2025-10-02

"Godfather of Taiwan table tennis" Chih-yuan Chuang has officially joined National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) as a faculty member starting in August 2025. NSYSU announced the appointment of Chuang as an Associate Professor, bringing outstanding athletic expertise into its teaching team. Beyond teaching physical education courses, Chuang will also coach the NSYSU table tennis team, working with the university to cultivate world-class sports talent.

"I am very happy and honored to join NSYSU. Please take good care of me," said Chuang. Having always been immersed in the familiar arenas of training and competition, this is his first time stepping into academia. "I feel both excited and nervous," he admitted, adding that he hopes to adapt quickly to the university's pace and challenges, teach his students well, and grow together with them through learning and sharing.

NSYSU President Chih-Peng Li praised Chuang's appointment as an infusion of top-tier athletic energy into the university, expressing high expectations for both faculty and students under his guidance. President Li noted that NSYSU has consistently excelled in sports such as women's volleyball, sailing, and archery. In table tennis, two NSYSU men's doubles teams placed among the top eight nationally at the 2025 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games, demonstrating a solid foundation in the sport. Chuang's arrival, he said, is expected to elevate the university's table tennis performance to new heights.

President Li further emphasized that Chuang will not only offer professional athletic guidance in competition but also inspire students to understand how elite athletes leverage their comprehensive capabilities on the international stage, extending career value and social influence. This collaboration symbolizes the integration of higher education with top athletes and signals a new stage in Taiwan's sports development. Zong-Yan CAI, Director of NSYSU's Center for Physical and Health Education, highlighted that Chuang is not only a world-class athlete but also a coach with a strong passion for education. His presence, CAI noted, will have a far-reaching positive impact on strengthening table tennis at NSYSU and enhancing the university's overall athletic competitiveness.

Chuang is one of the most iconic figures in Taiwan's table tennis history. Rising to prominence in his youth, he made his Olympic debut in 2004 and went on to represent Taiwan in six consecutive Olympic Games (2004-2024). In December 2003, he reached a career-high world ranking of third, marking a historic milestone for Taiwan, and maintained a world top-10 ranking throughout most of his career. Beyond his impressive international record, Chuang has played a pivotal role in developing Taiwanese table tennis, personally mentoring young athletes and emphasizing a philosophy of training that values both character and skill, significantly contributing to grassroots cultivation.

Looking ahead to the long-term development of athletic talent, NSYSU stated that, alongside nurturing top young athletes to compete in international tournaments, providing them with professional education in language skills, cross-cultural communication, international negotiation, cultural literacy, and elite athlete management will help them transition after retirement into roles such as influential international sports commissioners, agents, or world-class coaches. Such preparation will broaden career paths for Taiwan's athletes, making sports not only a competition on the field but also a valuable asset for advancing in life across diverse domains.