NYCU’s College of Medicine adopted the Problem-Based Learning model years ago. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Medical education should not be limited to knowledge acquisition; it must instill a lifelong passion for learning. Wang emphasizes that although medical students become doctors after six years of study, their clinical training is only just beginning. Maintaining their enthusiasm for learning is critical.

National Yang-Ming University (NYMU, which merged with National Chiao Tung University in 2021 and was renamed NYCU), adopted the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model years ago, encouraging students to identify and solve problems independently. This approach fosters critical thinking and self-directed learning—skills essential for future medical professionals.

In response to the rapid evolution of medicine, Wang believes that education reform should focus not on increasing course loads but on reducing unnecessary burdens, allowing students greater autonomy in their learning. He highlights that diseases like cancer and migraines are closely linked to immunology, while AI revolutionizes medical diagnostics. NYCU’s medical school empowers students to craft their own educational journeys by reducing compulsory coursework and integrating key elements of future medicine.

Fusing Medicine and Engineering: The Rise of Interdisciplinary Medical Technology

“The merger between NYMU and National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) has revealed significant differences in how engineers and medical professionals think,” Wang observes. Through interactions with faculty from the engineering school, he has gained a deep understanding of these contrasting approaches. For example, precision is paramount in medicine—a physician cannot afford to be only 80% correct in a diagnosis; they must strive for near-perfect accuracy. In contrast, engineering thrives on big data and algorithms to enhance predictive accuracy. The fusion of these perspectives has the potential to revolutionize medical technology.

"NYCU is spearheading multiple AI-driven projects that integrate clinical experience, positioning BioICT (Biomedical Information and Communication Technology) as a cornerstone of future medicine." Wang notes that the university has already established a 'Physician-Engineer Division' to cultivate a new generation of professionals proficient in both medicine and technology, closely monitoring their learning outcomes and career development.

Passion and Choices: No Fixed Path, Only Determined Effort

Reflecting on his medical journey, Wang admits that his career choices were not preordained but shaped by circumstances and perseverance.

“As a sixth-year medical student, I had to choose a specialty despite having only experienced half of the disciplines. It wasn’t until my seventh-year internship, when I was exposed to neurology, that I knew—this was it.”

Neurology at the time was a field of complex diagnoses with limited treatment options. It has seen groundbreaking advancements, offering new hope for previously untreatable conditions.

“Passions evolve. Mastery of a field is often more important than finding the ‘perfect’ interest from the start,” Wang reflects. He believes that life’s choices are never absolute—what matters is maximizing one’s impact in any given role.

Breaking Boundaries: Redefining Medical Innovation

Wang’s vision for NYCU’s medical school reform extends beyond curriculum changes—it is a paradigm shift in thinking. He encourages students and faculty to break traditional boundaries, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, and leverage technology and innovation.

“Medicine should not confine itself to established limits. True breakthroughs happen when we step out of our comfort zones and challenge conventional norms.”

Looking ahead, NYCU’s School of Medicine is committed to fostering an open and collaborative environment where the fusion of healthcare and technology will usher in a bold new era of medical innovation.

Please refer to the original text (Mandarin) for details.


On February 16, 2024, the College of Medicine at NYCU held the inauguration ceremony for its second dean since the university merger, with neurology expert Dr. Shuu-Jiun Wang (left) assuming the role.