News and Events 淡江大小事

News and Events

Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies Visits Tamkang

2011-05-03

On the 2nd of May, the President of Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies (NUFS), Prof. Akihito Ishikawa, and NUFS professor, Dr. Sumino Niida, visited the TKU Tamsui Campus. It was President Ishikawa’s first visit to TKU since recently being appointed to the top position at NUFS, and his third visit since TKU and NUFS became partner universities in May, 2004. From 2004, TKU and NUFS have signed a number of joint academic initiatives. Apart from a mutual student exchange program, the two universities also offer students a joint 2+2 dual bachelor degree program. During their recent trip to Tamkang, the NUFS delegates took part in an informal discussion hosted by TKU President, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang. Attendees at the informal discussion included several TKU faculty and staff members, such as the TKU Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Wan-chin Tai, the Chairman of the TKU Department of English, Dr. Huang Yi-ming, the Chairman of the TKU Department of Japanese, Dr. Maa Yaw Huei, the Chairman of the TKU French Department, Dr. Yang Shu-chuen, the Director of the TKU Alumni Office, Dr. Perng Chun Yang, the Section Chief of the TKU Office of Academic Affairs Registration Section, Chiang Kuo-fang, and two NUFS exchange students who are currently studying at TKU. After the discussion, the guests were treated to a banquet at the TKU Chueh Sheng International Conference Hall.
"Originating" - A TKU Graduate Work Exhibition

2011-05-02

Living in today’s modern and diverse society, we are continually flooded by information from a variety of sources. Although this wealth of data helps to inform and amuse us, without a sense of cohesion, it can often leave us feeling confused and empty. With this phenomenon in mind, TKU Department of Information and Communication students chose the theme of “Originating” for their current graduate work exhibition held at TKU’s Black Swan Exhibition Hall. The theme ‘originating’ refers to the need to go back to basics. The exhibition will showcase dissertations, videos, and games created by graduating Information and Communication students. It will continue until the 6th of May.
A Wild Bird Exhibition at Lanyang

2011-04-26

From April 26 – June 7, TKU’s Lanyang Campus will be home to a special photography exhibition. The exhibition will showcase 60 photographic works that capture the beauty of Taiwan’s wild birds in their natural habitat. The pieces were generously donated to TKU by well-known photographers and husband and wife, Mr. Kuo Keng-Kuang and Mrs. Huang Mei-e. In honor of the couples’ generosity, on April 26 the Lanyang Campus Office of the Director held an official ceremony to inaugurate the donated photographic works. Apart from the husband and wife donors themselves, a host of high-profile local dignitaries attended the ceremony, including the Deputy Director of the Yilan County Cultural Affairs Bureau, Sung Lung-Chuan. The Director of Lanyang Campus, Dr. Lin Jyh-horng, said he hopes that through the exhibition, TKU can spread information on the ecology of bird species to the broader community, that it can nurture in visitors an appreciation of art and nature, increase the public’s knowledge of bird species, and promote the need to protect Taiwan’s natural ecology.
The 2011 Assessment of Enterprises’ Favorite College Graduates

2011-04-22

Taiwan’s Global View Monthly and 104 Job Bank recently released the results of their joint annual survey, the 2011 Assessment of Enterprises’ Favorite College Graduates. This year, out of all Taiwanese universities (both public and private), Tamkang placed second. In the categories ‘Improvement in the quality of graduates’ and ‘Actively pursuing improvement in personal ability and skills, Tamkang was ranked first. The study listed the five characteristics of new employees that Taiwanese enterprises value most highly. In order of importance, they are: 1. an ability to learn and adapt; 2. a positive, proactive attitude; 3. professional knowledge and skills; 4. willingness to accommodate and stability on the job; and 5. a sense of responsibility and self-management. These five qualities perfectly correlate with Tamkang’s educational philosophy: its “Three Circles and Five Disciplines of Education”. Moreover, TKU’s triple objectives of education (internationalization, information-oriented education, and future- oriented education) precisely correspond with the extra-curricular expertise sought after by Taiwanese enterprises. Add to this TKU’s implementation of the Teaching Excellence Project, which aims to nurture exceptional students who possess an international outlook and an all-round education, and it is little wonder TKU performed so well in the recent survey.
TKU Delegation Visits Partner Universities in Mainland China

