IMU University, in collaboration with the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields, successfully organised a community engagement programme focusing on meditation, mindfulness, sustainable living, and the One Health concept. This event, held at the Buddhist Maha Vihara (BMV) on 21 December 2025 to commemorate the UN World Meditation Day, was initiated and coordinated by Dr Sameera A Gunawardena and Dr Moe Thida Kyaw through IMU Cares, under the patronage of Prof Khoo Suan Phaik, Dean of Community Engagement.

Mr A Hemadasa, Vice President of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, served as the main organiser from the Buddhist Maha Vihara. In his welcome address, he highlighted the global recognition of meditation through the establishment of the United Nations World Meditation Day.

The event was also graced by the Ven Datuk Dr K Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thero, Chief Incumbent of BMV, who emphasised the value of meditation in cultivating individual and collective wellbeing and expressed his appreciation to IMU University for initiating and nurturing this important collaboration.

In her opening address, Prof Khoo Suan Phaik emphasised the importance of promoting meditation and mindfulness as effective tools for health and wellbeing, noting the evolving healthcare landscape from a focus on human health alone towards a One Health approach that integrates human, environmental, and societal dimensions. She highlighted mindfulness and meditation as potentially one of IMU’s most impactful forms of community engagement.

The programme featured the talk “Mindfulness – The Science of Brain Change” by Dr Moe Thida Kyaw, which explored the scientific evidence underlying meditation-induced changes in brain function. She highlighted how alterations in specific brain regions translate into positive behavioural and attitudinal changes in daily life.

This was followed by “Calming Our Minds, Caring for Our Earth: Meditation as a Pathway to Sustainable Living” by Dr Sameera A Gunawardena, which addressed growing concerns related to climate change and environmental degradation driven by excessive consumerism. He showcased emerging research on how mindfulness and meditation contribute to more environmentally sustainable lifestyles by reducing craving and enhancing compassion.

A lively Q&A and panel discussion followed, enabling active engagement between the community and IMU academics. Participants asked questions, shared personal experiences, and reflected on the role of meditation and mindfulness in both personal well-being and broader societal challenges, creating a positive and reflective atmosphere. The event was ably supported by student volunteers from the School of Medicine, especially Thisal, Naing, Sachitha, and Seneca, whose contributions ensured the smooth running of the programme and provided valuable experiential learning opportunities.

The event concluded by virtually linking up with the 2nd World Meditation Day Global Conference 2025, organised by the Center of Meditation Research of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, which enabled the participants to gain further awareness on scientific developments in the fields of mindfulness meditation.

Overall, the programme reflects IMU University’s strategic commitment to community engagement, One Health, sustainability, and student development. By fostering meaningful dialogue between academics, students, and the community, the initiative demonstrates IMU’s vision of education and research that actively contribute to societal wellbeing. Building on the positive response, both IMU University and the Buddhist Maha Vihara look forward to expanding this collaboration into broader mindfulness and meditation programmes across Malaysia.

View a video on the event: https://youtu.be/nx-js9b5N0s