Congratulations! Tamkang University won the “2024 School Sports Torch Award from the Sports Administration (SA), Ministry of Education (MOE). Together with the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sports, Tamkang University was awarded the Excellence in College Sports Award. This marks the 5th time our university has received this honor, following wins in 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2020, tying with the National Taiwan University for the most wins nationwide. For 3 times, the two universities were selected simultaneously. On the afternoon of September 24 at 1:30 p.m., President Huan-Chao Keh, along with Vice President for Academic Affairs Hui-Huang Hsu, Vice President for International Affairs Hsiao-Chuan Chen, Dean of Physical Education I-Cheng Chen, Dean of Student Affairs Shih-Jung Wu, and several faculty members from the Office of Physical Education, attended the award ceremony held at the 11th floor of the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation International Conference Hall to accept the award.
Dean of Physical Education I-Cheng Chen thanked the SA and the judges for their recognition. He explained that since its founding, Tamkang University has been committed to fostering well-rounded students with integrity and resilience. The university’s five-time award-winning record is a tremendous honor and encouragement, firmly establishing Tamkang University's commitment to physical education. This achievement results from the collective efforts of all faculty and staff. "Although teaching, research, and organizing activities have become routine for the Office of Physical Education, we will continue to move forward with gratitude and humility, aiming for even greater milestones."
Tamkang University has long placed great importance on sports and physical education for faculty, staff, and students, emphasizing the development of a complete campus sports environment. Not only does it focus on athletic performance and the health benefits of sports, but it also promotes moral character and ethical conduct through physical activities. In recent years, the scope of our university’s sports programs has expanded to include local engagement and sustainable development, focusing on the fitness of the elderly in the greater Tamsui area, thus fulfilling the university's social responsibility. The Office of Physical Education has also actively sought internal budget allocations and external funding to improve teaching and training facilities and enhance the training of school athletic teams.
In addition to teaching and service, the Office’s full-time faculty have dedicated themselves to academic research and project promotion. In recent years, the Office’s research output has steadily increased. For the MOE Teaching Practice Research Program in 2023 and 2024, Tamkang ranked first nationwide among private universities in the general education and physical education categories, with 7 and 8 approved projects, respectively, accounting for a large proportion of the 8 and 10 approved projects nationwide. Between the 2020 and 2023 academic years, faculty published 18 papers in SCI, SSCI, A&HCI, and ESCI journals, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. During this period, 12 faculty development communities were established, earning awards for teaching innovation, research grants, and recognition for outstanding teaching and superior teaching.
The Office’s staff have actively organized intercollegiate and university-wide sports competitions and fitness activities for faculty and staff, while hosting events for the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation. Notable on-campus events include the Freshmen Cup, President’s Cup in various sports, the university-wide Track and Field Meet, Swimming Meet, and Open Ball Sports Tournaments, with more than 5,000 participants annually. Tamkang University’s athletic teams have also achieved remarkable results in national competitions, securing 24 gold, 13 silver, and 26 bronze medals in the National Intercollegiate Athletic Games, Leagues, and Championships over the past 3 academic years.
President Keh emphasized that Tamkang University aims to cultivate eight essential qualities in its students, one of which is "Cheerful Attitude and Healthy Lifestyle," which is achieved through sports activities. He praised the students for their outstanding performance in the National Intercollegiate Athletic Games, where Tamkang often ranks first among non-sports universities. He also commended the Office of Physical Education for actively seeking resources, renovating campus sports facilities, organizing large-scale sports events, and producing excellent results in teaching practice research. He expressed his hope for even better achievements in the future, aiming to continually surpass previous accomplishments.
