2024-05-13
The National Intercollegiate Athletic Games (NIAG) 2024 concluded on May 8, with Tamkang University fielding 11 representative teams. We secured 5 gold, 7 silver, and 11 bronze medals. Our achievements include 5th place in the Women's General Woodball Team competition, 1st place in Men's General Karate Team, 5th place in Women's Open Karate Team, 1st place in Women's General Soft Tennis Team, 2nd place in Men's General Soft Tennis Team, 3rd place in Men's General Fencing Team, and 5th place in Women's General Fencing Team. In recent years, Tamkang University has achieved remarkable results in competitions. 2020 we secured 10 gold, 4 silver, and 8 bronze medals. In 2021, we obtained 4 gold, 1 silver, and 6 bronze medals. In 2022, our achievements included 4 gold, 2 silver, and 10 bronze medals. In 2023, we achieved 6 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze medals. This year, our performance ranks 20th among 131 schools. We are proud to be ranked first among private universities without sports-related departments or organized athletic scholarships. In the karate event, Ji-Chien Yang, a first-year Chemical and Materials Engineering graduate student, won the gold medal in the "Men's General Individual Kata" and the bronze medal in the "Men's General 5th Weight Class". Po-Wei Lu, an Electrical and Computer Engineering sophomore, secured the gold medal in the "Men's General 2nd Weight Class". Wei-Che Hsu, a Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering junior, once again claimed the gold medal in the "Men's General 4th Weight Class". Chia-Shuan Wu, a freshman in Aerospace Engineering, earned the bronze medal in the "Open Women's 4th Weight Class". In the badminton event, Yu-Chi Chang, a junior in Information Management, and Yu-Ting Lin, a senior in Russian, won the gold medal in the "Mixed Doubles" of the "General Men's and Women's Combined Group". Chang also secured the bronze medal in the "Men's Singles" of the "General Men's Group". In the soft tennis event, the Tamkang University team won the gold medal in the "General Women's Team Competition" and the silver medal in the "General Men's Team Competition." Po-Hsuan Wu, a fourth-year student in French, and Yamasaki Ichika, a third-year student in International Tourism Management, secured the silver medal in the "Women's Doubles" of the "General Women's Group". In the fencing event, Tamkang University obtained the silver medal in the "General Women's Sabre Team Competition" and the "General Men's Blunt Sword Team Competition" in the fencing event. We also secured the bronze medal in the "General Women's Blunt Sword Team Competition," "General Men's Foil Team Competition," and "General Men's Sabre Team Competition." In the swimming event, Fang-Chieh Chen, a sophomore in Architecture, won the silver medal in both the "Women's General 100-meter Breaststroke" and "Women's General 200-meter Breaststroke", as well as the bronze medal in the "Women's General 50-meter Breaststroke". In the Taekwondo event, Tsung-Lin Wang, a junior in Economics, won the silver medal in the "Men's General Over 87kg Weight Class". Ting-Wei Chang, a junior in Mathematics, secured the bronze medal in the "Men's General 74kg Weight Class". In the track and field event, Yi-Xuan Huang, a senior in Information Management, won the bronze medal in the "Women's General Shot Put." In contrast, Jun-Ren Yang, a senior in Mathematics, secured the bronze medal in the "Men's General 800-meter Run". In the Judo event, Jun-Wei Huang, a junior English student, won the "Men's General 6th Grade" bronze medal. This year, after winning one gold medal and one bronze medal, Ji-Chien Yang expressed that he was overwhelmed with joy after learning of his consecutive victory in the individual kata event. However, he regretted not being able to secure the top position again. From this experience, he learned the importance of never underestimating any challenge. Due to a previous ankle injury, he devoted considerable effort to strengthening the stability of his lower body during training, and he expressed gratitude to Coach Cheng-Hui Kao for his meticulous guidance. With summer approaching and an upcoming internship, this competition might be his final one. Despite the pressure to perform exceptionally, he was thankful for securing a medal and bringing honor to Tamkang University. He hopes future students will wholeheartedly engage in competitions and enjoy the moment's happiness. The captain of the karate team, Wei-Che Hsu, expressed great joy at winning the gold medal again this year. Faced with everyone's expectations, he feared disappointing them with a loss. He thanked the senior team member, Ji-Chien Yang, for his guidance, especially the psychological adjustment before the competition. He is determined to pass on this warmth and responsibility to the juniors. Yamasaki Ichika and Po-Hsuan Wu achieved good results in both the women's doubles and team competitions in soft tennis this time. Yamaki Ichika expressed her gratitude to the seniors and teachers for their companionship. She mentioned that the women's doubles team in soft tennis won third place last year, and she was worried about not meeting expectations this year. Despite eventually losing to players equivalent to the level of the Japan Prefectural and settling for second place, she was pleased to win the team championship with the joint efforts of her teammates. Po-Hsuan Wu shared that this was her last participation in the NIAG before graduation. She felt fortunate to represent the team in the competition. This time, the competition was thrilling, and she thanked her teammates for tightly grasping every match, leaving her with beautiful memories. She hopes that more people will join the sport of soft tennis in the future and enjoy this beauty together.
2024-05-12
Come and kickstart your interdisciplinary learning to enhance your competitiveness upon graduation! Applications for minors, double majors, and minor specialties are now being accepted for the 2024 academic year. Interested students are welcome to apply online before 5:00 PM on May 21. You can first watch the registration tutorial video (URL: https://youtu.be/7-JLLYk5-pE). The Registration Section reminds us that according to the "TKU Implementation Guidelines for Interdisciplinary Courses", "TKU Regulations on Students Undertaking an Academic Minor", and "TKU Regulations for Students Undertaking an Academic Double Major", starting from the new students enrolled in 2023 academic year, students may apply for a minor specialty in a department other than their major departments for the following academic year. Once students have enrolled in a minor specialty program in one department, they cannot apply for the minor or double major of that department. Students may apply for one minor and one double major for the following academic year in the second semester of each academic year. Students who have enrolled in a minor or double major program in one department cannot apply for the minor specialty of the same department. Mainland Chinese students may apply for minors or double majors within the departments approved to recruit mainland Chinese students in compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education. In order to encourage students to obtain a second specialization from a department other than their major one, all departments of Tamkang University have implemented a flexible minor specialty system. The advantage of this system is that students can more smoothly acquire a second specialization within the 4 years of their undergraduate studies. Those who successfully complete the requirements for a minor will have the name of the minor specialty added to their degree certificate and transcripts, providing them with the most advantageous proof of their accomplishments.
2024-05-06
On April 23, the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, UAEH) in Mexico entered into a sister school partnership with Tamkang University, becoming our second sister school in Mexico since our initial agreement with the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico in 1992. Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Hsiao-Chuan Chen, personally traveled to Mexico to represent Tamkang University in signing the agreement and to accept the International Honorary Visiting Professor certificate bestowed by the university. Dr. Hsiao-Chuan Chen, recommended by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Mexico, accepted the invitation from UAEH to participate in the 13th International Image Festival (Festival Internacional de Imagen, FINI) held from April 18 to 26. During the “Master Lecture” attended by over 400 students and faculty, she delivered a speech on “The Essence of Taiwanese Literature.” Following the lecture, in a grand ceremony, Dr. Chen received the International Honorary Visiting Professor certificate from Dr. Octavio Castillo Acosta, President of UAEH, and was adorned with the university's prestigious sash, conferred with the title of “Honorary International Professor.” After the certificate presentation ceremony, following the university's tradition, Dr. Chen signed the prestigious professor's registry and left a quote in Spanish, which translated to Chinese means: “By joining the family of the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, it's like a drop of water falling into the vast ocean, ensuring not to lose one's essence.” She then read this quote aloud to the audience, receiving enthusiastic applause from the attendees. During this visit, Dr. Chen also gave a lecture titled "Taiwan: Prelude to East Asia" at the College of Social Sciences and Humanities as part of the 13th International Image Festival, showcasing our cultural soft power. UAEH provided high-level reception arrangements, including interviews with the university's student-run radio station and SUMA TV, which broadcasts externally and within the State of Hidalgo. Additionally, visits to the library and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities were organized. One of Tamkang University's Spanish Department alums, Director General Armando Cheng from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Mexico, also facilitated cultural exchanges at this event. Dr. Chen expressed that in the context of the 13th International Image Festival focusing on "Taiwan" as its theme, she felt the curiosity of UAEH faculty and students towards Taiwan, a country known for its developed information technology industry and being a major global producer of semiconductor materials. They also showed keen interest in recent earthquake updates. With the signing of the sister school agreement, the exchange of students between the two universities is seen as advantageous news. As someone studying in Mexico herself, she encouraged students to consider Mexico a study abroad option, stating, "Now is the perfect time to study in Latin America.”
