Dr. Uduak Udom.
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LONDON—Dr. Uduak Udom of Nigeria has been named president of the World Council of Optometry (WCO). She succeeds Dr. Susan Cooper of Canada, who has just concluded her two-year term as president of the international optometric association. Dr. Scott Mundle, also of Canada, is president elect and will take over the role of president in two years’ time.

“The mission of WCO is to facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide via education, humanitarian outreach and policy development. In partnership with organizations such as IAPB, BHVI, VOSH, Essilor, Johnson & Johnson and Alcon, and with our colleagues in academia, I believe we can reach higher heights in this regard during the coming years,” said Dr. Udom, speaking at the WCO annual general meeting in Medellin, Colombia, Aug. 14 to 16, 2015, where her presidency was announced.

“WCO's collaboration plan with the World Health Organization for the next three years covers the important areas of data collection, technical expertise, policy development, advocacy and supporting the development of sustainable optometric human resources through standardized optometric education. This, again, is one the areas of work WCO will focus on during my tenure,” she added.

Also at the meeting in Colombia, Dr. Cooper announced that the next World Congress of Optometry Conference will be held in Hyderabad, India, Sept. 11 to 13, 2017. It will be hosted by the India Vision Institute in partnership with the WCO and is expected to attract around 2,000 delegates and 70 exhibitors from around the world.

The WCO is in the process of moving from its headquarters in London to St. Louis, where it will be located in the headquarters building of the American Optometric Association, which is currently being renovated.

The WCO’s more than 90 international member organizations represent more than 150,000 optometrists across six world regions.