【Reported by Jing-ya Su, Yi-feng Lu, Tamkang Times】A student meeting was held by the Student Autonomous Management Organization on January 3rd to discuss the topic, “Making the System into Reality.” This discussion not only involved the creation and governing of student groups, but also took a deeper look into the concepts and methods of self-governing a student group. Nearly 80 students from 16 different universities came together to share information and experience as they figured out new ways to improve and develop various student organizations. Dean of Student Affairs, Po-yuan Kao, stated, “These student conferences are the best way for students to express their voice and come into an understanding of their potential on campus. I hope that this particular discussion will open new doors for organization development and let student organizations hold more autonomous activities.”

The Vice Secretary of the Organization Super TA Training, Chien-chi Chiu, gave a lecture that was themed, “Creating Excellent Groups That You Belong To.” Within the first thirty seconds his words, it left a heartfelt lasting impression. The lecture specified methods of motivating and cooperating with student groups to make an organized curriculum. It pointed out that it was crucial to create a student organization based upon your own needs and desires in order to attract students with similar interests. Chien-chi Chiu stated, “Teachers must help students by teaching them self-exploration, letting them learn themselves in more detail and cultivate their true potential. Also student leaders must be aware that their job is not to control decisions, but to influence them.”

In attendance were representatives and group leaders from National Chengchi University, National Ilan University, National Taitung University, National Dong Hwa University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hsuan Chang University, Tunghai University, Soochow University, Chinese Culture University, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Shu-te University, and St. John’s University. Dean of Student Affairs, Chih-en Ko, stated, “My wish is that student representatives from every school would continue to stay in contact to further the development of student organizations through sharing ideas and experience. Through communication a bridge can be formed to support more self-governing student organizations and activities.”