Soochow Marks 126th Anniversary with Campus-Wide Sports Festival

A campus-wide sports festival brought Soochow University’s 126th anniversary celebrations to life on March 21 at its Waishuangxi campus, drawing faculty, students, and alumni from Taiwan and abroad. The event combined athletic competitions with ceremonial highlights, celebrating the University’s long-standing traditions and collective spirit.

The opening ceremony began with a parade of teams representing academic departments and administrative units. Students and alumni marched alongside one another, reflecting the university’s sense of continuity and community. Cheers from the crowd energized the atmosphere and set the tone for the day’s events.

In his remarks, President Chyan-Long Jan emphasized the University’s commitment to sustainable development and paid tribute to the late Shao-Yu Wang, former Chairman of the Board, for his lasting contributions. He noted that Soochow’s continued growth is rooted in the dedication and support of its alumni community.

Chairman Sung-Chang Tang outlined a forward-looking vision of expanding global engagement and strengthening industry-academia collaboration, underscoring the University’s efforts to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

A highlight of the ceremony was the torch-lighting ritual, symbolizing the continuity of the Soochow spirit. Two student-athletes ran from opposite ends of the track and lit the central flame in front of the audience.

Designed by Chair Professor Chiou-Min Chen of the Department of Physics, the torches were engineered to burn steadily even in wind and light rain, reflecting both innovation and resilience.

As the flame was lit, a series of sports competitions and stage performances officially began, filling the campus with both a sense of tradition and youthful energy. With 126 years of history behind it, Soochow University continues to move forward while honoring its past.