Prof. Nathan Vytialingam

Professor Nathan Vytialingam is an occupational therapist who has been in practice formore than 50 years. He graduated from the British College of Occupational Therapists in1976 and pursued his post-graduate studies in Australia, obtaining his post-graduate Diploma in Health Sciences in 1983 and Master’s in Applied Science (Health) in 1984 under a Kellogg Fellowship. He has worked in London, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia in areas of rehabilitation specializing in Physical Rehabilitation. His area of interest is in aged care, especially in the area of healthy aging. He was instrumental in organising the 1st World Congress on Healthy Aging in 2012, which led to other countries holding such global conferences. The World Congress on Healthy Aging is held once every three years, globally. He was also instrumental in organising the 1st ASEAN Conference on Healthy Aging in Sarawak, Malaysia, in 2017, which is held biannually in the region. Prof. Nathan was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) in Cape Town, South Africa in 2018. The Honorary Fellowship is regarded by WFOT as the highest functioning award for outstanding contributions and distinguished service to the profession of occupational therapy at a local and international level and he is the first in the region to receive the award. He is the founder of the Malaysian Healthy Aging Society (MHAS) and currently serves as its President. He also serves on the Advisory Council of the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) and is a member of Malaysia’s National Senior CitizensAdvisory and Consultation Council.