Vacuum Electronic Devices and Applications

This issue of Defence Science Journal (DSJ) contains a collection of nine manuscripts from National Symposium on Vacuum Electronic Devices and Applications (VEDA-2019). Vacuum Electronic Devices and Applications Society organises VEDA symposium/conference/workshop every year at different locations of India. VEDA has established itself as a leading platform for active and innovative research of microwave tubes. It provides a forum for knowledge sharing and exhibition of theoretical and technological development in the general areas of vacuum electronics devices and its system applications. It organises special session to enhance Research Institutes – Industries and Academia Interaction.

Microwave Absorbing Materials

The 4th Prof. Vijaya Agarwala Memorial National Symposium on Microwave Absorbing Materials (VAMMAM-2020)” was held during 23 - 24th, August 2020 at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in association with Centre of Nanotechnology and Common Research Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) for New Materials/Stealth Applications and Department of Applied Mechanics Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, India.

Inspiring the future generation of oncologists: a UK-wide study of medical students’ views towards oncology

Background One in 2 people born in the UK after 1960 are expected to require oncology input in their lifetime. However, only 36% of UK medical schools provide dedicated oncology placements and teaching indicating a discordance between public health impact and training. We designed a UK-wide survey to capture medical students’ views on current oncology teaching and the potential role of a national undergraduate oncology symposium as an educational, networking and motivational tool. Methods We undertook a national cross-sectional survey of UK medical students’ views in oncology and satisfaction with teaching using pre-designed questionnaires. We also distributed a dedicated survey (pre and post-conference) to compare medical students’ motivation towards a career in oncology after attending the national symposium. This study was prospectively approved by QMUL Ethics Committee (Reference number QMREC2348). Statistical analysis included univariate inferential tests on SPSS and GraphPad software. Results The national survey was completed by 166 students representing 22 UK medical schools. Students reported limited interest, knowledge and exposure to oncology, lack of confidence in skills, and teaching dissatisfaction. Oncology was perceived as a challenging specialty (mean 4.5/5 ± 0.7), yet most students estimate receiving only 1–2 weeks of dedicated oncology teaching. The national symposium generated a statically significant increase in students’ interest, knowledge, and confidence in skills surrounding oncology, improving students’ perceived ability to cope with the emotional challenges in this field. Conclusion Students’ views towards oncology alongside their teaching dissatisfaction underpin the need to revisit and strive to improve current undergraduate oncology curricula. Increasing medical student oncology exposure by proposing outcome-based guidelines and adopting a standardised undergraduate oncology curriculum should be the foremost priority in inspiring future oncologists to ensure excellent cancer patient care.