2011-04-21

On April 20, a TKU delegation led by TKU President, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, visited two of TKU’s partner universities in Mainland China: Peking University and the Beijing Institute of Technology. Apart from President Chang, the TKU contingent comprised TKU Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Wan-Chin Tai, Dean of the College of Science, Dr. Wang Bo-Cheng , Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Hu Yi-jen, Dean of the College of Foreign Language and Literature, Dr. Sung Mei-Hwa, the Director of the TKU Department of Mathematics, Dr. Whei-ching Chan, and Nastia Lin of the TKU Office of International Exchange and International Education. At Peking University, TKU faculty and staff were given a warm reception by the President, Dr. Zhou Qifeng, and Secretary Guo Dacheng. The two universities held an informal discussion at which they explored options for mutual cooperation in the future. The TKU delegation also received an amiable reception at the Beijing Institute of Technology, where they were greeted by BIT president, Dr. Hu Hai yan, as well as a number of BIT deans and directors. The group then headed to Tianjin, where they will today (April 21) visit another sister university, Nankai University. Their trip has been very productive, and has tightened the already close relationship that TKU enjoys with these three Mainland Chinese universities.
Evaluation Commissioners Arrive at TKU

2011-04-15

On the afternoon of April 15, TKU’s Tamsui Campus was the site for the ‘Gender Equity Education Appraisal’ and the ‘Campus Environment and Safety Management Performance Evaluation’. The latter event got under way at 1:20 pm in the College of Business and Management building, where the President of TKU, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, delivered an opening speech to welcome the commissioners to the Tamsui Campus. This was followed by a brief report by the TKU Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Po-yuan Kao. After the report, the commissioners split into two groups and inspected numerous facilities around the Tamsui Campus, including the energy saving devices installed in the bathrooms of the Business and Management building; the electrical monitoring system installed by the TKU Construction and Repairs Section; the arrangement and management of vehicle and pedestrian lanes at the campus; and the implementation of energy saving initiatives, among others. The commissioners then reviewed information provided by each TKU department, and discussed their respective findings. At 2pm in the Chueh Sheng International Conference Hall, the Gender Equity Education Conference was held. During the conference, TKU President and Chairperson of the Gender Equity Education Committee, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, detailed the current status of TKU’s policies on gender equality. Then, at 3:30pm, the commissioners interviewed staff members from TKU’s Tamsui and Lanyang campuses and then held an informal discussion. For many years now, TKU has been promoting the use of energy saving facilities, student safety, hygiene, and environment-related education, a smoke-free campus, transport safety education, and a disability-friendly campus. As a result, in 2008 TKU became the first university in the world to be recognized as an International Safe School by the World Health Organization (WHO). TKU’s policies on gender equality encourage male teachers to play a more active part in activities related to gender equality; reward teachers who incorporate gender equality issues into their course curriculum; and enlist experts to construct a gender equity education website, among other such measures.
The 2011 Institutional Evaluation

2011-04-12

Every five years, the Ministry of Education undertakes a comprehensive evaluation of universities around Taiwan. During the evaluation, assessment officers known as “commissioners” visit the school and appraise all aspects of school performance and operation, including the quality of instruction, the administrative structures and quality assurance mechanisms in place, the school's self-defined position in the marketplace, the educational resources it offers, and the systems of governance and management it possesses. Today (April 13th), assessment “commissioners” arrived at the TKU Tamsui Campus as part of the 2011 On-site Institutional Evaluation. The evaluation will extend over two days, during which the commissioners will inspect the TKU library, various classrooms and laboratories, and other key locations around the campus. They will also review information prepared by each TKU department, and interview several members of TKU faculty and staff. The feedback offered by the commissioners serves as an essential guideline for future TKU policy directions and related initiatives. It is hoped that through the evaluation, TKU will not only receive recognition for its status as a leading private university, but will also gain insight on how to enhance its competitiveness and attain true sustainable development.
Tamkang Soccer Team Thrashes Opposition in Grand Final

