Once again, the 10th SSR-MSR meeting comes back to Singapore at the Conrad Centennial Singapore. As they say, despite the economic downturn, "the show must go on"!

The theme for this year's meeting, "Rheumatology: Bench, Bedside and Beyond", will feature topics from the bench (tissue engineering based therapies, TH17), bedside (fibromyalgia and pain syndromes, arthritis in children and adults, difficult case discussions) and beyond (epidemiology and disease registries).

I hope that everyone will enjoy the scientific and social interaction during the meeting, and continue to forge new clinical and research collaborations in rheumatology between our countries.

It is indeed an honour and a great privilege to extend my warmest welcome to the Malaysian and Singaporean delegates to the annual workshop of the SSR-MSR. This is the tenth workshop that has been held since 1999 and this year, it is organized by the SSR in this beautiful country of Singapore.

The theme for this year's workshop “Bench, Bedside and Beyond” is interesting, exciting and "futuristic". As medical knowledge and practice are advancing so fast, every scientific meeting always enriches us with new knowledge that will potentially benefit our patients. I am sure the invited faculty will be able to share their knowledge and wealth of experience with all of us.

Besides the excellent scientific programme, this workshop will provide us with plenty of opportunity to renew our acquaintances, network, get to know new members from both societies, and take a brief break from our usual tight work schedule.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Dr Muhaini Othman
President
Malaysian Society of Rheumatology