Global Collaboration Highlights Health and Wellness in Higher Education
From November 25 to 27, the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation (CTUSF) hosted the “2024 International Seminar of FISU Healthy Campus” in Taipei City. The event convened university representatives from across the globe to elevate the FISU Healthy Campus Programme and share insights on implementing wellness initiatives that benefit campus communities and stakeholders.
Participants included notable experts and leaders from universities recognized with the Healthy Campus Platinum Degree, the highest accolade from FISU for promoting health and well-being on campuses. The seminar provided an invaluable platform for these institutions to share their experiences, showcase best practices, and discuss opportunities arising from the program.
Keynote Speakers and Perspectives
Keynote speakers included Professor Yung-Geun Han from Myongji University in the Republic of Korea, Director Nick Lambert from La Trobe University in Australia, Professor Marc Poulin from the University of Calgary in Canada, and Director Yann Bernardini from the University of Geneva in Switzerland.
During the opening ceremony, Maggie Hsiu-Ling Hsu from the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education expressed her delight in welcoming the distinguished guests. Professor Shu-Yin Wang, President of CTUSF, shared the seminar’s objectives, while Fernando Parente, Deputy Secretary General/CDO of FISU, discussed the Healthy Campus Programme’s significance. Notable contributions included insights from Duarte Lopes and Martin Doulton, who facilitated the final panel discussion.
The speakers offered diverse perspectives on the Healthy Campus Programme’s impact. Professor Yung-Geun Han emphasized improvements in student satisfaction, campus pride, local community engagement, and the university’s international reputation at Myongji University. Nick Lambert from La Trobe University highlighted its role in aligning with the university’s strategic vision and meeting the high demand for its facilities.
Celebrating New Achievements
Professor Marc Poulin from the University of Calgary discussed how engaging students in the program fosters research opportunities and highlights the institution’s strengths. Yann Bernardini from the University of Geneva explained how the program enhances internal collaboration and international prestige, underlining the essential role of student participation in such initiatives.
The seminar also acknowledged the leadership of Portugal in the Healthy Campus Programme, with Duarte Lopes noting eight Platinum-certified universities, attributing success to robust quality certification practices and dedicated campus teams.
Fostering Future Collaborations
The seminar recognized three Chinese universities in Taipei — the University of Chinese Culture, National Cheng Kung University, and NTU of Science and Technology — for achieving Healthy Campus Certification.
The event concluded with a guided tour of the University of Chinese Culture, showcasing exemplary implementation of the Healthy Campus Programme, including its state-of-the-art sports facilities, which were used during the 2017 Summer Universiade.
The 2024 International Seminar of FISU Healthy Campus reaffirmed the critical role of health and wellness in higher education. By showcasing successes and fostering international collaboration, it laid the groundwork for expanding the Healthy Campus Programme and inspiring universities worldwide to prioritize the well-being of their communities.
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