan) Development of the Epilepsy Surgery Programme in China Guoming LUAN (China) Teleconferencing in the selection of epilepsy surgery candidates in Asia Syed Ather ENAM (Pakistan) EEG REVISITEDChairs: Tayard DESUDCHIT (Thailand) and Sanjeev THOMAS (India) Source localization of epileptiform activities Sanjeev THOMAS (India) EEG-fMRI Dong ZHOU (China) Detecting seizures in critical care Tayard DESUDCHIT (Thailand)

PARALLEL SESSIONS

Parallel sessions have been selected so that anyone with an interest in epilepsy can attend any of the sessions. They are as follows:

EPILEPSY AND PSYCHIATRYChairs: Sung-Pa PARK (Korea) and Beng-Yeong NG (Singapore) Psychotic illness in patients with epilepsy Kousuke KANEMOTO (Japan) Affective symptoms in patients with epilepsy Sung-Pa PARK (Korea) The correlation between epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder I-Ching CHOU (Taiwan) Psychiatric evaluation during AED treatment Beng-Yeong NG (Singapore)




MORTALITY IN EPILEPSYChairs: Ernie SOMERVILLE (Australia) and Ding DING (China) Long-term mortality in epilepsy Ding DING (China) Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) - An update Rosey PANELLI (Australia) Cause-specific mortality Eugen TRINKA (Austria) Accidental and drowning deaths in epilepsy Ernie SOMERVILLE (Australia)

LIVING WITH AED SIDE EFFECTSChairs: Frank VAJDA (Australia) and Sridharan RAMARATNAM (India) Overview of AED side effects Sridharan RAMARATNAM (India)

How to use AEDs during pregnancy and lactation Frank VAJDA (Australia) How to maintain bone health while on AEDs Kanitpong PHABPHAL (Thailand) How to minimise atheroscierosis with long-term AED usage Yao-Chung CHUANG (Taiwan) GENERIC AEDSChairs: Man Mohan MEHNDIRATTA (India) and Leonor CABRAL-LIM (Philippines) Generic and brand AEDs; are they really equal? Jing-Jane TSAI (Taiwan) The legal and economic impact of using generic AEDs Roy G. BERAN (Australia)

Switching AEDs: between brand and generic, and between generic and generic Man Mohan MEHNDIRATTA (India) Generic AEDs in the Asian market: the present and future Leonor CABRAL-LIM (Philippines)




PEDIATRIC EPILEPTOLOGYChairs: Heung-Dong KIM (Korea) and Helen CROSS (United Kingdom) Freedom from epilepsy in age-dependent epilepsy syndromes: cure or remission? Helen CROSS (United Kingdom) Interneuronopathies and genetics of the epileptic encephalopathies Mitsuhiro KATO (Japan)

The developmental impact of epilepsy Heung-Dong KIM (Korea) Genetic analysis in the pediatric epilepsy clinic – present and future Ingrid SCHEFFER (Australia)

SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY IN THE ELDERLYChairs: Kanitpong PHABPHAL (Thailand) and Nick LAWN (Australia) The first seizure in the older patient; clinical features and prognosis Nick LAWN (Australia) AED pharmacokinetics, drug interactions and choices Ilo LEPPIK (USA) Treatment responses in new-onset epilepsy in the elderly Akihiro TANAKA (Japan) New-onset status epilepticus and cluster seizures in the elderly Sanjib SINHA (India)

PROSPECTIVE THERAPIES FOR EPILEPSYChairs: Manjari TRIPATHI (India) and John DUNNE (Australia) New AEDs Terry O'BRIEN (Australia) Reflexology Manjari TRIPATHI (India) Stem cells therapy Hoon-Chul KANG (Korea) Individualized medicine based upon genetic information Sunao KANEKO (Japan)




SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY DUE TO INFECTION AND INFLAMMATIONChairs: Simon HARVEY (Australia) and Gagandeep SINGH (India) Autoimmune epilepsy: clinical characteristics, biomarkers and therapy Russell DALE (Australia)

Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) Simon HARVEY (Australia) Chronic epilepsy associated with CNS infections: a review of epidemiological evidence Gagandeep SINGH (India)

Modulation of immunity and the inflammatory response: a new target for treating drug resistant epilepsy TBA

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

These sessions provide an opportunity for important clinical issues to be reviewed, discussed and debated in an informal setting.

