History

In order to promote academic research on international affairs and strategy in Taiwan, our university had begun training professionals in this field. On March 23 1982, with the support of General Chiang Wei-Kuo and Dr. Hsu Chih-Wei, former director of the Provincial Education Department, the “Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies” (GIIASS) was officially established.

The inaugural director of our institute was General Pi Tsung-Kan, who had previously served as the 17th President of the National Defense University. In March 1983, after the approval from the Ministry of Education, the institute was officially renamed “International Affairs and Strategic Studies”. It had become the first institution of higher education in Taiwan and Asia.

The following directors included Zhang Shi-Chi (former Director of Military Intelligence Bureau), Kung Ling-Cheng (former Commander of the Marine Corps and Director-General of the National Police Agency), Lin Yu-Fang and Li Tzu-Yi. The institute had been continuously improving faculty as well as enhancing curriculum. Notably, Professor Niu Hsien-Chung, a pioneer in strategic studies in Taiwan, who had been a long-term professor of our institute played a vital role in teaching and translating numerous classic works in the field.

In 1996, under the leadership of Dr. Wong Ming-Hsien the institute entered its second phase of development. Amidst the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, efforts were made to strengthen research on national security, cross-strait strategic conditions, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In 1999, in response to government policy “Lifelong learning”, Dr. Wong introduced the “In-Service Master’s Program” to provide personnel from the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and various sectors to pursue further education of International Affairs and Strategic studies as well as enhancing their knowledge of international affairs and strategy. This expanded the integration of Taiwan’s international affairs and strategic studies and fostered mutual learning between academia and practical application.

In 2002, Dr. Huang Chieh-Cheng, a distinguished alumnus of our institute from the inaugural graduating class, marking the first instance of a graduate returning to serve at the alma mater, took over the position of director of the institute. One year later, due to his exceptional performance, he was seconded to become the Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council. Therefore, in August 2003, Dr. Wang Gao-Cheng succeeded him.

In 2006, based on the outstanding performance of the master’s and in-service programs, the institute received approval from the Ministry of Education to establish a doctoral program to cultivate advanced professional academics in international affairs and strategy for the country. Meanwhile, renowned domestic and international strategic scholars were recruited as adjunct faculty members, including an honorary professor Dr. Wei E, Dr. Chang Ching-Yu, a former President of National Chengchi University, and Dr. Hsu Chi-Wei, a former Director of the Provincial Education Department. Additionally, Dr. Lin Chung-Pin, former Deputy Minister of the MND, joined the institute as a full-time faculty member. These developments marked the third phase of transformation and prosperity of the institute’s development.

In August 2009, Dr. Wong Ming-Hsien once again assumed the position of director. To enhance the diversity of our student, in addition to expanding the admission of international students, starting from 2011, we also introduced the “Pre-Master’s Program”.  In 2014, the “Master’s Program in National Security and Diplomatic Practices” was established. Simultaneously, our institute has not only been strengthening our annual collaboration with the National Defense University’s Institute for Strategic and International Affairs in conducting the “National Strategic Scenario War Game”, enhancing our relationships with defense institutions, and fully promoting the development of the “Tamkang School of Strategic Studies”.Our mission is to drive the institute towards becoming an “academic cornerstone” and a “national stronghold” in the realm of strategic studies.

Since August 2015, Dr. Li ,Da-Chung assumed the role of director. During his tenure, he successfully organized the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the institute. With the collaborative efforts of all the dedicated faculty and students, remarkable achievements were made in teaching, research, and service. Under his leadership, the institute achieved consecutive recognitions in the 6th and 7th School Development Awards of our university, standing out prominently among all graduate institutes at the school. This accomplishment serves as a testament to Dr. Lee’s exemplary leadership, hands-on approach, and tireless efforts in fostering unity throughout the institute.

In August 2019, Dr. Wong Ming-Hsien assumed the directorship of the Institute for the third time. At that time, the challenges posed by declining birth rates and student recruitment had become increasingly severe, while the university was also undertaking organizational restructuring and departmental integration. The Institute therefore entered a critical period of strategic transition.