2011-04-12

Last week, on Thursday April 7, the Tamkang University soccer team trounced a local Taiwanese college team to win the grand final of the University Football League. During the game, in recognition of TKU’s 60th anniversary, the team donned bright red uniforms, which not only symbolized ‘good fortune’, but also successfully drew the crowd’s attention. The coach of the TKU team, Associate Professor Chen Yi-Cheng, said that “the use of sound strategies and improved training methods was the key to victory”. At the conclusion of the match, the team captain, Ricardo B. Abrego Abrego, let out a euphoric scream “I can’t believe it!” He explained how he and his fellow teammates sacrificed their spring holidays to train for the game, and how at lunchtime everyday, team members took time out of their schedule to train and increase their physical strength. He noted: “we’ve got a really close team; we’re not just players on a soccer team, we’re like family”. The man of the match, Chen Zhi-yan, described how in the semi-final match, they entered a penalty shoot-out after a drawn result at full-time: I cried after missing my penalty shot. Fortunately, the others converted successfully and we made it into the grand final”. This year, the entire grand final match was televised. Yet that didn’t stop fellow TKU international and exchange students from coming to cheer on their team. When the full time whistle was blown, the TKU fans pulled out flags from their home countries and began waving them wildly while cheering at the top of their lungs. The team captain said that “the support of our fans and classmates made all the difference and helped to create what was by far our best memory in Taiwan!”
The 2011 University Placement Exposition

2011-04-09

On the 9th of April, the Office of Academic Affairs held the 2011 University Placement Exposition. The exposition was designed to help serve the 5,000 plus students who arrived at the Tamsui Campus to take entrance examinations and to introduce to such students the unique features of each academic department. As part of the event, 35 departments and department associations each set up stalls, with at least one faculty member assigned to each stall, where they provided students with information on department features, course structures, future employment opportunities, and other such services. Tours of the campus were organized by numerous TKU representatives, which afforded future TKU students and their families a more in-depth understanding of TKU features and familiarity with the TKU Tamsui campus.
TKU Clubs Win Accolades in National Competition

2011-03-31

Last week, TKU participated in a national event held by the ROC Ministry of Education. The 2011 Evaluation of University Clubs and Societies saw the participation of 370 university clubs from around the nation. Amid fierce competition, TKU’s Recreation and Counseling Club and its Social Service Club shone brightly, claiming prizes for the respective categories “excellence in physical abilities and recreational value” and “outstanding self-governance and comprehensive service provision”. TKU’s Recreation and Counseling Club is not just one of the premier clubs within TKU, but also often receives accolades from external organizations. The head of the club, Chen Wan Ling, explained that “the Recreation and Counseling Club is made up of a group of passionate members with ideals and aspirations, and it’s thanks to everyone’s concerted effort that we’ve been able to achieve such accomplishments”. The Recreation and Counseling Club emphasizes the training of stage-based and general life skills, and often gives counseling-style lectures and goes into the community to provide service and care. The Social Service Club, on the other hand, received this award in its first entry into a major university club competition. The head of the club, Chen Yun Zhu, expressed gratitude toward all members of the club who participated in the activity.
TKU Voted No.1 by Business for 14 Successive Years

