Tamkang University held its 2026 Commencement Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on June 6 on the 7th floor of the Shao-mo Memorial Gymnasium. More than 3,300 graduates, faculty members, parents, and distinguished guests from various colleges, departments, and graduate institutes gathered to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony opened with dynamic performances by the Competitive Cheerleading Team and the Dance Club. This year’s theme, “AI+SDGs=∞, ESG+AI=∞, A Favorite Among Employers,” symbolized the Tamkang spirit of harnessing intelligence and sustainability to create limitless opportunities for the future.

The ceremony was presided over by President Huan-Chao Keh. Remarks were delivered by Chairperson Flora Chia-I Chang, Golden Eagle alumnus of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Chairman of Innodisk Corporation, Chuan-Sheng Chien, and President of the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters, Tzu-Hua Chuang. Distinguished guests included Chin-Tsai Chen, President of the Tamkang University Worldwide Alumni Association; Chih-Jen Su, President of the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments; and international guests from Paraguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and other countries.

In his address, President Keh noted that Tamkang University has long maintained close ties with industry and has consistently stayed ahead of emerging trends. The University actively cultivates students’ interdisciplinary competencies in artificial intelligence and sustainability, preparing them to become AI-enabled green-collar professionals highly sought after in the future workforce. He highlighted that Tamkang has been ranked the No. 1 private university most favored by employers in Taiwan by CommonWealth Magazine Group for 29 consecutive years. Encouraging graduates to embrace the spirit of “AI+SDGs=∞” and “ESG+AI=∞,” he urged them to develop three essential future-oriented capabilities: solid professional expertise, interdisciplinary versatility, and diverse soft skills. Quoting NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, “You will not lose your job to AI, but you may lose your competitiveness to someone who knows how to use AI better than you do,” President Keh emphasized that storytelling, creativity, and judgment are becoming even more valuable in the AI era. He concluded by wishing all graduates success and prosperity in their future endeavors.

Chairperson Chang emphasized the University’s long-standing commitment to its Triple Objectives of Globalization, Information-oriented Education, and Future-oriented Education, while promoting balanced growth in the five Educational Disciplines of Conduct, Intelligence, Physical Education, Teamwork, and Beauty and fostering eight essential qualities. She noted that while AI is important, expertise in one’s professional field remains the foundation for success in society. As the only university in Taiwan that requires participation in student clubs as part of its curriculum, Tamkang provides students with valuable extracurricular experiences and skills that become distinctive competitive advantages in the workplace. Quoting former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” she encouraged graduates to regard commencement not as an ending but as the beginning of a new dream, to maintain a passion for lifelong learning, and to stay connected with their alma mater so that the Tamkang spirit may continue to thrive.

Echoing Chairperson Chang’s remarks, Chien highlighted student clubs as one of Tamkang’s greatest strengths. Recalling his four years performing with a band in the Guitar Club, he shared many cherished memories. He remarked that the University not only provided professional knowledge but also shaped his worldview and laid the foundation for his career in the technology industry and his leadership of a globally recognized AI enterprise. Chien reminded graduates that the world is experiencing an unprecedented wave of AI innovation, yet no technology can replace human creativity, vision, and passion. He concluded with an inspiring message: “For the AI generation, how do you create your future self from your past self? The answer is that only your future self can create your future—and our future.” He encouraged graduates to boldly envision the most outstanding future they could be proud of and to pursue it with courage and determination.

Chuang emphasized that Tamkang University possesses one of the largest and most united alumni networks in Taiwan. He warmly welcomed graduates into the alumni family and reminded them that no matter how high they fly or how far they go, alumni from every profession will remain their strongest supporters. Beyond standing alongside them on the paths of AI and sustainability, alumni will continue to provide opportunities and assistance. He encouraged graduates to “lead innovation through technology and define success through sustainability,” to remain curious and eager to learn amid change, to embrace the opportunities created by AI, and to uphold ESG values through kindness and integrity.

During the ceremony, Academic Achievement Awards, Conduct Awards, Service Awards, Athletic Awards, and diplomas were presented. Graduate representative Yun-Yun Chien from the Department of International Business delivered a humorous and heartfelt speech that resonated with the audience. She recalled shared experiences such as staying up late to complete final projects and navigating the campus through wind and rain near the iconic “Tamkang Waterfall.” Speaking about AI, she jokingly described it as a form of “technology-enabled collaboration” and referred to her classmates as “survivors” who persevered through the pandemic and numerous challenges. She encouraged everyone to face the future with the courage to think outside the box and expressed hope that they would meet again someday in their future journeys.

The ceremony concluded with a moving performance of To Youth by Ariel Tsai, led by the University Choir and several international students. Amid the sounds of confetti cannons, colorful streamers, and balloons filling the air, graduates exchanged heartfelt farewells with faculty members and one another, bringing the celebration to a memorable and successful close.

SDGs #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG08 Decent Work and Economic Growth #SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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