Paying tribute to teachers: 2023 Teachers’ Day Tea Party

NTU held the 2023 Teachers’ Day Tea Party on September 28. The event sought to honor and crown the winners of numerous on/off-campus awards, such as Outstanding Senior Teacher Award, for those who had reached 30 or 40 years in their service, as well as National Excellent Teacher Award, Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award, Outstanding Teacher Service Award, and Outstanding Advisor Award. NTU acknowledges their efforts and dedication and will continue to honor and support their endeavor. Awardees also took this special gathering to converse with each other and the rest of NTU members.

President Wen-Chang Chen (陳文章) started his address by citing a quote by the former NTU Chinese and Taiwanese literature professor Ching-Ming Ko (柯慶明), “Education is the sign of civilization.” President Chen then elaborated that as education can shape civilization, teachers, with their knowledge and character, can also have monumental influences on their students. For a teacher, seeing former students return to express their gratitude brings an immense sense of spiritual fulfillment, which is beyond the measure of any monetary reward.

President Chen further indicated that as time evolves, teaching has gone far beyond unidirectional lecturing; students are now more liberated in giving feedback, which pushes teachers to break barriers and encourages them to innovate teaching modes and materials. Aside from academic research and teaching, NTU teachers have also performed exceptionally well in servicing other NTU members on campus or communities off campus. President Chen extended his sincere appreciation to those teachers for their selfless spirit.

President Chen mentioned that with the joint effort across campus, NTU moved up 35 places in the latest THE (Times Higher Education) ranking. However, he was more concerned about whether NTU graduates make their mark and contribute to society or if NTU has equipped them with the proper knowledge and skills to succeed, as these are ultimately what motivate teachers day in and day out. He added that teachers' exertion on all fronts pays off as long as students genuinely benefit from their NTU journey and grow into productive members of society, with some passing down the torch to the next generation, completing a virtuous cycle. President Chen ended his remark by thanking all teachers again for their dedication and diligence.

The recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Social Service Award (a sub-category of Outstanding Teacher Service Award) and Outstanding Senior Teacher Award (30 years) is Distinguished Professor Wei-Jen Chen (陳為堅) of NTU College of Public Health. In his acceptance speech, he went through his 30 years of teaching career and told many touching stories while giving constructive advice to NTU. One does not have to know Prof. Chen in person to feel his wholehearted care and determination to better his college, university, and society.

At NTU, we are grateful to have such an incredible team of faculty who dedicated much of their precious time and energy to teaching, research, and services. NTU has come this far because of you. Enjoy this special day dedicated to you. Happy teachers’ day!