2011-03-28

Cheers Magazine recently announced the results of its annual “1000 Enterprises Favorite College Graduates” survey. In 2011, for the 14th consecutive year, Tamkang University placed first among all private universities, reflecting the high esteem in which Taiwanese enterprises hold Tamkang University graduates. TKU graduates have always performed exceptionally in the areas of stress management and stability on the job. They have been assisted in finding workplace opportunities upon graduation by the TKU Alumni Office. Media reports have shown that Taiwanese companies recruiting new employees most highly value candidates who are open and willing to learn, and can be shaped and molded. The second most sought after quality is the ability to solve problems, followed by a comprehensive grasp of professional knowledge and skills. TKU President, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, noted that TKU is constantly working to improve itself. She pointed to new initiatives to be implemented next semester, such as compulsory club and society classes, as well as TKU’s push to strengthen ties with business in order to provide students with broader opportunities for internship and on-the-job learning.
The 2011 TKU Campus Recruitment Fair

2011-03-25

The 2011 TKU Campus Recruitment Fair was held yesterday (March 24), from 10am to 3pm at TKU’s Tamsui Campus. It consisted of stalls from 60 major Taiwanese enterprises offering a total of 8,000 job opportunities. Participating companies included those in the fields of high technology, insurance, publishing, construction, food and beverage, and human resources. This year’s recruitment fair was unique in a number of ways. Not only was there a Chinese lion dance to get the fair under way, but the number of high technology companies participating in the event was also vastly greater than in previous years. Moreover, the fair included a ‘CV Diagnosis Station’, which provided students with free tips and suggestions on how to improve their CVs. The Dean of the TKU Office of Student Affairs, Ko Chih-en, said that in order to equip students with a competitive advantage on an international scale, TKU offers a range of career planning services, such as related lectures, visits to local Taiwanese companies, student internship programs, and guidance for professional license exams, among others.
The 2011 Total Quality Management Seminar

2011-03-25

The 2011 Total Quality Management (TQM) Seminar, held on the 25th of March, was a simultaneously-held seminar that brought together TKU faculty and staff, as well as external experts and scholars at four separate locations via webcam: the Ching Sheng and Chueh Sheng International Conference halls and the TKU Taipei and Lanyang Campuses. The focus of the event was on raising employees’ awareness of self-management principles and ensuring the smooth operation of quality management mechanisms. Attendees included the President of Tamkang University, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, the three TKU vice presidents, as well as directors and managers, secretaries, and administrative staff from all TKU first and second tier departments. In the morning session, President Chang got proceedings under way by hosting the opening ceremony and presenting awards to winners of the TKU quality management competition. The subsequent keynote speech was delivered by Peter Pu, the Vice President of the British Standards Institute. In the afternoon session, toward the end of the seminar, an informal discussion was held, in which business experts and scholars were invited to share their personal experiences in quality management. Participants included both the regional director and the technical manager of Systex (Asia’s no.1 IT services provider), Ms. Lin Gan Miao and Mr. Yuan Jin Hui respectively; Taipei Medical University professor, Dr. Chung Chien Huang; as well as TKU faculty and staff. The purpose of the informal discussion was to allow TKU faculty and staff to better understand the structure of TKU quality assurance mechanisms, and to promote a more in-depth knowledge of quality assurance standards, such as ISO and other such quality assurance institutions. Ultimately, such knowledge will help TKU faculty and staff to continually lift the quality of administrative service at TKU.
The TKU ‘Blessings for Japan’ Concert

