History of ISCOMS
Where it all started: Story by initiator of ISCOMS, Theo de Vries
ISCOMS was founded in 1994, inspired by a student-led conference in Tenerife, to showcase that medical students are driven and ready to contribute to science.
1994
On the 8th of June 1994, the first Student Congress Medicine, known in Dutch as ‘Studenten Congres Geneeskunde (SCG)’, took place at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands. The aim of this congress was to bring medical students closer to scientific research.
Board and Committees of the First Student Congress Medicine 1994
1995
Due to the success of the first Student Congress Medine, the second edition became an official educational activity from the medical school. With this, the goals of the two organising students, Eric Maarsingh and Kees Poelstra, and their supervisors Theo de Vries and Gerjan Navis were successfully achieved: a knowledge fair organised for- and by students, where students were introduced to real scientific research, while providing a platform for-, and guidance to present their personal work.
2nd Student Congress Medicine
1996
The Student Congress Medicine was for the first time embedded into the faculty, as a taskforce of the faculty board. This formality was a major milestone ensuring that the congress would be a congress to stay for the years to come.
3rd edition of Student Congress Medicine
1997
In 1997, the Student Congress Medicine organised masterclasses for the first time. These sessions allowed participants to improve their research skills and explore a range of topics. The masterclasses were intended for students who were interested in research, but not quite sure how to do research. With topics such as: “Combining research and your studies: is that possible?” and “Research abroad: is it something for me?” students could explore their interest in research, while learning practical tips to start doing research. Today, similar masterclasses are still organised, during the Pre-course day!
4th edition of Student Congress Medicine
1998
The Student Congress Medicine is now five years old! This jubilee edition introduced several new elements that marked the first steps towards attracting more students from outside Groningen. With a special national session, students from all medical faculties in the Netherlands were invited to present their research.
5th edition of Student Congress Medicine
1999
During the sixth edition of the Student Congress Medicine, workshops were introduced as a key new feature. The earlier masterclasses mainly focused on getting started with research. This edition added a more practical, hands-on element, giving students the chance to practice clinical reasoning using real-life cases.
6th edition of Student Congress Medicine
2000
In 2000, the seventh edition of the Student Congress Medicine began with a remarkable keynote lecture by Professor Buys. He spoke about the Human Genome Project, a topic that at the time seemed almost unimaginable, as the idea of mapping the entire human genome was revolutionary. Also, a voting keypad was introduced to engage the audience interactively during the event.
7th edition of Student Congress Medicine
2003
In 2003, the congress celebrated its second jubilee with a major milestone: the first international edition. It was held entirely in English for the first time, changing its name from Student Congress Medicine to the International Student Congress Of Medical Sciences (ISCOMS). With this new international focus, the congress opened its doors to students and visitors from across the globe.
Student Congress Medicine became ISCOMS, the first international edition
2005
In 2005, the congress grew from two to three days to provide more space for workshops and greater academic exchange. That year also saw the introduction of the ISCOMS Research Fellowships (IRF), which are still taking place today. This initiative allowed international participants to undertake short research internship within the UMCG research in the weeks following the congress. The fellowships proved highly successful, with several participants embarking on a PhD programme as a direct result of their experiences.
12th edition of ISCOMS
2006
In 2006, ISCOMS expanded its scope by incorporating dentistry into the programme, opening its doors to both students and researchers from the field. The growing scale of the congress was also evident in the move to a larger office, which enhanced the working environment for the Organising Committee. That same year saw the introduction of official board grants for ISCOMS’ daily board members, acknowledging their dedication. Additionally, ISCOMS launched a new independent website, replacing the previous faculty-linked page and significantly boosting its international visibility.
13th edition of ISCOMS
2007
In 2007, participation in the congress was expanded to biomedical sciences students, making it the first edition open to all (bio)medical students. Contact was made with the first Nobel laureate, who confirmed attendance for ISCOMS 2008. On an international level, a network was strengthened with other student congresses and the Network of European Medical Student Congresses (NEMSC). Due to the expansion of the programme, social events took place over three evenings, including the introduction of World Wide ISCOMS Night, offering a great opportunity for cultural exchange.
14th edition of ISCOMS
2008
First Nobel Laureate Günter Blobel, from Rockefeller University New York had been welcomed as keynote speaker.
15th edition of ISCOMS
2009
Following the success of the first keynote speaker in 2008, not one but two Nobel laureates were invited to speak at ISCOMS 2009. A successful effort was made to raise the quality of submitted abstracts, as well as the quality of posters and presentations. That year, the board was expanded with the introduction of a treasurer and the establishment of the fundraising committee, to better oversee the growing budget, sponsorship opportunities and payments.
16th edition of ISCOMS
2010
In 2010, the Organising Committee had grown to nearly 30 students. When participants arrived in Groningen, they were greeted at the train station by one of the crew members, and timetables were still printed on paper. However, smartphones were beginning to make their way into everyday life, and platforms such as Facebook were starting to be discovered. This opened new opportunities to stay connected with the many international friends made during the congress. That year, the logo was redesigned and the slogan ‘science beyond borders’ was introduced. We had the privilege of welcoming Professor Hans Clevers MD PhD, who shared his groundbreaking research on stem cells, perfectly in line with the special theme of Healthy Ageing.
