NEWS Malaysia

In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Ivy Chung, Director of the NCKU Overseas Hub in Malaysia, emphasized that global health challenges, from emerging infectious diseases to environmental threats, demand interdisciplinary and cross-border solutions. She highlighted the growing momentum of Malaysia–Taiwan partnerships in research and capacity building.

Prof. Chih-Da Wu (NCKU) presented how Geo-AI technologies—combining satellite imagery, drone data, GIS, and machine learning—can dramatically improve air pollution exposure assessment. By generating high-resolution pollution models, his work captures spatial variations in particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and VOCs more precisely than conventional monitoring stations. These simulations support environmental epidemiology, enabling researchers to better evaluate health risks and population-level exposure. His talk demonstrated how Geo-AI can guide public health strategies and strengthen regional environmental surveillance.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zubaidah Ya'cob (UM) highlighted the Malaysia–Taiwan partnership as a successful model for One Health collaboration, integrating human, animal, and environmental health research. She discussed joint efforts in surveillance, diagnostics, biosafety, and capacity building, especially for vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. Through shared expertise, workshops, and research exchanges between UM and Taiwan, the partnership supports innovation and strengthens community resilience. Her talk emphasized how sustained cross-border collaboration can drive long-term sustainable solutions to global health threats.

Prof. Yu-Yu Chang (NCKU) explored how user-driven innovation transforms healthcare systems by solving unmet needs from the ground up. Using examples such as Nightscout’s open-source diabetes platform and Taiwan’s civic-led COVID-19 mask distribution system, he demonstrated how communities leverage technology and collective intelligence to create impactful solutions. His talk underscored that users are active innovators who can reshape healthcare delivery, inform policy, and democratize medical technologies in an era of rapid digital advancement.

Dr. Mohammad Sabri Abdul Rahman (UMK) outlined key opportunities for Malaysia–Taiwan collaboration in diagnostics, vaccine development, and field-based studies. He emphasized the value of strengthening diagnostic networks, sharing lab resources, and advancing research on vaccines targeting zoonotic and emerging diseases. He also highlighted how collaborative field studies involving veterinarians, medical experts, and environmental scientists can improve understanding of disease transmission, AMR, and wildlife–livestock–human interactions. His session reinforced the vital role of veterinary sciences in global One Health resilience.

Overall, the webinar showcased how Malaysian and Taiwanese researchers can work together on issues that affect regional health and sustainability. Participants gained insights into collaborative opportunities in biomedical research, environmental monitoring, toxicology, and veterinary science. Through the NCKU Overseas Week initiative, the NCKU Overseas Hub in Malaysia continues to strengthen bridges between the two countries, advancing research partnerships that contribute to a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for the region.