21 August 2026
The AOP has launched four new roles on its Council to represent student and newly qualified optometrists throughout their journey into the profession.
With changes to optometry education and training, the AOP noted that terminology of some of the previous roles on Council did not accurately reflect the experience of those studying and entering the profession.
The new positions include optometrist in training 1 (OIT1) for AOP student members in the penultimate year of their undergraduate optometry degree and optometrist in training 2 (OIT2) for student members in their final year.
An updated newly-qualified optometrist 1 (NQ1) role will be for members at the stage of their final qualifying examination and first job, while newly-qualified optometrist 2 (NQ2) will be for members seeking or working in their first employed role following qualification.
The new role structure has been designed to provide representation at distinct stages of optometry training, qualification, and early practice. Read more about the new roles and why they have been introduced on the AOP website.
In September, the AOP will welcome four members into the new roles, with Charlotte Quick in the OIT1 role and Juwaria Khan taking on the OIT2 position.
Deepali Poojara will take on the role of NQ1 and Bilaal Asif will step into the NQ2 role.
OT asked the Councillors about their new roles and their thoughts on joining the AOP Council.
Charlotte Quick, optometrist in training Councillor
Meet Charlotte, who is entering her third year of an MOptom degree at the University of Plymouth.
What does it mean for you to be taking on this role on AOP Council?
I am excited to be taking on the role of OIT1 Councillor. It means that I not only get the opportunity to ensure the perspectives of optometry students are represented, but also to gain insight into the future direction of the profession at an early stage in my career.
These are new positions for the AOP Council to reflect changes in the student and early career journey – do you have any thoughts on what difference or impact these roles could have?
I think these new roles will help to ensure that the student journey into fully qualified optometry is represented, particularly as students transition through the clinical learning in practice (CLiP) placement rather than the pre-registration pathway. It is, therefore, important that they have Councillors representing them who understand and have experience of these stages, which is what OT1 and OT2 provide.
In a few words, what are you looking forward to about this role?
I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to represent my fellow students and helping to make a positive difference to their experience.
Juwaria Khan, optometrist in training Councillor
Juwaria will be entering her fourth and final year of an MOptom at the University of Plymouth and completing her CLiP placement in South Wales.
What does it mean for you to be taking on this role on AOP Council?
I’m really grateful and pleased to be continuing on Council in a role that reflects the stage I’m now at in my training. Having previously represented undergraduate students primarily in a university setting, it feels like a natural next step as I move through CLiP and towards qualification.
These are new positions for the AOP Council to reflect changes in the student and early career journey – do you have any thoughts on what difference or impact these roles could have?
I think these roles could make a real difference by giving Council a more rounded and first-hand understanding of what people are experiencing at each stage of their training and early career. Experiences can look very different as you move from being mainly university-based, to spending more time in practice during CLiP or pre-reg, and then into the first years of qualified practice.
Having someone representing each stage means those different perspectives can be heard directly, rather than being grouped together under one broad view, and also gives a fuller picture when discussions and decisions are being made.
In a few words, what are you looking forward to about this role?
Meeting and learning from other members across the profession, hearing different perspectives, and contributing to meaningful discussions at Council.
I think these roles could make a real difference by giving Council a more rounded and first-hand understanding of what people are experiencing at each stage of their training and early career
Deepali Poojara, newly-qualified optometrist Councillor
Deepali is currently a pre-registration optometrist in North West London, completing a CLiP placement and nearing the end of her training.
What does it mean for you to be taking on this role on AOP Council?
I am genuinely honoured and excited to take on this role. Optometry has given me incredible opportunities for growth, and I am passionate about helping others see the potential that exists within our profession. I hope to be a relatable voice for newly qualified colleagues and help ensure they feel supported, valued and excited about their future careers.
I have been fortunate to represent students and pre-registration colleagues through the AOP over the past few years. Having experienced the profession from multiple perspectives through my previous roles, I am passionate about supporting others as they begin their own journeys in optometry.
These are new positions for the AOP Council to reflect changes in the student and early career journey – do you have any thoughts on what difference or impact these roles could have?
I think these roles have the potential to make a real difference. The transition into professional practice can feel both exciting and overwhelming, particularly as training pathways continue to evolve. Having more than one dedicated representative for early-career professionals helps ensure that the experiences, challenges and ambitions of newly qualified optometrists are heard at the highest level. I also hope these roles will inspire greater engagement with the profession and show that newly qualified members can have a meaningful voice in shaping its future.
In a few words, what are you looking forward to about this role?
Listening and contributing to council meetings, supporting colleagues as they navigate the early stages of their careers, encouraging professional development, and helping the next generation realise the many opportunities that optometry has to offer.
Having more than one dedicated representative for early-career professionals helps ensure that the experiences, challenges and ambitions of newly qualified optometrists are heard at the highest level
Bilaal Asif, newly-qualified optometrist Councillor
Bilaal currently splits his time between independent practice and hospital eye care.
What does it mean for you to be taking on this role on AOP Council?
The council provides a link between optometry at a grassroots level and the wider direction of the profession. I would want to bring forward the experiences and concerns of early career optometrists and ensure they are reflected in both discussions and decisions.
These are new positions for the AOP Council to reflect changes in the student and early career journey – do you have any thoughts on what difference or impact these roles could have?
Certainly a positive impact. Having councillors for both student and early career optometrists will allow for their voices to be brought to the forefront.
In a few words, what are you looking forward to about this role?
Networking with others, ranging from colleagues to students and providing value to those I interact with.
AOP establishes new student and early career positions on its Council
The positions aim to reflect the student and early career journey, and provide continuity of representation on AOP Council
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