On April 26, the National Central Library held the "Taiwan Academic Resource Energy Report for the Year 2023 Release Conference." The "Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences," edited by the Department of Information and Library Science of Tamkang University, was honored with the "Five-Year Citation" and "Long-Term Citation" awards for selected journal dissemination. This marks the 4th time this journal has received such recognition. Additionally, the "Tamkang Japanese Journal," edited by the Department of Japanese, received the "Popular Journal Dissemination" five-year citation award. Furthermore, the "Journal of Japanese Language Education in Taiwan," edited by Professor Tseng from the Department of Japanese, also received the "Five-Year Citation" and "Long-Term Citation" awards for selected journal dissemination. Dr. Jin-Yuan Liu, Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of the Center for Ocean and Underwater Technology Research, established the "Journal of General Education: Concept & Practice," which is issued by the Taiwan General Education Strategic Alliance and Quality Strategy Association, and received the "Popular Journal Dissemination" five-year citation award. The "Taiwan Academic Resource Energy Report" utilizes the National Central Library's 3 major systems: the National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan, NCL Taiwan Periodical Literature, and Taiwan Citation Index-Humanities and Social Sciences. It analyzes the authorization and reader usage of archived theses and journal articles over the past year, observes the dissemination process of cited theses and journals, and analyzes the keywords used in journal and thesis usage to understand popular research topics. The awards are divided into 2 categories: the "Selected Group," which focuses on core journals, and the "Popular Group," which focuses on non-core journals. Awards are given based on comparing the total citations of journals, theses, books, and book chapters within 5 and 30 years, respectively, for each category. Professor Jeong-Yeou Chiu, the editor-in-chief of the "Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences" and a professor at the Graduate Institute of Library, Information & Archival Studies at National Chengchi University, stated that the journal received funding from the Research Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, National Science and Technology Council last year. This funding was explicitly used to revamp the journal's official website to enhance retrieval demands. Within four months after the revamp, the web page views surpassed previous records for the same period. He further explained that the journal features an "open peer review mechanism," "brief point briefing presentations," and "academic writing format guidelines," among other characteristics. The download volume has also reached nearly ten thousand times, proving its significant role in academic dissemination. Dr. Yu-Ching Liao, the editor-in-chief of "Tamkang Japanese Journal" and an associate professor in the Department of Japanese, explained that the journal covers diverse submission topics spanning literature, linguistics, socio-cultural studies, and political economy. Given the competition from similar journals, winning awards is no easy feat. Therefore, the journal actively establishes its uniqueness. For instance, the Department of Japanese hosts an annual international academic conference, and participants, including students and scholars, are encouraged to submit papers related to the conference theme to the journal, thus enhancing the quality and professionalism of the papers. There are plans to create dedicated columns for master's and doctoral students to expand the overall academic capacity. Besides celebrating the award, Dr. Liao also promotes the journal's ongoing call for submissions, with a deadline in September. Interested parties are welcome to submit their work. Currently serving as the Chairman of the Association of Japanese Language Education in Taiwan, Dr. Tseng expressed not only joy at the recognition received by the "Journal of Japanese Language Education in Taiwan" but also noted that the journal's inclusion in the THCI index reflects the cumulative efforts of past chairpersons and members. She emphasized that the ongoing challenge is how to sustain this progress in the future. Dr. Liu particularly thanked the editorial team for their hard work, which led to such outstanding results, and stated the intention to continue striving to be included in the TSSCI index. He pointed out that although many universities have established general education centers, they still lack platforms for teachers' academic development. "By providing a venue for teachers to publish papers, we hope to accumulate resources for promotion," he added. He also commended the fruitful results of encouraging teachers at the university to apply for teaching practice research projects in recent years and promoting diverse promotions. This approach is particularly suitable for general education teachers to plan for promotion through teaching research. "General education is the foundation of diverse professions. Improving teaching quality and student learning outcomes through teaching practice research will further enhance students' competitiveness upon graduation."
On April 19 to 21, Professor Ching-Chang Wong, Assistant Professor Chih-Cheng Liu, and Postdoctoral Researcher Yi-Chung Lin from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering led a team of 29 students to participate in the "2024 International Intelligent RoboSports Cup" hosted by the Ministry of Education at the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. Continuing the team's legacy of excellence over the years, they achieved outstanding results with 14 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals. The International Intelligent RoboSports Cup has been held for 13 years. Nearly 200 teams participated this year, comprising around 600 contestants and coaches. With 22 competitions, including adult-size and kid-size humanoid robot categories and an autonomous driving challenge, Tamkang University participated in 18 events and achieved outstanding results with 14 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Particularly noteworthy is the performance of the graduate student team in the adult-size humanoid robot category, which secured first place in all 6 events of the HuroCup: archery, marathon, weightlifting, obstacle run, and Sparta race. The undergraduate team also excelled, winning 5 gold medals (archery, basketball, marathon, weightlifting, and Spartan race), 2 silver medals (obstacle run and Spartan race), and 1 bronze medal (HuroCup) in the kid-size humanoid robot category. Furthermore, in the autonomous driving challenge, they obtained 3 gold medals (omnium, image recognition, obstacle run parking) and 1 bronze medal (HuroCup). In addition to the adult-size robot competition, all other events were led by undergraduate students. Professor Wong stated that teamwork, time management, and adaptability are essential for students, but "the most important thing is the inheritance of technology." He mentioned that graduate students pass on their expertise to undergraduate students and continue to study on campus during summer and winter breaks. Apart from maintaining technical proficiency, learning hardware and software is crucial, as it ensures good performance. Pin-Chen Chou, a senior from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who has previous competition experience, shared, "We first cultivate the ability of our junior students to solve problems." This year, the approach adopted was to initially teach undergraduate team members how to operate the robots, ensuring they have a sufficient understanding of the robots and learn how to repair them. They seek assistance from senior students when encountering issues, enabling them to solve problems on the day of the competition independently. Pin-Ju Chen, a junior from the Department, mentioned, "After going through various trial and error processes, adaptability improves with learning efficiency, which is a very beneficial experience." Last year, senior students led the undergraduate team members and directly assisted them when problems arose. However, this year's approach has yielded better learning outcomes. She also sees this competition as an opportunity for peer learning and mutual improvement.
2024-04-29
The College of Engineering's Advanced Quantum Computing Research Center (CAQC) held its inaugural ceremony on April 25 in Room Sa108 of the Liou-Hsien Memorial Science Hall, symbolizing Tamkang University's formal entry into the quantum era. CAQC, jointly organized by the Colleges of Science, Engineering, and Artificial Innovative Intelligence, is affiliated with the College of Engineering. It utilizes the space of the Science Building as its operational platform, with 3 quantum computer devices set up in the College of Science. Personnel expenses are provided by Tamkang alum and Chairman of Skywentex International Corp., Andy Chen, by offering a million-dollar research fund. The 3 colleges collaborate across disciplines and will continue to recruit talents from various fields across the university. Following the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Junyi Wu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Executive Director of the Center, briefed attendees, stating that the center's vision is to focus on research output and quantum talent cultivation using the center's resources. It will actively apply for and execute key research projects of the university, undertake relevant research projects commissioned by external organizations, collaborate with international scholars and institutions in related research, and expand the center's influence through a virtuous cycle. After the unveiling, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hui-Huang Hsu, delivered the opening remarks, stating that although quantum computing processing has advanced significantly, it is currently limited to specific operations. This indicates that quantum computing cannot yet be widely utilized, hence the need for the center to invest in more research. He expressed his anticipation for collaboration among the three colleges to encourage more faculty members to engage in quantum research. Andy Chen delivered a speech, stating that quantum technology is one of the future's star industries. He expressed his hope that CAQC could harness the combined efforts of teachers and graduate students to establish a firm footing in the field of quantum research. He also wished for Tamkang University to shine brightly on the world stage. The director of CAQC and Dean of the College of Science, Dr. Tzenge-Lien Shih, expressed gratitude to the Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Tzung-Hang Lee, and Andy Chen for their assistance. He hoped to rally colleagues from across the university with a strong interest in scientific research to engage in this challenging research endeavor collectively. He stated that the center aims to cultivate outstanding graduate students to conduct fundamental research. He looks forward to the future publication of significant research papers and achieving remarkable results. In his presentation, Dr. Wu explained the famous quantum mechanics thought experiment “Schrödinger's cat” to the distinguished guests present, accompanied by an image depicting the concept of “Clear Distinction as the waters of the Jinghe and the Weihe, while water waves are both from the Jinghe and the Weihe,” to delve into the principle of “quantum superposition.” He humorously used the probability problem of proposing to his wife as an example to illustrate the astonishing difference between quantum computing and conventional computing. Dr. Wu was previously selected as a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Foreign Postdoctoral Fellowship and currently serves as a co-principal investigator of the “Quantum National Team” project on light quantum computing. He is also the principal investigator for the Taiwan side of the Taiwan-Netherlands Collaboration in Quantum Computing, jointly funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of Taiwan and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). This collaboration brings together leading teams from both countries in quantum computing, quantum optics, and silicon photonics to advance the forefront of optical quantum computing. Dr. Wu stated that CAQC, established by Tamkang University, is one of the few teams in the country engaged in the theoretical verification of optical quantum computing. At the end of last year, IBM Q introduced a quantum computing module for distributed quantum computing using multiple quantum processors, aiming to break through the physical limit and achieve large-scale quantum computing. Currently, the primary development direction of CAQC is distributed quantum computing. The initial goal is to propose a novel framework for distributed quantum computing, combining AI machine learning to achieve efficient, high-speed, and stable distributed quantum computing. Therefore, the center is also one of the few research teams in the country focusing on distributed quantum computing.
On April 23, Dean Tzung-Hang Lee (second from left) of the College of Engineering, accompanied by Chair Fu-Yuen Hsiao (first from left) of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, made a special visit to the Taiwan-Asahi Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. They presented a rocket model and a certificate of appreciation to TKU Elite Club President Chen-Rong Chian (third from left), expressing gratitude for his generous donation of 700,000 NT dollars from last year to this year, which supported the research and development funds for rockets and drones at Tamkang University, aiding in the advancement of aerospace research.
On April 25, Tamkang University signed a research project contract titled "Skywentex HDP Simulation Board Carbon Footprint Verification" with Skywentex International Corp. (SIC). The contract signing was represented by Dean Tzung-Hang Lee of the Colleges of Engineering and Artificial Innovative Intelligence and SIC President Johnny Chien. The signing ceremony took place in Artificial Innovative Intelligence College's virtual reality field. Also present at the ceremony were Chairman Andy Chen of SIC, Dean Li-Ren Yang of the College of Business and Management, as well as project members including Professor Sue-Huai Gau from the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Associate Professor Isaac Yijia Tsai from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Associate Professor Hui-Chiung Lo from the Department of Business Administration, along with chairs from various departments of the Colleges of Engineering and Artificial Innovative Intelligence. The HDP (High Definition Printing) simulation board is a building material produced by SIC. This time, with a million-dollar budget, SIC commissioned a team of teachers from Tamkang University's College of Engineering and College of Business and Management to conduct a carbon footprint verification research project. This initiative is in response to the Taiwan Financial Supervisory Commission's requirements for carbon disclosure and global demands for product carbon emissions audits, accelerating the transition to net zero emissions. Dr. Gau stated that the TKU team had visited SIC and hosted an initial meeting with relevant members and training the day before the signing ceremony. This commissioned project is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.
