A Year for Change

This year will see significant changes within the Communications and Publications Division.  There has been a reorganization of the CPD Executive Committee (EC) with some individuals assuming new responsibilities and several new appointments.   After serving as IFCC News Editor for six years, I was appointed Chair of the division, with my three-year term starting on Jan 1, 2007 and Dr. Grazyna Sypniewska became the new Editor of the IFCC Journal, vacating her position as Website Editor.   There are four new faces on the CPD EC:  Prof Khosrow Adeli (CA) � Vice Chair/Public Relations Coordinator, Dr. Hassan El Sayed (SY) � Website Editor/Distant Learning Coordinator, Prof Edgard Delvin (CA)-News Editor, and Dr. Franz Bauman (DE) � Corporate Representative. 

Thus it is with great expectation, and a little trepidation, that I look forward to the beginning of my term as Chair of this division.   Due to the success of the previous Chairs, the seat left for me is large and the expectations are great.   One of the first challenges will be for the new CPD EC to come together as a cohesive team.   It is my intention that the CPD EC develops a strategic plan to cover the following issues: 

1) Improve interdivisional communications within IFCC
2) Ensure that the website is updated in a timely manner
3) Enhance distance learning opportunities.
4) Increase the number of IFCC related publications
5) Working with the EB and other divisions to enhance IFCC Public Relations

Two new CPD working groups were recently approved by he IFCC Executive Board to help in meeting these goals: Working Group on Public Relations and Working Group on Internet and Distant Learning, with the CPD Vice Chair and Website Editor chairing them, respectively.  Anyone interested in serving on one of these new working groups should contact either the WG Chair, any member of the CPD EC or the IFCC office. 

Over the past several years, we have been, and will continue, exploring ways of employing new digital technologies, such as Voice Over IP telephony and Really Simplified Syndication, to enhance our ability to provide distant learning opportunities, e.g., distribution of recorded lectures, podcasting. An upgraded website was launched in mid-year and with it the tools to allow IFCC committees and member national societies to have their own web pages on the IFCC website which they control and edit, thus enhancing communications.  We will be hosting the IMCLGS/CLGGS consortium (Clinical Laboratory Genomic and Genetic Standards) using the IFCC infrastructure.   Discussions are being held with the C-NPU in regards to hosting the IFCC-IUPAC coding system on the IFCC website, currently there are over 22,000 entries in the database.  Thus, we are continually looking for new ways to service the IFCC and its members using up to date technology.

The new Communications and Publication Division Executive Committee is comprised of excellent individuals who bring the right mix of skills to address the challenges ahead. The talents and experiences they bring to the table, are immense and range from software development and creation of distant learning programs to previously serving as journal editors.   It is due to them that I have great excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming year.  I not only hope that you will share my feelings but that you will see the fruits of our labors.