Welcome to APAGE
  APAGE is pleased to announce the admission of a new Member on 29 January 2008: Afghanistan Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Society (AGES). APAGE hereby expresses its congratulations and welcome to the President and members of this Society. With this new member society, the number of APAGE Members now stands at 19.
   
  Asian Pacific Digestive News (APDN)
  It has been a year since the new name Asian Pacific Digestive News (APDN) (formerly known as Asian Pacific Gastroenterology News, APGN) was adopted to reflect more closely the varied interests of the newsletter. A new feature of this newsletter is the creation of a website www.apdnews.net , which carries an electronic version of the newsletter. This net has provided links to the homepages of member societies throughout the region. It is hoped that member countries which do not have their own site will take the opportunity to promote their activities through the digestive news web.
   
  APAGE Website
  In furtherance of the call for collaboration, unity and, enhanced communications and relationships among member societies and regional bodies in the Asian Pacific region, APAGE welcomes Members and viewers to continue to visit this Website www.apage.org and provide their views and any information they may have, including their own Societies' activities, on gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and related areas aimed jointly at promoting and improving disgestive health in this region and the world.
   
  JGH FOUNDATION
  The JGH Foundation was established in 1997 by senior editors of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Its mission is to foster research, education and training in gastroenterology and hepatology within the Asia-Pacific region so as to enhance the quality of medical practice and the health of the communities concerned.

The JGH Foundation now has a significant capital base compiled from its half share of Royalties from the Journal, and as from September 2002 the Foundation is now 50% owner of this Journal with Blackwell Publishing Asia. The Foundation is administered by Trustees, who currently are professors: G Farrell (convenor), N Sato (treasurer), K Okuda, SK Lam, R Tandon, WF Doe, Y-F Liaw. A recent "charter" for incorporation of the JHGF as a charitable body in Australia (to exempt from income tax) ensures turnover of Trustees (who will always be comprised of editors or emeritus editors), and a Board of Governors that will assist in guiding the development of the Journal and which will represent the Asia-Pacific Region in this role.

Since 1999, the JGH Foundation has implemented young investigator awards (YIA) for regional meetings (now, particularly APDW), travel grants for APDW and APASL meetings, and a state-of-the-Art lecture. This lecture has recently been named the Okuda lecture, to recognise for posterity the seminal contribution of Professor Kunio Okuda as a pioneer scholar and leader in the field of hepatology in this region.

At the September 2002 meeting of APASL, the JGH YIA was awarded to Dr Cheng-Yuan Peng of Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei for his presentation: Oval cell activation during acute exacerbation in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The first Okuda lecture was delivered by Professor Geoff Farrell, Storr Liver Unit, Westmead, Australia. Ten travel awards were funded by JGH Foundation.

JGH Foundation will be active with these projects at all future APDW meetings.
   
  Welcome to APAGE
  APAGE is pleased to announce the admission of a new Member in February 2002: Myanmar GI and Liver Society (MGLS). APAGE hereby expresses its congratulations and welcome to the President and members of this Society. With this new member society, the number of APAGE Members now stands at 18.