The Gender Equality Education Committee held a Gender Mainstreaming Seminar titled “Seeing Gender Blindness” on April 24 in the Main Engineering Building. Associate Professor Yi-Chun Lin from the Center for Teacher Education was invited to lead the session, inviting participants to understand gender blindness and enhance their gender awareness. Nearly 40 faculty and staff attended the event, including Vice President for Administrative Affairs Chun-Hung Lin. Dr. Yi-Chun Lin began by illustrating practical examples derived from the term "gender-blind," highlighting how the lack of gender awareness and sensitivity has led to pervasive gender biases and stereotypes in society. She pointed out that with the progress of time and the enactment of laws, gender issues have gradually gained attention. Establishing a societal foundation based on "gender perspectives" and "gender care" and enhancing gender equality requires collaborative efforts from everyone to realize gender equity. Then, Dr. Lin combined practical experience with theory. She first explained the formation of children's gender roles by integrating Freud's stages of psychosexual development, followed by the explanation of gender role learning through social learning theory, which is shaped by social constraints. Subsequently, she utilized Kohlberg's cognitive development theory to explore children's awareness and cognitive abilities regarding self-gender classification. Additionally, she applied gender schema theory to emphasize that children growing up in a culture with gender stereotypes will influence their learning. It is hoped that shaping these foundational concepts will contribute to breaking down the pervasive gender discrimination and myths in society. As a member of the Gender Equality Committee and Associate Professor in the Department of International Tourism Management, Dr. Pin-Ju Juan strongly resonated with the participants' suggestions regarding student dormitory planning during the interactive Q&A session. She believed it to be a diverse and worthy consideration, although it may also pose managerial challenges. Addressing these challenges would require initiatives in education, legal systems, regular training sessions, and increased communication with students. Wei-Ling Wu, an assistant in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, expressed her hope for more participation in gender equality issues. She stated, "The speaker encouraged participants to think about the daily behavior patterns of women and men, which sparked lively discussions. I found it very interesting."
On April 25, the Student Affairs Office's Guidance Section held a "Second- and Third-Year Class Representatives Forum" at the Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center, chaired by President Huan-Chao Keh. Vice President for Academic Affairs Hui-Huang Hsu, Vice President for Administrative Affairs Chun-Hung Lin, relevant academic and administrative unit heads, and over a hundred class representatives attended. President Keh expressed in his speech that both important school matters and students' suggestions are conveyed through class representatives. Therefore, communication channels need to remain open. Heads of various units attend the class representatives' forum, ensuring real-time communication effectiveness. "Feel free to voice any suggestions or opinions about the school. If it falls within the school's responsibility, we will strive to improve immediately." Class representatives successively raised issues regarding optimizing the information system, campus safety maintenance, and course selection. Members of the Tamkang University Student Parliament (TKUSP) expressed that when students organize activities and need to rent facilities, it's challenging to find the "Price List for Rental and Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment." They hoped that this information could be made publicly available comprehensively. Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Shih-Jung Wu, responded that they would compile information on facility charges from various units and present it on the homepage of the Extracurricular Activities Guidance Section or the Student Affairs website to facilitate student access. The TKUSP member also expressed the hope of restarting the "Live Video" feature of Tamkang i-Life to facilitate everyone checking the queue for buses. In response, Chief Information Officer Kuei-Ping Shih stated that the technology was not an issue and that they planned to integrate surveillance system information into Tamkang i-Life. The Tamkang University Student Association (TKUSA) representative reflected that the motorcycle parking spaces at the Five-Tiger-Hill parking lot are too small, and the lanes are narrow. Dean of General Affairs, Dr. Ruey-Shiang Shaw, explained that the parking spaces were designed to be smaller to accommodate more students' parking needs. They will now consider comprehensively addressing the parking issues for students’ heavy motorcycles. The first-year class representative of the Japanese Graduate Institute inquired whether the school regularly inspects the multimedia equipment in each classroom. Dr. Shih stated that before the start of each semester, colleagues and student workers conduct a comprehensive inspection of the classroom equipment. If any issues arise during everyday use, they can call extensions 2310 or 2311 within the campus, and the Office of Information Affairs will provide immediate assistance. Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Tzong-Ru Tsai, added that the "Repair Reporting" (修繕便利通) feature in “TKU i Life” app has a classroom repair reporting function, and users can also check the records to confirm if the equipment has been repaired. He reminded teachers and students to make good use of this app or call to report, and the school will promptly make improvements.
“Oh no, Mr. Kozuka may have been murdered!" Officer Yuno nervously said to Officer Kitao. The Chueh-Sheng Memorial Library, the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and the Department of Japanese jointly organized the 2024 "World Book & Copyright Day" event with the theme "Crack the Code & Solve the Mystery: Secrets of Japanese Detective Literature." The opening ceremony was held on April 24 on the 2nd floor of the library, with nearly 50 faculty and students participating. During her speech, Dean of Library Sheue-Fang Song first expressed gratitude to the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures for their support. They collaborate with the library every year to plan World Book and Copyright Day activities, leading faculty and students to experience cultures worldwide. This year, in cooperation with the Department of Japanese, they introduced Japanese detective literature. In addition to lectures, they added 3 student-led detective novel book clubs, tabletop games, and mystery games designed by the librarians. Everyone is welcome to come and experience the joy of reading detective stories. Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Dr. Wan-Bau Wu, explained that World Book and Copyright Day activities have a long history and commended the systematic and high-quality presentation of Japanese detective literature at this event. He fully appreciated his colleagues' dedication and encouraged everyone to participate enthusiastically, enjoying the thrill of uncovering mysteries. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hui-Huang Hsu, stated that reading is the simplest way to understand a country's society and culture. He shared his experience of reading Keigo HIGASHINO's works, such as "Hakugin Jack" and "The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps," and felt the suspense and excitement of detective novels. He further encouraged faculty and students to make full use of the library's collection for reading, enriching their knowledge and spirits. Chair of the Japanese Department, Dr. Pei-Ching Tsai, made a striking appearance in detective attire, joining Associate Professor Yu-Ching Liao and junior student Marilyn Man Ling Chan from the Japanese Department to collectively interpret Seicho MATSUMOTO's well-known short story "Railway Ports." They led the participants through the investigative process of the detectives in the story, gradually uncovering the truth behind the case. Dr. Tsai explained the distinctive features of Seicho MATSUMOTO 's works, which delve into the societal roots of crime, exposing social contradictions and vices. Matsumoto broke away from the fixed patterns of early Japanese detective novels, with no series or famous detectives, allowing readers to closely follow the footsteps of police officers or newspaper reporters to unravel the mysteries. Although the plots are grounded in everyday life and may seem commonplace, they focus on human psychology and elements of daily life, pioneering the world of social detective fiction, often referred to as the "Seicho MATSUMOTO spirit." His works have been widely adapted into TV dramas or movies, standing the test of time. The exhibition will run until May 31, with audiovisual materials displayed in the 2nd-floor reading area and the 5th-floor non-book materials room of the library. A total of 366 books and 84 films are on display, featuring works by Japanese detective fiction writers with a focus on social realism and similar themes, including representative works by authors such as Seicho MATSUMOTO, Kyotaro NISHIMURA, Hideo YOKOYAMA, Miyuki MIYABE, Keigo HIGASHINO, Kanae MINATO, and Kotaro ISAKA, as well as related award-winning works. Salon lectures were held on April 30, May 1, and May 2 in the reading area, where experts and scholars interpreted Taiwanese-published detective novels and the classic works of authors. A particular highlight is the library's immersive puzzle-solving game "Missing Person Notice," designed to enhance the interactivity and fun of the event, inviting everyone to join in the search for the mysterious Mr. X. On May 8 and 10, the "In the Bamboo Grove" (竹藪中) tabletop game is also an intellectual challenge not to be missed. Additionally, there will be a Thought Market Book Club, with discussions on May 7 and 21, respectively, focusing on sharing Keigo HIGASHINO's works "Samayou Yaiba" and "The Big Bee." All are welcome to join in brainstorming and exchange. For more details on these activities, please visit the event webpage. (URL: https://reurl.cc/703K5k)
2024-04-22
Chia-Huai Li, a first-year doctoral student in the Department of Chinese Literature and an associate professor in the Department of Film and Video Production at the China University of Technology, produced the documentary “Painted Hopeful.” Following the 3 awards received in the United States in 2023, on April 15, it won the Gold Award for Best Documentary Short at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival. “Painted Hopeful” was publicly screened at the Houston Film Festival from April 24 to 28. Chia-Huai Li hopes this film will “inspire those still struggling with their goals, encourage those who are striving, and comfort those who have succeeded and are now supporting the younger generation.” The Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival has been held annually in April in Houston, Texas, since 1961. It is dedicated to discovering outstanding independent film and television productions in various forms, making it the world's oldest independent film festival. Alongside the San Francisco Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, it is considered one of North America's 3 major selective film festivals. Director Chia-Huai Li stated that “Painted Hopeful” has a runtime of approximately 46 minutes and documents the life changes of artist agent and owner of Petit Deer Cinema, Milu Huang (real name Ying-Chie Huang), and picture book creator and director of the Ching Shui Bay Picture Book Museum, Corn Chen (real name Min-Yu Chen), after turning 30. They bravely embarked on new journeys after resigning from their civil service and urban design jobs, dedicating themselves to cultural construction as their lifelong career. Through the power of painting, they integrate "art education," "business operation," "cultural cultivation," and "environmental protection" into a mutually complementary process. The documentary “Painted Hopeful” premiered globally at the 10th Chiayi International Art Documentary Film Festival in 2023 and has since received numerous awards at international film festivals. Initially, it won 2 major awards at the Accolade Global Film Competition, including Best Original Music and Best Documentary Short, and was also listed on the International Movie Database (IMDb). In December 2023, it received the prestigious award for Best Sound Design at the San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, further recognizing the outstanding performance of “Painted Hopeful.” Li holds a master's degree from the Graduate Institute of Applied Media Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts. Since 2000, he has been involved in the film and television industry. In 2014, he released his first feature-length documentary, "Movie‧Taichung" (《目靡‧臺中》), marking the beginning of the plan to create a series of 10 documentary films related to Taichung's history, culture, and art in 20 years. “Painted Hopeful” is one of the works under the theme of "Cultural and Creative Taichung" (文創臺中). Li wears multiple hats in this film, serving as a planner, director, cinematographer, editor, and publicity editor. He has directed many documentaries, each with its unique characteristics, including "Xiluo Qikan" (《西螺七崁》) on the history of Taiwanese martial arts, "Tianyang‧Teresa Teng‧Wolong Mountain" (《田洋‧小鄧‧臥龍山》)on local revitalization, "Movie• Taichung" depicting the history of film in Taichung, "The Power of Ruins: The Legend of the Art Treasures in Beigou" (《廢墟的力度——北溝藏寶傳奇》) on the relocation of cultural relics from the National Palace Museum to Taiwan, "Armed Taichung: 27 Brigade, 1947" (《武裝台中——二七部隊，1947》) on the 228 Incident in Taichung, "Taiwan Can Help" (《罩福‧照拂》) on mask-wearing and epidemic prevention, "The Power of Ruins: Beigou II" (《廢墟的力度——北溝二部曲》) on cultural preservation movements, and "2021 Taijiang Welcoming the Deity Ritual: The Founding Luermen Matsu Pilgrimage" (《2021台江迎神祭——開基鹿耳門媽祖出巡》) on cultural and religious activities. A sign language version of “Painted Hopeful” has also been produced. He also revealed plans to release 2 documentaries in 2025, "The Power of Ruins: A Legend or a Myth" (《廢墟的力度——是傳說還是傳奇》) with a runtime of 70 minutes and "Jin Zhu‧Harris" (《金珠‧哈里斯》) with a runtime of 30 minutes.