2011-03-23

At lunchtime on the 23rd of March, a ‘Blessings for Japan’ Concert was held at the Fu Yuan Garden of TKU’s Tamsui Campus. Students planning to attend were encouraged to wear yellow clothes or bring yellow accessories as a sign of offering blessings to those affected by the recent disasters in Japan (In Chinese culture, yellow symbolizes positive blessings). 50 students from the TKU Department of Information and Library Science bordered the square patch of grass at the immaculately landscaped Fu Yuan Gardens, holding signs that read ‘‘Japan, We Send Our Love’’. In the middle of the grass field sat a student orchestra, with members that held violins, cellos, clarinets. A conductor stood in front of them, waving his hands emphatically, and led them in the performance of Satoshi Yagisawa’s inspirational classic, ‘‘Hymn to the Sun with the Beat of Mother Earth’’. By now, the streets surrounding the Fu Yuan Gardens thronged with students, many of whom stood on their tiptoes to get a better view. The symphony concert was followed by a minute’s silence for those in Japan who had lost loved ones. The TKU choir then sang ‘‘A Thousand Winds’’ by the Japanese singer-songwriter, Arai Man. As part of the concert program, TKU students also handed ‘blessings cards’ to ten students who represented the entire contingent of Japanese exchange and international students at TKU. One of the student representatives gave a speech. She expressed her gratitude for all the warmth and concerned care she and her fellow Japanese students had received from Tamkang students. After her speech, the emcee read aloud a poem that had been written by TKU’s Extracurricular Activity Section. The poem ended with the line “We are willing to stand silently by your side. We are one family!” The final performance saw a group of students clad in yellow sing the song ‘‘Love is Grand’’, with accompanying dance moves. The program concluded as the entire body of TKU students and teachers chorused the slogan ‘‘Japan, We Send Our Love!’’
‘11 Degrees of Space’ Graduate Exhibition

2011-03-22

The TKU Department of Educational Technology’s 11th annual graduate exhibition is currently under way at the TKU Black Swan Exhibition Theater. The exhibit, entitled the ’11 Degrees of Space’ Graduate Exhibition, began on the 22nd of March and will continue until March 25. The event opening ceremony, held at lunchtime on the 22nd, was attended by the TKU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gwo-hsin Yu, the TKU Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Po-yuan Kao, the Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Kao Hsun-Fung, and the Associate Director of the Taipei Rapid Transport Human Resource Training Center, Mr. Qiu Xian Ming. The exhibition showcases the fruits of TKU Educational Technology students’ four years of undergraduate study. The display consisted mainly of educational training software and technology products suitable for the training of newly recruited employees. The training material includes problem-solving games that help inject fun into the process of staff training. The display also features high-tech learning materials designed to assist children with Asperger Syndrome and a range of other disorders.
Alumni Return for Spring

2011-03-18

Each year in March, an Alumni Spring Gathering activity is held in which alumni join TKU faculty and staff in celebrating the coming of spring. This year, the event was held on the morning of March 19, and was attended by the President of TKU, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang. The gathering included performances from the TKU alumni choir, a lucky draw, and a flag-raising ceremony. In the afternoon, a series of sports activities were held to encourage closer interaction among TKU alumni and promote the importance of regular exercise. The event was held simultaneously at TKU’s Tamsui and Lanyang campuses.
A Merging of Academia and Business

2011-03-17

In order to provide students with a more all-round learning environment that combines theory and practice, Tamkang University’s College of Business has joined forces with six of Taiwan’s leading enterprises. On the 17th of March at the Grand Hotel in Taipei City, a Signing Ceremony was held to formalize this partnership. In attendance at the ceremony were the President of Tamkang University, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, as well as the CEOs and chairmen of the six partnering enterprises. The list of participating companies includes Cathay Life Insurance (one of Taiwan’s largest life insurance companies) and Fubon Financial (one of Taiwan’s largest property insurance companies). The partnership agreement includes initiatives such as regular visits and summer internship programs at the cooperating companies; specialized training sessions held by expert company personnel, and scholarship and career opportunities for outstanding students, to name just a few. At present, although Taiwanese universities offer specialized business courses instructed by business experts, there is still insufficient interaction between academia and business. This is one of the factors accounting for Taiwan’s high unemployment rate. The recently-signed partnership represents a remedy to such problems, and offers to enhance the prestige of the TKU College of Business – one of the better business institutes in Asia.
The 8th Annual Culture Week - ‘‘Take me Traveling’’

