Sinjab Academy Global Ophthalmology Conference

Academia · Syria 2026

Name: Academia · Syria 2026
Start: 2026-10-22
End: 2026-10-24
Location: Damascus University

Damascus University · October 22 to 24, 2026
Damascus, Syria

Three days at Damascus University: subspecialty courses and scientific sessions in the main hall, optometry workshops alongside, and the Sinjab Academy Prize ceremony to close.

See the Programme

Held under the patronage of

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and The Ministry of Health

In collaboration with

Thank You for Joining Us in Damascus

Academia Syria 2026 took place on October 22 to 24, 2026 at Damascus University, under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Health. Session recordings and the conference photo gallery will be published here, and certificates of attendance are issued to delegates.

About the Sinjab Academy Prize Explore Past Editions

President of Academia

Mazen M Sinjab

President of Sinjab Academy

Prof. Mazen Sinjab is the President of Sinjab Academy and of Academia, the Sinjab Academy Global Ophthalmology Conference. Academia has met three times: in Dubai in April 2025, in Damascus in November 2025, and at Damascus University in October 2026.

CredentialsMD, MSc, ABOphth, PhD, FRCOphth (London), CertLRS (London), FRCSEd, SSBOEd
AffiliationFounder and President, Sinjab Academy

Participating Societies and Institutes

Academia Sponsors

With thanks to the sponsors of the 2026 edition.

Diamond Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Golden Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Official Conference Brochure

Your Complete Guide to Academia – Syria 2026

Everything you need for the conference is in one brochure, from the full three-day schedule to practical tips for your arrival in Damascus. Download it and keep it with you.

Program at a Glance
The full schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, one clear page per day.
Session-by-Session Details
Topics, moderators, panelists and speakers for the Main Hall and Optometry Workshops, plus the ACADEMIA Prize.
Speakers & Faculty
The Scientific Committee, international speakers and the full faculty list.
Opening Ceremony & Keynote
The ceremony line-up and the Guest of Honor keynote lecture.
Visitor Information
Arrival tips, currency, electricity, mobile networks, emergency numbers and the expected October weather.
Societies & Sponsors
The participating societies and institutes and our sponsors, with thanks.

Download the Brochure

Free PDF · 29.6 MBSave it to your phone to keep it handy offline.

Accredited by the Syrian Commission for Medical Specialities

The Programme

What took place across the three days: courses and scientific sessions in the Main Hall, with optometry workshops alongside. Accredited by the Syrian Commission for Medical Specialities. Times are Damascus time.

22October
2026
Day 1 · 9:00–18:30
Courses and the Opening Ceremony
- 9:00–10:00 · Refractive Course
- 9:30–11:00 · Optometry Workshop: Myopia Management
- 10:00–11:00 · Glaucoma Course
- 11:30–12:30 · Research Workshop
- 12:30–13:30 · Retina Course
- 12:30–13:30 · Optometry Workshop: Workup for Refractive Surgery
- 13:30–15:00 · Opening Ceremony
- 15:00–16:00 · Innovations
- 15:00–16:00 · Optometry Workshop: Low Vision Aids
- 16:00–17:00 · Squint Course
- 17:30–18:30 · Cataract Course
- 17:30–18:30 · Optometry Workshop: Ocularist Course
23October
2026
Day 2 · 9:00–19:30
Scientific Sessions and the ACADEMIA Prize
- 9:00–10:30 · The International Keratoconus Society Session
- 10:30–12:00 · Cataract Session 1
- 10:30–12:00 · Optometry Workshop: Orthoptics
- 12:00–14:00 · Jumaa Prayer
- 14:00–15:15 · Glaucoma Session 1
- 14:00–15:15 · Optometry Workshop: Contact Lens Fitting
- 15:15–15:30 · The New Era of Multifocal Lenses, Sponsored by Rayner
- 15:30–15:45 · Z8-CLEAR: What Is Beyond the Femto? Sponsored by Ziemer
- 15:45–16:45 · ACADEMIA Prize Competition: ten competitors in five-minute talks, then the Announcement of the Prize at 16:35
- 17:00–18:00 · Free Paper Session 1
- 17:00–18:00 · Optometry Workshop: Workup for Cataract Surgery
- 18:00–19:30 · Squint Session 1
24October
2026
Day 3 · 9:00–18:30
Scientific Sessions
- 9:00–10:30 · Refractive Surgery Session
- 11:00–12:15 · Glaucoma Session 2
- 11:00–12:30 · Optometry Workshop: Pediatric Optometry
- 12:30–13:30 · Free Paper Session 2
- 12:30–13:30 · Optometry Workshop: Keratoconus
- 13:30–14:30 · Coffee Break
- 14:30–16:00 · Squint Session 2
- 16:30–17:00 · Ophthalmologist & Optometrist Fun Club
- 17:00–18:30 · Cataract Session 2

The Sinjab Academy Prize

In alignment with Sinjab Academy's vision and mission to nurture talent in ophthalmology, the Sinjab Academy Prize is a prestigious global prize given annually to recognise ophthalmology residents who have made groundbreaking contributions through research and innovation.

Prize categories

Innovative research in ophthalmology
Addressing challenges in high-demand environments
Advances in diagnostics and treatment
Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology
Improving eye care in under-resourced regions
Breakthroughs in surgical techniques

What the jury looks for.

1
Originality
Presenting novel approaches to eye care, a genuinely new question, technique, or perspective, not an incremental refinement.
2
Innovation
Utilising cutting-edge techniques or technology that meaningfully advance the standard of care or the way we teach it.
3
Remarkable Impact
Demonstrating measurable improvements in eye care at the patient, departmental, or population level.