PTCOG-AO highlights: advancing Particle Therapy Across Asia–Oceania
For ECRs, regional meetings represent more than opportunities to attend scientific presentations. They provide spaces to meet colleagues from different countries, exchange ideas, identify potential research collaborations, and become part of the wider international medical physics and particle therapy community. As particle therapy continues to develop across the Asia-Ocenia region, maintaining strong connections between institutions, disciplines, and generations will be essential. The September meetings in Chennai and Busan offered a valuable reminder of the importance of research, education, collaboration, and opportunities for the next generation of professionals in shaping the future of the field. September 2026 brought together members of the particle therapy and medical physics communities across Asia–Oceania through two major regional meetings: the 6th Annual Conference of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group – Asia-Oceania (PTCOG-AO 2026) in Chennai, India, and the 26th Asia-Oceania Congress of Medical Physics (AOCMP 2026) in Busan, Republic of Korea.
For ECRs, conferences provide an important environment not only for presenting scientific work, but also for learning from experienced researchers, developing professional networks, and finding opportunities for future collaboration.
PTCOG-AO 2026 | Chennai, India | 4–6 September
The PTCOG-AO 2026 meeting was held from 4–6 September at the Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa in Chennai under the theme “Empowering Access to Particle Therapy through Research, Education and Collaboration.” The scientific programme covered a broad range of topics related to proton and carbon-ion therapy, including clinical applications, treatment planning, quality assurance, facility development, emerging technologies, and future directions in particle therapy. Beyond the scientific programme, the meeting highlighted the importance of education, capacity building, and regional collaboration. These themes are particularly relevant for the Asia–Oceania region, where the development of particle therapy continues to involve both established centres and emerging programmes.
AOCMP 2026 | Busan, Republic of Korea | 9–11 September
Only a few days later, the regional medical physics community gathered in Busan for AOCMP 2026, held from 9–11 September at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX). Organised by the Korean Society of Medical Physics under the theme “Beyond Precision through Intelligent Innovation for Advanced Patient Care,” the congress brought together a broad range of topics across medical physics, including artificial intelligence, radiation therapy, medical imaging, nuclear medicine, radiation biology, quality assurance, and particle therapy.
