UTAR champions sleep health awareness at 3rd International World Sleep Day 2025

The Centre for Healthy Minds and Wellbeing (CHMW), under the Department of Student Affairs, organised the 3rd International World Sleep Day 2025 on 26 April 2025, reaffirming its commitment to promoting the importance of healthy sleep and overall well-being. The event highlighted the significance of sleep in maintaining both mental and physical health.

Counsellor Ms N. Navamani emphasised the need for collaborative efforts in building sleep-conscious communities that prioritise healthy rest as a fundamental pillar of wellness.

The event attracted a total of 566 participants from across Malaysia and various international regions, including India, Indonesia, China, Turkey, Kuwait, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, and many others. This wide-reaching participation underscored the global relevance of sleep health and the growing recognition of the need to address sleep-related challenges through informed dialogue and shared expertise.

A series of engaging and informative talks were delivered by local and international experts, covering diverse aspects of sleep science. Dr Riane Anggreani, a neurologist and certified international sleep disorder specialist from Indonesia, shared her expertise on sleep issues among the elderly. She discussed how ageing impacts sleep architecture, often resulting in insomnia, fragmented sleep, and circadian rhythm disruptions. Her talk also explored the prevalence of conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and restless legs syndrome (RLS), and their connections to cognitive decline, mood disorders, and diminished quality of life. She stressed the importance of early diagnosis, behavioural therapies, lifestyle changes, and sleep hygiene education in improving sleep among older adults.

Another keynote speaker, Prof Dr Perran Boran from the Medical Faculty of Marmara University, Turkey, focused on paediatric sleep. As an experienced paediatrician and sleep researcher, she examined the role of sleep in child development and public health. Her talk provided insights into the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence sleep in children, along with the physiological functions of sleep and developmental changes across childhood. She also introduced practical strategies for cultivating healthy sleep habits in young populations to enhance developmental outcomes and family well-being.

From UTAR, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Ir Dr Lee Wah Peng delivered a session on the effect of mindfulness training on sleep quality. With a professional background in engineering, project management, and mindfulness research, Dr Lee presented the benefits of mindfulness-based practices such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) lecturer Mr Tarun Amalnerkar conducted a talk titled Let’s Talk About Nap. His session explored the science and value of napping, including the conditions in which naps are common and beneficial. He elaborated on the physiological advantages of napping, such as enhanced alertness, memory consolidation, and physical recovery, while also offering advice on optimal nap durations and timing for different age groups. He also shared the common myths about napping and provided practical tips to help attendees incorporate healthy nap habits into their daily lives.

The webinar was moderated by MK FMHS lecturer Dr Avneet Kaur, who effectively facilitated the discussions and created a lively, inclusive environment. The 3rd International World Sleep Day 2025 at UTAR not only provided an enriching platform for knowledge exchange but also demonstrated UTAR’s ongoing commitment to fostering mental and physical well-being through education, research, and community collaboration.