The 2011 NATMUAA Convention: A Heartwarming Voyage to Alaska
The North America Taipei Medical University Alumni Association (NATMUAA) is well-known for its enthusiasm and vibrant community. Following a year of meticulous planning by President Li-Chen Chen (陳麗珍), Vice President Jui-Yuan Chang (張瑞湲), CFO Mei-Yu Lai (賴美玉), and Secretary-General Yuan-Ching Lin (林元清), the 2011 Convention took an innovative turn: it was held aboard a magnificent Alaska Cruise.
From August 27 to September 2, 2011, alumni embarked on a seven-day journey. The official 2011 Annual Convention was convened on August 28 in the Hudson Room on the ship's third floor. This year, 36 alumni from across North America attended with their families, including President Li-Chen Chen (陳麗珍), Vice President Jui-Yuan Chang (張瑞湲), CFO Mei-Yu Lai (賴美玉), and Philadelphia Chapter President Yi-Fu Hsiao (蕭逸夫).
Representing the university were Vice President Ching-Hua Su (蘇慶華) and Director Hsien-Chung Hsu (徐仙中). Additionally, Shou-Cheng Chen (陳守誠), President of the Medical Alumni Association, and Kuei-Ling Hsieh (謝桂鈴), President of the Pharmacy Alumni Association, traveled from afar to join the festivities. During her opening remarks, President Chen thanked everyone for their participation and announced that the 2012 Convention would be held on September 2, 2012, in the San Francisco Bay Area, encouraging all TMUers to register early.
University Updates and Global Competitiveness
The meeting began with the school anthem, followed by a documentary on TMU's 50th Anniversary and a university introduction video. Vice President Ching-Hua Su (蘇慶華) delivered greetings from President Yun Yan (閻雲) and provided a comprehensive briefing on the university's recent milestones, including:
- Human Resources and Organizational Structure
- QS Asia University Rankings (Top 100)
- Academic Research Competitiveness
- Rising Trends in Freshman Admissions
- Future Strategic Planning and Development Goals
- Strengthening the Alumni Network
President Shou-Cheng Chen (陳守誠) and President Kuei-Ling Hsieh (謝桂鈴) reported on the membership benefits and rights for the Medicine and Pharmacy alumni chapters, respectively. During the subsequent forum, alumni provided valuable feedback, emphasizing two priorities:
- Establishing a comprehensive and accurate alumni database.
- Reconnecting with "lost" alumni to expand the network.
- The group also discussed strategies to make the upcoming 2012 San Francisco Convention even more impactful.
Unforgettable Memories
As the Holland America Line – MS Zuiderdam sailed through the breathtaking Alaskan fjords, the bond among TMUers grew stronger. From the capital of Juneau to the historic town of Skagway, the beauty of the glaciers was matched only by the warmth of the alumni's shared memories. This cruise convention has left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who attended.
[Photo: The Holland America Line – MS Zuiderdam sets sail with TMU alumni.
[Photo: Left 1: Under the vast sky and sea, TMU hearts unite. Left 2: The stunning glacier views of the Alaskan fjords.]
[Photo: Right 1: Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Right 2: Alumni in Skagway (Photo by Su Ching-Hua).]
Source: Office of Public Affairs