Dr. Chuan Yi Tang, Providence University’s New President
  
On July 30, 2010, Dr. Chuan Yi Tang was installed as the 9th President of Providence University. The installation took place within the context of a Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Excellency, Most Reverend Martin Su Yao-Wen, Bishop of the Diocese of Taichung and newly-elected Chairperson of the Providence University Board of Trustees. In his acceptance speech, President Tang spoke of how the community and the Church are urged by God’s love to cultivate and share intellectual resources.
Most Reverend Joseph Wang Yu-Jung, former Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, in his address, linked the ideals of Mother Marie Gratia Luking of the Sisters of Providence, Foundress of Providence University, as the enduring inspiration and model in carrying out the mission of the university.
Bishop Wang prayed that through President Tang’s leadership and everyone’s assistance, the Holy Spirit would guide the way to continue to make Providence University a great Catholic institution. Bishop Su thanked out-going President Yu Min-Teh for his many achievements during his term of office, likening him to a “potter” and a “professional pilot”.
For each of the past five consecutive years, Providence University has been a recipient of the University Excellence in Teaching Award from the Ministry of Education. The Providence Volunteer Program and Service Learning have become a national model/standard for schools on the island. Bishop Su then blessed President Tang as he leads Providence University into its new phase.
During the ceremony, out-going President Yu Ming-Teh thanked all the faculty and students for their dedication and full support. He will continue to devote himself in the field of education.
President Tang, praised out-going President Yu’s commitment and accomplishments by describing the present state of Providence University in the following terms: In spite of the low birth rate and the increasing competitiveness in the field of higher education, Providence University yearly increased its enrollment to reach a high of 95.65% last year. Fulfilling one of a Catholic university’s responsibilities, teaching and research are used as resources in helping the disadvantaged. The National Science Council has designed aids to assist in the education and employment of the visually-impaired. Out of twenty-five (25) proposed projects, six (6) were nationally implemented, two of which were submitted from Providence University. (It was our honor to welcome Dr. Wang Jianli, a visually-impaired friend and project partner, who wass present at the installation day.)
A greater challenge is to provide internship and employment not only for the visually-challenged students of Providence University, but for other schools in Taiwan. Providence University is aware of and quick to respond to disaster. At the time of the devastating typhoon which struck Taiwan last year, the university offered twelve (12) action-oriented and professional service-learning programs for teachers and students, an example of the charitable outreach of the Catholic community.
President Tang affirmed these values. He stated that along with green chemistry, an emphasis on ecology, environmental protection, and cultural differences, we must always be guided by a holistic view of humanity. He also reminded his audience that “Providence” means “God’s blessing”. We therefore pray that, as a team, we ensure a timely response to the pursuit of truth, unselfishly passing it on to our students and exhorting them to take right actions in improving their service to humankind. We ask God that all humanity will grow in loving relationship with a solid spirit of cooperation.
Dr. Chuan Yi Tang, President of Providence University, possesses extensive academic and administrative qualifications. He was a recipient of the Outstanding Research Award from the National Science Council, ROC; from Tsinghua University he received the Outstanding Teaching Award and Distinguished Professor Award. The following are his professional experiences, to mention a few:
• Dean of Academic Affairs, National Tsing-Hua University;
• Director of Recording Books Services Center for the Blind, National Tsing-Hua University;
• Professor, Department of Computer Science, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, ROC;
• Executive Officer, Tsing Hua College, National Tsing Hua University;
• Director of the Computer and Communication Center, National Tsing Hua University;
• Director of the Division of International and Continuing Education, National Tsing Hua University;
• Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs, National Tsing-Hua University;
• Director of Student Affairs, National Tsing-Hua University;
• Officer, Membership Development, Academia, 17th IEEE Taipei Section;
• Executive Director of the Computer Society of the Republic of China;
• Executive Board, Institute of Digital Audio Books, Taiwan; • Board, Bioinformatics Society Taiwan;
• Convener, Division of Computer Science and Information Engineering I, National Science Council;
• Editor, Asia Journal of Health and Information Sciences.
Dr. Tang’s research interests include analysis and design of algorithms, computational molecular biology, parallel processing and computer-aided engineering. Fifty (50) of his papers are published in prestigious journals of computer science and other international magazines. For comparative genomics, he designed several different algorithms to predict exons and alternative splicing. He has developed tools for pathway verification by using the technologies of computing theory and computer-aided engineering. With his plentiful experiences he has been a leader in the cooperation between computer scientists and biologists.
“Use the computer for the visually-challenged to open a window” was a principle behind Dr. Tang’s initiative in the recruitment volunteer program to read to the visually-impaired. As the director of Recording Books Services Center for the Blind, National Tsing-Hua University he initiated the recording of 12,420 audio books and 75,471 volumes online that can downloaded with DAISY digital talking book service. This is currently the largest and richest collection of audio books of any library in Taiwan. It has opened rich domestic and diverse-learning channels for friends with visual disabilities.
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