Professor Li-Yin Chien, Dean of NYCU’s College of Nursing, opens the International Symposium and highlights the importance of global collaboration in nursing education and leadership.

Preparing Nursing Leaders for a Rapidly Changing World

At the symposium, Dean Li-Yin Chien said the rapid evolution of healthcare systems and AI technologies presents both unprecedented challenges and new opportunities for the nursing profession.

She emphasized that the symposium was designed to strengthen international collaboration while encouraging fresh thinking across nursing education, research and clinical practice. By fostering partnerships with leading universities worldwide, NYCU aims to cultivate nursing professionals with global perspectives, leadership capabilities and the interdisciplinary skills needed to advance sustainable healthcare.

Throughout the symposium, speakers explored how technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and educational reform are reshaping the competencies expected of future nursing professionals.

Global Leadership Requires Cultural Competence and Collaboration

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Wei-Ti Chen of the UCLA School of Nursing, who spoke on “Leading Beyond Complexity: The Future of Nursing in a Connected World.”

Drawing on her extensive work in global health, chronic disease management and health equity, Chen argued that nursing leadership today extends well beyond clinical expertise. As healthcare systems become increasingly interconnected, future nursing leaders must also develop cross-cultural communication skills, collaborate across disciplines, and embrace emerging technologies.

She stressed that international partnerships and the open exchange of knowledge will be essential to improving healthcare quality and advancing health equity globally.

AI Is Redefining the Skills of Future Nurses

The second keynote, “From Zero to One: What Capabilities Our Future Nurses Need to Be Equipped with under the Current AI Wave?”, was presented by Dr. Vivian Hui from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Hui examined how artificial intelligence is transforming clinical care, nursing education and research. She argued that tomorrow’s nurses will need far more than traditional clinical knowledge. Digital literacy, data analysis, critical thinking and effective human-AI collaboration will become core professional competencies.

Using real-world healthcare examples, Hui demonstrated how AI is already supporting patient care and clinical decision-making. She encouraged nursing educators to integrate AI into curricula so graduates can confidently navigate the era of intelligent healthcare while maintaining the human-centered values that define the profession.

Innovation in Nursing Education

The symposium concluded with a keynote by Dr. Jung-Jae Lee from the University of Sydney, titled “Evolving Nursing Education Research: Rigor and Innovation.”

Lee highlighted emerging directions in nursing education research, emphasizing that educational innovation should be grounded in rigorous evidence. He discussed how advances in research methodology, curriculum design and simulation-based learning can strengthen both educational quality and clinical outcomes.

Looking ahead, Lee advocated for greater investment in interdisciplinary collaboration, digital technologies and international academic exchange. These approaches, he said, will help prepare future nurses with strong clinical judgment, leadership abilities and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Faculty members, students and international speakers exchange ideas during the symposium’s discussion session.

Strengthening International Partnerships

The symposium concluded with an interactive panel discussion, during which speakers and participants exchanged perspectives on artificial intelligence, global health, nursing education and the evolving competencies required of healthcare professionals.

NYCU’s College of Nursing said it will continue to expand international academic partnerships and foster collaborative research and educational initiatives with leading institutions worldwide. Through sustained global engagement, the college aims to broaden students’ international perspectives, accelerate innovation in nursing education, and prepare graduates to lead the next generation of healthcare both in Taiwan and beyond.