Introduction
Initially launched in 2008, the APAO Achievement Award Program aims to recognize attendees of the APAO Annual Congress for their time and contribution to its scientific programs.
The program operates on the basis of cumulative points, with 3 award categories:
- Achievement Award (10 points)
- Senior Achievement Award (30 points)
- Life Achievement Honor Award (60 points)
How To Accumulate Points
Effective July 20, 2024, the program adopts the following point system.
(A) Contributions to annual congresses
Delegates who attend the APAO Congress of a particular year can earn points by working in a role in any of these 8 categories:
- Scientific Program Committee member
- Chair/Co-Chair of a scientific session
- Presenter in an invited scientific session (incl. invited symposium, instruction course, challenging case presentation, subspecialty day presentation)
- Presenter/Chief Instructor in a submitted instruction course
- Presenting author in a free paper presentation
- Presenting author in a poster/e-poster presentation
- Presenting author of a film/video presentation
- Abstract reviewer (from the 2025 Congress onwards)
Per Congress, one point is awarded per category regardless of the number of presentations made in the same category. An individual can earn a maximum of four points from the same congress.
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Example: A delegate presents 2 invited talks, 1 free paper, 1 poster, and 1 e-poster at a particular APAO Annual Congress. S/he also conducts a submitted instruction course as the Chief Instructor, and presents in another submitted instruction course as one of the instructors in the same congress. The number of points s/he earns from that Congress will be:
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(B) Contributions to satellite congresses
Colleagues who contribute their time and effort to the APAO Satellite Congress (https://apaophth.org/satellite-congress/) are also recognized under this scheme. They can obtain achievement points by working in a role in either of these 2 categories:
- Chair/Coordinator of a scientific session
- Presenter in an invited scientific session
Per Satellite Congress, one point is awarded per category regardless of the number of presentations made in the same category. An individual can earn a maximum of two points from the same satellite congress.
(C) Use of a consistent email address for record keeping
To ensure the successful accumulation of points for your hard work, please always use the same email address to register for the annual congress and in all communications regarding the award point records under this program. As people may share the same name, using a consistent email address across years will greatly facilitate our database’s identification of you.
If you have used more than one email account in the past, please contact the APAO Secretariat at secretariat@apaophth.org. We will merge your points accumulated under different accounts into one.
Achievement Award Nomination Process
Colleagues who have accumulated the required points are automatically nominated for the appropriate awards. Their names will be presented to the APAO Award Standing Committee for endorsement. Recipients will be notified before the APAO annual congress.
Prizes
Awardees can enjoy complimentary registration for the Congress in the year they receive the awards. They will be recognized at an award presentation ceremony and receive an Achievement Award ribbon. Their photos will be published in the Congress Program Book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many points have I accumulated?
A: Your award points are recorded under the email account with which you registered for the congress. You can check your point records by logging in to https://id.apaophth.org/ using your APAO ID.
Q: I am going to serve as member of the Scientific Program Committee and moderate a scientific session as Chair in an upcoming APAO Congress. How many points will I get?
A: Under the current mechanism, effective July 20, 2024, you will earn two points in such a scenario. This contrasts with the single point that you would get under our previous rules. The point system has now been enhanced to recognize colleagues who contribute multifaceted to our scientific program.
Q: Can I obtain a point by co-authoring an abstract?
A: While an abstract may be co-authored by several colleagues, only the presenting author will get a point under this program. This criterion has been introduced since July 20, 2024, after a review to better meet the objectives of the Achievement Awards.
Q: I am going to work as an abstract reviewer for an upcoming congress. Will I get any points for it?
A: Starting from July 20, 2024, Congress attendees who serve as abstract reviewers are recognized by this program. They will earn one point under the new point system.
Q: But I cannot attend the upcoming congress despite I am reviewing 30+ abstracts for it. Will I still get a point?
A: We are sorry that you are unable to join us, and therefore unable to earn any points this time. Please note that attendance at the congress is a prerequisite for obtaining points under any category of service.
Q: I worked for the scientific program of a congress before 2008. Can I earn points for it retrospectively?
A: As the Achievement Award Program was launched in 2008, we regret that our point system does not accommodate the recognition of services before that. However, please rest assured that we do appreciate your past contributions and your continuous support of our Congress would be more than welcome.
Q: I worked as a coordinator of an invited program years ago. Why didn’t I get a point for it?
A: Chairs and coordinators of invited programs have been included in the Achievement Award Program since 2015. If you have taken up such a role before that, we are sorry that our system does not retrospectively give you a point. Despite that, we highly value your past efforts.
Q: Where can I retrieve information about the old Achievement Award Program?
A: The current Achievement Award Program has been in effect since July 20, 2024. For the previous program information, please visit our archive here.