Our Senior Institutional Memberships and Global Networks Manager, Steve Warner, reflects on his recent visit to China, to attend the APMEC conference.
In my role, I have the privilege of serving as the primary contact for our Institutional Members worldwide. These members form a vital part of our global community, representing institutions and organisations dedicated to advancing excellence in health professions education.
Attending APMEC
I particularly relish meeting members face to face, so the opportunity in January to attend the Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC) in Yiwu, China, was not to be missed.
The conference was an historic event as it marked the first time APMEC was hosted in mainland China and offered an extraordinary opportunity to connect in person with both our Individual and Institutional Members from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
I met representatives from Chinese schools of healthcare, universities in Southeast Asia, Australia, and other APEC countries, as well as colleagues from further afield who attended this landmark gathering.
Conversations were rich and varied and I was particularly inspired by the many who shared stories of how AMEE membership has helped them implement innovative curricula, improve assessment practices, or foster interprofessional education initiatives.
Others explored ways to expand their engagement, such as nominating colleagues for individual memberships or collaborating on AMEE initiatives. These interactions reinforced the value of AMEE’s global network and how institutional membership serves as a gateway to meaningful, long-term collaboration.
What is Institutional Membership?
Institutional membership with AMEE is more than a subscription—it is a powerful statement of commitment. By joining AMEE, an organisation publicly aligns itself with the pursuit of excellence, continuous development, and improvement in teaching, learning, assessment, research, and leadership within health professions education.
This recognition helps institutions stand out in an increasingly competitive and interconnected field, signalling to faculty, students, partners, and accrediting bodies their dedication to high standards and global best practices.
Final reflections on APMEC
Traveling to Yiwu reminded me why this work matters: health professions education is a truly international endeavour. By supporting our Institutional Members—whether through direct guidance, facilitating connections, or highlighting their achievements—we contribute to stronger, more equitable, and more innovative healthcare education worldwide.
Our interactions demonstrated the power of coming together to share knowledge, challenge assumptions, and inspire progress. I look forward to continuing these vital conversations and welcoming even more institutions into our community committed to excellence.