In addition to continuing its longstanding efforts in teaching, research, and service, the Institute further expanded its annual “Tamkang School of Strategic Studies Annual Conference” and the “National Strategic Community Doctoral and Master’s Thesis Presentation.” It also pioneered collaboration with international think tanks. Each year, the Institute worked with the Taiwan Strategic Studies Association and, on a semiannual basis, co-hosted the “Cross-Strait Strategy Forum” with the Shanghai Institute of Public Relations and the “Taiwan-Japan Security Forum” with Japan’s Institute for International and Security Studies, thereby establishing and strengthening academic and institutional exchanges with overseas think tanks.

In response to the 108 Curriculum Guidelines for the 12-Year Basic Education, announced by the Ministry of Education’s K-12 Education Administration, under which National Defense Education was established as an independent subject, the Institute established a “National Defense Education Teacher Training Program” as well as a “Post-Baccalaureate Credit Program in National Defense Education.” The Institute also organized the “National Defense Education Expo” to further strengthen its capacity for policy research and academic development in the field of national defense education.

During Dr. Wong’s tenure, the Institute also celebrated its 40th anniversary. Under his leadership, full-time and adjunct faculty members, alumni, and current graduate students jointly organized the “Tamkang Strategy: Forty and Unperturbed” 40th Anniversary Celebration and Faculty Appreciation & Welcome Dinner. More than 210 distinguished guests, including the President of Tamkang University, the President of the Alumni Association, faculty members, alumni, and current graduate students, were invited to participate. The event reflected the Institute’s commitment to building upon its accumulated achievements and laying a strong foundation for continued development over the next decade.

In August 2023, Dr. Li Da-Chung assumed the directorship of the Institute for the second time. Building upon the solid foundations established by his predecessors in teaching, research, and service, he has emphasized innovation and continuous advancement, with the goals of expanding the Institute’s social and policy impact and strengthening connections with alumni.

In August 2024, the Institute established a dual master’s degree program in cooperation with the Department of International Studies & Modern Languages at the University of St. Thomas, USA. During his tenure, Dr. Li has also continued to promote faculty development mechanisms, encourage teaching innovation and international academic exchanges, and collaborate with the university’s Office of Publishing to publish a series of scholarly monographs, thereby enhancing the Institute’s academic influence.

The Institute has also organized diplomatic and national security decision-making simulations and war games to strengthen students’ practical decision-making and crisis-response capabilities. It has actively invited international scholars to Taiwan for lectures, academic exchanges, and collaborative research, expanding its international academic networks. At the same time, the Institute has actively engaged in media partnerships and public issues to enhance its visibility and social influence.

In addition, the Institute has developed distinctive curricula featuring the unique characteristics of Tamkang’s strategic studies, actively cultivating professional talent and creating competitive advantages in student recruitment. In 2025, the Institute received the university’s 13th Department and Graduate Institute Development Award. Upholding its longstanding educational philosophy of integrating theory with practice, the Institute continues to cultivate professionals in international affairs and strategic studies and to fulfill its founding vision of becoming a “National Stronghold and Academic Center of Excellence.”

Conclusion

In summary, over the course of its 44-year history, the Institute has continuously developed and expanded its operations, educational programs, academic research, social services, and institutional development. Under the guidance of distinguished scholars with expertise in both the theory and practice of international affairs and strategic studies, the Institute has cultivated 1,170 doctoral and master’s graduates for Taiwan and society.

Its alumni have gone on to make significant contributions across a wide range of fields, including education, academic research, public administration, legislation, national security, media, and the private sector. Their professional achievements and contributions have played an important role in advancing the study and application of international relations, strategic studies, international strategy, and national defense policy in Taiwan.

Through 45 years of sustained commitment to education, research, professional training, and public service, the Institute remains dedicated to its founding mission of cultivating outstanding professionals in international affairs and strategic studies and realizing its vision of becoming a “National Stronghold and Academic Center of Excellence.”