Khairy highlights the crucial role of scientists in knowledge and technology

PETALING JAYA: Producing Covid-19 vaccines through an integrated global effort shows that scientists play a crucial role in applying knowledge and technology in science-based decision-making, says Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin.

“The pandemic has dramatically changed the way we go about our daily lives, but at the same time it has challenged us to apply science and technology in creative and innovative ways.

“The integrated efforts of scientists around the world have seen the production of the Covid-19 vaccine in a very short time.

“It proves that scientists play an important role in applying knowledge and technology, especially in new areas like artificial intelligence, big data analytics and blockchain to make critical fact-based decisions. and information,” he said at the launch of the 15th International Conference. Symposium on Radiation Physics (ISRP-15) at Sunway University yesterday.

About 300 participants from 44 countries joined the symposium physically and virtually.

Also present were the president of the university, Professor Sibrandes Poppema, the president of ISRP-15 and the president of the International Radiation Physics Society, professor emeritus Dr. David A. Bradley, and the director general of the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Siti A’iasah Hashim.

Khairy also noted that X-ray technology reached Malaysia soon after its discovery by Rontgen in December 1895, with the X-ray machine first used at Taiping in February 1897.

“Because of their immense utility, radiation technology has been rapidly adopted around the world and has had a profound impact on the way we live, diagnose disease and help people achieve better health outcomes. health.

“The ability of radiation medicine to meet the needs of society is an example of this, with a detailed understanding of radiation, safety in application and a clear desire for our scientists and technologists to work with others around the world , to excel and seek further breakthroughs,” he said.

He said the ISRP series was held in Malaysia for the second time out of a total of 15 meetings over the past decades.

“It says a lot about our presence on the international stage,” he said.

As an early adopter of X-ray technology, Khairy hoped Malaysia’s healthcare system would stay ahead in the curve of change “as we see more disruption and more technology augmenting radiation physics” .

Donald E. Patel