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.

SDGs #SDG03 Good Health and Well-Being #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure #SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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