In response to the rapidly evolving dynamics of an ageing society, National Chung Cheng University (CCU) held a signing ceremony on July 2, 2025, with UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) and the Taiwan Innovation Centre for Ageing (TICA), formalizing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement centered on healthy longevity, sharing a commitment to shaping future-ready societies. The MOU was signed on-site by CCU President Dr. Shaw-Jenq Tsai and Chairman Stan Shih, representing CCU and TICA, respectively. NICA would complete the signing procedure subsequently, symbolizing a collaboration that transcends borders and anticipates a shared global future of longevity-driven innovation. The event also featured a keynote speech by Stan Shih, founder of Acer Group and chairman of TICA, who shared profound insights on the topic of “WangDao Spirit and Its Impact on an Ageing Society”—a philosophy of altruistic leadership and value creation rooted in Confucian principles—with CCU faculty, students, and community partners.

In his opening remarks, President Tsai emphasized the university’s role as more than a hub of knowledge production, stating, “A university must also be a catalyst for values and a responsible actor in society. As Taiwan formally enters a super-aged era, CCU is committed to a people-centered innovation model through cross-disciplinary collaboration and international partnerships.” He further noted that CCU, located in Chiayi, is uniquely positioned to integrate local culture and healthcare assets. Through the introduction of Voice Taiwan—a citizen engagement platform initiated by TICA—CCU aims to co-create a healthy ageing pilot environment that reflects Taiwan’s unique societal character.

Chairman Stan Shih, in his keynote speech, highlighted his lifelong advocacy for altruistic co-prosperity and redefined ageing not as a burden but as a springboard for innovation. “Future societies will face unprecedented demographic shifts. Ageing is not a challenge to overcome, but an opportunity to redesign value,” he said. Drawing from his decades of industry leadership, Shih introduced his “Six-Dimensional Value Balance” framework and an evolved version of his renowned “Smile Curve,” underscoring the importance of returning to human-centered, multi-stakeholder value creation—especially in an era shaped by AI, med-tech, and shared economies.

According to the signed MOU, the three institutions will jointly pursue the following strategic objectives:
1.    Develop a global network for collaborative research on healthy longevity;
2.    Pilot and integrate the Voice Taiwan citizen engagement platform;
3.    Facilitate knowledge exchange among faculty, students, and researchers; 
4.    Co-develop AI-powered Ageing Intelligence models; and
5.    Organize international forums, workshops, and collaborative publications to maximize social impact.

CCU will designate its Institute for Aging, Work, and Wellbeing (IAWW) as the lead institution for implementation. Plans are already underway for the university to launch its first international citizen science project on ageing and wellbeing later this year. To commemorate the occasion, CCU presented Chairman Shih with a token of appreciation, symbolizing the spirit of WangDao leadership and shared societal value. The event marks a new milestone in CCU’s long-term commitment to shaping an inclusive and intelligent vision of healthy longevity in Taiwan and beyond.