The Humanities and Technology Grand Lecture Series Invites Distinguished Chair Professor Chung‑Ming Kuan to Speak on “The Future of Globalization and Taiwan’s Challenges”

Since the 2023–24 academic year, Feng Chia University has launched its first large‑scale life‑education program, the Humanities and Technology Grand Lecture Series, inviting experts and scholars from diverse fields to share their wisdom and insights. The series aims to help students cultivate strong humanistic thinking while navigating the opportunities and challenges brought by rapid technological development, fostering their ability to understand and respect different values.

On November 2, the university invited Distinguished Chair Professor Chung‑Ming Kuan of National Taiwan University to deliver a keynote speech titled “The Future of Globalization and Taiwan’s Challenges.”

The Humanities and Technology Grand Lecture Series invited Distinguished Chair Professor Chung‑Ming Kuan to Feng Chia University to deliver a keynote speech titled “The Future of Globalization and Taiwan’s Challenges.”

Professor Kuan, a well‑known public figure, has an exceptional academic background. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, San Diego, specializing in econometrics. His academic achievements include the 43rd Academic Award (Social Sciences) from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education in 1999, election as an Academia Sinica Academician in 2002, election as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2014, and recognition as a National Chair Professor by the Ministry of Education in 2017.

Following the notion that “those who excel academically serve society,” Professor Kuan entered public service in 2012, serving as Minister without Portfolio, Minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, and later Minister of the National Development Council. He was elected President of National Taiwan University in 2018, and after weathering the renowned “presidential appointment controversy,” officially assumed office in 2019, serving until January 2023.

In his lecture, Professor Kuan emphasized that globalization is a long‑standing issue and will not disappear due to U.S.–China tensions. While global supply chains may shift or reorganize, economies will continue to remain interconnected in many dimensions, presenting an even more complex landscape. He outlined several challenges Taiwan currently faces, including changes in U.S. supply structures, industrial upgrading and optimization in mainland China, Taiwan’s highly concentrated export markets and product categories, as well as political risks arising from cross‑strait relations.

Professor Kuan further offered constructive perspectives on how Taiwan may respond, such as strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries, diversifying export markets, expanding product categories, and developing more upstream and mid‑stream key components to increase the competitiveness of Taiwanese industries through irreplaceable products. Regarding cross‑strait relations, he stressed the need for political leaders on both sides to exercise reason and wisdom to safeguard a stable balance and contribute to global peace.

At the event, Chairperson Cheng‑Shu Kao, himself a socioeconomic scholar, and President Wei Wang, with a background in economics, were both in full attendance. Chairperson Kao expressed gratitude to “Professor Kuan” for delivering, within just one hour, a lecture rich in historical depth and global perspective—an invaluable lesson for students. He encouraged young learners to understand global changes through continuous learning, so that their future paths may become ever broader and brighter.