The 36th World Congress of the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS 2026) was held from September 23 to 27 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Led by Hui-Ling Chiu, Chair of the Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology at Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU), a faculty and student delegation participated in the congress, presenting academic research and joining the Student Forum alongside students from around the world to discuss medical laboratory education and clinical practice in different countries.

Co-organized by the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) and the Japanese Association of Medical Technologists (JAMT), this year’s congress focused on “Bridge to the Future of Biomedical Laboratory Science Around the World.” The program covered a wide range of topics, including clinical laboratory testing, molecular and genetic diagnostics, hematology, microbiology, and laboratory information systems, with discussions on the key competencies needed for medical laboratory professionals to address the challenges of next-generation healthcare.

The Student Forum, themed “Building the Future of Biomedical Laboratory Science Through Global Exchange,” brought together students from different countries for group discussions on healthcare systems, education and training, and current workplace conditions. Wei-Chung Cheng, a fourth-year student in CSMU’s Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, earned the opportunity to represent Taiwan after standing out in a national competition organized by the Taiwan Society of Medical Laboratory Science. He participated in the Student Forum and served as one of the presenters of the forum’s concluding report.

Reflecting on the experience, Cheng said that the greatest takeaway was gaining a new understanding of the medical laboratory profession through the experiences of students from different countries. The forum also reinforced the importance of lifelong learning, keeping pace with emerging technologies, and broadening one’s international perspective.

Hui-Ling Chiu, Chair of CSMU’s Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, said that medical laboratory science is not only an essential part of healthcare but is also closely connected to disease diagnosis, public health, and global health. The department aims to extend classroom learning into clinical practice, while encouraging students to learn from frontline experiences around the world through academic presentations and international exchange.

Chiu added that the congress provided a valuable platform for peer-to-peer dialogue. Through conversations with young people from different countries, students gained insights into the latest laboratory technologies while viewing their own profession from diverse perspectives and discovering broader possibilities for future careers in medical laboratory science.