▎PEOPLE

Spotlighting the theme “NTU: Where Creativity and Dreams Take Flight,” the 2024 opening ceremony at National Taiwan University (NTU) encouraged the incoming students not just to develop their skills and knowledge during their academic journey but also strive to make a positive impact on society.

In his opening remarks, NTU President Wen-Chang Chen emphasized the four pillars of a balanced university education in the 21^st century: “Academic Excellence,” “Diverse Knowledge Base,” “International Perspectives,” and “Putting Theory into Practice.” He also underscored three key priorities for students to bear in mind: “Build Friendships,” “Develop Resilience,” and “Cultivate the Courage to Pursue Dreams.” To help students pursue these goals, NTU continuously improves its specialized academic modules, undergraduate programs, and honors programs. Additionally, the “NTU Beyond Borders” initiative will be launched during the new academic year, providing students subsidies to participate in internships, work placements, and entrepreneurship programs at top universities, companies, and NGOs abroad during summer and winter breaks. This initiative is aimed at broadening students’ international perspectives, strengthening their interpersonal skills, and promoting interdisciplinary learning.

The ceremony also featured several notable NTU alumni, including members of the Cosmos People band, actors Chien-Pei Yang and Shang-He Huang, and author Shi-Yong Li. They joined the leadership of the NTU Student Association and Graduate Student Association in encouraging the freshmen to not only focus on acquiring academic knowledge but also to identify and develop their own values and maintain a balanced and stable mindset. With such a foundation, students will be better equipped to explore and yet care for themselves while striving toward goals that are bigger than themselves.

The ceremony concluded with videos from several service-oriented student groups, such as the NTU Northern Thailand Service Club and the NTU Homeless Service Society. These presentations illustrated NTU’s commitment to encouraging students to use their talents and skills to help others and exert a positive influence, whether in Taiwan or elsewhere, to foster a better society.

While opening Academic Year 2024, NTU welcomed 4,497 new undergraduate students and 5,932 new graduate students. These enthusiastic freshmen and their families participated in the ceremony and watched captivating performances and carefully curated videos. These presentations showcased the dedication, drive, and spirit of service that NTU students embody, inspiring the new students at the beginning of their exciting university journey ahead, filled with creativity and dreams.