NTNU Sustainable Development Goal 3
SDG3 Good Health and Well-Being
Annual Number of Older Adults Served by NTNU USR Program
NTNU USR projects continue to organize a variety of activities that promote the physical and mental well-being of older adults in the community while enhancing their digital literacy. The cumulative number of older adults served over the years is shown in the figure above.
NTNU USR initiatives supporting community-based older adults have been recognized for five consecutive years by the Taiwan Sustainability Action Award (TSAA)
In 2024, NTNU continued to implement the “Digital Inclusion and Smart Active Aging Program”, a USR project centered on enhancing the well-being of older adults and advancing digital equity. By mobilizing the University’s interdisciplinary expertise and resources, the project aims to realize the vision of “aging together, intergenerational co-learning, and thriving communities.”
The project team engaged communities across Taipei and Yilan, organizing 36 health-promotion and screening activities. Smart diagnostic devices were introduced to help older adults monitor their physical conditions, accompanied by individualized lifestyle recommendations and exercise prescriptions. At NTNU’s Gongguan Campus, the team also held two sessions of a group-based senior fitness program, integrating resources from the Fitness Center, LOHAS, the Community Counseling Center, and the NTNU Sports Center. Using the Senior Fitness Assessment System, the program built a health database for older adults. In 2024, the initiative served a total of 6,650 participants, demonstrating substantial impact.
In advancing digital inclusion, the project team collaborated with nonprofit organizations and community hubs across Taipei and New Taipei City to design innovative digital courses for older adults. These included creative activities such as workshops led by an animation director who guided seniors in producing animated short films using tablets and smartphones. In partnership with the Taipei City Department of Information Technology, NTNU faculty and students worked with older adults to co-produce a 90-minute film, Confessions of Time, and organized Taiwan’s first “Intergenerational AI Script Reading and Music Film Festival,” showcasing the creativity of intergenerational co-learning.
NTNU also launched the “The Interdisciplinary Program of Senior Services” on campus, offering 14 courses that attracted 971 enrollments. The program cultivates future professionals equipped with competencies in active aging, health promotion, and digital literacy.
With years of dedication and continuous innovation, the project has received the TSAA for five consecutive years since 2020 and was awarded the Bronze Prize in the fourth edition of the Taiwan Sustainability Action Award in 2024, demonstrating NTNU’s contributions to active aging and digital inclusion.
A group-based senior fitness activity held at NTNU’s Gongguan Campus.
Youth Digital Health Ambassadors engaging in co-learning activities with older adults.
Advancing Healthcare Innovation Through Artificial Intelligence
NTNU actively responds to emerging trends in healthcare technology by promoting the application of artificial intelligence in medical and caregiving fields, demonstrating the University’s strengths in interdisciplinary integration and societal impact. In November 2024, NTNU research teams participated in the “AI Ecosystem Integration for Healthcare and Innovative Industry Matchmaking Forum,” presenting multiple AI-powered solutions that highlight the University’s innovation potential and translational capabilities in smart health.
Professor Shih-Hau Fang from the Department of Electrical Engineering developed an AI model trained on acoustic signals, demographic data, and structured medical records to provide an innovative technological approach for detecting glottic tumors. Associate Professor Yun-Cheng Tsai from the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development proposed “NexCare: An Intelligent Nursing Assistant for Enhancing Efficiency and Precision,” a system capable of automatically generating and managing nursing documentation, providing precise medical translation, and supporting intelligent communication, thereby reducing nurses’ workload and improving operational efficiency.
In addition, doctoral students Hung-Yu Chang-Chien and Chia-Hui Chang from NTNU’s Department of Health Promotion and Health Education collaborated with FongAI CO., LTD. and the Taipei Xinyi District Health Service Center to develop an AI-enabled mobile health management tool for older adults. The tool assesses frailty and fall risk while providing real-time, individualized health recommendations. This achievement received the Grand Prize in the “Community Care and Healthcare Solutions for Healthy City” category at the 10th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities (AFHC), marking another milestone for NTNU in AI-driven health innovation.
NTNU doctoral students Hung-Yu Chang-Chien and Chia-Hui Chang receiving the Grand Prize in the “Community Care and Healthcare Solutions for Healthy City” category at the 10th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities.
Addressing Mental Health with Comprehensive Support
NTNU places long-term emphasis on mental health and was the first institution in Taiwan to implement the pioneering “Mental Health Leave Policy.” Under this policy, students may request leave due to mental health needs without submitting supporting documentation, allowing them time for rest and adjustment. The policy is complemented by support mechanisms such as dedicated advisors and services provided by the NTNU Student Counseling Center, helping students navigate stress and emotional challenges.
To further expand its professional counseling capacity, NTNTU established the Hsin-Tien Psychological Counselling Clinic, integrating the University’s counseling expertise to provide psychological counseling, mental health services, and educational outreach for the broader community as well as NTNU faculty, staff, and students. Members of the NTNU community are eligible for six free counseling sessions each year.
In 2024, the Hsin-Tien Psychological Counselling Clinic joined the support team for the Chinese Taipei men’s basketball national squad during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, becoming the first university-affiliated counseling clinic in Taiwan to provide psychological services to a national sports team. The Clinic’s team offered individual counseling, mental resilience training, and group-based psychological support to help athletes regulate emotions, maintain focus, and strengthen competitive resilience.
This collaboration highlights the importance of professional mental health services in enhancing athletic performance and advancing the development of sports psychology in Taiwan. It also encourages more athletic organizations to recognize and address the psychological needs of their athletes.
Psychologists from the Hsin-Tien Psychological Counselling Clinic delivering a pre-game mental health and support session for the Chinese Taipei men’s basketball team.