OCI–SPARK 3.0 (Women Leadership Program – 2026)

The Optometry Confederation of India (OCI) is pleased to announce the launch of the third edition of its successful Women Leadership Program (WLP), OCI-SPARK 3.0, starting 1st March 2026. This initiative is designed to empower women professionals in optometry by accelerating their leadership journeys.

Building on the success of the previous two seasons, WLP 3.0 is a curated, six-month hybrid program focusing on personal, professional, and organizational leadership. It combines expert-led online sessions with an immersive two-day in-person workshop, culminating in a convocation ceremony.

The program addresses key areas essential for modern leadership, including:

• Understanding leadership styles and developing a professional presence.
• Self-leadership, productivity, and managing personal effectiveness.
• Strategic career pathway planning and navigating professional growth.
• Overcoming challenges, building collaborative bridges, and managing conflicts.
• Mastering effective communication, feedback, and team-building techniques.
• Fostering innovation-driven leadership and strategic networking.

Through interactive sessions, peer learning, mentorship, and practical reflections, the program aims to build participants’ confidence to take on significant roles within their institutions and the wider profession.

A Legacy of Impact and Collaboration: The OCI SPARK WLP was first launched on International Women’s Day in 2024 to address the need for structured leadership development for women in optometry. Its second cohort, conducted from March to August this year, saw over 25 participants from diverse backgrounds, including retailers, educators, private practitioners, and clinicians from across India, graduate after 12 intensive learning sessions.

OCI also strengthened its commitment through a collaboration with Global Ophthalmic Women (GLOW), conducting a one-day workshop in Chennai in August 2025 and formally launching the GLOW-OCI SPARK partnership during the EIVOC 2025 conference. This alliance underscores a shared vision to promote equity, mentorship, and excellence for women in eye care.

Call for Nominations: OCI invites institutions and organizations to nominate motivated women optometrists who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to growth for WLP 3.0.

Program Details:

Launch: 1 March 2026
Duration: 6 months (Hybrid: Online + One 2-day in-person session)
Fee: INR 5,000 per participant

Registration: Nominate candidates via the online form: https://forms.gle/2aJbfrFC4jFvhqEGA

This program represents a vital investment in the future of optometry, nurturing the next generation of women leaders to shape the profession and enhance patient care globally.