On November 23rd, National Chiayi University held its 105th Anniversary Ceremony on the Lantan Campus. The event was attended by NCYU’s current and former presidents, alumni, and distinguished guests from both domestic and international institutions, including Kuo Tien-Tsai, Director of the Department of Education at Chiayi City Government; Lin Guo-Cun, Chairman of the R. O. C. National Chiayi University Joint Alumni Association; Luo Qing-Yuan, Chairman of the R. O. C. National Chiayi University Distinguished Alumni Association; and Kaname Hamasato, Deputy Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The event was also graced by representatives from international sister schools including Weerapon Thongma, President of Maejo University, Thailand; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piyapong Niamsup, Executive Assistant to the President of Chiang Mai University, Thailand; Hiroshige Nishina, President of Ehime University, Japan; Kenji Wada, Vice President of Kagawa University, Japan; Dr. Soon-jin Park, President of Daegu University, Korea; and Dr. Sang Hee Park, Director of the Office of Planning, Daegu Cyber University, Korea. The ceremony was both solemn and heartfelt, as Kaname Hamasato, Deputy Governor of Ehime Prefecture, delivered a congratulatory message from Ehime Prefectural Governor Nakamura Toshihiro.
In his remarks, President Han-Chien Lin highlighted this year’s anniversary theme, “Excellence Leads to a Brilliant New Chapter.” He hoped that the university will continuously strive for excellence in teaching, research, and service, and enhance its overall competitiveness and international influence, thus writing a new chapter in its history. Since assuming the presidency, he has actively sought external resources in university governance and operations. The total funding for research and development projects has steadily increased, and is expected to reach NT$900 million this year. The funding will be used to promote various constructions and the advancement of university affairs. The newly completed Xian-De Dormitory on the Sinmin Campus, built with nearly NT$500 million from campus funds, has been completed and is undergoing inspection. Renovations are also being gradually carried out on the student dormitories at Lantan and Minghsiung campuses, as well as improvements to public spaces, with the goal of creating a high-quality living environment for the university. In terms of teaching and academic development, Stanford University has recently released the latest 2024 list of the “World’s Top 2% Scientists,” in which a total of 5 professors from NCYU have made the list, an increase of 1 compared to last year. In the future, NCYU will continue to promote research with distinctive characteristics, connect research highlights across seven colleges, and provide empowerment measures to address the new wave of “intergenerational workforce transition.” This year, NCYU’s students have achieved remarkable success, including 146 students selected for teacher recruitment across various counties and cities, the Department of Music Wind Ensemble representing Taiwan at the International WASBE Conference, a student entrepreneurial team winning the Ministry of Education’s U-start Plan for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, etc. The exceptional performance of students is the greatest affirmation of the school’s teaching. In terms of internationalization, NCYU promotes global engagement through international exchanges, MOE’s Overseas Exchange Student Financial Assistance Grant, partnerships with 124 international institutions, and dual degree programs, while adopting a “one international feature for each college and department” approach. Currently, 14 students have earned dual degrees from NCYU and its overseas sister universities, and 9 students are pursuing overseas studies. In terms of social responsibility and sustainable development, NCYU has taken the lead in implementing the first child daycare center project in Chiayi City, and successfully connected the Sinmin campus and Minsheng Park through the Dao Jiang Canal Green Corridor. In collaboration with the city government, NCYU strives to build a university city characterized by human-centered values, resilience, and sustainability. In addition, the university is actively advancing the “NCYU Forest Farm - Shuisheliao Learning, Research, and Education Center” project, which spans the campus’ ecological diversity and expertise of faculty across departments. Integrated with national and local Blue-Green Infrastructure, this initiative aims to foster local regeneration and create new industrial values, thus fulfilling its responsibility as a university named after the region.
Amid globalization and rapid technological advancements, academic innovation and research development have become increasingly vital for universities. NCYU also boasts a strong focus on agricultural biotechnology and traditional Chinese medicine research. Supported by the National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, the College of Medicine Preparatory Office and the Chinese Medicine Industry Innovation and Development Center were established last year. Forums, workshops, and lectures have since been organized. The goal is to establish a high-quality medical center that integrates quality healthcare, education, and academic research, meeting the needs of local residents and medical institutions in Chiayi.
At the
conclusion of the ceremony, President Han-Chien Lin, together with former
presidents and distinguished guests from both home and abroad, raised baseball
bats and swung them with strength and confidence, touching the baseball
balloons representing the dreams and development of the university. As the
balloons expanded, colorful small balloons slowly rose up, symbolizing the
vibrant growth and infinite hopes for a bright future of NCYU. As the “Happy Birthday”
animation was displayed on the LED screen, the audience cheered in unison,
congratulated NCYU on its birthday with warm B45cheers, pushing the 105th
anniversary celebration to its climax.
Photo 1: Representatives from international sister
schools in Thailand, Japan, and Korea gathered to celebrate NCYU’s 105th
anniversary.
Photo 2: Kaname Hamasato, Deputy Governor of Ehime
Prefecture, delivered a congratulatory message.
Photo 3: A group photo of the awardees of the 2024 Jiahe
Award for Outstanding Young Scholars.
Photo 4: President Han-Chien Lin, along with former
presidents and distinguished guests from both domestic and international
institutions, raised baseball bats and swung them with strength and confidence
to celebrate NCYU’s birthday.