Manipal; 14 September 2023: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, in association with World Association for PhotobiomoduLation Therapy (WALT) and Indian Podiatry Association (IPA), Karnataka Chapter – jointly organised “World Association for photobiomoduLation Therapy (WALT) Congress 2023”. The Congress was held on 14^th September at Manipal, with the theme “Photobiomodulation: The Art and Science of Cellular Healing”. The organising chairpersons for WALTCon2023 were Dr. G Arun Maiya, Dean MCHP, Chief-CDFCR, Professor-Department of Physiotherapy, President-IPA Karnataka Chapter, Membership Director-WALT and Dr. A. P. S Suri, National President of IPA & India’s Leading Podiatric Surgeon.

Chief Guests for the inaugural ceremony were Dr. Rajeev Varshney, Director, Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, DRDO, Govt. of India and Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. Guest of Honour, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K Pro Vice Chancellor- Health Sciences Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, along with Dr. HS Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal as the President of Function, presided over the Congress. Dr. René-Jean Bensadoun, President- WALT, Chair, Centre de Haute Energie, Nice, France, Dr. A. P. S. Suri, President, Indian Podiatry Association and Dr. G. Arun Maiya, Dean-MCHP, Manipal, President, IPA- Karnataka Chapter also graced the event with their presence.

Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) complimented the initiative, saying, “We are delighted to be a part of MAHE’s first-ever international conference. I am confident that through this conference, delegates attending will be able to learn newer things in the filed of photobiomodulation and impart learning for people in use, especially from rural India.”

Commenting on the association, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, said, “MAHE understands the importance of collaborations to provide its students with the best of experiences. We are proud to be partnering with the leading world body for promoting research, education, and clinical applications in the field of photobiomodulation with advanced technologies. We are thankful for this great opportunity to host such an important conference. With over 500 delegates attending the conference, we are confident of helping them learn more about this filed and empower growth and innovation. The multinational membership includes the world’s leading experts in all forms of treatment mediated by the photobiomodulating effects of light occurring. Through WALTCon 2023, we aim to stimulate high-quality research in photobiomodulation, offer evidence-based guidance, education, and standards for best practice in photobiomodulation and contribute to the promotion of health and quality of life.”

Dr Rajeev Varshney, Director, Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, DRDO, Govt of India, said, “The conference explores the profound impact of light on life on our planet, delving into the basis of life itself. We focused on the formation of photoreceptors, which enable animals to respond to their environment, and Albert Einstein's quantum theory of light, which led to the abundant use of light as an energy source. After two years of extensive research, we've gained a solid understanding of how light affects cellular and human physiology”.

The congress received an excellent interest & participation from delegates across the top 200 ranking universities from countries like the USA, UK, South Africa, Australia, and Iran across healthcare and technology industries. The Congress also attracted excellent industry support from top companies working in the field of photobiomodulation, making it a great “Industry-Academia Partnership”.