17th edition of ISCOMS
2011
In 2011, ISCOMS introduced several new elements that would shape its future editions. For the first time, the pre-course was introduced, providing participants with additional academic preparation ahead of the main congress. That year also saw the first-ever debate session replace one of the traditional keynote lectures, offering a more interactive format for discussing major scientific topics. The scientific prestige of ISCOMS reached new heights with the presence of two Nobel Laureates, including one who had been scheduled for 2009 but was unable to attend at the time. On the digital front, ISCOMS launched its very own mobile app, enhancing the participant experience with easy access to schedules and updates. To boost visibility, the team produced a new promotional film, which was even featured on Pauw & Witteman, a well-known Dutch television programme, bringing ISCOMS to a broader national audience.
18th edition of ISCOMS
2012
After the introduction of the ISCOMS app in 2011, it continued to be developed and improved. That same year, the ISCOMS feedback system was launched. This allowed the Organising Committee to provide feedback to participants whose abstracts were not accepted for presentation, offering them the opportunity to improve their work and supporting their academic development.
19th edition of ISCOMS
2014
The congress continued to grow, highlighting its international reach and academic quality. In 2014, over 750 abstracts were submitted from 59 countries, with 550 students from 45 nations coming together in Groningen. The keynote programme featured renowned scientists, continuing the ISCOMS tradition of welcoming world-class speakers. Over the years, ISCOMS has made it a hallmark to welcome a Nobel Prize winner nearly every edition.
21st edition of ISCOMS
2015
ISCOMS 2015 included several highlights, notably the Formal Dinner in the historic ‘Academiegebouw’. It was the first and only time the event was held there, making it a unique experience. A standout moment in the scientific programme was the live Caesarean section surgery, giving participants a rare chance to observe a real procedure. The week ended with a post-congress tour to Volendam, where attendees explored this iconic Dutch village.
22nd edition of ISCOMS
2016
A key development in 2016 was the faculty board’s approval to add a full third day to the congress from 2018 onwards. The logo was also redesigned into the version we still use today.
The ISCOMS logo from before 2016 and after
2017
The Organising Committee of ISCOMS 2017 focused on implementing the newly designed logo and adapting the visual identity across all materials. The first interactive surgery allowed participants to experience the world of robotic surgery using 3D glasses. A keynote lecture was given by Groningen’s own Nobel Laureate, Professor Ben Feringa. The Organising Committee joined the Nacht van Groningen city run, raising funds for charity. This has become a yearly tradition that continues today.
24th edition of ISCOMS
2018
ISCOMS expanded to three full congress days. The structure introduced then is still in place today: a Welcome Night on Sunday, followed by a Pre-course on Monday, three congress days from Tuesday to Thursday, and the post-congress tour on Friday. This format offers participants from around the world a complete experience in Groningen. The 25th edition of the congress, attendees had the opportunity to join inspiring keynote lectures by renowned speakers such as Prof. Ugur Sahin MD PhD and Prof. Dick Swaab MD PhD, adding to the academic depth of the programme.
25th edition of ISCOMS
2019
The 26th edition of ISCOMS followed the same structure as in 2018, with a pre-course day and three congress days. Sustainability was a key focus throughout the event. Several eco-conscious changes were introduced, such as more environmentally friendly delegate bags and the replacement of the traditional hardcover Book of Abstracts with a digital version, accessible via QR code and the ISCOMS app. These steps not only reduced our environmental footprint but also modernised the conference experience. ISCOMS 2019 was a memorable edition, marked by scientific discovery, innovation and a growing commitment to making a positive impact, both academically and environmentally.
26th edition of ISCOMS
2021
ISCOMS 2021 took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant we had to adapt and digitise as much of the congress as possible. Throughout the year, preparations were made for both a physical and a digital or hybrid edition. The board remained in close contact with the UMCG infection prevention team and drafted a detailed plan on how to safely organise a digital congress. Unfortunately, we ultimately had to make the decision to host the congress entirely online. Despite the challenges, ISCOMS did not stop innovating.
28th edition of ISCOMS
2022
The organisation of ISCOMS 2022 was marked by ongoing uncertainty about whether an in-person congress would be possible. A few months before the event, confirmation was received that an in-person edition could take place again. This year the first hybrid edition took place, with both on-site and online session. The Sponsors & Fundraising Committee introduced the ‘Corporate Member Meeting’ to strengthen financial support for the congress. ISCOMS 2022 was a rewarding moment to see the congress return to its physical form and to welcome participants back to Groningen.
29th edition of ISCOMS
2023
The 30th edition of ISCOMS was centred around the theme Hi-Tech Health. Highlighting technological advancements in the (bio)medical field. Prof. Samuel Achilefu presented his ground-breaking invention of the ‘Cancer Vision Goggles’, enabling surgeons to see cancer cells during surgery, and an endometriosis removal was performed using the Da Vinci robot. Keynote speakers included Prof. Robert Langer, co-founder of Moderna, and flight surgeon Mayrbitt Kuypers. Furthermore, sustainability was a key focus with the introduction of the Sustainability Stand, encouraging participants to bring their own bags to collect congress gadgets. This initiative aimed to reduce waste and promote environmental awareness. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, a gala was held for one hundred former committee members. On the final congress day, Kees Poelstra acted as daychair. Together with fellow ISCOMS founder Eric Maarsingh, he returned to present the Founder’s Award, marking a memorable conclusion to a special edition.
30th edition of ISCOMS
2024
The 31st edition of ISCOMS, focused on the theme: Future Medicine, representing innovative and forward-thinking approaches to healthcare that integrate cutting-edge technology, personalised treatments, and advancements in biomedical research.
31st edition of ISCOMS