▎PEOPLE

National Taiwan University (NTU) welcomed its newest students at the 2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony on September 6. The program offered a rich blend of student performances, creative storytelling, and inspirational messages, to celebrate the start of this new chapter. Curiosity, exploration, and self-discovery were stressed to encourage the freshmen to seek new experiences and chart their own paths throughout their university journey.

The event opened with a spirited performance by the NTU Hip-Hop Dance Club, which set a lively, vibrant tone for the celebration. A student-organized team also premiered a short film, "A Day in the Life of an NTU Freshman," blending science fiction and mystery to capture the excitement and uncertainty of the freshmen when they enter the university. The film explored the most common questions faced by new students, while highlighting the broad palette of campus resources available to support them, encouraging freshmen to actively seek opportunities and make full use of the University's academic resources and student support services.

In his opening remarks, NTU President Wen-Chang Chen reminded the new students to consider the university as a place not only to acquire knowledge and professional expertise, but also to broaden one’s perspectives and gradually discover a purpose in life. He encouraged the students to build a solid academic foundation while stepping outside the classroom to have a rich diversity of experiences. Moreover, through learning to make decisions, take responsibility, adapt to challenges, and develop communication skills and empathy, he added, students can continue to grow by accumulating a plethora of everyday experiences.

Student representative Kuan-Hsun Tu reflected on his journey after transferring to NTU's Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering. He candidly described his initial feeling of uncertainty then how he gained confidence working beside his teammates in the Student Cluster Competition (SCC), which eventually led to their winning the world championship. He encouraged the incoming students not to fear moments of uncertainty or hesitate due to inexperience, emphasizing that the unknown is often the crucible of meaningful learning. By being willing to try new things, trusting in teammates, and meeting difficulties and challenges, students can gradually discover their own direction.

As the new academic year begins, NTU hopes every freshman will grasp the courage to explore this rich environment, develop the confidence to navigate their uncertainty, and grasp the opportunities that lie ahead. Through inspiring curiosity, resilience, and continuous learning, the University encourages its newest members to create a future uniquely their own.