Three Decades of Chinese Excellence: Alumni and Faculty Gather for Anniversary Celebration
The Department of Chinese as a Second Language marked its 30th anniversary and alumni reunion on December 14 under the theme “Thirty Years of Chinese Excellence: United in Language, Linked in Teaching, Connected in Learning.” More than one hundred alumni returned to campus to reconnect with former teachers and classmates, gathering to commemorate three decades of teaching and academic development.
The celebration opened with a cello and piano performance by undergraduate students Hsin-Yu Liu and Hsuan-Lin Tsai from the Applied Chinese Language and Culture program. They performed “Always with Me,” the ending theme from Spirited Away, symbolizing the enduring connection between alumni and the Department after graduation.
International students from the International Chinese track followed with a lion dance performance. The twelve performers, representing eight countries—Saint Vincent, Eswatini, Vietnam, Indonesia, Israel, Canada, India, and Germany—highlighted the Department’s international composition and cross-cultural learning environment. Their coordinated movements and rhythmic chants drew sustained applause from the audience.
Marking Three Decades of Academic Achievement
The event brought together retired faculty members, senior administrators, and college representatives to mark the Department’s milestone. Attendees included retired professors Teh-Ming Yeh and Jenn-Yeu Chen, along with President Cheng-Chi Wu; Vice President Yao-Ting Sung; Vice President for Academic Affairs Mei-Hui Liu; Secretary General An-Pan Lin; Dean Chih-Chien Steven Lai of the College of International Studies and Social Sciences; Vice President for Continuing Education Yan-Nan Hu; Vice President for the School of Teacher Education Yeu-Ting Liu; and Director Min-Ping Kang of the Center of Public Affairs.
In his remarks, President Wu congratulated the Department on its anniversary and noted that, together with the Mandarin Training Center and the Division of Preparatory Programs for Overseas Chinese Students, it has developed into Taiwan’s largest academic base for Chinese language teacher training. He emphasized the Department’s role in advancing bilingual education and internationalization initiatives, as well as its contribution to the university’s Excellence Initiative.
Reflecting on Growth and Continuity
A commemorative video titled Thirty Years of Chinese Excellence premiered during the event, featuring faculty reflections on the Department’s development and key milestones. Since its founding, the Department has advanced innovative approaches to Chinese language teaching by integrating language, culture, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Today, it serves a community of more than 1,000 students engaged in international Chinese language education.
A symbolic ceremony followed, in which former and current department chairs jointly cut a traditional peach-shaped longevity bun. Under the blessings of Professors Teh-Ming Yeh, Jenn-Yeu Chen, Ya-Hsun Tsai, and Chia-Fei Hung, the smaller peach emerged from the larger one, representing continuity, renewal, and the Department’s ongoing academic legacy.
Honoring Alumni Achievement and New Initiatives
The Department presented its “Spectacular Alumni of the Department” awards to recognize graduates who have distinguished themselves across a range of professional fields. This year’s recipients included Elisa Bianchi from the International Chinese track, Trần Ngọc Thúy from the Applied Chinese track, master’s candidate Zih-Jiun Lin, doctoral candidate Hsu-Yin Chang, and teaching assistant Xue-Ni Wang, recognized for her long-standing contributions to departmental administration.
Department Chair Chia-Fei Hung commended the award recipients for their achievements in areas including renewable energy, broadcasting, Chinese medicine, and diplomacy. Special recognition was given to Teaching Assistant Wang, who has served the Department for 26 years.
The Department also announced the results of its new logo design competition. After a competitive review process, Shih-Wei Yang, a second-year master’s student, was awarded first prize. The winning design features yellow and black lines forming the initials “CSL” and will serve as the Department’s new visual identity as it enters its next phase of development.
Alumni Reflections and Cultural Performance
Alumna Pei-Ling Huang from the Class of 110 shared that returning for the anniversary offered an opportunity to reconnect with faculty members and reflect on her academic experience. She encouraged current students to prepare early for their internship year. Lee Wei-Fang from the Class of 113, a recent graduate, said she returned to visit professors and junior students and encouraged them to pursue overseas internship opportunities through departmental programs.
The celebration concluded with a performance by the Hoyi Dance Crew, joined by seven undergraduates from the Applied Chinese Language and Culture program. They presented Taiwan’s first “Five Wealth Gods Street Dance,” combining folk deity imagery, traditional mask aesthetics, and contemporary hip-hop. The performance drew faculty and alumni onto the stage, bringing the evening to a lively close.
Looking Ahead
Through its 30th anniversary celebration and alumni reunion, the Department of Chinese as a Second Language reflected on its academic foundations while reinforcing connections among faculty, students, and alumni. As it looks ahead, the Department will continue to cultivate Chinese language professionals with strong pedagogical training and global awareness, building toward its next stage of development in international language education.