South Asia Regional Oncology Academy
SARO Academy connects training institutions across South Asia to share strengths, close gaps, and advance postgraduate oncology learning together.
The Initiative
Oncology training across South Asia has developed differently across institutions. Curricula, teaching methods, assessment practices, faculty development, and educational resources vary considerably.
SARO Academy creates a collaborative space where interested institutions appraise approaches, identify shared needs, and work together where greater alignment and partnership may strengthen education, while preserving the flexibility each setting requires.
The Five Rs
Reflection, Readiness, Resources, Research, and Relationships guide how institutions learn from one another and strengthen training together.
Reflection
Structured discussion of how postgraduate medical oncology training is organized across participating institutions, including curricula, clinical exposure, supervision, assessment, learning resources, and competency-based approaches. The aim is to recognize strengths, identify shared challenges, and explore where mutual learning or greater alignment may be useful while respecting local contexts.
Readiness
Faculty development in curriculum design, teaching, supervision, learner assessment, mentorship, programme improvement, and educational leadership. Activities will support institutions in strengthening training in ways that are appropriate to their own settings, priorities, and resources.
Resources
Collaborative development and exchange of practical curriculum materials, teaching tools, clinical cases, and assessment resources that institutions can adapt to their own programmes, priorities, and regulatory requirements.
Research
Support for research methodology, evidence interpretation, study development, academic writing, research mentorship, and appropriate collaborative educational or multicentre programs.
Relationships
Ongoing interaction among institutions, faculty, and trainees through case discussions, journal clubs, virtual tumour boards, virtual learning systems, visiting lectures, working groups, mentorship, and periodic regional meetings, with participation from South Asian, Canadian, and other international partners.
Our Approach
Recommendations remain practical and responsive to local resources, workforce needs, disease patterns, and institutional circumstances. Shared principles guide improvement; local context shapes implementation.
Building the Network
SARO Academy grows through consultation with interested institutions. Activities refine as relationships deepen and partners name their priorities.
Oncology educators and institutions across South Asia, alongside Canadian academic partners, work side by side on curricula, faculty development, and shared learning.
Contributors may support the program coordination, academic writing, curriculum review, communications, digital resource management, and educational events, according to their background and capacity.
Get in Touch
Interested in participating, contributing, partnering, or learning more about our programmes? We would be pleased to hear from you.
Share Your View
Help us improve SARO Academy. Tell us what is working, what is missing, and how the experience could better serve educators and institutions.
