NCKU Freshman Camp: President Shen Welcomes Freshmen to the Unity and Prosperity of NCKU
Written by Hsu Tsu-Yueh. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
The 14th annual Freshman Camp at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) began on September 4th, at Chung-Cheng Hall on the Kuang-Fu Campus, welcoming over 3,300 new students. NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen, along with university officials, addressed the freshmen, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration at NCKU. President Shen encouraged students to pursue their goals with determination while upholding the university’s reputation, drawing an analogy between the spirit of NCKU and the iconic banyan tree on campus.
The 14th NCKU Freshman Camp kicked off on the morning of September 4th. NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen warmly welcomed the new students to the NCKU family.
The academic year officially begins on September 9th. This year’s Freshman Camp, the largest in southern Taiwan, runs for three days and is designed specifically for new students. Over 2,300 faculty members, staff, and student volunteers participated in the opening ceremony, setting a positive tone for the upcoming semester.
In his speech, President Shen reflected on NCKU’s 93-year history and its critical contributions to national development in fields such as industry, infrastructure, national defense, and pandemic response. President Shen reaffirmed NCKU’s commitment to fostering "Teamwork," "Compassion," and "Resilience" and emphasized its leadership in healthcare, biomedical sciences, digital sustainability, semiconductor innovation, and urban transformation. NCKU's contributions to global sustainability, biotechnology, the arts, and higher education have also solidified its role as a source of national pride.
The new academic year began on Monday, September 9th. Faculty and students are filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming academic year.
President Shen likened NCKU’s educational mission to that of gardeners nurturing seedlings, stressing the university’s role in equipping students with both professional knowledge and humanistic values. The university has implemented a comprehensive student support system to ease the transition. The "Office of the First-Year Student," along with other services, assists students from enrollment to their ongoing academic journey, ensuring they make the most of their time at NCKU.
NCKU introduced online resources such as the “Office of the First-Year Student” and the “NCKU Freshman Podcast,” along with the “Student Affairs Time” segment at the orientation camp to help first-year students prepare for university life.
To further ease the transition, NCKU has blended traditional welcome events with digital engagement. This year features new tools like the "NCKU Freshman Podcast" and the "Office of the First-Year Student" online platform, providing early access to campus resources. Freshman Camp, which ran from September 4th to 6th, offered a variety of activities, including games, organization fairs, speaker sessions, corporate forums, and exhibitions aimed at helping students integrate into NCKU’s culture and community.
A new addition to this year’s Freshman Camp was the “Student Affairs Time” segment during the opening ceremony. Vice President of Academic Affairs Sheng-Chih Shen, alongside other student affairs representatives, introduced the university’s support systems, such as Counseling and Wellness Services, Housing, and Career Consulting. This segment highlighted NCKU’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
From September 4th to September 6th, activities in the NCKU Freshman Camp helped freshmen gain a deeper understanding of NCKU and quickly integrate into life in Tainan.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2024-09-23