Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is a privilege to address you once again through the AFOMP Pulse. As we look ahead to the final quarter of 2026, our region is alive with activity and marked by significant progress in our shared mission to advance medical physics.
We live in a rapidly changing world, where technological innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. In the field of medical physics, this transformation is especially profound. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into radiotherapy planning, adaptive treatment delivery, image reconstruction, and quality assurance is reshaping our professional landscape almost daily. We are witnessing the emergence of AI‑assisted contouring, automated treatment planning, real‑time motion management, and predictive outcome modelling—capabilities that were considered futuristic only a few years ago.
This rapid evolution presents both immense opportunities and considerable challenges. While new technologies promise greater precision, efficiency, and personalisation in patient care, they also demand that we, as medical physicists, continually update our knowledge and skills. The tools we mastered during our initial education are no longer sufficient for a career spanning decades. To remain effective, safe, and relevant, we must embrace a mindset of lifelong learning.
The accelerating pace of technological change makes it more urgent than ever to strengthen our educational foundations. The safe and effective delivery of modern radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging depends entirely on the competence of the medical physicists who design, implement, and quality‑assure these technologies. Even as AI and automation advance, they do not replace the physicist—they augment our role, shifting our focus from routine tasks to higher‑level oversight, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. This shift requires a deeper, not shallower, understanding of both physics and the clinical context.
In this context, continuous education and training are not optional—they are essential. Medical physicists must adapt to new hardware, software, and clinical workflows; understand the principles and limitations of AI‑driven tools; and maintain the critical thinking and clinical judgment necessary to oversee these increasingly complex systems. Our professional responsibility to patients demands that we stay ahead of the curve—not only in technical proficiency but also in our ability to integrate new technologies safely and effectively into clinical practice.
In the Asia‑Oceania region, we face a dual challenge: many countries are expanding access to radiotherapy and advanced imaging, while simultaneously grappling with a shortage of qualified medical physicists. This gap cannot be bridged by recruitment alone; it must be addressed through robust, standardised, and clinically immersive education and training programmes.
AFOMP is committed to supporting this adaptation through educational initiatives, workshops, and knowledge‑sharing platforms. Our annual congresses, regional training courses, and collaborations with the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) and the International Medical Physics Certification Board (IMPCB) are all designed to help our members navigate this changing landscape. However, the ultimate responsibility rests with each of us—and with the institutions that train and employ us—to prioritise continuous professional development.
The clinical training programme I wish to highlight is situated within a broader ecosystem of academic excellence. Wenzhou Medical University (WMU), established in 1912, has grown into one of China’s key medical education institutions, co‑constructed by the Zhejiang Provincial Government, the National Health Commission, and the Ministry of Education. The university has a long‑standing commitment to graduate education, having been authorised to confer master’s degrees since 1978.
Of particular note is WMU’s strong commitment to international education. The university received its academic credential to enrol foreign students in 1996 and established the School of International Studies in 2006, offering degree programmes taught in English. WMU was among the first schools in China approved for English‑based bachelor’s programmes in clinical medicine. Today, WMU hosts approximately 650 to 1,000 international students from 56 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Australia. The graduate programmes for international students currently enrol 32 master’s candidates and 7 doctoral candidates, with additional candidates in combined fast‑track programmes, including master’s and PhD programmes for medical physics.
This international dimension is particularly relevant to our medical physics community. WMU’s existing infrastructure for hosting international students, its English‑medium programmes, and its established research collaborations create a natural foundation for expanding training opportunities in medical physics. The clinical training programme at the First Affiliated Hospital, which has already welcomed international trainees, benefits from this broader university environment that values cross‑cultural learning and global collaboration.
Finally, I am delighted to extend a warm invitation to the 26th Asia‑Oceania Congress of Medical Physics (AOCMP 2026), which will be held from September 9–11, 2026, in the vibrant coastal city of Busan, Korea. Hosted by the Korean Society of Medical Physics (KSMP), this congress promises to be a cornerstone event for our community. The theme, “Beyond Precision through Intelligent Innovation for Advanced Patient Care”, aptly captures the transformative period our field is entering. The programme will feature cutting‑edge scientific sessions, educational workshops, and invaluable opportunities for networking with peers from across the region and beyond. Also at this annual meeting, the IMPCB certification examinations will be held.
As we look forward to AOCMP 2026 in Busan, let us continue to share our educational best practices, strengthen our collaborations through certification frameworks such as the IMPCB, and inspire one another to advance the field of medical physics for the benefit of patients everywhere. The future of our profession depends on the investments we make today in education, training, and certification—and on our collective commitment to adapting, learning, and leading in this fast‑changing world.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Busan
Sincerely,
Vice president of AFOMP
President of Wenzhou Medical University Library and Journal Society
Vice president and Chief medical physicist of the First Affiliated Hospital,
Wenzhou Medical Univiersity
Email: jinxc1979@hotmail.com
