Building a legacy in medical education: ICOM Group delivers AlexORL’s 40th anniversary congress

For more than 15 years, ICOM Group, an IAPCO member, has partnered with the Otorhinolaryngology Department at the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University in a collaboration defined by trust, innovation and shared purpose.

This enduring partnership culminated in the delivery of the 40th Alexandria International Combined ORL Congress (AlexORL 2025), held from 15 – 16 May 2025 at the prestigious Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The milestone event welcomed 2,000 specialists, academics, and young professionals for two days of scientific exchange, collaboration, and celebration.

Through ICOM Group’s strategic expertise and consistent support, AlexORL has evolved over 40 uninterrupted years from a local scientific meeting into one of the Middle East and North Africa’s leading medical congresses. Today, it stands as a platform for scientific advancement, clinical and healthcare innovation, and international collaboration – strengthening Egypt’s position as a destination for medical excellence and conference tourism.

Challenges
Reaching the 40-year milestone presented both opportunities and complexities.

• Continuity through change: Sustaining four decades of uninterrupted delivery through regional, global, and pandemic challenges required adaptable planning, stakeholder alignment, and a long-term vision.
• Scaling internationally: Expanding from a national meeting to an international scientific forum required diversifying content, broadening outreach, and forging global partnerships with ENT experts and sponsors.
• Diverse audience needs: The programme had to engage early-career physicians through to senior surgeons and academics, ensuring content remained both advanced and accessible.
• Operational complexity: Managing 2,000 attendees, 35 sessions, eight on-stage cadaver mini-course demonstrations, and 12 pre-and post-congress hands-on surgical workshops, demanded meticulous coordination and experienced onsite management.
• Sustaining excellence: Marking the 40th anniversary while continuing to advance medical education and innovation required balancing celebration with academic depth and professional development.

Solutions
Building on its 15-year partnership with the Alexandria University’s Faculty of Medicine, ICOM Group leveraged institutional knowledge, a skilled multidisciplinary team, and its global IAPCO network to deliver a seamless and memorable congress.

Key actions included:

• Strategic leadership: Led by Assar Aly, Deputy Director of Project Operations, and Khaled Magdi, Project Manager, ICOM Group set a clear vision for the 40th anniversary congress, balancing legacy with future growth. Collaboration with successive AlexORL Boards ensured alignment on long-term strategic goals and sustainable development.
• Programme excellence: A 35-session scientific programme and four sub-specialised symposiums, showcased the latest ENT research, surgical innovations, and clinical updates influencing healthcare practice across the region.
• Hands-on learning: Eight on-stage cadaver mini-course demonstrations and 12 hands-on surgical workshops were delivered at the faculty’s state-of-the-art labs and operating theatres, providing delegates immersive learning and skill enhancement opportunities.
• Global engagement: 20 international expert speakers from leading institutions around the world joined 150 faculty members and 40+ sponsors and exhibitors. With 20% of attendees travelling from abroad, the event strengthened global collaboration and sparked increased international interest for 2026.
• Educational value: Secured 17.75 American Association of Continuing Medical Education (AACME) accredited hours, enabling delegates to earn globally recognised CME credits.
• Celebration and mentorship: Curated a programme that honoured pioneers, spotlighted emerging leaders and created space for mentoring, networking and career development – nurturing the next generation of ENT specialists.

Outcomes
AlexORL 2025 was a standout success for the regional and global ENT community, uniting science, education, and innovation in one of Egypt’s most iconic venues.

• Cultural and symbolic significance: Hosted at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – a modern landmark built on the legacy of the ancient Library of Alexandria – the congress provided an inspiring setting where history met modern innovation.
• Attendance and reach: Attracted over 2,000 delegates from 20+ countries, including Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, UAE, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom.
• Scientific depth: 35 scientific sessions, 20 surgical training courses, and four symposiums directly contributed to improved surgical outcomes and stimulated rich discussion and learning.
• Global collaboration: International faculty shared new approaches that addressed regional challenges and advanced clinical standards.
• Economic contribution: Generated significant economic benefits for Alexandria through hospitality, tourism, and local supplier engagement.
• Legacy: Reinforced Egypt’s reputation as a regional hub for medical science and conference tourism, while cementing AlexORL’s role as an annual platform for professional growth and innovation.

Through strategic leadership, long-term collaboration, and operational excellence, ICOM Group transformed AlexORL 2025 into a defining celebration of science, education, and community – honouring four decades of achievement and paving the way for continued growth and innovation.