The primary objectives of this program are to:
(1) advance interdisciplinary integration between information technology and medical research;
(2) cultivate high-level research and development talent in medical informatics; and
(3) foster the formation of technical teams to support emerging industries in medical informatics.
The program is established in recognition of the fact that foundational theories and technologies in computer engineering and information science have reached a high level of maturity. Consequently, the central challenges and opportunities of the 21st century lie in application-driven innovation and service-oriented development. Among these, the biotechnology and healthcare sectors represent critical domains of global strategic importance.
In response to these trends, the program is committed to cultivating next-generation professionals with competencies in medical informatics applications, promoting research and development in both software and hardware technologies, integrating resources across academia, industry, and government, and aligning with international standards to enhance the competitiveness of Taiwan’s medical informatics sector.
Taiwan has entered an aging society and is projected to become a super-aged society by 2025. In the context of increasing healthcare demands, workforce constraints, and rapid advancements in digital technologies, the healthcare sector must adopt intelligent information systems to improve efficiency, quality, and accessibility of care.
Globally, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry is actively converging with the healthcare sector, driving systemic transformation in healthcare delivery and management. To achieve Taiwan’s “Health for All Ages by 2030” policy vision, the timely cultivation of interdisciplinary talent in healthcare and digital technology is both critical and urgent.
The healthcare sector faces multifaceted challenges, including resource allocation, clinical efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. Generative artificial intelligence, as a rapidly evolving technological paradigm, is expected to transform healthcare systems in unprecedented ways and provide innovative solutions to these challenges.
Accordingly, this program aims to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals equipped with core competencies in digital technologies and the ability to apply these technologies innovatively in healthcare contexts. Leveraging National Tsing Hua University’s strong foundation in biomedical research and its interdisciplinary strengths in big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and engineering, the program seeks to develop a new generation of dual-expertise physician-scientists and technology professionals, thereby advancing the implementation of cross-disciplinary innovations in healthcare.
The program is structured around four major areas of development:
A distinguishing feature of this program is its emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence to enable diversified and precision-integrated healthcare solutions. The program promotes the development of clinical trial applications aligned with biomedical and pharmaceutical needs, alongside integrated software–hardware innovations.
Key areas of focus include:
Through interdisciplinary collaboration with academic institutions, research organizations, healthcare providers, and industry partners, the program provides students with opportunities to engage in real-world problem-solving. Students will be trained to apply ICT (Information and Communications Technology) methodologies to address challenges in biomedical science and clinical practice, thereby bridging the gap between technological innovation and healthcare implementation.