Jan Begins New Presidency, Hoping for Soochow’s Rise into Top Universities

Professor Chyan-Long Jan officially took office as SU’s new president, taking the reins from outgoing President Wei-Ta Pan in a ceremony at the university’s Downtown Campus on April 1^st, 2024. The event was presided over by School Board Chairman Shao-Yu Wang, who handed over the presidential seal in front of the school’s administrative heads, board members, distinguished guests and alumni. 

Wang commended Professor Pan for his 12 years of leadership, during which the university maintained strong financial health despite challenges like declining enrollment. Under Pan's guidance, Soochow's endowment fund grew, and the school achieved a balanced budget. In recognition of his contributions, the Board established the "President Pan Sports Scholarship." 

In his farewell speech, Pan, who has been with Soochow since he was 19 as a student, shared his deep emotional connection to the university. Aside from military service and studying in the United States, his life has been closely tied to Soochow. He expressed gratitude to the faculty, staff, and alumni for their support and wished the university continuous success under Jan's leadership.

President Jan, an SU alumnus in Accounting (Class of 1983), highlighted the university’s growing appeal as Soochow received over 11,000 applications this year, a 4,000 increase from the previous year. Jan aims to elevate SU to the ranks of the world’s best universities and surpass many private and public counterparts in Taiwan. 

Jan outlined his vision for the university, focusing on several key areas including: enhancing Soochow’s brand by learning from top educators, fostering cross-disciplinary talents, and ensuring for students a seamless transition from education to employment. He also emphasized overcoming enrollment challenges brought by low birthrates, building a global alumni network, and implementing performance-oriented resource allocation. 

In the aspect of education policies, Jan plans to strengthen initiatives such as second specialty programs, micro-credits, interdisciplinary courses, and self-directed learning opportunities, all of which aim to equip students with a wider range of academic and professional skills and to ensure they are well-prepared for the future. 

Jan's extensive experience at Soochow as Vice President, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Dean of the School of Business, as well as his deep-rooted connection to and familiarity with the university are believed to position him well to lead Soochow University into its next chapter.