Video Quiz: PAROXYSMAL EVENTS IN ADULTSChairs: Shang-Yeong KWAN (Taiwan) and Weiping LIAO (China)

Presenters: Sangeeta RAVAT (India), Suryani GUNADHARMA (Indonesia), Weiping LIAO (China)

Video Quiz: PAROXYSMAL EVENTS IN INFANTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTSChairs: Hian-Tat ONG (Singapore) and Anannit Visudtibhan (Thailand)

Presenters: Hian-Tat ONG (Singapore), Surachai LIKASITWATTANAKUL (Thailand), Lai-Choo ONG (Malaysia) Debate: MECHANISMS OF AED ARE NOT RELEVANT IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY For - John DUNNE (Australia) Against - P. SATISHCHANDRA (India) Debate: EPILEPSY SURGERY FOR NON-LESIONAL EPILEPSY Do not waste time and financial resources in evaluating these patients for surgery Andrew BLEASEL (Australia) Patients must be evaluated extensively before giving up on surgery Tatsuya TANAKA (Japan)




GCAE Forum: REDUCING THE TREATMENT GAP IN ASIA Chairs: Ernie SOMERVILLE (Australia) and Chong-Tin TAN (Malaysia)

ILAE's modus operandi Emilio PERUCCA (Italy) A decade of Global Campaign Against Epilepsy in China: what's next? Shichuo LI (China) Train-the-trainer programmes; can the success in the Philippines be implemented in other Asian countries? Felicidad SOTO (Philippines) The Lao initiative on access to treatment for epilepsy Somchit VORACHIT (Laos)

Reducing the treatment gap in India: an innovative approach Mamta Bhushan SINGH (India) An update on treatment gap projects in the region Ernie SOMERVILLE (Australia) Workshop: SETTING UP AN EPILEPSY MONITORING UNIT: TIPS AND PITFALLSChairs: Yotin CHINVARUN (Thailand) and Riki MATSUMOTO (Japan)

Choosing a video-EEG monitoring system Yotin CHINVARUN (Thailand) Achieving and maintaining technical standards in long-term EEG and video recordings Shang-Yeong KWAN (Taiwan)

Reducing morbidity and mortality in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Riki MATSUMOTO (Japan)

THE MASAKAZU SEINO MEMORIAL LECTURE

Masakazu Seino, who passed away in 2007, devoted his life to the education of epilepsy in Asia. He organized the Commission on Asian and Oceanian Affairs (CAOA) and set up the Asian Epilepsy Academy (ASEPA) under the umbrella of ILAE.

In this memorial lecture, Sam BERKOVIC (Australia) will give a special didactic lecture on: Recent advances in molecular genetics of epilepsy

This lecture is kindly supported by Eisai Dainippon




ASEPA DIDACTIC LECTURES

In a manner similar to recent AOEC meetings, the Scientific Organising Committee aims to provide delegates with a series of didactic lectures which are an important axis of the Congress. The lectures are organized by the Asian Epilepsy Academy (ASEPA) which is the educational arm of the Commission on Asian and Oceanian Affairs (CAOA). Five lectures pertaining to crucial aspects of contemporary epileptology will be presented as plenary sessions of the Congress in order to provide the latest available information.

The lecturers are all world-renowned experts in their respective field. The fundamentals as well as state-of-the-art implications of the topics will be covered. The ASEPA believes a series of didactic lectures, delivered by eminent experts, will be able to provide participants with an efficient way of enriching their knowledge of the forefront of epileptology. All those who wish to attend any of these lectures are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the speakers and their work. Brain functional anatomy and epileptic networks - the connection Xingzhou LIU (China)

Epilepsy with psychiatric disorders - same disease, different manifestations? Yushi INOUE (Japan)

When is epilepsy present and when is it not? Byung-In LEE (Korea) An update in classification and treatment in status epilepticus Eugen TRINKA (Austria) What's new in AED-induced SJS, TEN and DRESS? Wen-Hung CHUNG (Taiwan)

RESEARCH FORUMS

The Research Forums are intended to be less formal than traditional sessions in which selected topics can be explored and discussed in a clubroom style. Running in parallel with each other, one will focus on recent research discoveries while the second looks at research in progress.

TOURNAMENT OF THE BRAINWAVES

An innovation to the scientific programme of the 10th AOEC, the Tournament of the Brainwaves promises to offer a fun approach to learning for the audience and participants alike. Teams of 4 from at least 3 different ILAE chapters and/or IBE associations, are pitched against each other answering quick-fire questions that will demonstrate their knowledge in a wide range of epilepsy-related issues.