2011-03-15

Culture Week has officially begun! Despite the chilly weather and drizzling rain, teachers and students have been out in number, sampling the delicacies on offer at the various stalls across the Tamsui Campus. The theme of Culture Week is ‘‘Take me Traveling’’. Appropriately, the white and red umbrella-covered stalls that line the campus’ ‘‘Poster Street’’ have been selling specialty foods from various regions around Taiwan. They include brown sugar cakes from Peng Hu, rice-flour noodles from Hsin Chu, cream pastries from Kaohsiung, dried bean curd from Taoyuan, sun cakes from Taichung, as well as pineapple cakes, malt cakes, and salted pork from Keelong. At this time every year, Poster Street is bathed in a delicious mix of aromas. In addition to the poster street stalls, an exhibition has been set up in the campus Black Swan Exhibition Theater. The exhibit displays cultural scenes and relics from across Taiwan. Each display was created by separate TKU regional alumni associations, such as the TKU Kaohsiung Alumni Association, the TKU Ping Dong Alumni Association, and so on. Cultural Week is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the unique cultures and regional characteristics found throughout Taiwan. Some alumni return to the Tamsui Campus annually specifically to attend the Culture Week festivities, as they say it gives them the feeling of coming home.
The Third Annual Karaoke Super Cup Competition

2011-03-14

On the evening of March 12, the TKU EMBA Association, along with the TKU Graduate Institute of International Business, held the Third Annual Karaoke Super Cup Competition. Prizes were given to the top three individual performers and the top three groups, as well as the most popular and the best onstage performers. Entrants comprised of students from the TKU EMBA program and the Graduate Institute of International Business. The performances were evaluated by teachers from TKU business programs. There were also competition hosts. The two hosts filled the evening with an air of humor and jokingly suggested a future role reversal, wherein teachers take to the stage and students do the judging. The competition is designed to bring students and faculty from TKU’s business and management colleges closer. On March 12 it succeeded in doing so. The winner of the Individual singer category was 2nd year business student, Qiu Zhong-Zheng.
Launching the Mobile Chemistry Lab

2011-03-10

2011 is the International Year of Chemistry. So throughout 2011, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will be holding a range of Chemistry-related activities in numerous countries around the world. The International Year of Chemistry is a joint initiative by IUPAC and UNESCO. It celebrates the 100th anniversary of IUPAC’s inception and marks 100 years since Marie Sklodowska-Curie broke a host of records by being the first person to receive two Nobel prizes. It is also designed to celebrate the essential role of chemistry in our daily lives. In Taiwan, the task of planning activities related to the International Year of Chemistry has been assigned to the TKU Department of Chemistry. Among the celebratory activities organized, the most unique item is the Mobile Chemistry Lab, a 3.5 ton wagon with a gull-wing door that opens on to a small-scale, fully-equipped chemistry lab. The Mobile Chemistry Lab will visit cities and towns throughout Taiwan to promote chemistry and demonstrate to Taiwanese youth that science, too, can be fun. To celebrate the unveiling of the Mobile Chemistry Lab and promote the International Year of Chemistry, on March 10th TKU held a Mobile Lab Opening Ceremony, which was attended by the President of TKU, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, the President of the Chinese Chemistry Society, Cheng Chien-Hong, and the Dean of the TKU College of Science, Dr. Wang Bo-Cheng. The Opening Ceremony featured speeches, an array of imaginative posters, and several rows of creative science stalls, which attracted TKU faculty, students, and staff. Students relished the carnival-like atmosphere, and through the interactive games and activities held by the carnival stalls, learned in more detail of the vital role that science plays in our lives.
An Academic Conference Celebrating 40 Years of Prestige

2011-03-08

The Journal of Educational Media and Library Sciences (JoEMLS) is among the most respected Educational Media journals in Taiwan. With a long-standing history that spans four decades, the journal has been listed in numerous local and international databases, including Scopus, LISTA, DOAJ, and the Chinese Educational Resources Information Center, among others. It was the first Library Sciences journal to be listed in Taiwan’s leading academic database, TSSCI, and is considered a first-rate academic journal in the field of education. On the 7-8 March, to commemorate the journal’s 40th anniversary, Tamkang University’s Department of Information and Library Science held a large-scale conference. The International Conference on the 40th Anniversary of the Journal of Educational Media and Library Sciences featured keynote speeches by Professor Judith Broady-Preston from Aberystwyth University and Professor Hideaki Takeda from the National Institute of Informatics, Japan. The conference reflected on the origin of the journal, and comprised guest speeches by the JoEMLS Editor Emeritus, Professor Shih-hsion Huang, and the former Editor, Professor Chang C. Lee. Among the guests in attendance were esteemed scholars from Beijing University, Nanjing University, Wuhan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, National Taiwan University, and National Taiwan Normal University. For more information on the conference, please refer to the website http://www.dils.tku.edu.tw/conference/.
The Experimental Program in Innovative Media and Production

