The over 30 international scholars of Future Studies invited by TKU’s Graduate Institute of Future Studies (GIFS) for the “Global Soul, Global Mind & Global Action—Furturing from Survival to Thrival” International Conference (November 5), visited Tamkang campus, Tamsui Old Town and several other scenic spots nearby during their stay here. They were accompanied by TKU students and faculty members who explained to them carefully about the local history, which has been closely connected with various global movements in the past few hundred years.

Although their stay in Tamkang was brief, the efforts and remarkable results TKU has put in and achieved in creating a better educational institution in the past few decades could not escape them. They were deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and vitality of the people they encountered, and praised the visionary planning TKU is capable of. Chen Chien-fu, the Director of the GIFS, is particularly pleased with the intellectual exchanges they and his colleagues had over issues such as environment, technology, and social development.

Some of them take the futures of Taiwan seriously. For example, Dr. Clement Bezold, the president of the Institute for Alternative Futures, offered some insightful suggestions in this regard after having met with President Chen on November 8th, during which, President Chen pointed out the importance of Future Studies on government’s policy making. TKU also takes the suggestions and expertise of these scholars seriously. Some of them will be urged to continue to talk to TKU students and faculty either through video-conferencing or personally in the future on issues regarding technology and environment. Prof. Ian Lowe, Griffith University, would even consider coming back to TKU, teaching a course in the near future.

Amid their tight schedule, they managed to stroll down the streets in Tamsui’s Old Town in one afternoon. The colonial buildings scattered here and there were of particular interest to them. Yet, nothing can beat the traditional Chinese foot massage they experienced there, as it was extremely painful! (~Ying-hsueh Hu )