Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital and NCHU Lead Delegation to Europe Cultivating Talent and Advancing International Collaboration in Medical Education

In 2018, National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) and Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital signed an academic cooperation MOU. Over the years, the two institutions have maintained close collaboration, including organizing annual field trips for students to rural communities. From July 22 to 28 this year, Associate Dean for Education at Tungs’ Hospital and NCHU Post-Baccalaureate Medical Program Professor Stella Tsai offered the course “Globalization and Humanistic Care: Service Learning.” Supported by the Ministry of Education’s UAAT-ICU National Key Area International Cooperation Alliance – Integrated Field Program, Professor Tsai led NCHU students to the Czech Republic for a week-long program of academic and cultural exchange.

Themed “Revisiting Cross-Cultural Differences: Innovations for Traditional Societies Transitioning into Digital Aging Societies”, the program immersed students in diverse perspectives on digital health technologies and rural healthcare, helping them better understand cultural differences and strategies for practical application.

The experiential learning itinerary in Central Europe spanned two major Czech universities—Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and Technical University of Liberec (TUL). Through lectures, student presentations, group discussions, and hands-on clinical skills training, participants explored topics such as eHealth, elderly care, national health insurance systems, and rural health challenges. All presentations and discussions were conducted in English, with students demonstrating both strong medical knowledge and commendable international communication skills.

At TUL’s Human Anatomy and Clinical Simulation Center, students engaged in intravenous injection and suturing practice, experienced aging simulation, and toured smart care equipment facilities. These first-hand activities deepened their understanding of the challenges faced by the Czech Republic’s aging society and the applications of its eHealth system, echoing the project’s vision of “fostering intergenerational understanding and promoting health equity.”

A highlight of the trip was visiting a local nursing and care center, where students interacted with elderly residents and observed best practices in elderly healthcare, long-term care, and community rehabilitation. Students reflected that the Czech model offered valuable insights for Taiwan in areas such as environmental design, interprofessional collaboration, and digital care applications—contributing to strategies for extending “healthy life expectancy.”

The itinerary also featured cultural and historical exploration, including the Prague Castle complex, Charles Bridge, and St. Vitus Cathedral. By integrating cultural exchange with on-site historical learning, students strengthened their cultural sensitivity and deepened their sense of global medical responsibility.

Professor Tsai remarked that this rare exchange opportunity fully embodied the UAAT-ICU program’s core philosophy of “people-centered, digitally integrated, globally connected” education, laying a strong foundation for cultivating future physicians with global vision, cultural empathy, and social responsibility. Looking ahead, Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital will continue supporting NCHU’s Post-Baccalaureate Medical Program in building partnerships with international institutions, promoting bilingual courses, co-developing teaching materials, and facilitating student exchanges—creating a collaborative learning community in medical humanities and smart health. This initiative aims to further enhance Taiwanese students’ medical humanities literacy and cross-cultural communication skills, while strengthening East-West cooperation in elderly care and smart healthcare.