Quiz Masters: Shih Hui LIM (Singapore) and Nigel TAN (Singapore)

ILAE SPECIAL SESSION

Epilepsia and Epileptic Disorders, the two journals of ILAE, have put together this special session entitled How to get your study published in ILAE journals. Not only will the practicalities of getting papers published in the two journals be discussed but it also gives an opportunity for delegates to talk about ideas of articles and educational material that would be particularly useful for the Asian and Oceanian region.




PROGRAMME INFORMATION

EPILEPSY AND SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM

An exciting programme that will be of great interest to both individuals living with epilepsy and for staff from community organisations supporting people living with epilepsy is scheduled for Saturday 9th August 2014. This symposium has been developed by local and regional committees of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE).

The programme will cover topics of practical interest to people with epilepsy. These include Living with Epilepsy - work, school and sports, practical advice on anticonvulsants, their side effects and consequences of epilepsy-related injury, death and SUDEP. Professional perspectives on alternative therapies such as reflexology will be given as well as practical tools in the management of epilepsy.

These and many other issues will be discussed in the sessions and during networking opportunities. As part of the symposium, Outstanding People with Epilepsy (PWE) will be recognised from countries around the region. Delegates are invited to come for the 10th AOEC Welcome Ceremony on Thursday 7th August, where the PWEs will receive their awards, and to the reception that follows later that evening. Recipients will be recognised during the Symposium also and outdoor activities are planned.

PRE CONGRESS ACTIVITIES

ASEPA EEG CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS – PART 1 AND PART 2

Both Part 1 (Written) and Part 2 (Oral) EEG Certification Examinations will be held on Thursday 7th August 2014. Full details will shortly be announced on the congress website www.epilepsysingapore2014.org or alternatively you may contact [email protected]




ASEPA PRE-CONGRESS TEACHING COURSES Course 1: STRUCTURAL AND METABOLIC CAUSES OF EPILEPSIESChairs: Josephine GUTIERREZ (Philippines) and TBA

Post-traumatic epilepsy Chong-Tin TAN (Malaysia) Post-stroke epilepsy Ta-Cheng CHEN (Taiwan) Post-encephalitic epilepsy Usha Kant MISRA (India) Brain tumour Josephine GUTIERREZ (Philippines) Mitochondrial disease Young-Mock LEE (Korea)

Neurocutaneous syndromes Ingrid SCHEFFER (Australia) Malformations of cortical development Athanasios COVANIS (Greece) CNS vascular malformation Howan LEUNG (Hong Kong) Course 2: ADVANCES IN IMAGING TECHNIQUES IN EPILEPSY EVALUATION Chairs: Graeme JACKSON (Australia) and Tchoyoson Choie Cheio LIM (Singapore)

Structural MRI: visual inspection versus automated assessment Graeme JACKSON (Australia)

DWI and MRS Tchoyoson Choie Cheio LIM (Singapore) DTI tractography Elysa WIDJAJA (Indonesia) fMRI mapping of eloquent cortex Winston Eng-Hoe LIM (Singapore)

SPECT and SISCOM Terry O’BRIEN (Australia) PET Yotin CHINVARUN (Thailand)

MEG Hiroshi OTSUBO (Japan) Multimodal imaging for epilepsy surgery epileptogenic networks Sarat CHANDRA (India)

Please note that there may be changes to the scientific programme; any changes will be updated on the congress website www.epilepsysingapore2014.org




ABSTRACTS AND AWARDS

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS The Scientific Advisory Committee of the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress encourages all researchers and practitioners to consider contributing to the programme by submitting abstracts for platform and poster presentations. Abstracts must be submitted in English through the official website www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

Abstracts will not be accepted unless they are submitted according to the rules, instructions and format detailed on the website and are received by the Congress Secretariat before 14th March 2014. Abstracts are considered official communications to the Congress once finalised and submitted. Authors of accepted abstracts agree to attend the Congress and present their oral communications and posters as scheduled.

Please contact the Congress Secretariat at [email protected], if you experience any difficulties in using the online system.

TADOKORO BEST PRESENTATION PRIZE

To encourage research in epileptology in the region, there will be best presentation prizes for both platform and poster presentations. The first and second prizes for both the Platform and Poster session are US$300 and US$200 respectively.




REGISTRATION

Registration is now available at www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

REGISTRATION FEES

* The Special Rate is available to Trainee Doctors, Allied Health Professionals, Practice Nurses & Epilepsy Nurses. Any delegates applying for the Special Rate Registration must provide a letter from the Head of the Department in order to prove their status. This should be sent to the Congress Secretariat at +353 1 212 3576. Alternatively a scanned copy can be sent to [email protected].

