A full cohort of students and a record intake of optical assistants were among the highlights in the Association of British Dispensing Optician’s (ABDO College) 2022 annual report.
ABDO College welcomed 482 students to its dispensing courses, while a record 36 optical assistant/senior optical assistant course graduates went on to take the FBDO course or foundation degree in ophthalmic dispensing.
In response to the General Optical Council’s (GOC) Education Strategic Review, ABDO issued an updated syllabus to reflect changes in clinical practice, which will be introduced in the forthcoming academic year.
A video tour of the college was used to promote its courses and qualifications and ABDO was also featured as a supporter of the Careers in Eyecare campaign.
The contact lens certificate course was revamped for the September 2022 intake with new course materials and the time spent on block release was doubled to four weeks over the course period.
ABDO College made a net income of £7,957 after charging depreciation and amortisation of £60,231, while investments recorded an unrealised loss of £35,735, according to the report.
Clive Marchant, chair of ABDO College trustees (pictured), said: ‘It is very encouraging to see student numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the continued demand for dispensing and contact lens opticians. The College team are to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication, teaching and supporting students from across the UK and beyond.’