UTSDGs

Ministry of Education USR Project (2025–2027): Integrating University Social Responsibility into Institutional Development PlanningInternational Exchange Visit on Social Prescribing – University of Toronto, Canada

As part of its ongoing efforts to foster international exchange regarding "Social Prescribing," the University of Taipei’s USR (University Social Responsibility) project invited Dr. Gary Bloch—an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario—to Taipei to share his expertise and insights. The exchange took place at the "Juguang Center for Healthy Aging and Empowerment" under the Taipei City Hospital system. Through site visits and interactive discussions, participants shared experiences from both Taiwan and Canada regarding the implementation of social prescribing and explored the connections between healthcare systems, community resources, and health promotion. During the event, Dr. Gary Bloch shared Canada’s experience in addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and advancing social prescribing. He explained how community leadership can be leveraged to integrate medical and social welfare resources, thereby addressing the diverse health needs of the public. The Taiwanese team also shared practical experiences regarding their current social prescribing initiatives and engaged in discussions on community linkages, interdisciplinary collaboration, and future directions for international exchange. This cross-border exchange enabled both parties to explore the future trajectory of social prescribing and strengthened collaborative ties between Taiwan and international partners in the areas of health promotion, community support, and the practice of social prescribing.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2026/03/16