Physics Professor and Dean of Research and Development, Dr. Hung-Chung Hsueh, along with doctoral student Chih-En Hsu, alum I-An Lin, Professor Chih-Wei Luo from the Department of Electrophysics at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Distinguished Professor Chin-Shan Lue from National Cheng Kung University, Deputy Director and Distinguished Research Fellow of the Center for Condensed Matter Sciences at National Taiwan University (NTU), Dr. Ming-Wen Chu, Distinguished Research Fellow Yu-Ming Chang, Group Leader Cheng-Mao Cheng, and Dr. Ping-Hui Lin from Condensed Matter Physics Group at National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, completed the paper titled "Three-dimensional ultrafast charge-density-wave dynamics in CuTe," which was published in the highly-cited international journal "Nature Communications" on March 16. This journal ranks 6th among 73 renowned SCI journals in various multidisciplinary science fields, including Nature and Science, with a five-year average impact factor of 17. As one of the corresponding authors, Dr. Hsueh explained, this collaboration brought together the latest experiments by Dr. Luo, measurement techniques from NTU, and the advanced physics computational capabilities of Tamkang University. In the low-dimensional material copper telluride (CuTe), a series of novel physical phenomena—Charge Density Wave (CDW) states—were discovered, along with the dimensional evolution of CDW and its stabilization mechanisms at different temperature ranges. Due to the unique conditions created by low-dimensional materials, the order parameters (including electronic, spin, lattice, etc.) interact and compete. In this study, precise temperature modulation and a combination of various cutting-edge experimental and theoretical techniques were employed, such as axial and time-resolved ultrafast spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, high-resolution Raman spectroscopy, and first-principles spectroscopic calculations, to verify CDW states of different dimensions and identify new regularities and structures. CDW materials have various applications, such as electronic components, thermoelectric or optoelectronic energy converters, high-speed, low-power new memory devices, low-temperature superconducting electromagnetic motors or maglev trains, pressure or temperature sensors, etc. Chih-En Hsu has received the Overseas Project for Post Graduate Research of the National Science and Technology Council and is currently studying at the University of Southern California in the United States. I-An Lin has graduated with a master's degree and is now employed. Dr. Hsueh stated that the students and scholars involved in this academic paper are mainly middle-aged and young. "By participating in the Physical Society of Taiwan, I can collaborate with scholars from national and private universities in this field, contribute our expertise, conduct joint research, expand cooperation, submit manuscripts to high-level international journals, and increase international visibility. I also hope to cultivate outstanding students so that even if they are admitted to top national universities in the future, they can still engage in collaborative research."
The 2024 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games (NIAG) flag presentation ceremony was held at 12:30 PM on April 22 on the 4th floor of Shao-Mo Memorial Gymnasium. This year, 11 representative teams are participating, including track and field, swimming, table tennis, badminton, tennis, taekwondo, judo, fencing, karate, softball, and woodball, with nearly 150 athletes. During the ceremony, President Huan-Chao Keh presented the flag to the Dean of Physical Education, I-Cheng Chen. Vice President for Academic Affairs Hui-Huang Hsu, Vice President for Administrative Affairs Chun-Hung Lin, and several teachers also attended to cheer on the athletes. President Keh expressed in his speech that Tamkang University's representative teams have achieved outstanding results in recent years at NIAG, consistently ranking first among non-sports colleges. In the 2020 academic year, we secured an impressive 10 gold, 4 silver, and 8 bronze medals, while last year, we attained 6 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze medals. He hoped our athletes would perform even better this year, striving to bring home more medals for the university. Tamkang University cultivates students with Eight Essential Qualities, among which “a cheerful attitude and healthy lifestyle” is achieved through sports activities. Tamkang University has also been honored 4 times with the Ministry of Education's Excellence in Sports Award, recognizing the efforts of the sports department in securing resources, improving campus facilities, and organizing various large-scale sports events, demonstrating the importance placed on sports education. Finally, he encouraged the athletes to embody the spirit of sportsmanship, abide by the relevant regulations, prioritize their safety, and showcase their best abilities on the field. The softball team captain, Yang-Kai Zhong, a third-year student majoring in Business Administration, expressed that even though it's not his first time participating in NIAG, he still feels nervous before the competition. Last year, the softball team left with regret for not bringing home the gold medal. In addition to individual practice, the team has arranged intensive training sessions this time. They hope everyone can perform at their best and achieve the honor of winning the team gold medal. The swimming team captain, Shin-Yau Huang, a second-year student majoring in Banking and Finance, stated that to achieve good results in this competition, team members have enhanced their swimming techniques and intensified their weight training to ensure their bodies are in peak condition. They hope everyone can demonstrate the skills they have accumulated during practice and achieve good results in the competition.
“My impression of Tamkang University was previously limited to its reputation as a prestigious private university. Through this event, I have gained a deeper understanding of Tamkang's environment and dedication to education. Professors specifically design courses tailored to high school students' levels and needs, using auxiliary teaching tools to enhance interactivity. This has made me deeply appreciate the care and effort of your university." Zhi-Hui Wang, the head of the Experimental Research Group at Kaohsiung Municipal Renwu Senior High School, highly praised Tamkang University. Students and teachers from their international English program participated in the “3-Day Camp of Full English Experience at Tamkang University” from May 9 to 11, experiencing university courses while getting to know our campus and teaching environment. They also discovered and planned their future directions during the event. For the university course experience, Tamkang University specially arranged faculty members and courses from our university's English program, including Assistant Professor I-Hsuan Shih from the Department of International Tourism Management teaching “Tourism Resource Management,” Assistant Professor Hsuan-Ling Chang from the Department of Banking and Finance teaching “Development and Application of Financial Technology,” Assistant Professor Mateus Lee from the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations teaching “Economics of Life,” Assistant Professor Liou Chu from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering teaching “Internet and Life,” Assistant Professor An-Chi Wu from the Department of International Business teaching “Business Management and Career,” Associate Professor Wei-Shiu Lin from the Department of Global Politics and Economics teaching “Does the Invisible Hand Really Exist?” and Assistant Professor Yi-Ying Tsai from the Department of International Business teaching “How to Introduce Taiwan to Foreigners.” The teachers' serious and lively teaching methods kept the students focused during class and fostered good interaction between students and teachers. Besides campus tours, the International Affairs Office also organized special activities, such as the “CHAT CORNER,” facilitating language and cultural exchanges between international students and Renwu Senior High School students, the “Artificial Innovative Intelligence College Tour,” which allowed teachers and students to learn about the latest AI information and technology, the professional English-guided tour of Fort Santo Domingo introducing the attractions and provided insights into the relevant history and architectural features. Another distinctive activity organized by the International Office was the “International Cultural Kaleidoscope,” where, Sindy Yesenia Zavala Vasquez, a second-year doctoral student from the Department of Management Sciences from Guatemala, Vadlamudi Venkata Naveen, a freshman from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering from India, Nguyen Hoang Kieu Linh, a second-year doctoral student from the Department of Banking and Finance from Vietnam, and Yukiteru Yamasaki, a junior from the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations from Japan, presented the cultural features of their respective countries. The rich images and vivid content made the presentation engaging and enjoyable for teachers and students. Bo-Chen Chen, a student from Renwu, expressed that he was initially unfamiliar with Tamkang University, but after 3 days of courses and activities, he gained a deeper understanding. He found the “CHAT CORNER” particularly impressive, where he engaged in English exchanges with international students from different countries. He praised the excellent teaching standards of the professors, some of whom he felt were no less competent than professors from national universities. First-time visitor Hao Chen described the campus environment as very comfortable. The English-guided tour of Fort Santo Domingo gave him fresh insights into its historical background and the historical surroundings of Tamsui. He believed that the government's active promotion of tuition subsidies for private universities would enhance students' willingness to enroll. He would encourage his fellow students to apply to Tamkang University. Yun-Chi Wang felt that the living facilities near the school were complete and rich, and the highlight was the multiple bus lines directly to Tamsui MRT Station. The full English courses she had at Tamkang University were diverse and unique to her. She would also encourage her fellow students to apply to Tamkang.
To promote gender equality in the workplace, the Gender Equality Education Committee and the Women's Faculty and Staff Association jointly held a gender mainstreaming lecture at noon on April 16 in the Ching-Sheng International Conference Hall. The first lecture of the series was titled “The Wisdom Journey of Balancing Work and Family: Oh Women!” and was delivered by Professor Yen-Ling Lin from the Department of Economics. During his remarks, Vice President for Administrative Affairs Chun-Hung Lin expressed Tamkang University's strong emphasis on gender equality issues and the provision of various welfare measures, hoping to further promote gender equality in life and the workplace. Dr. Hsiao-Chuan Chen, the Chairperson of the Women's Association and Vice President for International Affairs, mentioned the importance of women balancing work and family responsibilities and hoped that everyone could gain insights from the lecture and apply them effectively in their lives. Dr. Lin shared about two critical figures in her life: her mother and her husband. She mentioned her preference for short hair since childhood, which often drew criticism from others. “But my mother always respected my choices, allowing me to be myself on my learning journey bravely.” Regarding her husband, Dr. Lin softly said, “I don't understand what he saw in me. How could he accept a girl who looks so masculine?' Later, she realized that her husband valued her inner qualities, not society's perceptions. She considers herself fortunate to have encountered important figures during her growth, which has also transformed her life's journey. In her career journey, Dr. Lin mentioned that when she applied for a teaching position after obtaining her Ph.D., the first school that accepted her canceled her qualification because she was pregnant, resulting in pregnancy discrimination. However, this incident led her to join the Tamkang family. Regarding her multiple roles, she believes, “Life doesn't require everything to be sorted out before each task is completed. I choose to multitask and proceed simultaneously, which modern women can do.” Finally, she encouraged colleagues at present not to reject what they love because of societal norms. “Be brave to pursue what you want because gender should not make a difference.” Ms. Yi-Lan Yue, the head of the Vocational Training and Welfare Section of the Human Resources Office, believes that “time management” is a crucial key to balancing work and family life. From the speaker's experience, it is evident that managing both work and family responsibilities is not easy for women. She expressed gratitude for the speaker's insights, emphasizing that better performance can be achieved through effective time management. This event was jointly organized by the Women's Association and the Gender Equality Education Committee to promote gender equality concepts. Finally, women were encouraged to pursue self-improvement and actively strive for their rights. As long as they have the ability, they should make efforts to pursue their goals.
The 7th Academic Conference on AI and Japanese Language Education, organized by the Center for Murakamiharuki Studies in Tamkang University (CMSTKU), was held on April 13 at the Ching-Sheng International Conference Hall. The theme of this event was "Japanese Language Education with Language Generation AI Technology," with nearly 200 scholars, experts, and students from Japan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and other countries participating. During the closing ceremony, Director Chiu-Kuei Tseng announced that the 8th conference would be held in April next year, expressing anticipation for continued interdisciplinary discussions on innovative Japanese language education with scholars and experts. Vice President for Academic Affairs Hui-Huang Hsu mentioned in his opening speech that generative AI can provide rough translations, refine translations, edit, write articles, and even offer complete explanations in foreign language teaching. "How can we continue to teach students in traditional ways?" he emphasized. "We should no longer view AI tools as enemies of foreign language teaching but rather understand and utilize them to make them a powerful weapon for foreign language teaching and learning." Due to prior commitments, Secretary-General Chiaki Muramoto of the Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Department at the Taipei Office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association could not attend, and a Japanese language expert from the Association delivered the congratulatory message on her behalf. She admired CMSTKU’s foresight in combining AI innovation with Japanese language teaching seven years ago. The Center has been holding international academic conferences annually, accumulating remarkable achievements that even Japan cannot match, becoming a paradigm for foreign language learning in the AI era. The 3 keynote speeches began with a presentation by Professor Chih-Yung Chang, a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at Tamkang University, on the topic "Innovation and Challenges of Generative AI in Japanese Language Learning." He comprehensively explained the astonishing growth of AI beyond imagination and provided widely used examples of generative AI in Japanese language education. He speculated that AI will surpass human intelligence within three years: "If we don't learn AI soon, it won't be AI replacing humans, but rather AI-capable humans replacing those who are not." Ms. Tsui-O Huang, former vice dean of the Foreign Language College at Fu Jen Catholic University, exclaimed after hearing Dr. Chang's speech, "Oh my! Professor Chih-Yung Chang, who doesn't speak a single Japanese word, can teach professional artificial intelligence using Japanese!" She lamented that Japanese language teachers no longer have any value. The second session, "Collaborative Innovation in Language Teaching Enhanced by ChatGPT Human-Machine Cooperation," was delivered by Director Chih-Hung Chung of the Center for Distance Education Development. He instructed on the specific techniques for using ChatGPT effectively and maximizing its performance. In the third session, Associate Professor Toshiyuki Kanamaru from Kyoto University pointed out that integrating language education and AI is a step-by-step process that can create compounded benefits for cross-domain innovative Japanese language learning. In the afternoon, 14 papers were presented by scholars from both domestic and international backgrounds. Among them, Dr. Tseng's presentation on "The Learning Effectiveness of ChatGPT and Metaverse Applied in Japanese Writing Classroom" received enthusiastic applause from the audience. She stated that students were initially afraid of ChatGPT and the Metaverse. Still, experimental results proved that students could unlock their potential, achieve personal growth, and enhance their competitiveness in the job market through effort. "Not only does it improve students' Japanese writing abilities, but it also cultivates students' literacy in AI, DX, and human-machine collaboration," Dr. Tseng added.
Professor Chia-Chi Sun from the Department of International Business and 15 other teachers from the College of Business and Management and College of International Affairs participated in the English-Medium Instruction (EMI) training program jointly promoted by the Center for English as a Medium of Instruction at Tamkang University and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Among them, 11 completed 18 hours of online training and will receive certificates jointly issued by Tamkang University and AIT. EMI and AIT proposed this project jointly for the first time to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (ECA), and it successfully passed the review. Dr. Hsiao-Chuan Chen, Vice President for International Affairs and Director of the EMI Center, stated that the EMI Center effectively utilized the resources of the "U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative" to obtain free English teaching training courses provided by the U.S. Department of State which greatly benefited the English teaching staff of Tamkang University. In the future, the EMI Center will continue cooperating closely with AIT to seek more English teaching training courses for Tamkang University. Dr. Cheng-Hao Pao, Dean of the College of International Affairs and Executive Secretary of the EMI Center, stated that bilingual teaching promotion is a project plan and a specific direction for developing Tamkang University's affairs. In the future, the center will gradually transition into a unit promoting bilingual teaching throughout the university and will strive to obtain more external resources to promote related initiatives. Dr. Kai-Su Wu, Chief of the EMI Teaching and Learning Section at the Center, explained that the training course was conducted online in April. Doctoral-level instructors provided clear and in-depth explanations of EMI teaching theory, allowing teachers to directly engage in teaching practice on the platform and share their teaching experiences and improvement methods. Having just participated in the "2024 Fulbright EMI Overseas Professional Teacher Training Program" and trained in the United States during the winter vacation, Dr. Sun expressed that this training has many similarities with the "Fulbright Program," including the implementation of EMI courses and assisting students in achieving collaborative learning strategies, both of which are thoroughly explored in these two programs. Over the six-day program, the teaching instructors detailed the challenges faced by EMI courses and EMI teaching strategies. They provided specific and compelling teaching techniques for responding to student questions and helping students engage in the classroom during EMI courses. These are highly practical for future teaching applications in EMI courses. The program also emphasized that future teaching strategies should be student-centered and suggested that course content could be paired with real-world case studies, which not only elicit more responses from students but also help them learn autonomously. Dr. Shu-Chuan Chen, Chair of the Department of International Tourism Management, praised instructor Dr. Balderston's professionalism and teaching skills. Despite being an online course, the precise structure of the teaching materials and the teaching objectives are no less vivid and rich than those of face-to-face teaching: "From the dozens of pages of notes I've taken and the many course design inspirations sparked, it's evident that this is a highly successful teaching and learning event."
2024-04-15
The Department of Management Sciences, in collaboration with the Aerospace Engineering Department, recently signed a cooperation agreement with Transcend Satellite Technology, an Indian company specializing in low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology. This collaboration marks the department as the first to cultivate students for careers in the LEO satellite/space industry. Under the guidance of the department chair, Dr. I-Fei Chen, the "Business Management Seminar" course offers a series of ESG sustainable development awareness and foundational courses. Students who pass the assessment will receive relevant certifications from TÜV Nord Taiwan, making them the first batch of undergraduate students in Taiwan to obtain international certifications. Additionally, the Department of Management Science will host the first international conference on achieving carbon neutrality certification on May 25. Dr. Chen stated that the project they participate in, hosted by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), aims to initiate space technology cooperation between Taiwan and India and promote the development of the aerospace and LEO satellite industries. This endeavor enhances the value of AI intelligence and data science in decision-making. Furthermore, it offers opportunities for students in the humanities to engage in space exploration and pursue high-tech aerospace industry careers. The Aerospace Engineering Department provides technical support, while the Department of Management Sciences contributes expertise in management and big data, cultivating talents with the technical and managerial capabilities required for space exploration. They assist the space industry in project management and strategy formulation. This interdisciplinary collaboration expands students' options and career prospects. The project will collaborate with the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) to organize a series of interdisciplinary seminars and workshops in the future. This semester, 250 students enrolled in the Business Management Seminar course. An advanced course is scheduled to be offered on June 21 at the end of the semester. Upon passing the test, it is expected that 50 international certifications will be issued, allowing students to obtain internationally recognized qualifications upon graduation. Dr. Chen mentioned that in line with Tamkang University's vision of “AI+SDGs=∞,” the Management Sciences Department hopes to differentiate itself from other departments by cultivating "management scientists." She said that if students respond well to the course, similar courses may be offered again in the next semester or during the winter and summer breaks. Through the New Southbound Policy promotion plan, the Management Sciences Department will hold an international conference at the Fullon Hotel in Tamsui on May 25. It will implement voluntary carbon neutrality certification for the first time, becoming the first international conference in Taiwan to truly achieve carbon neutrality. The conference invites scholars from New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Taiwan to participate. The Management Sciences Department, Fullon Hotel in Tamsui, and Wisdom Gathering Consulting Company will collaborate through voluntary carbon inventory checks and net-zero actions, such as examining the facilities used by the hotel, including water, electricity, shower gel, and meal preparation, calculating the total carbon emissions for the day, and then purchasing carbon credits to achieve carbon neutrality standards, to make the hotel the first demonstration site.
