AAALAC is the only internationally recognized and credible accreditation organization for laboratory animal facility management. Accreditation by AAALAC indicates that animal experiments are conducted within a rigorous and high-standard animal welfare and management system. Not only does this ensure humane treatment of experimental animals, but it also allows researchers to obtain precise, high-quality experimental data, fostering outstanding advancements in medical technology development. This achieves a win-win situation for scientific applications and animal welfare.
NCKU Medical School's Laboratory Animal Center received full accreditation for the first time on November 13, 2019. According to regulations, accredited institutions must undergo re-evaluation and on-site inspections every three years to ensure that animal care and use programs within the institution comply with international standards. The Animal Center submitted a re-review application in March 2022 and underwent on-site inspections by AAALAC members on July 7 of the same year.
During the inspection, four visiting members, Dr. Connie Y.H. Leung, Dr. Thattawan Kaewsakhorn, Mr. Shawn Tay from the Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (AFLAS), and Dr. Montip Gettayacamin from the AAALAC Southeast Asia office, accompanied by Laboratory Animal Center Director Shang-Hsun Yang, veterinarians, and regional managers, inspected various aspects, including the review of animal care and use programs, on-site visits to animal facilities, and document review. Faced with questions from the visiting members, the team cooperated seamlessly, providing supporting evidence and comprehensive answers promptly. Even in the face of unexpected changes to the inspection route, the center team swiftly reorganized and responded to the inspection challenges in an orderly manner.
The Laboratory Animal Center expressed gratitude to Vice President Wei-Jhe Joe, Dean and IACUC Convener (National NCKU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, abbreviated as IACUC) Yan-Sheng Shen, Professor Yau-Sheng Tsai from the Clinical Research Institute, who served as the Deputy Convener of IACUC, and the IACUC members for their participation and support.
Amidst eager anticipation, the Animal Center received notification from AAALAC on October 17, 2022, informing them of their full accreditation once again. The notification letter highly commended the center team, IACUC, and the comprehensive animal facilities. The Animal Center emphasized that although the certification activity has concluded, it will not stop moving forward to adapt to the ever-changing research environment. It will continue to uphold its original intention, serving as a strong support for both animal welfare and researchers.
![](/userfiles/images/20240604061349279.jpg)
From left to right: Laboratory Animal Center Director Shang-Hsun Yang, NCKU IACUC Vice Chair Yau-Sheng Tsai, Dean of the Medical College and IACUC Chair Yan-Shen Shan, Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang, Dr. Connie Y.H. Leung, Assistant Technical Director at the Comparative Medicine Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Dr. Thattawan Kaewsakhorn, Director of the Laboratory Animal Center at Chiang Mai University, Dr. Montip Gettayacamin, Senior Director of AAALAC Southeast Asia Office, and Mr. Shawn Tay, representing the Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (AFLAS) from Singapore.
![](/userfiles/images/20240604061349294.jpg)
The visiting committee inspecting the animal facilities.
![](/userfiles/images/20240604061349605.jpg)
The visiting committee reviewing documents.
![](/userfiles/images/20240604061351207.jpg)
A group photo of all staff members of the Laboratory Animal Center with the certification committee for a memorable moment.
![Zi Yu Sun Was Invited to Present Her Research of New Possibilities of Hyaluronic Acid Treatment for Parkinson's Disease in U.S.A](/userfiles/images/20221026145528689.jpg)