The Department of Information Management celebrated its 40th anniversary with a "Department Anniversary Banquet" held on October 26 at 10:30 a.m. in the Student Activity Center. The event brought together faculty, students, and alumni, with 45 tables set up for the festivities. Many alumni, including those who graduated decades ago, returned to their alma mater to reunite with current and retired faculty. The joyful gathering allowed participants to reminisce about fond memories and discuss future prospects. Everyone agreed on their optimism about the department's continued development. The event also featured a game area and snack station for alumni and their families, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
President Huan-Chao Keh, accompanied by 3 vice presidents and other university officials, attended the banquet and delivered a speech. He praised the Department of Information Management for producing countless outstanding talents over the past 40 years. Alumni have excelled in various industries and brought pride to the university. He also shared the exciting news that the university's daytime program for the 2024 academic year achieved a record-high enrollment rate of 101.1%. "I hope alumni will continue to support and give back to their alma mater, becoming its most valuable asset and steadfast support."
The founding department chair and former Chief Information Officer, Honorary Professor Ming-Da Huang, reminisced about the establishment of the department. "At the time, Dean Hsin-Fu Tsai of the College of Management asked me to draft a proposal to establish the Department of Information Management, and thus, I became the founding chair. Seeing so many outstanding alumni gathered here today fills me with great joy." Current Chair Sheng-Pao Shih, an alumnus of the 9th year, noted that the undergraduate, master’s, and professional master’s programs all achieved over 100% enrollment rates this year. He thanked all faculty and staff for their efforts and teamwork in organizing this significant 40th-anniversary event.
Peter Hu, a 1997 graduate and Executive Vice President of FarEasTone Telecommunications, was honored with this year's Tamkang Golden Eagle Award and received it during the university’s anniversary ceremony. He remarked, "Today's banquet is not the highlight; what matters most is reconnecting with the relationships we built with senior classmates, junior classmates, and teachers during our studies." He fondly recalled memories such as night barbecues in Shalun, visits to Shilin Night Market, night rides on Yangmingshan, and playing basketball the night before exams. "These moments feel like they just happened yesterday. Now, we’ve all achieved success in our careers and lives." He encouraged alumni to contribute financially or with their efforts to help the department thrive and ensure future students follow a bright career path.
Chih-Jen Su, President of the Tamkang University Alumni Association Headquarters of Departments, and Lee Shu-Chung, Secretary-General of the Tamkang University Worldwide Alumni Association, attended the celebration to offer their congratulations. Su, who also received a Golden Eagle Award alongside Hu, admired the efficiency of the department's alumni, noting, "The banquet started at 11:30, but by 11 a.m., more than half of the attendees had already arrived. I’m deeply impressed." He added, "It's truly an honor that Hu chose the Department of Information Management at Tamkang University." Yi-Min Hsu, Secretary-General of the Alumni Association and an alumnus of the first year of EMBA graduates shared that his time in the program allowed him to meet talents from various fields, fostering learning and networking opportunities.
Chi-Hsuan Lin, a retired Digital Information Department supervisor and an alumnus of the second year, attended the event with his wife, Mei-Ling Lin, who is also an alumna from the same year. He reflected, "When we enrolled, the department was still in its early stages. Seeing alumni from various industries gather today is deeply moving. The dedication of the faculty in aligning teaching methods with societal trends has led to today’s success." Chia-Yi Chen, an alumnus of the third year and Chairman and General Manager of Alliance Material Technology Co., Ltd., expressed his delight at seeing the 9th year alumnus serving as the current department chair and another alumnus receiving the Golden Eagle Award. "The department's vibrant growth is evident. Seeing younger brothers and sisters from the department make strides in their careers, maintaining high enrollment rates across 3 classes despite declining birth rates, is truly reassuring."
