Tamkang University held its Inauguration and Handover Ceremony for the 14th President, and the 2026–2027 Academic Year Appointment Announcement and Administrative Leadership Handover Ceremony, at 10:00 a.m. on July 30 in the Chueh-sheng International Conference Hall. In addition to the inauguration and presidential handover, appointments were announced for two units, while leadership handovers were conducted for nine first-level and 16 second-level administrative units. Chairperson Flora Chia-I Chang, outgoing President Huan-Chao Keh, incoming President Hui-Huang Hsu, vice presidents, heads of first- and second-level units, and more than 100 faculty and staff members attended the ceremonies.

In her remarks, Chairperson Chang noted that the presidential transition marks a new starting point in Tamkang’s development. The Board of Trustees formally approved the appointment of Hui-Huang Hsu as Tamkang University’s 14th president on June 24, following an open, fair, and smooth selection process. She praised President Keh for his leadership over the past eight years, during which Tamkang achieved significant progress in student learning outcomes, faculty research, AI-enhanced administrative efficiency, international influence, and alumni engagement. She also highlighted President Hsu’s extensive academic and administrative experience in Taiwan and abroad, expressing confidence that he will further advance Tamkang’s Triple Objectives of Globalization, Information-oriented Education, and Future-oriented Education, while carrying forward the vision of “AI + SDGs =∞” and leading the university into a new era of sustainable development. Chairperson Chang also presented President Keh with a commemorative plaque inscribed with the Chinese phrase “煥猷績昭,” calligraphed by Ben-Hang Chang, Director of the Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center, in recognition of President Keh’s visionary leadership and outstanding achievements.

Reflecting on his 35 years at Tamkang, President Keh noted that he had served in administrative positions for 33 years. During his eight-year presidency, he focused on three major priorities: dual-track transformation, dual-axis transformation, and stronger alumni engagement. In particular, AI transformation and sustainability transformation have become fully integrated into university governance, teaching, administration, industry-academia collaboration, and service. Tamkang has also ranked first among Taiwan's comprehensive universities for four consecutive years in the number of approved Teaching Practice Research Program projects. Of the 69 projects approved this year, more than half incorporate AI applications. President Keh expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees, his administrative colleagues, and all faculty and staff for their support. He encouraged the university to continue reaching new heights under the guidance of Chairperson Chang and the leadership of President Hsu.

Incoming President Hui-Huang Hsu said that, as a Tamkang alumnus, he was deeply honored to serve as the university’s 14th president. He pledged to build upon the direction established by the Board of Trustees and President Keh, and to work closely with all faculty and staff to advance the university. President Hsu identified four major challenges ahead: the declining student population, the pressures of AI transformation, the recruitment and retention of talent, and changes in the behavior and learning patterns of a new generation of students. He said he would personally engage in student recruitment, accelerate AI transformation in teaching and administration, strengthen the recruitment and succession of outstanding faculty and administrative professionals, and adapt teaching and student guidance to changing learning patterns. He concluded by quoting NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, “Run, don’t walk”, and encouraged the entire Tamkang community to embrace rapid change, pool its collective wisdom, and work together as the university enters its next stage of development.

Outgoing administrators also shared reflections on their years of service. Vice President for Administrative Affairs Chun-Hung Lin and Vice President for International Affairs Hsiao-Chuan Chen both expressed particular gratitude to Chairperson Chang and President Keh for giving them opportunities to grow through leadership and administrative experience. They also thanked their colleagues for the support and assistance that enabled them to carry out their responsibilities successfully. Lin, who has 17 years of administrative experience, expressed his appreciation for the dedication and contributions of everyone at Tamkang. Chen recalled one of the most memorable experiences of her tenure: leading her team in assisting more than 700 international students in returning to Taiwan to resume their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dean of Academic Affairs Tzong-Ru Tsai thanked the university’s leadership for their trust and for allowing him to advance academic affairs reforms. Although the process was filled with challenges, he said he had always hoped to bring meaningful change to the university. As he returns to academic research after stepping down, he expressed his hope that the Tamkang community will continue supporting the new Dean of Academic Affairs in advancing the university’s academic development.

Chun-Young Perng, Executive Director of the Office of Alumni Services and Resources Development, reflected on the 40 years he has spent at Tamkang, from his days as a student to his professional career at the university. He emphasized that his years in office had reinforced his belief that “alumni are the university’s most important source of strength.” He expressed hope that Tamkang will continue to strengthen alumni engagement and encourage even more graduates to support the development of their alma mater. Hui-Ju Lai, Chair of the Department of Information and Communication, thanked the president, dean, faculty members, students, and departmental team for their support and assistance throughout her tenure, and expressed confidence that the department will continue to grow under its new chair. Cheng-Hao Chuang, Chair of the Department of Physics, encouraged the incoming chair to embrace the responsibilities of the position. Although administrative leadership brings many challenges, he said, it also provides invaluable experience, particularly in learning how to communicate effectively, see issues from different perspectives, balance the needs of the university and faculty members, and build consensus.

Newly appointed Dean of the College of Engineering Li-Chiu Chang said that, in response to the rapid development of AI and the enrollment challenges arising from Taiwan’s declining birth rate, she will continue helping faculty members strengthen their ability to apply AI and integrate AI into both traditional and emerging engineering curricula, to cultivate graduates whose knowledge and skills are better aligned with the future needs of industry.