2011-03-07

Tamkang University recently instituted a new academic program that seeks to tighten the relationship enjoyed by the entertainment industries in Taiwan and Mainland China. The new course is called the Experimental Program in Innovative Media and Production. It is a four-month program offered jointly by Tamkang University and Guangzhou University that aims to provide students from both universities with theoretical training and practical intern opportunities in the field of communication media. The program will draw on the experience of several renowned educators, including the program director herself, Professor Chao Ya-ly. It will also incorporate a practical component, in which students will get the chance to intern at any of a number of Taiwan’s leading television stations, such as TVBS and NowNews, among others. The newly-established program is the most extensive joint initiative that TKU has undertaken with any one of its sister universities. It is a pioneering effort that will strengthen the already close ties between the entertainment industries in Taiwan and Mainland China, and become a source of talented media personnel in the near future.
The Chung Ling Chemistry Competition

2011-03-05

On Saturday March 5, Tamkang University held the 6th annual Chung-ling Creative Chemistry Competition. Every year since its inception, the number of entrants in the competition (high school students) has increased steadily. This year, the competition drew a total of 690 participants (230 teams), including students from the best high schools in North and Central Taiwan. The theme of this year’s contest was ‘Daily Life and Creative Design’. It involved two phases: 1) A written test that assessed entrants’ general science knowledge, and 2) A series of practical tasks that examined entrants’ knowledge of the testing and analysis of various kinds of metal ions. The competition taught participants about the importance of metal resources and demonstrated why highly sought-after rare metals have recently become the focus of the nation.
The Cross-Strait Female Art Exhibition

2011-03-02

The Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center is currently holding a unique art display that showcases the artwork of 84 well-known female artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. On display are traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings, and watercolor and Nihonga paintings from a total of 41 Mainland Chinese artists and 43 Taiwanese artists. Through exquisite artwork, the exhibition displays the collective female experience, whether it be at the workplace, at home, or in the process of creating. Tamkang University has always been a loud proponent of gender equality. To help usher in International Women’s Day on March 8, the exhibition opened to the public at the end of February and will continue until April 24. At 10:30 am on the 18th of March, an official Opening Ceremony will be held. All TKU students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend.
The First Department of Tourism Cocktail Show

2011-03-01

On the afternoon of Feb. 23rd, the Department of Tourism and Hospitality at the TKU Lanyang Campus held its first ever cocktail show. In preparation for the event, eight long tables had been set up. One participant stood behind each of the eight tables. Their mission was to complete the first stage of cocktail preparation in 6 minutes. This stage involved laying out the required tools and making the ingredients to be used in the cocktails. Participants then had just one minute to mix the ingredients and make the cocktails. Their actions became rapid, as they squeezed, brewed, iced, mixed, and shook their ingredients. The crowd was delighted with the show of skill, and began applauding and cheering. The finished cocktails included a Blue Coral, a Shirley Temple Smoothie, and an Orange Squash. In recent years, each profession has begun to require that its practitioners obtain professional licenses. Students from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management have thus been making time each Wednesday to attend classes at the local youth club, where they learn to mix cocktails. The course includes an exam to obtain a professional bartending license.
TKU Volunteers in Cambodia

