JOHOR BAHRU, November 7—The Faculty of Science at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) celebrated the International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) 2024 with an inspiring event themed “Inspiring the Next Generation of Medical Physicists.” This event, held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at UTM-HELIXS, gathered medical physics experts, students, and professionals to discuss advancements and career pathways within the field.
Organized in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Medical Physics (MAMP) and the Nuclear and Radiation Physics Research Group (NuRP RG) from the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science, this gathering aimed to highlight the crucial role of medical physics in modern healthcare while encouraging future professionals. Attendance was impressive, with around 130 participants joining both in person and remotely.
The IDMP 2024 event featured various presentations and discussions led by esteemed speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences with attendees. The event began with a talk by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noramaliza Mohd. Noor, President of MAMP, who provided insights into “The Development of the Medical Physics Field in Malaysia.” She detailed the growth and impact of medical physics within the nation. This was followed by Prof. Dr. Yeong Chai Hong, President of the Southeast Asia Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (SEAFOMP), who presented “Career Pathways in Medical Physics: A Southeast Asia Perspective,” offering a broader view of opportunities and advancements in the region.
The third speaker, Prof. Dr. D.A. Bradley, former President of the International Radiation Physics Society (IRPS), delivered a presentation on “Innovations in Medical Physics: Shaping the Future of Healthcare.” He discussed cutting-edge advancements and their potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry.
The event continued with a demonstration by the Hospital Pengajar UPM (HPUPM) team titled “The Routine Role of a Clinical Medical Physicist,” which showcased the essential role of clinical physicists in healthcare settings. Finally, Ahmad Hafizuddin Ahmad Tajuddin, Regional Service Leader at United Imaging Healthcare, concluded the event with a session on “Bridging Technical Expertise and Sales: Insights into the Full Lifecycle of Medical Physics Equipment,” emphasizing the business and technical aspects of medical physics equipment management.
IDMP 2024 emphasized the vital role of medical physicists in both diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare. Speakers highlighted the necessity for ongoing innovation, technical expertise, and collaboration across disciplines to address the increasing demands of medical technology and patient care. The event also presented various career opportunities in medical physics, encouraging emerging professionals to consider roles in academia, clinical settings, and industry.
The event successfully attracted around 130 attendees, both in person and remotely, reaching a broad audience. By offering a Webex option, professionals and students from various regions were able to participate in the discussions and benefit from the insights shared by leading figures in the field. The IDMP 2024 event at UTM demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing medical physics, providing a platform for learning and collaboration. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of medical physicists to make meaningful contributions to healthcare and technology.