* * Subsidised Registration Fees are available to nationals of the countries as defined by Group A of the ‘Hinari Access to Research in Health Programme’. The list of eligible countries in Group A can be found here www.who.int/hinari/eligibility/en All delegates applying for Special Subsidised registration must fax a clear copy of their passport to the Congress Secretariat at +353 1 212 3576. Alternatively a scanned copy of the passport can be sent to [email protected].

SPECIAL AND SUBSIDISED RATES ARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS ONLY AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRY.




ASEPA Pre Congress Workshops – 7th August 2014

Epilepsy and Society Symposium – 9th August 2014

Further information regarding registration terms and conditions and cancellation policies may be found on the congress website. Please email [email protected] with any queries.

LETTERS OF INVITATION

Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation to attend the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress should write to the Congress Secretariat at [email protected]. This procedure is designed to assist participants who need to obtain a visa or permission to attend the congress and does not cover registration fees or other expenses.




GENERAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION

The 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress in collaboration with Travel Central PTE LTD have set aside blocks of rooms in the congress venue, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, and many other conveniently located hotels nearby. These hotels have been specially selected with you in mind to make your Singapore experience an exceptional one. Full details on each of the hotels are available on the congress website: www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

For accommodation enquiries, please contact:

Travel Central Pte Ltd 152 Beach Road,Level 28 Gateway EastSingapore 189721Fax/Phone : (65) 63675452 24hrs Emergency No.: (65) 98219191General Email : [email protected]

TRADE EXHIBITION

A trade exhibition will be run in conjunction with the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress. This is an integral part of the congress, offering delegates the chance to learn the latest developments in products and services relevant to the field of epilepsy. Companies who are interested in exhibiting at the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress should contact the Exhibition Manager on [email protected].

VENUE

The venue for the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress is the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel is overlooking the historic Singapore river, and it is a premier conference hotel where luxurious elegance and contemporary style go hand in hand. It is ideally located within easy reach of the Central Business District and the waterfront precincts of Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay with their lively dining and entertainment venues.

Venue Address: Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel392 Havelock Road, Singapore, 169663Website: www.millenniumhotels.com.sg /grandcopthornewaterfront




USEFUL CONGRESS INFORMATION

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

A Certificate of Attendance will be available for all delegates attending the 10th AOEC.

LIABILITY AND INSURANCE

The congress organizers will not accept liability for personal injury or loss/damage to property/ belongings of participants or accompanying persons, before, during or following the congress, tours or their stay in Singapore. It is therefore recommended that participants arrange their own personal health, accident and travel insurance.

MAILING LIST

If you would like to be included on the congress mailing list to receive updates about the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress, please submit your contact details via the congress website www.epilepsysingapore2014.org, or contact us at [email protected].

NEWSLETTERS

Monthly newsletters containing updates on the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress are available from the General Information section on the congress website; please check it regularly: www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

SOCIAL EVENTS

The Congress Welcome Ceremony shall take place on the evening of Thursday 7th August; further details will shortly be announced on www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

WEBSITE: www.epilepsysingapore2014.org.

All details regarding the congress will be announced on the congress website as they become available. Abstract submission, registration, accommodation reservations will be processed via the website. Please refer to the website for scientific programme updates in the coming months.

Details on other epilepsy congresses worldwide can be accessed through the Epilepsy Portal website at www.epilepsycongress.org.




LOCAL INFORMATION

ABOUT SINGAPORE

Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world (with a land area of about 710 square kilometres), host city Singapore is rich in contrast and colour. A beautiful and cosmopolitan city, Singapore’s skyline is dotted with high-rise buildings and landscape gardens, with the bay providing a beautiful backdrop. The city is populated by people with a diverse range of ethnicities, with many different languages, cultures and religions.

Dining, along with shopping, is said to be the country’s national past time and there are excellent restaurants to choose from, day or night, with options from Peranakan to Chinese, Indian to Malay, fusion and more.

CLIMATE The weather remains warm and humid all year round with abundant rainfall. The average temperature is between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius.

CURRENCY, CREDIT CARDS AND EXCHANGE

The unit of currency is the Singapore dollar. Most stores and restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Most ATMs accept major credit cards.

There are currency changing services available at Changi Airport, and also throughout the downtown area. Banks commonly open from 09:30 to 15:00 on weekdays.




CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

All visitors to Singapore should hold a passport that is valid for at least six months after their planned departure date from Singapore.

Nationals of EU countries, USA, Canada, most Latin America countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel and Japan are not required to obtain visas in advance and will be given a social visit pass upon arrival, that allows them to stay in Singapore for a period of up to thirty days (extendable).

Visa application is required for citizens / passport holders of the following countries:India, Myanmar, People’s Republic of China, Holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity, Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) and Nigeria. Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and holders of Palestinian Authority Passport, Temporary Passport issued by the United Arab Emirates and Refugee Travel Document issued by Middle-East countries.

More information can be found on: www.mfa.gov.sg.

Customs in Singapore is quite simple and hassle-free. If you have nothing special to declare you may just proceed.

LANGUAGE

The Singapore government recognizes four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Singapore English is regarded as the main language in Singapore. The official language of the congress is English.

TAXES

Most goods and services in Singapore are subject to a federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7%. As a tourist in Singapore, you can claim a refund on the GST paid on your purchases made at participating retail shops when you leave Singapore and take your purchases home. Simply spend SGD$100 or more to qualify.

As of August 2012, the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) replaced the paper refund form system.

TIME ZONE

Singapore is 7 hours ahead of GMT in August.




TRANSPORT

AIRLINES

Save up to 20% on travel with the Star Alliance networkThe Star Alliance™ member airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for the 10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress.

To obtain the Star Alliance Conventions Plus discounts please follow the below steps to access the Conventions Plus online booking tool:• Visit www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus/delegates/• Under “Delegates login” enter conventions code SK07A32• The online booking tool opens in a separate window*

*Should the online booking tool not open, please ensure that your Pop-Up blocker is disabled.Registered participants travelling to the event can qualify for a discount of up to 20%, depending on fare and class of travel booked.

For more information please visit the congress website.

CITY TRANSPORT

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is probably the fastest way to get around Singapore apart from taxis. Besides being one of the cleanest transport systems in the world, the MRT has great access to almost every part of Singapore.

SBS Transit is Singapore’s major bus service operator. Services are all around Singapore.

A taxi is the most convenient way around. You should be able to hail a cab without any problems in most parts of Singapore.




IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

THE 10th AOEC CONGRESS SECRETARIAT

• Programme Coordinator – Kathryn Hodgson Neill Email: [email protected]• Exhibition & Sponsorship – Finola Quinn Email: [email protected]• Registration – Email: [email protected]

ILAE/IBE Congress Secretariat,7 Priory Hall, Stillorgan Road,Blackrock, Co. Dublin,Ireland.Tel: +353 1 2056720Fax: +353 1 2056156Email: [email protected]: www.epilepsysingapore2014.org




The Congress Committee would like to thank the Singapore

Tourism Board for their generous contribution in hosting the 10th Asian &

Oceanian Epilepsy Congress




INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU FOR EPILEPSY AND THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE AGAINST EPILEPSY

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU FOR EPILEPSY

The International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) was established in 1961 as an organisation of laypersons and professionals interested in the medical and non-medical aspects of epilepsy. The IBE addresses such social problems as education, employment, insurance, driving licence restrictions and public awareness.

The International Bureau for Epilepsy provides assistance by offering international support, by creating means for worldwide exchange of information and, where possible, by setting standards which provide an international policy focus and identity for all persons with epilepsy. Much of this work is accomplished through the IBE, composed of volunteers who are experts in their subjects.

IBE activities are coordinated in the region by the South East Asia Regional Committee and the Western Pacific Regional Committee.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE AGAINST EPILEPSY

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) was founded in 1909 in Budapest and is an organisation of more than 100 national chapters. The ILAE has become an important influence on epilepsy policy, research and treatment. The ILAE runs conferences on a national, regional and international basis. It owns and publishes the premier epilepsy journal Epilepsia and works to achieve its aims through its national chapters and its commissions and task forces. It is through the efforts of its members, all volunteers, that it achieves its goals.

The goals of the ILAE are:• To advance and disseminate knowledge about epilepsy• To promote research, education and training• To improve services and care for patients, especially by prevention, diagnosis and treatment

ILAE activities are coordinated in the region by the Commission on Asian and Oceanic Affairs (CAOA).





Get in touch with us:

ILAE/IBE Congress Secretariat,7 Priory Hall, Stillorgan Road,

Blackrock, Co. Dublin,Ireland

Tel: +353 1 2056720Fax: +353 1 2056156

Email: [email protected]: www.epilepsysingapore2014.org


Documents

10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress