The 2009 TKU Seminar on Instructional and Administrative Reforms took place at Chueh-sheng International Conference Hall on Oct 16. The theme for this year was “Inheritance, Innovation, New Tamkang: Seeking for TKU’s DNA and Welcoming TKU’s 60th Anniversary.” Working with TKU’s artist in residence, with Information, Communication, Architecture and Artistic talents, all TKU units brain-stormed to design a digital, artistic and interactive equipment and to produce the 60th anniversary MTV. The Office of International Exchange and International Education was planning to invite sister universities with related institutes and colleges of cultural creation industries and to sign an agreement for a platform of global cultural creation.

About 200 people participated. TKU Founder, Clement C. P. Chang gave an opening speech, introducing the book How the Mighty Fall by the American management master Jim Collins. He hoped that TKU would not be immersed in the inertia of the past success and over-satisfied with the present development and achievement. Rather it should be vigilant on the failures of the 11 big American companies and examine if too many departments and institutes had been installed. He encouraged all colleagues to meet the TKU fifth wave with one mind and create its new second curve. President Flora C.I. Chang said that although TKU had won the National Quality Award, there would still be much room for continuing improvement. For example, we should endeavor after more Excellent Teaching Project Grants from the MOE and reduce the faculty-student ratio, etc. All departments and institutes should be diligent and strive for the first class university. The director of the Center for Leaning and Teaching Hsin-yih Shyu hoped that all colleagues would make concerted efforts for TKU’s new progress and achievement.

There were 3 special reports in the morning. Following the main theme of the book Digital Natives, the Dean of the College of Education, Hsun-fang Kao introduced the issues of website security, ethics and privacy brought by the world wide fashionable Facebook, Youtube, Plurk and Twitter. She suggested that teachers should first understand the ways of students’ thinking before they prepare and create new curricula and teaching materials. With the view points of Joshua S. McKeown and other foreign scholars, International Affairs Vice President Wan-chin Tai explored how to deepen the program of junior overseas studies. He suggested TKU should consider the example of the webpage of TOTTO（Tick Off to Take Off）by Keele University and establish a similar instructive and informative webpage for short period overseas studies.

Administrative Affairs Vice President Po-yuan Kao, Academic Affairs Vice President Kan-nan Chen and the former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Ya-ly Chao together reported the specific planning of TKU’s 60th anniversary celebration, including inviting the presidents of sister universities to the “TKU International Forum for University Presidents,” inviting internationally renowned scholars to the “21st Century World Thought Trend Forum,” holding the TKU Art Exhibition, Wind and String Instrument Orchestra Concert, Fisherman Wharf Concert and publications of TKU anniversary series and TKU Who Is Who. The propagating themes of the anniversary include “The Strong Educational Column—TKU’s Strength”, “The Leading Classical Drama—TKU’s Soul”, “The Big Tree of Wisdom—TKU’s Inheritance”, “The Artistic Digital River—TKU’s Viewpoint” and “The Great Global Undertaking—TKU’s Visions and New Horizons.” ( ~Dean X. Wang )