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.

The "Campus Mixed Relay Race," held in celebration of NCKU’s 95th Anniversary, has entered its third day of preliminary rounds, with participating students showing undiminished enthusiasm. A total of 23 teams took the track today. Vice President Chang Shih-Wei was present to cheer on the athletes and fire the starting pistol for each race.

As the autumn air turned crisp, a cool evening breeze blew across Kuang-Fu Sports Field, yet the fiery atmosphere remained unabated. On the second day of the campus relay races celebrating NCKU’s 95th anniversary, roaring cheers and pounding footsteps filled the air with dynamic energy and youthful vitality.