The “Heart to Heart, Learning Emotions: 2026 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Carnival” was held on October 31 on the plaza in front of the Student Activity Center at National Cheng Kung University’s (NCKU) Kuang-Fu Campus. This event was dedicated to realizing the Ministry of Education’s vision of “Happy Education, Healthy Taiwan, Happy Schools, and Shared Flourishing for Teachers and Students,” fostering a warm, friendly campus environment, and strengthening mental health literacy among the general public. The event was held under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and organized by NCKU’s Office of Student Affairs. Centered on the theme “Understand Emotions, Learn Empathy, Create Happiness,” the carnival brought together distinctive exhibition booths from colleges and universities across Taiwan, immersive mindfulness workshops, student club performances, and food stalls. It drew enthusiastic participation from many teachers, students, parents, and Tainan residents, marking a warm beginning for emotional education.

Two National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) chair professors have received national academic honors, as the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced the recipients of the 30th National Chair Professorships and the 70th Academic Awards. Yeau-Ren Jeng, Chair Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, received the National Chair Professorship in the Engineering and Applied Sciences category for leading an interdisciplinary research team and translating research findings into industrial applications. Chen-Sheng Yeh, Chair Professor in the Department of Chemistry, received the Academic Award in the Mathematics and Natural Sciences category for his internationally recognized interdisciplinary research spanning chemistry, nanomaterials, and biomedicine. The awards mark significant milestones in both professors' academic careers and highlight NCKU's strengths in interdisciplinary research, academic innovation, and talent development.

The Asia-Pacific region’s premier annual public health gathering, the 57th Annual Conference of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH 2026), opened on October 22 at ICC Tainan. Under this year’s theme, “Leveraging Healthcare Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Public Health and Wellness,” the conference brought together scholars and experts from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. Through keynote lectures, paper presentations, and thematic symposia, participants examined how innovations in medical technology could be applied to health promotion, disease prevention, and health policy. The conference not only showcased Taiwan’s public health research strength but also offers an important opportunity to deepen academic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific.

National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKU Hospital) has once again earned international recognition for its efforts in smart healthcare. Newsweek, in collaboration with global research firm Statista, has announced the results of its “World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2027” ranking. NCKU Hospital placed 75th worldwide, entering the global top 100 for the first time. The hospital has been included in the ranking for three consecutive years, from 2025 through 2027, and this year also received special recognition as a “Leader in AI Innovation,” bringing its achievements in smart healthcare to the international stage.

The vibrant cross-disciplinary mixed relay race at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) entered its fourth day. Although an autumn typhoon affecting eastern Taiwan brought frequent gusts of wind across NCKU's Kuang-Fu Athletic Field, it could not dampen the participants' enthusiasm and energy. NCKU Vice President Yuh-Neu Chen visited the field in person to encourage the students to give their all, bringing a warm burst of positive energy to the high-spirited event.