Malaysia 2023: Tarun Amalnerkar | UTAR

Delegate: Tarun Amalnerkar

Affiliation: UTAR

Short Bio: Sleep is paramount for life. It has been seen that its often ignored and is taken for granted. Over the years and especially in past couple of years’ researches have shown several ill effect and hazards associated with lack of sleep. At the same time the good thing is that, at the same time there is an increased awareness and knowledge among both scientific community and a common man.

In the tandem of same efforts and questing for the same goal to increase awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards sleep with an in-depth analysis of several concepts, notions, UTAR Centre for Healthy Minds and Wellbeing under the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) of Sungai Long Campus has organized a two-day webinar on World sleep day 2023. This event was organized on 18 and 19 March 2023. To reach out to a larger audience and reach out to global population it was held on Zoom platform. The webinar aimed to ate awareness and raise the profile of sleep by spreading the word about.

This two-day webinar featured 10 renowned speakers; all of them were health professionals and advocates from around the world, who have gathered to discuss wide variety of topics. These talk broadly have covered sleep-related issues, causes, associated issues as primary and secondary morbidity, and promote healthy sleep habits. Overall, the participants included UTAR staff, and students from Malaysia, Kuwait, India, and Indonesia etc.

Activity: On the first day of the webinar, Dr. Tripat Singh from the Academy of Sleep Wake Science presented on Sleep- Foundation of Health. India; Prof Dr. Ravi Yadav from The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Bangalore (NIMHANS), India presented on Sleep & Neurological Diseases; Mr. Tarun Amalnerkar and Dr. Thavamalar Paramasivam from UTAR M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Malaysia presented on Physiotherapy & Sleep, and Sleep & Yoga respectively; and Dr. Himanshu Sharma from Swarnagiri Neuro Physiotherapy & Multispecialty Clinic, Kota Rajasthan India presented on Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Insomnia.

On the second day, Dr. Sree Kala Kunju Raman Nair from Taylor’s University Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management presented on Embracing Mindfulness Sleep; Assoc Prof
Dr. Ahmad Izuanuddin Ismail from Pusat Pakar Perubatan UiTM presented on Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Ms. Fang Kee Yee from Pusat Terapi Psikologi N&J presented on Mindfulness: Can It Improve Your Sleep Quality? Dr. Ravi Gupta from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, India presented on Psychological Perspectives & Sleep and Ms. Quak Hui Yin from Lembaga Kauselor Malaysia (LKM) presented on What’s keeping you up at night? – An invitation to reflect on our emotional wellbeing and sleep patterns.

Among the topics addressed by the speakers were the neuroanatomy and physiology of sleep; sleep-related corroborated endeavors— research; current trends promoting psychological well-being, mindfulness, and physical health; the prevention and promotional perspective or methods of improving quality of sleep (Psychological, Medical Perspective and Physiotherapy Perspectives, Body Mind Connection) has been discussed.

During the webinar, participants were taught to recognize the importance of sleep and how to address issues of sleep disorders. The speakers agreed that good sleep is vital for life; it makes a huge difference in one’s personality. Moreover, it also keeps one away from diseases and disorders. The two-day webinar ended with an interactive Q&A session to provide the participants with a better understanding of sleep issues.

Organizing Chairperson Webinar World Sleep Day 2023 Ms. Navamani said, “This webinar raised the awareness on the importance of quality sleep. The two-day webinar zoomed into physiotherapy and mindfulness techniques to enhance better sleep practices. The webinar also educated and taught individuals on how to obtain adequate rest as well as to maintain their mental and physical health.” Organizing Vice Chairperson Mr Tarun wish to convey his happiness towards the success of the endeavor. Emcee and moderator Dr. Avneet has helped to facilitate the overall two days’ session. Chairperson of Centre for Research on Non-Communicable Diseases Prof. Dr John Paul Evangel Judson has given a vote of thanks.

Ref: https://news.utar.edu.my/news/2023/April/06/01/01.html#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20World%20Sleep,19%20March%202023%20via%20Zoom.

Location: Malaysia, Online

Date of Activity: 18 & 19 March 2023

Submitted by: Tarun Amalnerkar