IMU Psychology alumna, Amutha Aruvi A/P Kaniamuthan received the Heartfulness Young Researcher Award 2022 on 18 December, 2022 at the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Conference 2022 held at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad India. This event was hosted by the Heartfulness Institute, a global non-profit organisation with thousands of volunteer trainers who serve more than a million meditators in over 130 countries.
Aruvi received an engraved award and a certificate of honour from the Heartfulness Institute’s Global Guide, Dr Kamlesh D Patel, the Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Cabinet Minister of AYUSH, and the Honourable Minister AYUSH of India, Dr D S Gangwar.
She received the award for her work on her undergraduate thesis titled: An In-Depth Understanding of Heartfulness Meditation, that was published in the International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education (IeJSME) [Citation: IeJSME 2021 15 (2): 19-28]. Her research supervisor and co-author was IMU’s Senior Lecturer, Alexius Cheang. Her study found that for heartfulness practitioners, the process of heartfulness meditation directly influenced physical, psychological, social, cognitive, as well as spiritual benefits. These positive changes become gradually visible with regular practice.
Aruvi was given the opportunity to present her research during the award ceremony as the selection committee was highly impressed with her outstanding commitment to addressing advanced scientific questions using research. She was conferred the Young Global Researcher Award 2022 along with 7 other young researchers as a recognition of their contribution and achievement in innovative research.
The conference theme was: Integrative Approach to Health and Wellbeing: Inspire, Innovate, Integrate, and the conference hosted over 3000 participants worldwide, including physicians, nurses, allied healthcare professionals, established and budding researchers, students, and wellness enthusiasts interested in pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches to health and wellbeing.
Through her participation at the IHW Conference 2022, Aruvi gained insights on integrative health approaches to healthcare that recognises the interconnectedness of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life which allows them to take on an active role in their own healthcare. She shared that her experience throughout the conference was unique and meaningful, and that she wanted to extend her heartfelt gratitude to International Medical University (IMU) and her supervisor, Mr Alexius Cheang from the IMU Psychology Department for trusting and supporting her and many students and alumnus in their endeavours, encouraging each to boldly take on unconventional paths in research, which has led each to contribute to the world’s knowledge.
Aruvi is currently studying a Master’s in Organizational Psychology and Human Factors at the University of Adelaide, Australia.
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