News in Focus

Under the romantic flourish of 20,000 blooming roses, Tunghai University on the 1st of November held a grand celebration for its 70th anniversary, hosting the “Tunghai Milk Festival Carnival” and the opening ceremony of the “Little Prince Rose Garden.” This event symbolizes a transformative moment in which Tunghai, after seventy years of glory, once again steps toward a new era in education. President Chang Kuo-En declared, “Life begins at seventy, and Tunghai at seventy is also just beginning.”

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, Tunghai University welcomed thousands of alumni returning from around the world to reunite and celebrate their alma mater.

To mark the 70th anniversary, Taichung Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-Jung, Taichung Veterans General Hospital Deputy Superintendent Chou Yuan-Hua, and alumni association representatives from around the world gathered to offer blessings to their alma mater. Huang noted that Tunghai is not only an important educational and cultural landmark of Taichung but that the rose garden embodies the spirit conveyed by The Little Prince—to ke1ep a childlike heart, to express love, and to embrace responsibility for the people and things we love. Its meaning is extraordinary.

On the 1st, Tunghai University held the “Tunghai Milk Festival Carnival” and the unveiling ceremony of the “Little Prince Rose Garden.”

The 70th anniversary celebration features a rich array of events, including the reopening ceremony of Kang-Dun Hall, the 26th Distinguished Alumni Awards, the Global Alumni Homecoming Banquet, the Honorary Exhibition of Academician Tu Wei-Ming, the walkthrough ceremony of the Comprehensive Activity Center, the Art Exhibition of Fine Arts Alumni Faculty, the sports festival, and various departmental alumni lectures and exchange activities. The event drew thousands of alumni returning from the United States, Hong Kong, Macau, and beyond. The Thailand EMBA opening ceremony also joined in celebration, creating a lively atmosphere.

The 70th anniversary celebrations featured a wide range of activities, including the completion ceremony of the renovated Condon Hall and the 26th Distinguished Alumni Awards, attracting thousands of alumni returning from the United States, Hong Kong, Macau, and other regions.

This year’s six distinguished alumni include Chen Tsung-Te from Physics, Cheng Chien-Hsin from Chemical Engineering, Lin Yu-Yeh from Industrial Engineering, Chou Fen-Ling from Chinese Literature, Yuan Hsiao-Han from Chemistry, and current Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai, an alumnus of Political Science. Board Chair Wu Ching-Mai expressed gratitude for the alumni’s long-standing generosity, including establishing the highest number of AI PC classrooms in Taiwan—six in total—allowing students to acquire AI skills before graduation. He emphasized that upholding the mission and carrying forward the legacy of the university are his responsibilities, and he will continue working alongside the Board, the President, and 150,000 alumni to revitalize and sustain the university, laying a stronger foundation for Tunghai as it moves toward its centennial.

This year’s six Distinguished Alumni include Chen Tsung-Te (Physics), Cheng Chien-Hsin (Chemical Engineering), Lin Yu-Yeh (Industrial Engineering), Chou Fen-Ling (Chinese Literature), Yuan Hsiao-Han (Chemistry), and political science alumnus and current Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-Kai.

The most anticipated highlight of this year’s anniversary is the “Little Prince Rose Garden” located beside Tunghai Lake. Donated and constructed by outstanding alumnus and founder of Classical Rose Garden Huang Teng-Hui, the garden took nearly a year to complete. It features 20,000 roses and bronze statues of the Little Prince personally sculpted by Huang. During the unveiling ceremony, Huang presented President Chang with a bouquet of 70 roses, symbolizing “love, faith, and education.” He stated emotionally, “Growing roses on red soil is almost impossible, but I wanted them to bloom at Tunghai to represent the spirit of Tunghai people—facing challenges head-on.”

The simultaneously held “Milk Festival Carnival,” founded by President of the Tunghai Women’s Association Luo Hui-Lien, reached a new scale this year. Combining ranch tours, cow-feeding activities, themed markets, and handmade craft booths, the event attracted thousands of students, faculty, and community members. President Chang said with a smile, “NTU has the Azalea Festival, NTNU has the Watermelon Festival, and Tunghai has the Milk Festival—this is a tradition and pride unique to Tunghai.”

President Chang Kuo-En stated that amid dramatic global changes, only by embracing innovation can universities achieve sustainable development.

In recent years, Tunghai University has repeatedly achieved excellence in educational innovation and global rankings, placing in the Top 100 of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, ranking seventh nationwide in university performance in Cheers magazine, and winning the top prize as one of the “Top 10 Exemplary Sustainable Universities in Taiwan.” With “AI + Humanities” as its core, Tunghai promotes the TPR (THU Practical Resilience) initiative and has become NVIDIA’s certified top educational partner, continuing to lead in AI education, sustainable governance, and social engagement.

President Chang pointed out that the world is undergoing drastic changes, and only through innovative thinking can universities achieve sustainable development. He expressed gratitude for alumni who have supported Tunghai’s innovative advancement, including alumni such as Cheng Ching-Ho, chair of the Da-Do Mountain Society, whose contributions in AI development helped elevate Tunghai into an AI university. He also quoted founding President Samuel T.L. Chen, who said, “Innovation is our motto,” reminding all Tunghai members: “We must break down the walls of systems and mindset; past achievements must not become barriers to the future. To love Tunghai is to embrace change—revitalization and transformation are essential for survival. With the spirit of ‘Faith, Truth, and Deeds,’ let us move toward a new era with determination.”

Now, as ten thousand roses bloom beside the renewed Tunghai Lake, the Little Prince’s love transforms into faith and responsibility, symbolizing Tunghai’s steadfast steps toward its centennial vision and the beginning of a new era.

Forever in Bloom – Tunghai University 70th Anniversary:
https://youtu.be/A7ZJ58j9THg