2026 International Conference on Future Healthcare and Economic Development（FHED2026） Opens at NCKU
The 2026 International Conference on Future Healthcare and Economic Development (FHED 2026) was held at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan from October 12 to 16, marking five days of international exchange and collaboration.
As global demographic shifts and technological advancements continue to reshape healthcare, digital transformation has become a driving force behind economic development worldwide. The November APEC meeting will place significant emphasis on regional economic resilience, cross-border industrial supply chains, and regional cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. FHED 2026 serves as an ideal platform for dialogue and international collaboration in these areas.
The conference will explore the far-reaching implications of AI for healthcare system integration, clinical applications, ethical challenges, and economic development. Through exchanges among international scholars and collaboration across academia, industry, research, and healthcare, the conference aims to promote the integration of healthcare supply chains across the Asia-Pacific region. It also seeks to inject fresh momentum from Taiwan’s innovation ecosystem into the upcoming APEC discussions on international trade, economic cooperation, and healthcare, highlighting Taiwan’s global impact through the vision of “Taiwanese R&D, Global Implementation.”
At the opening ceremony on October 12, NCKU Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang delivered the opening address on behalf of NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen. Distinguished Professor Fong-chin Su, Director of the Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), welcomed international guests to NCKU in Tainan to share the latest developments in healthcare technology and care across their respective countries, and to explore future research and innovation partnerships in smart digital technologies for home-based healthcare.
Opening Remarks by NCKU Vice President Shyy Woei Chang
Fong-chin Su, Director of The Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), welcomed international guests to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan to share the latest trends in healthcare technology and care around the world.
The 2026 FHED program features a diverse range of activities, including Keynote Speeches, Future Healthcare Trends, Technology & Application Sessions, and Networking & Collaboration Events. The conference brings together leading experts from Taiwan and abroad to share practical experience and forward-looking insights into bringing innovations from the laboratory to international markets.
Among the distinguished speakers is Huei-Jen Liu, Chairperson of New Deantronics Taiwan Ltd., the world’s largest supplier of Electrosurgical Unit (ESU) for medical applications. She will share insights into how Taiwanese medical device manufacturers have established leading positions in the global medical supply chain, as well as strategies for sustainable development in the future.
In addition, Adison Biotechnology Ltd. will present its groundbreaking 3D Vein Finder, showcasing Taiwan’s research and development breakthroughs in precision medical technology.
For more information, please visit the official 2026 FHED conference website.
The 2026 FHED Program Features a Diverse Lineup of Events and Engaging Sessions
On the first day of the conference, October 12, Professor Che-Wei Lin of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NCKU and The Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC) delivered an in-depth presentation titled “From a University Lab to a Guideline-Cited, FDA-Listed Device: Translating Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy (VRMT) for Stroke Rehabilitation from Hospital to Home” He explored the regulatory requirements and practical processes involved in successfully bringing Taiwan’s innovative medical devices to the U.S. market. Professor Yi-Chun Du, also of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NCKU and MDIC, presented “See, Restore, Guide: Photonic Engines of Smart Healthcare” examining the vast potential of emerging technologies in clinical diagnosis and patient care.
On October 15, Professor Chwee Teck Lim of the National University of Singapore, one of Asia’s most influential scientists and a recipient of the Singapore President’s Science Award, will deliver a keynote speech titled “Beyond Hospitals: The Future of Wearable Intelligence and Healthcare Everywhere.” His presentation will outline a vision for the future of home-based healthcare and wearable technologies.
The five-day FHED 2026 conference provides an international platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration among industry, government, academia, research institutions, and healthcare professionals. Through live technology demonstrations and practical discussions, participants can experience cutting-edge smart healthcare solutions firsthand, while interdisciplinary exchanges are expected to spark new ideas and innovative approaches.
Through this conference, MDIC at NCKU hopes to strengthen substantive connections between Taiwan and the global biomedical community. In particular, ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November, the conference aims to reinforce Taiwan’s leadership role in smart healthcare across the Asia-Pacific region.
The conference also provides a collaborative platform to showcase Taiwan’s patient-centered healthcare system in support of the Sub-Fund for the Future of Healthcare, established for the first time under APEC in 2026. By leveraging emerging technologies such as AI, Taiwan seeks to address major healthcare challenges, including population aging, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and disparities in access to healthcare resources.