The Chemistry Department hosted the 2024 Chemistry National Meeting from March 29 to 31, the largest annual gathering in the Taiwanese chemistry community. To align with Tamkang University's development goals, the theme of this conference was set as "ESG+AI=∞." The organizing committee arranged 4 plenary lectures and 48 thematic sessions featuring 208 speakers from both domestic and international institutions, presenting 824 poster papers, and over 100 students participated in the research paper competition. In addition to academic research in chemistry, the topics covered interdisciplinary issues such as industry-academia collaboration, popular science, education, and patents. During the lunch break, the member meeting of the Chemical Society Located in Taipei (CSLT) was held to discuss the future development direction of the Taiwanese chemistry community. The 2024 Chemistry National Meeting had nearly 2000 attendees, including faculty, students from related departments, and industry professionals. Besides the opening ceremony and plenary lectures held in the Chang Yeo Lan International Conference Hall at Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center, the event also occurred in the gymnasium, the Chinese palace-style Classrooms, and the Student Activity Center. Due to a large amount of paper used for poster presentations, Mr. Kirk Huang, an alumnus of the Chemistry Department and Chairman of Chung-Hwa Pulp, Taiwan, proactively offered to provide environmentally friendly recycled paper and green printing technology from his company. Additionally, his company entirely sponsored the production of the conference handbook, making the theme of ESG of the conference more meaningful. During his speech at the opening ceremony, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hui-Huang Hsu, expressed his delight in hosting the 2024 Chemistry National Meeting at Tamkang University. He also welcomed the collaboration with numerous professionals in the chemistry field and emphasized the “Triple Objectives of Education” of Globalization, Information-Oriented Education, and Future-Oriented Education proposed by Tamkang University's founder, Dr. Clement C.P. Chang, hoping to create infinite possibilities. President of CSLT, Dr. Yu-Ju Chen, pointed out the importance of systematic thinking in teaching and learning. She encouraged everyone to use chemistry-related materials such as the periodic table of elements and hoped for the participation of more female scholars in knowledge research and exchange within the chemistry field. Chair of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Chih-Hsin Chen, explained that this year's conference aims to enhance international exchange, with special arrangements for Taiwan-Japan and Taiwan-South Korea exchange programs. The event has attracted chemistry professionals from around the world. Distinguished speakers include Professor Hiroaki Sugawara from the University of Tokyo and President of the Chemical Society of Japan, Professor Xiaodong Chen, Academician of the Singapore Academy of Sciences and Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Professor Chun-Guey Wu, Dean of the College of Science at National Central University, and Professor in the Chemistry Department, and Kirk Huang, Chairman of the Chung Hwa Pulp, Taiwan and Paper Association and Chief Sustainability Officer at Yuen Foong Yu Group. The book and equipment exhibition has attracted participation from over 54 companies, while the poster exhibition is held on the 7th floor of the Shao-Mo Memorial Gymnasium, providing a spacious venue for lively exchanges among participating schools. In addition, the meeting featured a special meeting for female scientists, a national department chairpersons meeting, a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) technology application and recruitment seminar, and the Chemistry On The Go popularization exhibition hosted by Tamkang University. The meeting themes align with Tamkang University's advocacy for sustainable development. We had the honor of inviting Dr. Ying-Ying Lai, Director-General of the Resource Circulation Administration, Ministry of Environment, to speak on "Net Zero Carbon Emissions and Plastic Circular Economy." Joining her were Dr. Yong-Chien Ling, Inspection Director of the Consumers' Foundation, Chinese Taipei, Dr. Tzong-Ming Lee, Vice President and General Director of Material and Chemical Research Laboratories at Industrial Technology Research Institute, and Ben-Chuan Liao, Chairman of the Taiwan Plastics Industry Association. Dr. Chen and several other professors from the Chemistry Department led student teams in providing attentive assistance and ensuring the smooth running of all activities. Attendees praised the overall organization of the event, and the Chemistry Department is deeply grateful to the university for providing excellent resources and an environment conducive to the successful completion of this year's Chemistry National Meeting.
On April 9, a sister school of Tamkang University, San Francisco State University (SFSU) Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Amy Sueyoshi, along with Dr. Alex Hwu, Dean of the College of Professional and Global Education, and Mr. Alexander Chang, Director of International Recruitment, visited our campus. The Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs received them. In addition to visiting the Gallery of Tamkang History & The Founder Dr. Clement C.P. Chang’s Memorial Hall, they also exchanged ideas on student exchange programs and discussed cooperation opportunities. Dr. Sueyoshi was invited to give a master lecture for the Department of International Business at 2:00 PM on the same day, with the topic “Opportunities and Challenges for LGBTQ+ Leaders in the Workplace”. The symposium was chaired by the Dean of International Affairs, Dr. Chien-Mu Yeh, with participation from the Dean of the College of Business and Management, Dr. Li-Ren Yang, Dean of the College of International Affairs, Dr. Cheng-Hao Pao, Dr. Alex Hwu, and Mr. Chang. Dr. Hwu expressed that Tamkang University has always been a valued partner for their institution. They hope to enhance student short-term exchanges and improve exchange programs to meet students' needs better while continuing the excellent cooperation between the two schools. Dr. Yeh emphasized the close ties between the 4 departments of Tamkang University's former Lanyang campus and the Department of International Business with SFSU. He also mentioned the ongoing promotion of high-quality sister schools recommended by faculty members to students. Mr. Chang raised observations and suggestions from the current junior year abroad program between the 2 schools and the PreMBA program collaboration with the College of Business and Management. He proposed considering a model similar to the International Tourism Management Department's junior year abroad program, where students study on-campus in the first semester and intern off-campus in the second semester. He hoped to discuss and explore opportunities for junior and senior exchange students from the department to intern in San Francisco, thereby increasing students' willingness to participate in exchanges with SFSU.
Following Tamkang University's receipt of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA)' Energy Benchmarking Award in 2022, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has recognized our significant achievements in energy management. Acknowledging our active participation in energy policy discussions and other related matters since March of 2024, MOE has entrusted Tamkang University with the task of leading the "2024 Subsidy Program for Improvement of Energy Saving Measures in Colleges and Universities." Our role involves assisting colleges and universities nationwide in enhancing existing energy-saving measures and establishing energy management systems. This includes the implementation of smart meters and energy management systems as primary measures, supplemented by energy-saving improvement initiatives. These efforts aim to strengthen the implementation of energy-saving measures across campuses. As of April 3, over 60 colleges and universities have submitted applications for participation. This project aims to encourage colleges and universities to purchase smart meters and establish Energy Management Systems (EMS). In addition to replacing manual meter readings and understanding electricity usage patterns on campus, an EMS can systematize, informatize, and institutionalize energy management. This helps schools establish comprehensive energy management systems and improve overall energy-saving effectiveness, reducing the burden of electricity expenses. Our school's main tasks include establishing operation and support mechanisms, providing consultation and assistance for energy management system promotion, and conducting effectiveness evaluations. Tamkang University assists MOE in establishing administrative and operational mechanisms and support models for school proposal applications, providing consultation and guidance for applying and subsidized schools, and compiling effectiveness evaluations of schools that have implemented EMS-related equipment after receiving subsidies. The Dean of General Affairs, Dr. Ruey-Shiang Shaw, explained that following the announcement of “Taiwan's Pathway to Net Zero Emissions in 2050” in 2022, various government agencies have been actively planning and implementing carbon reduction initiatives. In response to the trends of carbon reduction and rising electricity prices, MOE hopes to assist colleges and universities in implementing energy-saving measures to reduce carbon emissions and save costs. In 2006, Tamkang University began building an EMS with the support of then-President Flora Chia-I Chang. Through continuous expansion and optimization, and in line with our school's vision of "AI+SDGs=∞," AI prediction and other features have been added since 2021. Up to now, the functions of "demand forecasting" and "power-saving control" have been fully utilized: From 2016 to 2023, electricity consumption at the Tamsui campus decreased by 14.35%, surpassing the 10% target set by the Executive Yuan's "Government Agency and School Electricity Efficiency Management Plan." Furthermore, our achievements have been recognized with the Energy Benchmarking Award from MOEA in 2022 and the National Sustainable Development Award in the Education category from the National Council for Sustainable Development of the Executive Yuan in 2023. At the same time, Tamkang University has obtained qualification as an industrial low-carbonization counseling unit. "With these recognitions, we believe we can assist applying schools in taking the first step towards energy conservation and carbon reduction and achieving outstanding results."
On April 10, a group of 25 faculty and students from UPH College led by Executive Director and Principal Mrs. Wiginy Kusliawan visited Tamkang University. The Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs received them. Apart from campus tours and introductions to Tamkang University, both sides further solidified their strategic alliance, aiming to promote talent cultivation and diverse exchanges actively. The campus tour was arranged by the Office of International Affairs arranged and led by UPH College alums currently enrolled at Tamkang University. They guided the visitors in familiarizing themselves with the campus environment and briefly explained the teaching facilities. During the tour, students enthusiastically took out their phones to capture the beautiful campus scenery. They particularly enjoyed visiting the sports center, where they lingered and took group photos. The campus introduction occurred in the HC307 Hall of the Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center, moderated by the Dean of International Affairs, Dr. Chien-Mu Yeh. It mainly covered information about Tamkang University and admission procedures. The session included lively Q&A interactions with students, accompanied by giveaways of Taiwanese snacks and unique souvenirs from Tamkang University. Additionally, there were sessions where alums shared their experiences studying at Tamkang and engaged in discussions, providing the visitors with a deeper understanding and insight into studying at Tamkang. The signing ceremony took place in room HC306, with the presence of Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Hsiao-Chuan Chen, Dean of the Colleges of Engineering, Artificial Innovative Intelligence, and Precision Healthcare, Dr. Tzung-Hang Lee, Dean of the College of International Affairs, Dr. Cheng-Hao Pao, Vice Principal of UPH College, Mr. Dody Kurniawan, along with faculty and students. The representatives of both universities signed the strategic alliance. President Keh expressed his hope that both parties could grow together through diverse exchanges. He encouraged students interested in international learning to enroll in Tamkang University. Mrs. Wiginy Kusliawan, who had previously studied at a university in Taiwan, acknowledged Tamkang University's academic performance and care for students. She emphasized the importance of learning Chinese and encouraged students to seize the opportunity to study at Tamkang University. She also hoped that Tamkang University could assist in promoting Chinese language education and facilitate more interaction and exchanges.
