The first meeting of 60th TKU Anniversary Celebration Preparation Commission was held on April 21 at Chingsheng International Conference Hall, in which the theme of the celebration was decided as “Tamkang 60: Quality, Prosperity, Internationality”. Tsui Li-hsin, a noted performer and alumnus of Dept. of French, and Pu Hsueh-liang, alumnus of Dept. of Industrial Economics, will be invited to host the celebration show.

The Commission meeting was hosted by President C. I. Chang. Founder Dr. Clement Chang, the Honorable Chair of the commission, indicated in his address that the 60th Anniversary, is not only to hold series celebration activities for TKU faculty and students but also to present the result of TKU’s 60 years of educational efforts for the public.

The Commission is separated into 8 sections, involving all affairs related to the celebration inside or outside the school. Dr. Kao Po-yuan, Vice President for Administrative Affair, and Secretary General of the Commission, indicates that the celebration includes “celebration activities” and “academic activities.” The former involve sports events, international communication, alumni gatherings, fine arts events, and student activities, which will take place from October 1 to December 31. The latter, include various academic conferences, lectures by specialists and Nobel Laureate, will take place in the two semesters of 2010 academic year.

Dr. Tai Wan-ching, Vice President for International Affairs, and Coordinator of International Communication Section, reports that “Tamkang International Forum of University Presidents” is to take place on November 6, in which 45 presidents from TKU’s sister universities separated in 15 countries will be invited to discuss the experiences of cooperation in the programs of junior abroad studies, exchanging students, and dual degrees. In addition, 18 presidents from TKU’s sister universities in Mainland China will be invited to attend “Cross-strait Forum of University Presidents.”

Dr. Chen Kan-nan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Coordinator of Academic Activities Section, reports that there is a “Tree of Wisdom” program, in which every department is to invite 3 to 5 distinguished alumni to give lectures or share experiences with their school juniors. In addition, various academic conferences will take place successively from late 2010 to early 2011.

Dr. Hsiao Shu-fen, Director of Office of Physical Education, and Coordinator of Sports Events Section, indicates that there will be Anniversary Sports Game, Sports Performance, and cross-school sports events with Aletheia University and St. John’s University.

Dean of Office of Student Affairs, Dr. Ko Chih-en, Coordinator of Club Activities Section, reports that the “Scroll Plaza Carnival” will take place on November 5 and 6, in which the plaza will be decorated as a huge birthday cake, and Founder Chang and President Chang will be invited to light the candles for TKU’s 60th birthday, lifting the curtain for the celebration activities.

On November 5, there will a folk song concert, “The People, the School, the Songs” at Student Activity Center, hosted by Pu Hsueh-liang, a noted anchorperson of TV variety shows and a Tamkang alumnus. The concert will feature professional singers who graduated from TKU to recreate the musical landscape of 1950s, including its origin scene in Tamkang campus with one of its key creator Lee Shuan-che.

Coordinator of Alumni Activities and Social Resources Section, Sye Wen-fa, Director of Alumni Services and Resources Development, indicates that “2010 Homecoming Day” will take place on November 6, at Taipei International Conference Center. In the evening, “Tamkang Night Banquet” will gather the alumni at the same place, and invite Tsui Li-hsin, a noted performer and alumnus of Dept. of French, as the anchorperson.

Dr. Chao Ya-ly of Dept. of Mass Communication, Coordinator of Publicity Section, indicates that the section is to produce a 30-minute film “Great Tamkang Story” about TKU’s educational style and Tamsui sense of place. It will be a touching film about Tamkang identity. In addition, Lu Kuan-chung and Lei Kuan-hsia, former winners of Golden Melody Award, are invited to create songs of different style, and produce a MTV for TKU’s 60th Anniversary.

Coordinator of Fine Arts Events Section, Li Chi-mao, Director of Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center, indicates that beside exhibitions and on-the-spot calligraphy display, the Center invites various artists of western painting to create works of large size in honor of the anniversary.

Many former TKU presidents also participated in the Preparation Commission meeting. Former President Dr Lin Yun-shan suggested Luo Shen, President of General Tamkang Alumni Association, to recruit small amount donation from alumni, expecting to reach One hundred million NT on the anniversary day. Dr. Kao Hsun-fang, Dean of College of Education reminded Academic Activities Section that to prevent concurrent conferences at the same date and place, coordination among departments and colleges is necessary. ( ~Chen Chi-szu )