2011-02-23

Recently, during the Chinese New Year vacation, a group of 12 TKU students went to Cambodia to serve as volunteers. It was the group’s fourth time volunteering in Cambodia. Before departing, they tirelessly organized their luggage, taking out all non-essential items to make room for resources that they would distribute to the local students. While in Cambodia, the team of volunteers provided local students with lessons in the fields of Chinese language and computer studies. The Chinese lessons were conducted in an entertaining format, involving singing and drawing activities which piqued the interest of the local students; while the computer lessons were based on practical problem-solving scenarios. Group member Chen Bo-da shared that “through the experience, I noticed how the local students touched and influenced our volunteers, and inspired them to grow”.
TKU Prof. Jong-Shenq Guo Receives Research Honor

2011-02-17

Each year, the National Science Council rewards teachers who made exceptional contributions to the corpus of scientific research. The recipients receive a certificate and NT $300,000 per year for three years. This year, TKU’s Dr. Jong-Shenq Guo, an esteemed professor in the Department of Mathematics, was among the recipients. Dr. Guo obtained a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Ever since, his research findings have played a vital role in the field of mathematics. He specializes in research related to the formation of singularities, wave phenomena, free boundary problems, and mathematical biology. When asked of the influence mathematics has had on his life, Dr. Guo explained “most people think that spending time studying math is really strange. But actually, through studying mathematics and through the process of deduction and substantiation, one’s ability to reason and think logically is heightened”. As for his reaction to receiving this prestigious honor: “I feel truly gratified, as though all my hard work has been recognized. Research is a long and unending path. I intend to continue on this path well into the future”.
Taiwan’s First Ever International Digital Learning Master’s Program

2011-02-15

Last month, Tamkang University was granted permission to establish Taiwan’s first ever international digital learning master’s degree program, the Executive Master's Program in Asia Studies. Scheduled to begin in the 2011 academic year, the program will take students from countries in Central and South America that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, such as Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and others. The course structure for the newly instituted master’s program will be designed by the Director of the Graduate Institute of Asian Studies, Dr. Samuel Chin-Shan Hu. Dr. Hu explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commissioned Tamkang University to implement the program due to TKU’s renowned distance learning environment. The program content will focus primarily on the evolving nature of relations and general trends between Taiwan and the rest of Asia. The course quota will be 25 students per year. For the most part, classes will be conducted in English and Chinese, with additional supplementary material offered in Spanish. Dr. Ching-Fan Chen, the Director of the TKU Distance Education Development Section, said that “TKU has ample experience in providing long-distance education, but this is our first attempt at offering international long-distance education. There are many difficulties to overcome, like technical issues and problems related to time-zone differences which we’ll have to further discuss. But I look forward to it running very smoothly”.
The Year of the Rabbit and Two TKU Institutes

2011-02-11

After the long winter vacation, TKU faculty and staff today (Feb. 11) returned to work. It was their first day back since Chinese New Year, and thus their first workday of the Year of the Rabbit. To celebrate, A Chinese New Year Morning Tea was held at the Chueh Sheng International Hall. In preparation for the event, the hall had been decorated with auspicious symbols, such as Chinese characters connoting peace and prosperity. The morning tea also doubled as an opening ceremony for two newly established Tamkang institutes: the Office of Quality Assurance and Audit and the Center for Japan Studies. The former will work to raise the standard of teaching at TKU and improve the efficacy of its internal operations. The Center for Japan Studies, on the other hand, will strengthen TKU’s ties with Japanese business and tighten the already close relationship TKU enjoys with its sister universities in Japan. The TKU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kuo-Hsin Yu, made a speech during the event. He expressed his hope that in this New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, each member of TKU’s faculty and staff may play their part in taking TKU to new levels of academic and administrative excellence.
Webometrics Ranking Web of World Universities

2011-02-05

New statistics were recently released by the Webometrics Ranking Web of World Universities. Out of over 20,000 institutes of higher education, Tamkang University's ranking moved upward dramatically to 285th in the world, 32nd in Asia, 10th in Taiwan, and first among private universities in Taiwan. For more detailed information, please refer to the website http://www.webometrics.info/及http://www.webometrics.info/rank_by_country.asp?country=tw