2024-04-08
On March 15, Dr. Chiu-Kuei Tseng, Director of the Center for Murakamiharuki Studies in Tamkang University (CMSTKU), was invited for the second time to speak at the Haruki Murakami Library at Waseda University in Japan. During the visit, she met with Haruki Murakami and informed him about the upcoming academic events related to Murakami at both the Haruki Murakami Library at Waseda University and in Kyoto. Dr. Tseng expressed that Haruki Murakami is always updated about the activities of CMSTKU, and he is delighted with the active research and promotion of his literary works in Taiwan. Dr. Tseng informed Murakami about the recent collaborations between Tamkang University and Waseda University, including the "13th International Academic Conference on Haruki Murakami, 2024" co-hosted with Murakami's alma mater, Waseda University, at the Haruki Murakami Library on July 13 to 14, 2024, and the preparations for the "14th Haruki Murakami Conference, 2025" to be held in Kyoto, Murakami's birthplace, in 2025. Dr. Tseng's lecture topic was "Literary Creation of Two National Writers, Yasunari Kawabata and Haruki Murakami: “A Comparative Analysis of the Theme of Time and Space in the Works ‘Immortality’ from Palm of the Hand Stories, and the City and Its Uncertain Wall,” dissecting how Murakami's new work compare with those of Kawabata. This attracted many renowned scholars to come and listen, engaging in in-depth exchanges. Particularly, she received high praise for her insightful new perspective from Tetsuya Terashima, the chief editor of Shinchosha which has obtained the right to publish Murakami’s latest work. Terashima commended Tseng's keen insight, noting that it shed light on aspects of Murakami's works that he, as someone who has read every one of Murakami's works, had not previously noticed. Dr. Tseng utilized her sabbatical leave to serve as a visiting scholar at Kyoto University in Japan from mid-January to mid-March, engaging in academic exchanges. During this period, she was invited as a distinguished guest to attend the Haruki Murakami Reading Session hosted by Waseda University's Haruki Murakami Library on March 1, where she had the opportunity to listen to Murakami himself reading unpublished short stories up close. She also took this opportunity to visit Haruki Murakami, exchanging gifts and enjoying fruitful discussions.
One of the donors of the Formosa Scholarship for the Spanish Department and a Spanish friend of Tamkang University, Mr. Guillermo Petri, accompanied by his wife and child, visited President Huan-Chao Keh on March 25. They were accompanied by Dr. Wan-Bau Wu, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures; Dr. Ai-Ling Liou, Chair of the Spanish Department; Chun-Young Perng, Executive Director of the Office of Alumni Services and Resources Development, and Alumnus Yi-Liang Li. During the meeting, the president presented a trophy to Guillermo Petri to express gratitude for his continuous scholarship donations benefiting students of the Spanish Department. The Formosa Scholarship is jointly donated by Guillermo, Rong-Bin Wu, Chairman of QST International Corp. and an alumnus of the Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, and Yiliang Li, Director of Kingsyear Co., Ltd. and an alumnus of the Spanish Department. The 3 donors met through business cooperation and decided in 2015 to jointly donate 10,000 euros each year to support various scholarships for students in the Spanish Department and departmental development. They have continued to increase their contributions over time, with their cumulative donation exceeding one million euros. Guillermo expressed that he is deeply impressed by Tamkang University, not only because of his business partnership with Wu and Li but also due to the profound emotional connection he has built through multiple visits and exchanges in Taiwan. He shared that he and his family have a special bond with Taiwan, and he has also met the Chair of the Spanish Department, Dr. Liou, and Associate Professor Hui-Ing Lin in Spain. He hopes the emotional connection with Tamkang University will be as solid as a rock, enduring and everlasting. Dr. Liou mentioned that as early as 2002, Guillermo and Wu established scholarships at the sister school of Tamkang University, the University of Navarra in Spain, specifically for students from Tamkang University to apply for when participating in the exchange program at that school. Later, when the partner school of the Junior Abroad Program of Tamkang University changed, they decided to donate the scholarships to the Spanish Department of Tamkang University instead. On that day, Guillermo's wife, children, and grandchildren were led by Dr. Liou to visit the FL Building where the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures is located. Dr. Liou introduced them to the 3 cultural classrooms of the Spanish Department. The vibrant red and yellow colors inside the classrooms, along with the architectural murals on the walls, symbolize the lively atmosphere of the Spanish Department and its connection to Spain. The guests were treated to hand-brewed coffee and floral tea by students, enjoying the taste of "San Xiang Coffee" (三香咖啡). Guillermo praised the campus repeatedly and expressed his desire to maintain close ties with Tamkang University, continuing to provide the Formosa Scholarship to aspiring students.
2024-03-29
On the morning of March 29, the Office of Quality Assurance Audit held the “2023 Academic Year Total Quality Management Seminar” at the Chang Yeo Lan International Conference Hall, Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center. The theme was “Exploring a New Chapter in Total Quality Management: Leadership Wisdom and Green Practices” (「領航全面品質管理的新篇章：領導智慧與綠色實踐」). President Huan-Chao Keh, Chairperson Flora Chia-I Chang, 3 vice presidents, first- and second-level supervisors, faculty members, and staff for over 350 people attended. “Tamkang's Futurology is Sustainability,” Chairperson Chang stated in her address. This year marks the 31st year of promoting Total Quality Management (TQM), requiring a reevaluation of TQM's impact on Tamkang. Following this, speakers introduced perspectives on “leadership” and “sustainability,” hoping to convey to colleagues how to integrate servant leadership principles with the direction of a sustainable future. They particularly emphasized the top 10 service principles, with “serving others as the highest priority,” to promote Tamkang's future. President Keh affirmed the school's effective promotion of TQM over the past 31 years, using it as the cornerstone of academic governance, employing digital transformation and sustainable development strategies. This aligns with the goal of “AI+SDGs=∞,” staying abreast of the times, promoting the “Three Objectives of Education,” establishing a cloud-based intelligent sustainable university, and jointly creating a smart future for Greater Tamsui, moving towards “TQM2.0.” The first keynote speech was conducted by Dr. Shih Ling Lin, President of Providence University, on the topic of "Building a Sustainable Campus through Servant Leadership Rooted in Love and Justice." Dr. Lin elaborated on the concept of "servant leadership," which stems from love, prioritizing the needs and interests of others above one's own. This approach not only enhances individual effectiveness but also contributes to societal sustainability. Dr. Lin drew examples from Western figures like Albert Schweitzer, Martin Luther, Tagore, and Eastern philosophers like Laozi, all exemplifying a focus on serving others. "Accurate and courageous self-awareness is the first step to taking correct action!" Dr. Lin believes that as servant leaders and educators of Generation Z, it is crucial to consider how to adapt educational strategies to meet their learning motivations. This involves enhancing their narrative expression, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence. In terms of work values, adjustments in job assignments should align with individual characteristics and strengths, allowing individuals to realize their value and unleash their talents fully. The second keynote speech featured Mr. Daniel Chu, Chairman of Unity Sustainability Services Co., Ltd., discussing "Green TQM and Sustainable Governance." He emphasized the core of sustainable development, which lies in meeting the needs of contemporary and intergenerational well-being, highlighting the coordinated development of environmental, social, and economic elements. Corporate boards should formulate policies and guidelines for sustainable development, promote sustainable development goals, and fully consider the interests of stakeholders. Listed companies should also establish governance frameworks and development roadmaps. Lastly, Mr. Chu mentioned the concept of ESG, emphasizing the focus on core business strategies, the establishment of sustainable values among employees, and their integration into the daily operations of the enterprise, embodying the essence and goals of sustainable TQM. The panel discussion was moderated by President Keh. Associate Professor Wen-Chien Huang from the Chinese Department and Professor XingChen C.C. Lin from the History Department, respectively, raised questions about "How Participatory Learning Can Effectively Improve Student Learning Conditions" and "How Providence University Implements Servant Leadership in Administrative Management." President Shih Ling Lin responded to both of them. In the closing ceremony, President Keh mentioned that whether teachers, supervisors, or administrative staff, everyone can practice "servant leadership." Today's concepts of "servant leadership" and "resilient governance digital transformation" for sustainable green practices have taught us valuable lessons. As service providers, prioritizing the needs and interests of others is essential. Regardless of their role, all teachers are suitable to attend and learn from these discussions. Chairperson Chang highly praised the seminar, emphasizing that in recent years, Tamkang University has prioritized promoting sustainability. The integration of sustainability with TQM and ESG will be an important topic in the future. Particularly, department chairs play a crucial role in admissions and must consider how to implement the top 10 service principles to meet future challenges. Integrating sustainability issues with the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle of TQM is also an important direction for consideration. It is hoped that colleagues will continue to promote TQM and assist Tamkang University in progressing towards its goal of a sustainable campus. During the seminar, awards were presented for the "13th Quality Control Circle Competition" of the 2023 academic year. The first place was awarded to the General Affairs Office's "Always in Service Circle" (總是在服務圈), the second place to the Library's "Peerless Circle" (蓋世無雙圈), and the third place to the Student Affairs Office's "Team Circle" (同舟圈). President Keh personally presented the citations and prize money to encourage the winners. He also reminded everyone to ensure that the topics of digital transformation and sustainable development are integrated into the 8 major dimensions when organizing the Tamkang Quality Award event next year. He believes that everyone can keep pace with the times and surpass themselves.
