In 2024, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) continued to advance a wide range of health outreach and public health initiatives that integrated both local and international engagement. Through community participation, educational promotion, and action-based research, the university actively contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and addressed environmental health challenges.

Key health outreach projects and initiatives in 2024 included:
 

1. Virtual Reality Stroke Education Program

During the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival, NCKU’s College of Medicine developed an interactive virtual reality (VR) training tool that allowed the public to experience emergency stroke response scenarios. The program significantly enhanced public awareness of stroke symptoms and first-aid responses, serving as a practical model of health education. Notably, the VR system also received FDA medical software certification in the United States, making NCKU the first university in Taiwan to achieve this recognition.

 

1. USR Project “Together 2026” – Elderly Health and Social Connection

Through intergenerational learning and cultural activities, this University Social Responsibility (USR) project promotes the mental well-being, social participation, and daily wellness of older adults, fostering age-friendly communities.

Event Highlight Video


 

1. Student-Led Medical Service Club

NCKU students have independently organized a Medical Service Club focused on community health education. Activities include free clinics, hypertension and diabetes screenings, and cancer awareness campaigns in collaboration with anti-cancer initiatives. The club also hosts annual events such as educational outings for junior high students, home visits, evening health education programs, and “Starry Night” gatherings. In addition, smaller-scale volunteer days focus on pediatric wards and elderly care. These efforts leverage the enthusiasm of university students to serve vulnerable and underserved populations.
 

1. International Health and Environmental Outreach – WUN Galamsey Action Research and Forum

In 2024, Professor Yung-Nane Yang of NCKU received funding from the World Universities Network (WUN) to lead an action research project in Ghana addressing the health and environmental impacts of Galamsey—illegal small-scale gold mining. The project combined field research, community engagement, and knowledge dissemination to practice cross-cultural health outreach.








 

1. Interdisciplinary Talent Development for Precision Health

In response to Taiwan’s national economic strategies and the Executive Yuan’s “Healthy Taiwan 2030” vision, NCKU participated in the Ministry of Education’s “Interdisciplinary Talent Cultivation Program for Precision Health.” Building on the outcomes of the prior “Biomedical Industry and Smart Agriculture Interdisciplinary Program,” NCKU partnered with several Taiwanese universities to develop interdisciplinary courses. These efforts aim to cultivate talent in precision health and public well-being by integrating higher education resources, strengthening the health sector, and aligning Taiwan’s talent pipeline with global demands.