中亞聯合大學系統高教深耕永續發展週

(ART TV TAIWAN News Interview)

Opening on November 11th – China Medical University, in collaboration with its sister institution Asia University, jointly hosted the 2019 Central Asia United University System Higher Education Deepening and Sustainable Development Week, along with the Social Responsibility Practice Forum and Achievement Exhibition. The event showcased the initial outcomes of both universities' smart campus initiatives, as well as student involvement in addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as combating air pollution and reducing plastic usage.

Yang Zhen-Sheng, Director of the Education Bureau of Taichung City, praised the long-standing efforts of the faculty and students from both universities in providing services to rural and disadvantaged communities. He commended their exceptional performance, highlighting the significant impact they have made in fulfilling the mission of higher education to strengthen local communities.

Professor Hong Ming-Chi, President of China Medical University, emphasized that the vision of "Better Life, Better World" is one of the university’s key missions. He explained that both faculty and students at China Medical University have been actively involved in various fields, including elderly care, environmental protection, workplace health, food and drug safety, addiction prevention, disease management, local community revitalization, and support for secondary education and community care. The university has developed comprehensive plans and is committed to translating complex medical research into practical solutions, thereby enhancing research capabilities, intellectual property, and addressing major medical challenges. Their work aims to improve patients' life expectancy and quality of life, fulfilling the university's broader social responsibility.

President Cai Jin-Fa of Asia University shared that the university has utilized advanced technologies such as cloud computing, virtualization, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform the interactions between students, staff, and campus resources. By integrating teaching, research, management, and campus resources, the university can fully sense the physical environment, identify individual learner characteristics and learning contexts, and provide seamless communication networks. These innovations support open educational environments, enhance teaching analysis and decision-making processes, and create a comfortable and convenient living space. Last year, Asia University also established the Center for Social Responsibility Development and Practice, which leads the faculty and students in promoting social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

President Cai further explained that the center focuses on four key areas: local community care, industrial upgrading, environmental sustainability, and health promotion. With support from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the university has launched Taiwan's first online addiction prevention program. Additionally, it has initiated ten social responsibility projects addressing critical issues such as dementia care for the elderly, support for disadvantaged children, the mushroom industry supply chain, agricultural branding, and the revitalization of Wufeng. Through these initiatives, faculty and students actively engage with society to address social issues and create a more prosperous and harmonious community.

The 2019 Central Asia United University System Sustainable Development Week and Social Responsibility Practice Forum and Achievement Exhibition officially opened, with Director Yang Zhen-Sheng from the Taichung City Education Bureau attending the event to commend the ongoing contributions of both universities. He acknowledged their exceptional work in providing services to rural and underserved communities, reinforcing the positive impact of higher education on local development.