The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge at sunset

First Ophthalmology Portfolio Pathway & OLT Conference

Date: Saturday 28 November 2026 · 13:00 to 18:05 UTC
Location: Online, on Zoom

CESR, now the Portfolio Pathway, is the route to the UK Specialist Register for ophthalmologists who did not complete UK specialty training. This one-day online conference, for ophthalmologists worldwide, is led by Mr Ramez Borbara, author of CESR Made Easy.

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$40.26 USD. Online, on Zoom.

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What You Will Gain

Understand the CESR/OLT pathway
Practical guidance on building your portfolio
Application demonstrations
Insights from successful applicants, trainers and assessors
Tips to improve your chances of success

Scientific Programme

Saturday 28 November 2026. All times are UTC.

13:00 to 13:10
Opening Remarks
Opening · Conference Introduction and Overview
Ramez Borbara
MBChB, FRCOphth
Cornea, Pediatric Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Consultant, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
10 min
Navigating the CESR/OLT Pathway: Routes, Recognition and Requirements
Session 1 · 13:10 to 14:10
1. 13:10 to 13:30
  Recognition of International Medical Qualifications
  Mostafa Dowidar
  MBBCh, MRCS Ed, ChM, MSc, CertLRS, PgCert ClinEd, PgDip, FEBOS-Glaucoma, FRCOphth
  Glaucoma and Cataract Consultant, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
  20 min
2. 13:30 to 13:50
  Mind the 18-Month Trap to the OST Route
  Ahmad Shalaby
  MD, FRCOphth, FRANZCO, DPhil (Oxon)
  Vitreoretinal Surgery and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Consultant, Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory
  20 min
3. 13:50 to 14:05
  Session 1 Q&A
  15 min
4. 14:05 to 14:10
  Break
  5 min
Building a Successful Application
Session 2 · 14:10 to 16:20
1. 14:10 to 15:25
  Current Portfolio Pathway: New Curriculum, Evidence Mapping and Live Application Walkthrough
  Christine Safieh
  MD, MSc, FRCOphth
  Oculoplastics and Orbit Surgeon and Consultant, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, Yorkshire
  75 min
2. 15:25 to 15:55
  Common Pitfalls in CESR/OLT Applications: Practical Strategies to Overcome Challenges
  Mostafa Dowidar
  MBBCh, MRCS Ed, ChM, MSc, CertLRS, PgCert ClinEd, PgDip, FEBOS-Glaucoma, FRCOphth
  Glaucoma and Cataract Consultant, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
  30 min
3. 15:55 to 16:15
  Session 2 Q&A
  20 min
4. 16:15 to 16:20
  Break
  5 min
Beyond the Portfolio: Career Development, Training and Establishing OLT Programs
Session 3 · 16:20 to 18:00
1. 16:20 to 16:40
  Application Submitted: Turning CESR/OLT Uncertainty into Career Opportunity
  Bhagyashree Joshi
  MBBS, MS Ophth, FICO, FRCOphth, FEBOS-GI
  Senior Clinical Fellow in Glaucoma, University Hospitals Southampton
  20 min
2. 16:40 to 17:00
  SAS By Choice, How to Excel in the NHS
  Swetha Maddula-Batambuze
  MBChB
  Ophthalmology Specialty Doctor; Associate Medical Director (SAS/LED-IMG), North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough
  20 min
3. 17:00 to 17:15
  Supporting CESR/OLT Candidates: Trainer Perspective
  Ramez Borbara
  MBChB, FRCOphth
  Cornea, Pediatric Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Consultant, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
  15 min
4. 17:15 to 17:45
  Establishing and Delivering an OLT Programme in the NHS
  Stephanie West
  BM, MRCOphth, FRCOphth, MBA (Distinction)
  Paediatric Ophthalmology Consultant, University Hospitals Southampton
  30 min
5. 17:45 to 18:00
  Session 3 Q&A
  15 min
18:00 to 18:05
Closing Remarks
Closing · Summary and Closing Remarks
Ramez Borbara
MBChB, FRCOphth
Cornea, Pediatric Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Consultant, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
5 min

Download the Programme

Download the programme

PDF · 790 KB

Conference Faculty

Led by Mr Ramez Borbara, the author of CESR Made Easy, in collaboration with Sinjab Academy. Featuring trainers, assessors and successful applicants.

From Training to Specialist Registration