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Tamer Refaat is a very popular name both in and outside Egypt; this is a natural result of seven years of active participation in IFMSA on the local, national and international levels. He is now leading a very dedicated team to present the upcoming General Assembly (GA) in Hurghada in less than 8 weeks time. Here I take up some of his time to get an overview of what he is currently working on.

When did you get involved in IFMSA and when did you attend your first GA?

I was the youngest OC member of the IFMSA GA that was held in Hurghada 1998, it was an amazing experience that let me decide to carry on in our beloved IFMSA. During my second GA, I was appointed as IFMSA Project Committee coordinator on IFMSA Projects when I gained the great experience of being an IFMSA official. However as a side effect of this experience I became an IFMSA addict.

What things do you like most and what do you like least about IFMSA GAs?

I like everything and don't like anything.

What is your vision for the fifth GA in Egypt and what can Egypt offer to this GA?

The bid to host this GA was quite hard, so the victory was also very precious. EMSA Egypt represents more than 30,000 medical students all over Egypt and is organizing every kind of support as well as all of its resources in order to have a well organized and smooth GA.

Furthermore, Egypt is known for its touristic qualities. Egyptians are always welcoming and are very kind to their guests. You will feel very safe in our country, you will have much fun, and you will have no time to sleep…so be ready.

How did you become AM2005 OC president?

I am still asking myself the same question!!!! Since I am the most senior in the current EMSA generation, I never thought that I would be considered. I was very touched by the trust that all EMSA LCs put in me. I got a vote of confidence from all the LCs and was elected at an official EMSA GA.

How did you recruit the OC and tell us a bit about each of them & what they're doing?

It was very difficult to achieve equal representation of all the LCs together with having the most skilled and experienced members on the OC. The selection was difficult but in the end the most suitable members were selected and they received the trust of EMSA in an official EMSA GA.

Mina and Omar are sixth year medical students when they were elected to be the OC Vice-Presidents. They lead two of the biggest LCs in Egypt (Alexandria & Ain Shams), they have extensive experience and are really very helpful. The three of us coordinate all of the GA affairs.

Hazem (Nagla) is our treasurer and the registration official. He is the one who set the budget from the very beginning and is a very active member in the Ain shams LC. Hazem is currently a house officer - one year of general training after the sixth year.

Ahmed Magdy ( Mageedey) is our Visas coordinator. Ahmed is a sixth year medical student and is leading the oldest LC in Cairo and he also takes care of the national fund raising activities. He is very reliable and a hard worker and will be moderating the internal transportation between Cairo and Hurghada.

Ahmed Khamis (Khamisco) is responsible for coordinating contacts with national and regional NGOs for fundraising, He was also the local coordinator of the health and human rights workshop and the vice president of the Alexandria LC. He is currently a house officer and is the SCORA EMR Regional Assistant.

Walid Ghalwesh (Marleed) is the GA social activites coordinator. He is a sixth year medical student and the president of Suez Canal Local Association.

Mohamed Morsy (Abo Morsy) is the coordinator of the GA logistics. He is a sixth year medical student in Assiut and the ex-president of Assiut LC.

Ahmed El-zekey (Ziko) is a fifth year medical student in Mansoura University, and he is taking care of the GA publications.

Mohamed Esam, Mohamed Ali, Walaa, Amr Bakr are members of the pre GA team, who will follow the progress of the PreGA workshops. The are representatives of the Mansoura, Menoufia and Banha LCs, respectively.

What do you want to say to the attendants of the AM2005 and to all of the IFMSA officials?

Be certain that we are and will be doing our best to make you enjoy every moment of this GA. We are trying our best to fulfill all of the IFMSA officials' requests, so in turn we are hoping they are doing their best in preparing for the GA.

There is no candidate so far for AM2006...would you like to be its OC president as well?

NOOOOOOOOOOO! One time is more than enough for a life time :)

What would you say to people thinking of hosting a GA?

Think 1000000000000 times first and then Go For It!

 
Ahmed Magdy