The Editor, Sir:

I noted that recently the Jamaica Medical Students' Association (JAMSA) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) won for Jamaica the right to host the 57th General Assembly of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)in August 2008.

This must be an outstanding achievement not only for the UWI, but for Jamaica and the entire Caribbean. As from my research, the IFMSA (www.ifmsa.org) is indeed a prestigious organisation, as branches of both the World Health Organisation and the United Nations for students. In addition, the federation holds numerous partnerships and collaborations with multiple international organisations such as UNESCO, UNAIDS, IPPNW, the Council of Europe and the British Medical Journal, to name a few.

augurs well

I couldn't believe that our students beat out competing bids from other larger more developed candidate countries, such as Canada, Taiwan and Macedonia. This augurs well for the future professionals they will become, as they augment their own development.

We should all be proud that as Jamaicans and Caribbean people we can use our creative academic talents to excel and be recognised as world beaters in fields other than music and sports.

I must congratulate Scotiabank for giving such financial support in recognition of the importance of the future development of doctors as resources and assets to the region.

Congratulations to the team that pulled this off for our country.

I am, etc.,

KAVON FIENNES

kfiennes@gmail.com

Research Crescent, Ingleside

Mandeville

Via Go-Jamaica