TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The ASUS Foundation (華碩文教基金會) announced Friday (Sept. 19) it has expanded its international volunteer program to include smart medical technology for the first time. The Taiwan-based technology foundation reached eight countries this year as part of efforts to bridge digital divides in underserved communities. The expansion marks a significant shift from purely educational technology initiatives to comprehensive healthcare support.
The foundation held its 2025 International Volunteer Service Results Conference at ASUS headquarters in Taipei, showcasing university partnerships. Six universities sent youth volunteers to India, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Kenya, Eswatini, Tanzania and Mozambique during the current program cycle. The initiative has served 14 countries since inception, benefiting more than 15,000 rural teachers and students through collaborations with 100 university teams.
"ASUS has always adhered to humanistic care and altruism, committed to narrowing the digital divide," said Sandy Wei (魏杏娟), executive director of the ASUS Foundation. Wei emphasized that technology and education can broaden horizons for rural teachers and students. The foundation leader said these initiatives allow remote communities to see the world's diversity and possibilities.
The program's medical component involved partnerships with National Defense Medical Center's Nepal International Volunteer Team (國防醫學大學享尼尼泊爾國際志工團) and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University's Southeast Asia International Volunteer BAT Team (陽明交通大學東南亞國際志工BAT團). Volunteers used ASUS handheld wireless ultrasound devices that display medical images on smartphones or tablets. The technology enables immediate diagnostic imaging in remote mountainous areas previously lacking medical infrastructure.
National Tsing Hua University's International Volunteer Team (清華大學國際志工團) has promoted ICT education in Africa for years using ASUS refurbished computers. Schools that previously had only one computer classroom with frequent power outages have developed into comprehensive teaching systems. These institutions now feature four full-time teachers providing grade-level instruction across multiple digital learning environments.
The foundation has partnered with 1,200 university student volunteers and 119 ASUS corporate volunteers since 2009 to promote global digital learning. The program actively donates and applies refurbished computers as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives. These efforts demonstrate ASUS's long-term commitment to bridging technological gaps in underserved communities worldwide. ◼
