National Chung Cheng University (CCU) marked a special year-end milestone on December 17 by lighting its first Christmas tree in a campus public space. The event brought together University President Shaw-Jenq Tsai; Dean of the Office of International Affairs Prof. Victoria Rau; Vice Dean of the College of Engineering Prof. Alan Liu, along with faculty members Prof. Gerry Rau and Prof. Mohamed Shaaban from the College of Engineering; Section Chief of the Office of International Affairs Prof. Kok Yong Lee; Prof. Van-Linh Nguyen; Prof. Ho Pan Shum from the College of Management; and international students, highlighting CCU’s growing international and multicultural campus.

The 2025 Christmas Tree Lighting Event, organized by the Office of International Affairs (OIA), was held in front of the OIA building. During the countdown, a five-meter-tall Christmas tree was officially illuminated, symbolizing an important milestone in CCU’s continued efforts to promote internationalization and cultural exchange on campus.

To create a warm and festive atmosphere for international students studying in Taiwan, the program featured a Christmas medley performed by approximately 20 international students, led by Vernell from CCU’s Educational Leadership and Management Development (ELMD) Program. The performance showcased songs in multiple languages—including Spanish, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Filipino, French, and Swahili—reflecting the cultural diversity of the CCU community. The medley concluded with a Chinese sing-along, inviting faculty members and students to join together in celebration.

As a gesture of appreciation, CCU President Tsai presented Christmas gifts crafted from Taiwan incense cedar (Calocedrus formosana) collected on the CCU campus. The wood was repurposed from trees that had fallen during Typhoon Danas in 2025, transforming campus materials into meaningful souvenirs and underscoring CCU’s commitment to sustainability. President Tsai expressed his hope that the gifts would accompany students in their future studies and bring them success in their academic pursuits.

Prior to the lighting countdown, retired CCU professor Prof. Gerry Rau shared the origins and cultural background of the Christmas tree, offering participants deeper insight into the traditions behind the holiday.
The evening’s highlight came when President Tsai and university representatives jointly pressed the activation button to light the Christmas tree.

The event concluded with a raffle for six lucky students and photo activities, allowing participants to capture lasting memories of a warm and joyful year-end celebration at CCU.