On the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee of AFOMP, accept my greetings and good wishes.
I am very happy that AFOMP is bringing out special issue of AFOMP pulse on the occasion of 25th Anniversary of AFOMP. It is with immense pride and deep emotion that I extend my warmest greetings to all members, partners, and well-wishers of AFOMP as we celebrate the Silver Jubilee- 25 glorious years of scientific pursuit, collaboration, and service to the profession of Medical Physics.
This remarkable journey, which began in 2000 with a vision to unify and uplift the medical physics community in the Asia-Oceania region, has now blossomed into a vibrant, impactful organization representing more than 20 national medical physics organisations [NMO] and 2 NMO’s are affiliate members of AFOMP representing over 11000 medical physicists. AFOMP is one of the largest regional organisations of IOMP, today stands as a symbol of regional cooperation, academic excellence, and unwavering dedication to patient care through safe and effective use of radiation and technology. In these years silver threads of unity woven with golden moments of progress to achieve goals and objectives of AFOMP.
I am very happy to be associated with AFOMP for last 20 years very actively starting as Deputy Chair of ETC [2006-2012], Editor of AFOMP Newsletter [2013-2019]- where I restarted its biannual AFOMP newsletter from 2013 regularly and now renamed as AFOMP Pulse., Chair Science Committee [2013-2018], Vice President [2015-2018], President [2018-2022], Immediate Past President [2022-2025] and in these 25 years, I have not only seen the relevance and growth of AFOMP but was part of it with the contribution to best of my abilities. During my tenure as President, I had the privilege to witness and contribute to some transformative milestones, with support of families, trusts, NMO’s we could start awards in 8 categories for encouraging excellence in research, education and leadership. Many activities started for strengthening ties with IOMP and regional bodies, launching new educational programs, supporting early-career professionals, enhancing visibility of medical physics in low-resource countries, and embracing digital learning during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic by starting monthly AFOMP webinars from June 2020 and AFOMP schools from June 2021.The true measure of our success is not just in milestones, but in the lives touched, the students inspired, and the standards elevated. These achievements are not mine alone, they are the result of the collective spirit, hard work, and solidarity of the entire AFOMP family.
As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, let us reflect on our achievements and honour the founding leaders, past chairs, past presidents whose foresight laid our strong foundation, and renew our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and excellence. From vision to legacy – the AFOMP journey continues. AFOMP severed as a beacon of science, lighting the lamp of knowledge across borders. AFOMP is not just an organization; it is a movement of minds, a legacy of learning, and a commitment to care. The next 25 years will be even more crucial as we face new scientific challenges, ethical dilemmas, and global health demands. AFOMP must continue to lead with vision and compassion.
I thank all my colleagues, mentors, and friends who walked this journey with me. May AFOMP continue to grow, inspire, and shape the future of medical physics in our region and beyond.
Join me to honour the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future, together as one AFOMP family.
With warm regards and best wishes,
Prof. Arun Chougule, PhD, FIUPESM, FIOMP, FAMS, FCMPI
Immediate Past President, AFOMP