Test Committee

Meet the Program & Scientific Committees

Program Committee

Establishes the technical program within the guidelines of the Congress theme. Members consist of Chair, Vice Chair, Track and Session Chairs, Technical Tour Leads

  1. Establish number of Technical Tracks, sessions, and session topics including forums, panel discussions and poster sessions.
  2. Identify Track and Session Leads (Names) given the topics identified. It is expected that there will be 5 tracks and potentially 20 sessions, including the Open Session. This does not include posters.
  3. Interaction with Scientific Committee (below). The Session leads will also lead the reviews of abstracts and papers for their assigned topics. Track Leads will coordinate distribution of abstracts and papers, as well as, review selected papers.
  4. Identify Keynote Speakers who present at the Opening Ceremony, generally with topic consistent with the program theme. Invite speakers.
  5. Determine and implement format for poster sessions.
  6. Promote younger member opportunities.
  7. Technical Tours- Identify projects in tour area, make contact for tours. UCA staff can work with field trip contact to handle trip logistics.
  8. Arrange for Language translation.
Scientific Committee

Overall responsibility for preparation of the Congress proceedings. Papers for ITA proceedings are reviewed against standards prepared by the member nation. Chair and Vice Chair: Work with program committee on selection of Topics for Tracks and sessions, committee responsibilities below. Primary responsibility to maintain quality and schedule for production of proceedings. (Other members: Short Course lead, reviewers, )

  1. Develop criteria for acceptance of Abstracts and papers (including English language standards)
  2. Develop standards for published papers (possibly UCA format), coordinate with UCA reps for editing and formatting.
  3. Work with UCA to develop system for reviewing papers – e.g. web based system for distribution to authors and reviewers, editing papers, and returning comments to reviewers. (Example from Brazil to be attached). It is noted that there will be on the order of 250 papers, peer review and final submission
  4. Identify and solicit additional reviewers for papers (on the order of 50 qualified/interested people are envisioned, including Track/Session chairs).
  5. Recommend abstracts and papers for acceptance with Track and Session leads. Papers for posters begin to be identified after 1st round of papers submitted.
  6. Develop system for follow up with reviewers for progress.
  7. Notify authors of acceptance and comments. UCA staff can assist as appropriate.
  8. Final edit of papers for publication – noted that international conference will receive many papers by non-English speakers.
  9. Select papers for presentation vs. posters
  10. Reviewers – in addition to reviews, suggest questions for presenters
  11. Short courses/Training: develop short course program with ITA-CET.