CSMU Launches Library Week and World AIDS Day Series to Promote Understanding of HIV and Public Health

To address misconceptions and stigma surrounding HIV and to promote a more inclusive understanding of public health on campus, Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU) held the opening ceremony of its Library Week and World AIDS Day Series of Events on November 25. The event aligned with the university’s 65th anniversary theme, “Doing the Right Thing,” and aimed to encourage students to reexamine HIV through a scientific, evidence-based, and compassionate perspective.

The opening ceremony featured a large capsule toy installation symbolizing a new starting point for understanding HIV. Through a wide range of activities—including book exhibitions, film screenings, guided database searches, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and gamified learning—the series sought to make public health knowledge more accessible and relatable, especially for younger generations.

The event brought together representatives from government, healthcare, academia, and community organizations, as well as leaders from CSMU and its affiliated hospital. Speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration between education and clinical practice in building a campus environment that is informed, respectful, and free from discrimination.

During the ceremony, speakers highlighted that advances in medical treatment now allow people living with HIV to maintain viral levels that are undetectable, greatly reducing the risk of transmission and enabling them to live lives comparable to those of the general population. Despite these advances, stigma and misunderstanding remain significant social challenges. Participants called for replacing fear and prejudice with scientific knowledge and empathy in order to create a more supportive and inclusive society.

University representatives shared that CSMU and its affiliated hospital have long been committed to HIV prevention, education, and the promotion of friendly healthcare practices. These efforts include improving clinical workflows, adopting non-labeling communication approaches, and integrating medical humanities into health professions education to strengthen empathy and professional responsibility among students.

To further enhance learning, the university has incorporated immersive teaching approaches, such as AR and VR technologies, into nursing and public health education. The VR experiences featured in the event allowed students to better understand the social pressure and emotional challenges faced by individuals living with HIV, fostering perspective-taking and empathy. In addition, guided database-based learning activities helped students explore current international trends in treatment and prevention, reinforcing accurate and up-to-date scientific understanding.

Educational innovation was also highlighted through interactive tools such as a card-based learning game developed collaboratively by healthcare professionals and students. The game transforms complex information about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment into an engaging and approachable format, improving the effectiveness of health education.

The series of events also included a film screening and discussion session, interactive myth-busting challenges related to HIV, and on-site combined screening services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. These activities promoted the concept of regular health screening and encouraged proactive health management.

Organizers emphasized that building a friendly healthcare environment begins with education. By integrating public health knowledge, clinical experience, and humanistic values into campus-based learning, CSMU aims to cultivate future healthcare professionals who respect privacy, reject discrimination, and practice empathy. Through sustained educational efforts and cross-sector collaboration, the university seeks to contribute to a more inclusive healthcare culture and a better-informed society.