Dear Colleagues and partners, I would like to point your attention to the Leiden International medical Congres, April 7-9 2005 in Leiden. We would appreciate if you could pass this information on to your (bio) medical students. More detalis are in the message below. Nanda de Bruin, International Office, Leiden University w.m.a.de.bruin@io.leidenuniv.nl If you require any further information on the conference, please do not hesitate to contact us. Irma Nijhuis / Secretary Leiden International Medical Student Congress E-mail: limsc@lumc.nl From 7 to 9 April 2005, the fourth edition of the Leiden International Medical Student Congress (LIMSC) will take place at the Leiden University Medical Centrer (LUMC), the Netherlands. During this congress, (bio)medical students from all over the world have the chance to present their research results to  their peers. We would be pleased to have students of your faculty taking part in our congress. The scientific world is internationalising at a fast pace. It is essential that studensts become aware of the international character of their future job as a researcher or doctor. The goal of the LIMSC is two-fold. Firstly, it aims at creating an international network for young researchers. (Bio)medical students will have the opportunity to get to know each other and to learn how their peers from around the world carry out research. To give students an equal opportunity to participate in the LIMSC, travel grants are granted to those students who wrote the ten best abstracts. These grants will be of a maximum of 400 Euro. Secondly, students will have the chance to formally present their research results in an oral or poster presentation, which prepares them for their professional careers. Prizes upto 1500 Euros will be given to them who had the best presentation. Importantly, it is a congress organized for students by students. It is of great importance to show students the global impact that research can have. That is why we invite prominent researchers to inspire students by giving a lecture. These keynote speakers are pioneers in their field of (bio)medical research. In recent years, we have had the pleasure to host, among others: *       Prof. Robert A. Weinberg (Cancer Research, MIT Boston) *       Prof. Trevor Jones (Director General of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry) *       Prof. Peter Doherty (Nobel Pricze Winner 1996) As a means of bringing our congress to the attention of your students we would appreciate it if you could help us in the following ways. We were wondering if you could distribute the pasted  letter below, which is addressed to all (bio)medical students, or place an announcement of the LIMSC in your student newsletter or website. We were also hoping that you could send us the address of someone willing to distribute some posters in your faculty. Please let us know the number of  posters you wish to receive. For further information or questions, please contact us by e-mail. We would be pleased to welcome your students to our congress. Thank you in advance for your efforts. Sincerely yours, Sofie J.E. van Nues & Daphne van Embden Public Relations Officers of the Organizing Committee Leiden International Medical Student Congress Dear student, The fourth edition of the Leiden International Medical Student Congress (limsc) will be organised at the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), the Netherlands, from 7-9 April 2005. We would like to invite you to our congress. Because the scientific world is internationalising at a fast pace, it is important to become aware of the international character of your future job as a researcher or doctor. The goal of the limsc is therefore two-fold. Firstly, it aims at creating an international network for young researchers like you. You will have the opportunity to get to know each other and to learn how your peers from around the world carry out research. Secondly, you will have the chance to formally present your research results in an oral or poster presentation, which prepares you for your professional career. You can win a reward of up to 1500 Euros for your oral presentation, and the best abstract will be granted a travelling fee of up to 500 Euros. Furthermore, international keynote speakers will give presentations on current developments in their field of research. And most importantly, it is a congress organized by students for students. The first day consists of a social programme. In the optional social programme, international student speakers will have the opportunity to get to know each other and to visit some of the most beautiful places in Leiden. There will be guided tours of the Leiden University Medical Center and of the city, including a visit to one of Leiden's famous museums. A lunch and a boattrip through Leiden's canals is also a part of the programme. Afterwards, there will be drinks with the organizing committee. In the evening, dinner will be served in a traditional Dutch restaurant. If you are selected as an international student speakers you can subscribe to this social programme. During the following two days, students will present the results of their (bio)medical research. If you would like the opportunity to give an oral or poster presentation, you can apply by filling out your personal information on our website www.limsc.nl (go to Apply) and attach your abstract (max. 150 words) to this electronic form, before 1 December 2004. We are looking forward to receiving your applications and we hope to welcome you at our congress. If you are planning to visit our conference as a member of the audience, please inform us by e-mail. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Kind regards, Irma Nijhuis / Secretary Leiden International Medical Student Congress E-mail: limsc@lumc.nl