Yesterday morning (23rd), the Teaching Resources and Faculty Development Center, Human Resources Office, and Faculty Association of Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU) jointly hosted the Teacher’s Day Appreciation Tea Ceremony under the theme “A Moment to Honor, A Lifetime of Gratitude.” Through tea-serving, blessing videos, and handwritten cards, the event expressed heartfelt appreciation to teachers for their long-term dedication. This year’s Teacher’s Day was especially meaningful, as it was reinstated as a national holiday after 24 years, highlighting both the commemorative nature of the occasion and CSMU’s tradition of valuing medical humanities and respecting teachers.

In his remarks, CSMU President Chien-Ning Huang emphasized that teachers not only bear the mission of “imparting knowledge and resolving doubts” but also actively contribute to research and innovation, fulfilling the university’s social responsibility. He noted that CSMU’s mission lies in cultivating talents who can respond to societal needs, with teachers’ professional guidance and personal role-modeling serving as key forces driving social progress. He expressed gratitude to all faculty members for their dedication in teaching, research, and service, which has enabled CSMU to advance continuously in medical education and interdisciplinary development.

Dr. Ming-Che Tsai, Superintendent of Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, also shared at the ceremony that medical education extends beyond the classroom—once students enter the clinical setting, patients become important teachers, allowing medical students to grow through real-life experiences. He encouraged faculty with the words, “Teachers are coaches, but also role models,” quoting poet Rabindranath Tagore’s “Let life be a light to others” from Living as Light, urging educators to continue being guiding lights in their students’ lives with conviction and kindness.

The ceremony featured a tea-serving ritual, where student representatives personally served tea to teachers as a symbol of respect and gratitude. A blessing video prepared by CSMU Chairperson Ying-Hsiang Chou, the President, Vice Presidents, and students was also played, conveying the university’s collective appreciation.

In the week leading up to the event, the university organized a “Thank-You Card Campaign” in which students wrote heartfelt messages to their teachers. Many cards were shared during the tea ceremony: some expressed gratitude for teachers’ support during family hardships, others for patience and flexibility in academic guidance, and still others from freshmen thanking professors for carefully designing courses that clarified their future direction. Each word carried sincerity and warmth, becoming the most touching gift of Teacher’s Day.

CSMU stated that the Teacher’s Day Tea Ceremony not only strengthened bonds between teachers and students but also carried special significance due to the reinstatement of Teacher’s Day as a national holiday. Moving forward, the university will continue to promote diverse activities to cultivate a culture of respect for teachers, helping students learn gratitude while enabling teachers to feel the value and recognition of their educational mission.