Professor Ben-Hang Chang, from the Department of Chinese and Director of the Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center and the Calligraphy Research Studio, received the 23rd Y.Z. Hsu Outstanding Professor Award in the Science and Humanities category from the Far Eastern Y.Z. Hsu Foundation. The award ceremony was held on October 13 at the Shangri-La Far Eastern Hotel, Taipei, where Prof. Chang attended with his wife, Mrs. Ai-Chu Tsai. He received the honor from President Mao-Chuan Huang of Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology, witnessed by Tamkang Vice President for Academic Affairs Hui-Huang Hsu, Dean of the College of Engineering and Artificial Innovative Intelligence College Tzung-Hang Lee, and Chair of the Department of Chinese Shan-Pei Yin.
The Y.Z. Hsu Technology Awards, established in 2002, commemorate Mr. Yu-Ziang Hsu’s contributions to technological innovation. The awards aim to recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology, and to encourage a greater investment of talent and resources in key technological fields. Prof. Bing-Yu Chen, Deputy Minister of the National Science and Technology Council and recipient of the 2020 Y.Z. Hsu Science Award, expressed his gratitude to the foundation for its innovation and perseverance during his speech. He encouraged everyone to take bold steps forward and called for greater public support of scientific research, stating, “Supporting education and scientific research is never a loss. It is an investment in strengthening the nation’s power.”
Prof. Chang was honored for integrating traditional calligraphy and painting with digital technology and AI, earning both national and international recognition as a leading figure in the fusion of humanities and technology. Expressing his gratitude, he announced that he would donate the entire prize money to Tamkang University to fund the digital transformation of traditional humanities. He went on to explain that the development of the Digital e-Pen project is still ongoing, and that research results are continuously being applied and shared to promote the broader use of digital technology in calligraphy and painting. His team is currently developing a new AI system for calligraphy layout, signature placement, and font selection, expected to launch in November, marking another milestone in blending traditional art with smart innovation.
Prof. Chang expressed that he felt fortunate to have joined Tamkang University during his calligraphy career, where he embraced AI under the university’s Triple Objectives of “Globalization, Information-oriented education, and Future-oriented Education.” With the support of cross-disciplinary colleagues, he co-developed the e-Pen, striving to promote calligraphy innovation and progress toward shared goals. He also noted the rapid pace of digital transformation and emphasized that “learning is a lifelong journey.” He concluded with three guiding principles: “Keep pace with the times and anticipate change; stay grounded while welcoming diverse ideas; and seize opportunities with perseverance.” He aspires to carry forward the tradition of calligraphy while setting new milestones for its continued evolution.
Vice President Hui-Huang Hsu expressed gratitude to Far Eastern Group Chairman Douglas Hsu and the Far Eastern Y.Z. Hsu Foundation for presenting this award to Prof. Ben-Hang Chang, recognizing the dedication and achievements of the Tamkang University faculty in teaching and research. He stated that Prof. Chang is not only an acknowledged master of calligraphy but also actively integrates technology into calligraphy instruction, making it easier for younger generations to access and practice this traditional art form. “His award is not only a personal recognition but also a testament to the value of innovation and cross-disciplinary efforts among educators,” he said, adding that the university will continue to encourage more faculty members to pursue excellence in both teaching and research.
Dean Tzung-Hang Lee praised Prof. Chang for his remarkable ability, as a master of traditional calligraphy, to keenly perceive digital trends and open new possibilities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. By combining aesthetic concepts with AI technology, Prof. Chang has created new opportunities for the preservation and innovation of calligraphic culture. Lee noted that through years of collaboration, the team has witnessed many inspiring sparks born from the genuine dialogue between the humanities and technology, culminating in the progressive development from the Digital e-Pen to the Smart e-Pen. “Chair Chang’s achievement has greatly strengthened our team’s confidence,” Li said. “We look forward to working hand in hand with partners from diverse fields to explore more possibilities for interdisciplinary integration and to achieve even more meaningful and exciting results.”
Chair Shan-Pei Yin praised Prof. Chang’s award as well-deserved, noting that he not only embodies the rich calligraphic heritage of the Department of Chinese but also integrates technology into both teaching and research. “Standing out in an evaluation primarily focused on technology is no easy feat,” Yin remarked, “and it fully demonstrates Prof. Chang’s outstanding achievements in academic innovation and teaching excellence.” He further emphasized that technology is not merely a tool but is deeply interconnected with the humanities. Prof. Chang’s recognition, he said, will inspire more faculty members in the department to explore ways to incorporate technological applications into humanistic education actively. At the same time, it will allow students to see the broader possibilities of studying Chinese language and literature, encouraging them to choose the field with renewed enthusiasm.
