Support for Education in Epilepsy in Europe
Education is a major activity in the strategy of The Commission for European Affairs (CEA)
for 2009-2013. This document describes how to apply for support for educational activities.
The five categories of educational activities supported by the CEA are
1.
Comprehensive courses on epileptology
2.
Topic-related courses
3.
Advanced courses in focused topics
4.
Web based E-learning – VIREPA, the E-learning platform of the ILAE
5.
Scientific workshops/symposia can only be supported where organized on
specific topics, and outputs are outlined to the benefit of the European and
wider ILAE community
Applying for support from the CEA
1.
CEA can provide both financial support as well as non-financial support in the
form of promoting the activity .
a. An application form is available on the CEA website within the ILAE website
(www.epilepsy.org ; or: www.ILAE.org ).
2.
Application should be submitted to the Chair of the educational subcommittee
(hcross@ich.ucl.ac.uk) a minimum of 12 months prior to the dates proposed.
3.
Applications will be evaluated by the CEA educational subcommittee
(evaluation form can be downloaded on www.epilepsy.org ). The funding will
be allocated by the CEA to applications depending on the evaluation.
Examples of the 5 major categories of Educational Activities
already scheduled for 2011-2013
1.
Comprehensive courses on epileptology
Courses aimed at covering a broad range of topics in epilepsy ranging from understanding
the mechanism of epilepsy to practical management
Examples:
1. Migrating Course (MC) on Epilepsy An annual interactive course run over 6 days in new
locations around Europe, recognizing a local need to the area where the course is based (2007
Serbia, 2008 Lithuania, 2009 Czech Republic, 2010 Poland, 2011 Rome). The course is a mixture
of introductory lectures and interactive tutorials, with faculty asked to attend for a minimum of
three days to interact with students. Every applicant submits 2 cases and a bursary is given only
to applicants under <45 years according to the results of the evaluation of applications. Each MC
is planned for 36 participants to ensure maximum level of participation. Applications are welcome
to host the migrating course. Further information
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/Visitors/Centre/OtherILAEMeetings.cfm
and
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/visitors/Documents/rome-MC5100511_.pdf
2. Regional Summer Schools on Epilepsy These are regional 3-4 day courses aimed at
young post-graduates, both clinicians and researchers up to 40 years of age. They in general
have an intermediate place between the clinical-oriented Migrating Course and the researchoriented Advanced Course of San Servolo. Further information
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/Visitors/Centre/OtherCongresses.cfm
2.
Topic-related courses
Courses focusing on particular topics in epilepsy, from basic mechanisms to specialist
management.
Examples
1.
Eilat International Educational Course on the Pharmacological Treatment of
Epilepsy This course focuses on basic and clinical pharmacology of epilepsy. The faculty is
composed of eminent epileptologists who are available throughout the course. The participants are
mostly young neurologists. While the Eilat Course is one of two residential courses of the CEA and
most students are from Europe, it is open to applicants throughout the world. It is run every two years,
the fourth to be held in 2011. . Further information www.eilat-aeds.com/ .
2.
San Servolo Summer School: This is the re-establishment of the annual summer
schools aimed at both furthering knowledge and appreciation of research methodology in specific
areas within epilepsy. During the second part of the course groups of students will develop a research
project on topics related to epilepsy under the supervision of 2-3 tutors selected among the course
faculty. The progress of the project will be evaluated daily and each research project will be
collectively discussed and evaluated during the last day. . Further information
http://www.epilearn.eu/
3.
EPODES Epilepsy surgery is a major treatment procedure especially for drug resistant
patients. However there is a remarkable treatment gap with lack of epilepsy surgery programs
especially in Eastern European countries. Therefore this project was established not only to provide
the basic information on epilepsy surgery but also to provide this knowledge according to the different
levels of the target countries. The six day course is aimed at educating on principles of epilepsy
surgery in adults and children to neurologists and neurosurgeons. Further information
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/visitors/centre/futureceaevents.cfm
3.
