PUTRAJAYA, 23-24 October 2024 – The Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing®), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and esteemed co-organizers the Gerontological Association of Malaysia (GeM), the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS), and the Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine (MSGM), successfully held the National Conference on Ageing 2024 (NCA2024) today. The event was officiated by YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. YBhg. Dato' Profesor Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia, also delivered his welcoming remarks during the ceremony.

This event marks a significant milestone, celebrating 20 years of dedicated efforts to advance knowledge and policy development for the ageing population in Malaysia. NCA2024 was held in conjunction with the International Day of Older Persons, observed globally on 1st October each year. This year’s celebration carries the theme "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide."

YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy, in her opening speech, highlighted Malaysia's leadership in the Asia-Pacific region in addressing ageing issues, being one of the earliest countries to respond to the UN World Assemblies on Ageing. She noted the development of key policies, such as the National Policy for Older Persons (2011), aimed at enhancing the welfare and quality of life for the older population. She also emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking in managing Malaysia's demographic shift towards becoming an ageing nation, ensuring sustainable ageing and improving the well-being of older persons through collaborative efforts between the government, researchers, and various stakeholders.

In his opening speech, YBhg. Dato' Professor Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Vice Chancellor, UPM, emphasized the importance of research and collaboration in addressing the challenges of ageing, highlighting the role of MyAgeing®, UPM and its stakeholders. He also reaffirmed that UPM’s guiding framework, the True North, ensures the university’s research efforts are aligned with societal needs and remain relevant in serving the community. “Our research efforts must also be relevant to the society that we live in,” he remarked.

Since its inception in 2004, the National Conference on Ageing has become the flagship event for MyAgeing®, providing a vital platform for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary discussions on ageing research, policy, and practice in the country. This year's theme, “Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice: 20 Years After,” underscores the ongoing commitment to enhancing the lives of older persons through collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

The conference attracted over 150 participants, fostering valuable networking and knowledge sharing aimed at bridging the gaps between research, policy, and practice in gerontology. After 20 years, MyAgeing® remains dedicated to shaping a Society for All Ages and continues to champion evidence-based discourse and collaborative efforts to address the challenges faced by our ageing population.

Tarikh Input: 25/10/2024 | Kemaskini: 25/10/2024 | lizamdnor