The AOSR President's Chain of Office from 1987 Retired Towards End of 2024

The AOSR President's Current Chain of Office "Retires" in 2024

Information collated by Dr Evelyn Ho, Immediate Past President and Chair of the Archives Committee (2023-2025). Oct 27, 2024 

The original AOSR President's Chain of Office was donated by Dr. Federico Principe of Philippines, who was the second AOSR president from 1975-1979 but regrettably, it was lost. It was remade and donated by the Korean Society of Radiology under the leadership of Professor Man Chung Han, then Secretary General of the AOCR 1987 Organizing Committee. It was remade in commemoration of the 5th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology, 21-25 September 1987, held in Seoul, South Korea. 

The Chain of Office, over the years had become more fragile and worn-out. It was also rather heavy because of additional flags as the AOSR gained more society members. As it had become impractical to add more flags, the Chain therefore did not reflect all the current member societies. In addition, the AOSR now has global individual members.

Discussion about the need to design a new Chain of Office had been mooted several years ago and finally in 2024, the AOSR Constitution, Nomination and Awards Committee under the chairpersonship of Dr Chamaree Chuapetcharasopon, took the initiative to polish the chain, repair any broken links and provide it with a new box. 

After deliberation at the AOSR council level and presentation at the General Assembly, the chain would be retired and preserved as one of AOSR’s important historical artefacts. The AOSR Archives Committee will be overseeing archival of the few physical AOSR artefacts, at the AOSR secretariat in Seoul.

A new chain was also made and ready for use by October 2024. The first president to use the new chain will be Professor Dr Noriyuki Tomiyama from Japan, whose term will end at the AOCR in January 2025.  Professor Dr Byung Ihn Choi, the AOSR 2010-2012 President is shown wearing the Chain of Office which will be retired and preserved whilst Professor Tomiyama, the AOSR 2023-2025 President is shown wearing the new Chain of Office.

The new AOSR President’s Chain of Office

The AOSR records its thanks to Dr Chamaree Chuapetcharasopon, President-Elect 2023-2025 and Chair of the Constitution, Nomination and Awards Committee for her efforts in overseeing the retirement of the existing Chain, the creation of a replacement and her donation of the new President’s Chain of Office to the AOSR.