Advanced courses
Courses targeted at individuals involved in specialist epilepsy care, aimed at moving forward
knowledge base in specific areas.:
Example
StereoEEG course, Lyon:This is a new initative aimed to make available the expertise of
StereoEEG to the growing number of centres, where invasive monitoring has traditionally used subdural grids. The program includes debates and practical training on selection criteria, concrete design
of electrode implantation, interpretation of SEEG recordings and results of cortical stimulation, and
decision-making for the most appropriate surgical excision. The training course is expected to be a
four to five years cycle that will cover the full spectrum of SEEG issues. Further information can be
obtained by emailing seeg@ant-congres.com or on the CEA section of the ILAE website
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/visitors/centre/futureceaevents.cfm
4. E-learning
Web based learning. Courses available include neurophysiology, neuroimaging, genetics and
pharmacology (http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/Visitors/Centre/VIREPA.cfm). New courses are being
discussed and developed.
5. Scientific workshops/symposia
Workshops/symposia designed to bring a selected group of experts together to forward the
knowledge and collaboration in the specific topic chosen.
Example: Immunity and Inflammation in Epilepsy: mechanistic insights and
therapeutic perspectives Milan, September 2010
Organisers Annamaria Vezzani, Stephan Ruegg
The aims of this meeting were (1) to update each others with the novel knowledge acquired in this
field in the last 10 years or so, during which time a wealth of new evidence has emerged related to the
involvement of immunity and inflammation in the etiopathogenesis of seizures in different types of
epilepsy and seizure disorders; (2) to discuss which steps forward to take in the clinic to use this new
knowledge for (hopefully) improving prognosis, diagnosis and treatments; (3) what basic science and
clinical research can do to help to solve the still open clinical questions/needs in this field. A select
group of individuals were brought together who had published in the subject to discuss current
progress in the field. The outcome of this meeting has been formulated into a supplement for
Epilepsia currently in press.
How to apply
Application for support for Comprehensive and Topic-related Courses
1.
Applications for financial support of educational courses are encouraged
2.
It is encouraged that regions apply to host a ‘migrating course’ in the event of need
for a comprehensive course, or offer to host a summer school
3.
Further educational initiatives will be looked upon favourably if complementary to the
existing educational initiatives supported, eg paediatrics would be an area of particular
interest 2012-2014.
4.
Form for application is to be found on the CEA website
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/visitors/chapters/map.cfm?regionid=Europe%20%28CEA%29
applications should be submitted a minimum of 12m prior to the proposed dates of the course
5.
Courses should have international appeal, but address local educational needs. The
degree of ‘European value’ (application to a wider European audience) should be outlined
and appropriate consideration given to other courses in existence that provide a similar need.
Outline the likely benefits from such a course to be held at this particular time, and how this
will address epilepsy care in the future
6.
Evidence of support from the host chapter should be provided
7.
The application form should be accompanied by a full proposed programme including
teachers/lecturers, and budget proposal including number of bursaries to be awarded.
8.
Budget should include full administrative support and organisation of course,
including applications, registration of individuals, administration of finance and consideration
of bursaries.
9.
Bursary application and selection will be addressed by the local organisers. A list of
previous recipients will be held centrally (email gegan@ilae.org); on selection of recipients a
check will be made to ensure an individual has not been in receipt of such in the past 12m
10.
Local organisers will be expected to notify bursary recipients; a full list should be sent
to the central office so a record can be kept.
11.
Evidence should be provided of local chapter support for the activity
Application for support for Scientific symposia
1.
It is perceived that small select workshops are of value for exchange of ideas in
select topics to encourage collaboration, and facilitate research
2.
Financial support may be available on application
3.
A form requires completion from the CEA website
http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/visitors/chapters/map.cfm?regionid=Europe%20%28CEA%29
with submission to the chair of the education subcommittee (h.cross@ich.ucl.ac.uk) at least
12m prior to the proposed dates
4.
Symposia addressing focused questions with appropriate international faculty will be
looked upon favourably, hosted within a European member country
5.
Evidence should be provided of local chapter support for the activity
6.
The possibility of a resultant publication from the workshop should be addressed.
7.
Full budget and programme should be outlined on application.
8.
If supported, the ILAE CEA logo should be displayed on all related material
Application for support for non-monetary support
1. It is recognised that non-monetary support for courses/symposia may be beneficial to the
organisers
2. If granted, the CEA logo can be displayed on written/web material, and promotion of the
activity enabled through the CEA web site
3. A request to the Chair of the CEA should be made a minimum of 6m in advance of the event,
with full programme, likely outcomes and attendees.
4. Evidence should be provided of added European value
5. The event should be accessible to a range of individuals, both professionally and
geographically
6. Evidence should be provided of local chapter support for the activity