At 10am on Saturday, 9th June, the 2012 Tamkang University Commencement Ceremony was held at the TKU Shao-Mo Memorial Gymnasium, Tamsui Campus. The theme of this year’s Commencement was “Tamkang’s Three Circles and Five Disciplines of Education; Allowing Alumni to Reach for the Sky”.

In total, close to 7,500 students graduated this year. The graduation activities began at 9am, when students followed their teachers on a final lap around the campus, visiting symbolic sites, such as the memorial library, Ching Sheng Memorial Building, the TKU Maritime Museum, and the Fu Yuan Gardens, before heading to the Memorial Gymnasium for the ceremony proper. Upon arriving at the gymnasium, the graduating students were greeted by the President of Tamkang University, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, as well as the deans, chairs, and faculty of each academic college.

The ceremony began with performances by the Tamkang Beatbox Club, the TKU Pop Dance Club, the TKU Overseas Chinese Association, and the Tamkang University Magic Club. This was followed by speeches from special guests Pradeep Kumar Rawat (director general, India-Taipei Association) and Lucia Rogriquez Fetzer (first secretary and consul, Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala).

The host of the ceremony was President Chang, who also delivered a speech. During her speech, she thanked the families of the graduating students for choosing Tamkang. She said that she still remembers four years ago, when the graduating students first arrived and took part in the ritual climbing of the “slope of overcoming difficulty”. President Chang congratulated these students on their achievements over the four years, and wished them success in their future careers. She also touched on Tamkang’s Three Circles and Five Disciplines of Education’, which refers to the structure of education adopted by Tamkang University.

The ‘Three Circles’ corresponds to three kinds of courses: professional, core and extracurricular, while the ‘Five Disciplines’ of education refers to the qualities of conduct, intelligence, physical education, teamwork, and beauty. By integrating these values into the professional, core, and extracurricular curriculum, Tamkang University helps to produce well-rounded students skilled in identifying and solving problems. As a result, TKU students develop characteristics favored by both local and overseas employers. President Chang concluded her speech by quoting a famous phrase by the President of Mexico, Felippe Calderon: “You must never, ever give up!”

First Secretary Fetzer also offered words of wisdom to inspire the graduating students. She talked of the importance of the “four F’s”, which refers to Faith, Fun, Family, and Future. She urged students to not be afraid of the future. “Life is a glorious journey. The future is simply the product of all your decisions – both big and small – in the present.” Secretary General Rawat, on the other hand, noted that graduation is not only significant for the graduating students themselves, but also for their teachers.

At the end of the ceremony, the graduates threw their graduate caps up high and shouted in elation, while many embraced and said goodbye for the last time.