President Chang Horng-jinh of Tamkang University exhorted freshmen to try their best to master their future by employing well the world information technology (IT) and to learn the spirits of TKU-- simplicity, truthfulness, firmness and perseverance, the university motto.

Chang made the exhortation while giving an address in the opening ceremony of orientation held on Tamsui Campus on Sept. 12-13. Before the ceremony, President Chang, Deans of Colleges, and Directors of Administrative Units led Tamkang's new comers to climb over the 132-step Kenan Slope to practice in person the Tamkang University's motto-- simplicity, truthfulness, firmness and perseverance, the spirits of TKU.

When touching on the TKU's future development, Chang stressed that Tamkang will redouble her efforts to promote the university's triple objectives--globalization, information-oriented education and future-oriented education. Chang also introduced the Tamkang e-service network to them and called on them to master their future by well using the information technology. "You can get connection with more than 9,000 universities all over the world through the TKU's updated e-service network," Chang said.

When speaking of the globalization, Chang cited the university's junior abroad program as an example to urge freshmen to study hard so as to win the opportunity to take part in the program to obtain double degrees at home and abroad.

Chang further pointed out that Tamkang is the founding land of Futures Studies in Taiwan. Therefore, Tamkang championed the resources and installation in the fields in Taiwan, he added.

"In addition to pursuing the academic study, you should attach the importance of building people-to-people relationship, cultivating the character and the capability of leadership during the years of studies in the university," Chang said.

He called on freshmen to join inter-university students’ associations and clubs so as to cultivate the esprit de corps and ability of leadership.