On the 1^st of July, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) welcomed its 10^th President, Professor Yu Ming-Lung (余明隆). In the handover ceremony chaired by KMU’s Chairman Eric K. Chen (陳建志), former President Yang Chun-Yuh (楊俊毓) placed the official seal into the hands of President Yu, symbolizing the official handover of presidential duties. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Minister for Education Cheng Ying-Yao (鄭英耀), Kaohsiung City Secretary-General Kuo Tien-Kuei (郭添貴), and representatives from various sectors.

Chairman Chen expressed gratitude in his address for former President Yang’s contributions, particularly Professor Yang’s dedication to building a sustainable, healthy campus and implementing environmental and life education. Chairman Chen also thanked the Presidential Selection Committee for their recommendation and encouraged incoming President Yu to foster a culture of responsibility, fulfill the mission of “nurturing talent and strengthening KMU”, advancing the university's educational ideals, teaching excellence, and social impact to an international level, thereby fulfilling its social responsibility (USR) while enhancing KMU's global influence.

Education Minister Cheng Ying-Yao attended the ceremony as a friend of President Yu, expressing his belief in President Yu's sense of mission for KMU. He emphasized the importance of integrating resources from higher education institutions in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area to enhance healthcare services. Minister Cheng also hoped that under President Yu’s leadership, KMU may significantly contribute to President Lai Ching-Te (賴清德)'s vision for the development of precision medicine in Taiwan.

Former President Yang Chun-Yuh reflected on his honor of being the first non-medical doctor to lead KMU, highlighting the invaluable experiences and challenges it brought to his life. Although stepping down, as a continuation of his decades of contribution to the education sector, Professor Yang remains committed to supporting KMU and working towards enhancing its social impact. 

The new KMU President, Professor Yu Ming-Lung, is a leading expert in liver disease prevention, particularly in hepatitis C. He pioneered the "Hepatitis C Virus Micro-elimination" by incorporating new hepatitis C treatment drugs, and strategy for post-DAA cancer liver prevention, are recognized internationally and included in clinical guidelines for hepatitis C management. At the invitation of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) and the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), President Yu has participated in the drafting of regional and national hepatitis C guidelines for diagnose, treatment and follow-up, underscoring his influence as a leading hepatitis C expert in Asia and beyond. In addition to his academic achievements, President Yu has held several high-level administrative roles, including Senior Vice President at KMU and National Sun Yat-sen University, Superintendent at Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Vice Superintendent at KMU Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital and Chairman of Preparatory Committee at KMU Gangshan Hospital, bringing extensive leadership experience to his position at KMU.

When President Yu took to the stage, he bowed and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the past, hope for the future, and appreciation for the mentors, colleagues, and friends that have supported him throughout his career. President Yu highlighted the unprecedented challenges facing higher education in Taiwan—artificial intelligence, declining birth rates, sustainability, social change, financial resources, and academic reforms. Rising to these challenges, KMU's future should be guided by six principles: Integrity, Intelligence, Innovation, Integration, Internationalization, and Impact. With these, KMU aims to be a leading force both in Taiwan and globally. The KMU system cannot remain outside the Taiwan’s Six Core Strategic Industries, nor can it be separated from President Lai Ching-te’s "Healthy Taiwan" initiative or Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai (陳其邁)’s "Smart Medicine" policy. KMU is at a critical turning point, with decisions now set to shape its development for decades to come. It is essential to face challenges with courage, unify a shared vision among KMU members, introduce new perspectives, and build a broad strategic outlook.

“If you want to be ready, you have to believe the mission can be accomplished” – President Yu encouraged the KMU community to carry forward its unique DNA with a high-level perspective, a warm team spirit, and a structured approach to implement KMU’s vision. President Yu closed with an optimistic message, saying, "If there is a path, we shall sing as we walk along the way; if there is none, we shall make one," expressing confidence that KMU will lead Taiwan and inspire the world.