3rd International Research Conference and Medical Symposium (IRCAMS) 2024

December 5-6, 2024

The 3rd International Research Conference and Medical Symposium (IRCAMS 2024) officially opened on December 5, 2024, as a virtual event, bringing together researchers, educators, and medical professionals from around the world. Hosted by Lyceum-Northwestern University in partnership with Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, the Philippine Association of Research Practitioners, Educators, and Statistical Software Users (PARESSU), Inc., the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC), the University of Luzon, and the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, the two-day conference centered on the theme, “Healthcare and Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” It served as a timely platform for discussing how AI is transforming these two critical sectors.

The opening ceremony began with welcome remarks from Dr. Marco Francisco S. Duque, Executive Vice President of Lyceum-Northwestern University and Co-Chairman of IRCAMS 2024. He expressed gratitude to the global participants and emphasized the value of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the responsible integration of AI in healthcare and education. Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED Regional Office 1, also addressed the audience, acknowledging the dedication of the organizing institutions and highlighting the importance of continued research on the effects of AI in both education and healthcare. Dr. Luz T. Duque-Hammershaimb, President of Lyceum-Northwestern University, underscored the university’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary innovation, calling IRCAMS a vital space for meaningful dialogue and groundbreaking research.

A major highlight of the first day was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). A renowned infectious disease specialist, Dr. Montoya discussed the integration of AI in healthcare education and operations. He emphasized the potential of AI to revolutionize personalized learning and streamline administrative processes such as scheduling and resource allocation. While recognizing AI’s benefits, he also cautioned against over-reliance on technology, underscoring the need for human oversight, ethical considerations, and robust data privacy measures.

The first day featured four plenary sessions tackling various aspects of AI’s impact. Dr. Blaise Nieve, Clinical Nurse III at Duke University Hospital, explored AI’s applications in clinical practice, particularly in disease detection, patient monitoring, and remote care. Bernhard Kappe, Founder and CEO of Orthogonal, delved into the evolving landscape of AI in medical technology, addressing regulatory challenges and ethical AI implementation. Dr. Alvin Marcelo, Executive Director of the Asia eHealth Information Network, discussed the importance of governance and cybersecurity in the digital transformation of healthcare. Dr. Nisha Manila, Associate Professor and Director of Academic and Clinical Radiology at the College of Dental Medicine, California Northstate University, offered insights into the use of AI in dentistry, including improvements in diagnostics and treatment planning, while addressing concerns related to data bias and privacy. Later in the day, the conference shifted to parallel research presentations, with 58 papers presented under two thematic tracks: Health and Education.

On the second day, December 6, 2024, the program continued with Dr. Cynthia P. Lopez, Vice President for Research and Innovation Management at Lyceum-Northwestern University and Chairman of IRCAMS 2024, opening the day with a recap of the previous sessions. She summarized the keynote from Dr. Jaime Montoya and the insights shared in the plenary discussions, highlighting the growing impact of AI on healthcare education, clinical practice, and medical technology.

The day’s plenary sessions provided a wealth of insights from leading experts. Dr. Erlyn Sana, Professor at the National Teacher Training Center for Health Professions, University of the Philippines Manila, discussed the social accountability of medical education, urging academic institutions to align curricula with community health needs. Professor Dr. Paul DuongTran from the College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing at California State University, Dominguez Hills, challenged the global inclusivity of AI, questioning its cultural limitations and impact on underrepresented populations. Dr. Jonathan Carreon, Vice President of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, spoke on scientific innovation in the digital era, stressing the importance of sustainability and interdisciplinary approaches. Dr. Ghulam Ali Buriro, Professor at the Institute of English Language and Literature, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan, focused on the future of learning, advocating for pedagogical innovation and the cultivation of critical thinking skills in an AI-driven world.

In the afternoon, the conference hosted six parallel sessions—three on health and three on multidisciplinary research—with 36 additional research papers presented. These sessions sparked dynamic discussions on the diverse ways AI is being integrated into various disciplines.

As IRCAMS 2024 came to a close, Dr. Cynthia P. Lopez delivered the closing remarks, reflecting on the key themes and lessons from the event. She emphasized the importance of ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI implementation and acknowledged the tireless efforts of the speakers, researchers, partner institutions, and organizers. She concluded by reaffirming Lyceum-Northwestern University’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and global collaboration. Looking ahead, she announced with excitement the next edition of IRCAMS, set for 2026, leaving participants inspired to continue their pursuit of AI-driven progress in healthcare and education.