In 2020, ASSA developed a policy base and authored specific publications in order to establish itself as a legitimate representative body.4,5 Policy development is facilitated through an open call-out system and ratified by all student surgical societies. Progress The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the ASSA committee and student surgical societies to realize new ways of delivering valuable opportunities to surgically inclined students and ensuring the longevity of their organizations. The Australasian Students' Surgical Association (ASSA) is a not-for-profit, student-run organization supporting the 26 student surgical societies across Australia and New Zealand. [Extracted from the article]