2024-03-25
The largest annual marathon event in Taiwan, the Wan Jin Shi Marathon, kicked off on March 17, with over ten thousand participants. A total of 256 faculty, staff, students, and the elderly from Tamkang University participated in the service, with 204 students among them. Over the years, Tamkang University has consistently contributed the highest number of student volunteers among all colleges and universities. The enthusiastic spirit and dedication to service have earned high praise from both the organizers and the participants. Volunteers are essential drivers behind the success of the event, and Associate Professor Kuei-Shu Huang, the head of the Physical Education Instruction and Activities Section, has been leading volunteers to assist the Wan Jin Shi Marathon for the past decade. Starting with just 18 volunteers providing multilingual services in 2015, the number increased to 50 in 2016 and skyrocketed to 200 in 2017. With the increasing number of volunteers, the responsibilities and pressures also grew. To ensure smooth operations and help students adapt quickly, Huang familiarized himself with various aspects of the event such as service, timing, finish line supplies, and traffic safety. He adopted a mobile management approach, provided guidance on important matters, and offered encouragement. His accumulated experience makes him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in marathon service. On the day of the event, at 2:00 a.m., the volunteers gathered in front of the Shao-Mo Memorial Natatorium Complex. They were transported to the venue by a volunteer shuttle bus and immediately began preparations upon arrival according to their assigned groups. As dawn broke, participants started to check in, and everyone worked diligently at their respective posts, providing necessary services to the participants. They remained on duty until 4:00 p.m. before returning to the school. Unlike others who traveled by tour bus, Huang always drove himself back and forth to prevent any unexpected situations. Despite the hardships, whenever he saw positive feedback from the students, his tired body and mind seemed to be filled with renewed energy. Especially since 2021, leading the elderly to serve as volunteers together has sparked enthusiasm among the seniors, inspiring students to become more involved. Through their active participation and service, students have interacted with participants and spectators during the event, facilitating their growth and understanding of the true meaning of volunteering, and allowing them to enjoy the happiness of giving back. Huang stated: “The continued motivation to lead volunteer service is to foster a willingness in students to continue serving and to have a positive impact on overall social participation.” Ni-Zhen Xie, a student volunteer and senior from the Department of Public Administration, expressed that she lives near the venue of the Wan Jin Shi Marathon. She often heard friends share their experiences as volunteers. Last year, after taking the course "Spirit of Sports Volunteering and Service," she volunteered for the first time. This year, she joined again, working in the Results and Information team to process chip returns. Even when runners arrived at the finish line exhausted and could barely walk, they still showed great enthusiasm in expressing their gratitude. "Receiving feedback from the runners warms my heart. Seeing smiles on the faces of those we serve is what impresses me the most. In addition, the organizers provide supplies to the runners, and we need to think about how to reduce carbon footprint and achieve the goal of green sustainability. This has prompted me to start thinking about my daily lifestyle and how I can contribute, hoping to protect the environment through my own small efforts." "Work hard for a moment, cherish memories for a lifetime." Ms. Su-Fen Kao from the General Services Support Section shared that since 2018, she has been serving as a volunteer for this international event. Not only has it broadened her horizons, but she also enjoys the pleasure of serving. Whether it's cheering for the runners on the field, receiving positive responses, or feeling the excitement of the finishers, she feels happy herself. "I will definitely volunteer again next time."
Tamkang University's USR project “Digitally Discovering the Charm of the North Tamsui: An Integrated Land and Sea Travel Experience” (淡北風情e線牽-海陸旅遊全體驗) collaborated with the Tamsui Presbyterian Church. On the evening of March 21, the “Mackay Banquet” was held at the Golden Tulip Fab Hotel. Academic Vice President Hui-Huang Hsu, Vice President for International Affairs Hsiao-Chuan Chen, and Chief Advisor of Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters Lawrence Lin were among the attendees. The event coincided with Reverend Mackay's 181st birthday, further highlighting his outstanding contributions to Taiwan and the fond memories of all. The “Mackay Banquet” is the second Tamsui-themed banquet, following the previous “Sino-French War Huwei Banquet” which received enthusiastic responses and was nominated for the 2024 GVM University Social Responsibility Award. It follows the “Homeland of the Gods: Taoyuan Banquet” and the “Baozhong Yimin Banquet”, aiming to provide attendees not only with delicious cuisine but also an understanding of the local history and culture, allowing them to experience the spirit of Mackay. During his speech, Dr. Hui-Huang Hsu pointed out that in recent years, the Ministry of Education has vigorously promoted USR projects. Tamkang University has had all 5 projects in the third phase approved, with the core spirit being teachers leading students to collaborate with local communities to solve local issues with expertise. "The Mackay Banquet integrates history into tourism and combines it with cuisine to create distinctive highlights for the Tamsui area, allowing people to understand local history while enjoying their meals." Vicky Chi, General Manager of the Golden Tulip Fab Hotel, expressed her honor in collaborating with Tamkang University to deepen the local tourism experience. The preparation process involved a lot of brainstorming and culinary experimentation to present the perfect results. "We hope that while enjoying the dishes, people can also gain a deeper understanding and impression of Dr. Mackay's historical contributions and influence in Tamsui." The Mackay Banquet is a collaboration between History Professor Chi-Lin Lee and local restaurants, developing a menu that combines Tamsui's history, inspired by the missionary journey of Reverend Mackay to Taiwan. It features 10 creative and intriguing dishes, including “Stars Surrounding the Moon” (眾星拱月), “Tooth Extraction” (拔牙術), “Oxford Book” (牛津書冊), “Proud and Satisfied” (洋洋得意), “Hundred Treasures Jar for Health” (養生百寶甕), “Tama patudan,” (塔瑪巴突丹, “Father teacher” in Kavalan) “Brick Wall Array” (磚墻林立), “Huwei Colorful Assortment” (滬尾七彩什錦), “Family Reunion” (一家團圓), and “Five Pancakes and Two Fishes” (五餅二魚). Among them, the “Tooth Extraction” uses scallops resembling white teeth paired with tofu resembling a dental bed, inviting guests to experience Mackay's contribution to tooth extraction in Taiwan. “Tama patudan,” tells the story of Mackay's missionary work among various indigenous tribes in Taiwan through the combination of 6 different Eastern and Western ingredients, depicting the deep friendship he built with the indigenous people. “Family Reunion” portrays the touching familial bonds as Mackay's descendants, renowned scholars worldwide, ultimately return to Tamsui, symbolizing peace and harmony. Each dish vividly presents Mackay's life and captivates the guests' taste buds. In addition to introducing the dishes, Dr. Lee arranged for students to perform a scene depicting Mackay's tooth extraction services for the residents, further leaving a lasting impression on the guests. Dr. Yen-Ling Lin, the Chief Audit Executive of Tamkang University, was deeply impressed by the dish “Five Pancakes and Two Fishes,” finding it unexpectedly paired and surprisingly delicious; the story and symbolism behind “Family Reunion” were touching—despite descendants being scattered around the world, they ultimately chose to return to Tamsui, evoking novelty, surprise, and emotion. News reporter Chin-Yin Huang from SET TV was also impressed by “Family Reunion,” not only by its impressive appearance but also by its delightful taste; the sweetness of the white gourd complements the chicken perfectly. The dish “Tama patudan,” offered rich layers of flavors, refreshing with the addition of lettuce. "Overall, the Mackay Banquet is full of creativity, using visually appealing dishes to effortlessly immerse people in the story of Mackay's journey in Taiwan, making it highly enjoyable.
On March 21, the Office of Information Services hosted the "2024 Administrative Unit Digital Transformation and Net Zero Transition Exhibition" at the Student Activity Center. The theme was "AI+SDGs=∞." A total of 63 first and second-level administrative units from Tamkang University showcased 72 projects utilizing various digital functions of Microsoft 3AP (Microsoft 365, Azure, Power Platform) to promote business transformation results. Approximately 340 faculty and staff members participated in on-site observation and learning, as well as engaging in a popularity vote. The Secretariat, Academic Affairs Office, Human Resources Office, Admission Strategy Center, and Management Planning Section (in order of the organization order of our university) were awarded the Popularity Prize based on the vote results. President Huan-Chao Keh opened the event with a speech, expressing that through the exhibition, one can see the efforts of our university in the past, present, and future, gradually transitioning from AI to net zero, allowing intelligence to promote sustainability. This transition enables cost savings, time savings, manpower savings, paper savings, etc., ultimately enhancing the satisfaction of faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Kuei-Ping Shih, CIO of Tamkang University, also delivered remarks during the opening, welcoming all units to exchange ideas on digital transformation and SDGs practices. President Keh, along with the 3 vice presidents, Dr. Hui-Huang Hsu, Dr. Chun-Hung Lin, and Dr. Hsiao-Chuan Chen, as well as Dr. Kuei-Ping Shih and Dr. Yen-Ling Lin, the Chief Audit Executive, conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony. They also invited Vice President Wei-Shin Huang from Tatung University, Dean of Academic Affairs Sheng-Wen Wang from Taipei University of Marine Technology, Chao-Yi Chiang from the Center for Teaching and Learning Development, Shih Chien University, and supervisors from Tamkang University to take a commemorative photo together. During the exhibition, each administrative unit showcased its strengths. Faculty and staff visited various booths, engaging in discussions, explanations, and campaigning, creating a lively atmosphere. President Keh toured each booth, continuously nodding in recognition of each unit's achievements. The representatives of each unit actively presented their work and invited President Keh to take photos together. President Keh also cast his vote for units such as the Tamkang Times. Some of the exhibits showcased innovative ideas. For example, the International and Cross-Strait Exchange Section of the Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs titled their exhibit "The Day I Fell in Love with TKU Copilot," demonstrating TKU Copilot's ability to simplify thinking and information collection. The Administrative Office of Lanyang Campus presented "Optimizing Accommodation Process at Tamlan Hall," sharing an automated room booking process to enhance efficiency. Several colleagues tried it out and were satisfied, proceeding to book directly. The Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Section at the Center for Sustainable Development and Social Innovation reported greenhouse gas inventory data, reducing workload. The Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center showcased digital net-zero achievements with "Art Transforms into a New Realm." The Office of Information Services had 7 booths, while the Continuing Education Center had 6, introducing simplified operations in various centers such as certification, Chinese, Japanese, promotion, and continuing education, respectively.
Our alumnus from the Department of Mass Communication, director Chien-Hung Lien, won the "Most Promising Talent Award" and the "ABC TV Award (Festival Sponsor Award)" at the Osaka Asian Film Festival on March 11 for his film "Salli." This award has garnered recognition and attention for Taiwanese films and creators at the international film festival in Japan. "The Most Promising Talent Award" is awarded by the jury to the most talented and promising Asian filmmakers among the films in competition. The "ABC TV Award" is presented by Japan's Asahi Television to the most entertaining film, which will be broadcast on television to introduce Taiwanese film and television works to a broader audience in Japan. The film "Salli," previously nominated for the Excellent Film Script at the 42nd Golden Harvest Awards under the title "Salli Isn't Salli Anymore" (《莎莉都不莎莉了》), tells the story of a spinster living in the mountains of Taichung. She spends her days feeding chickens and picking corn, leading a simple and contented life. Constantly pressured by her relatives to marry, her family downloads a dating app for her and names her profile "Salli." She successfully matches with Martin, who lives in Paris, France. However, amidst suspicions of romance scams spreading everywhere, Salli decides to buy a plane ticket and embark on a journey to Paris in pursuit of love. Director Chien-Hung Lien spent 4 years preparing for this film, which revolves around online dating. Apart from being screened at last year's Golden Horse Film Festival, it was also selected for the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. "Salli" is set to officially premiere in Taiwan on April 3. The Mass Communication Alumni Association of Tamkang University has reserved a whole cinema on April 6 in Taipei to support the alumnus.
