高雄醫學大學高醫體系雙月刊 - KMU Opens New “Beyond Hall” Dormitory, Creating a New-Generation Space for Living and Learning

-Kaohsiung Medical University-

Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) held the inauguration ceremony for its International Student Dormitory, “Beyond Hall,” on August 3, 2026. The new facility provides students entering university with a safe and comfortable living environment that integrates healthy lifestyles, independent learning, and international exchange.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Eric K. Chen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Kaohsiung Medical University, and attended by university representatives, distinguished guests, alumni, and members of the community. After years of planning and construction, Beyond Hall has officially opened its doors. The new facility not only helps meet student housing needs, but also marks a new milestone in KMU’s commitment to student well-being, international talent development, and sustainable campus development.

The English name “Beyond Hall” symbolizes transcending boundaries and embracing diversity. KMU hopes that every student who lives and learns here will broaden their horizons and spark creativity through interactions with people from different cultural and professional backgrounds, while exploring new possibilities in medicine, healthcare, and interdisciplinary development.

Chairman Eric K. Chen said that the true value of a building lies not simply in the amount of steel, concrete, or equipment used to construct it, but in the number of life stories that will unfold within its walls. KMU hopes to provide students with a comfortable environment where they can live and learn, feel secure in their daily lives, interact with one another, grow together, build lifelong friendships, and experience a sense of warmth and belonging like that of a home.

President Ming-Lung Yu said the completion of Beyond Hall represents more than the addition of a new building to campus; it is a concrete commitment to students’ quality of life and holistic development. KMU hopes the facility will become a welcoming living environment where students can discover their own paths and develop the skills they need for the future through independent learning, recreation and exercise, social interaction, and cross-cultural exchange beyond the classroom.

Located in the heart of the KMU campus, Beyond Hall rises 14 floors above ground and extends three floors underground, providing 996 student beds, including 40 accessible beds. The facility incorporates gender-friendly design, comprehensive safety management, and diverse living needs to create a comfortable residential environment where students can feel secure and a strong sense of belonging.

Beyond accommodation, the facility integrates learning, exercise, and social interaction into students’ daily lives. It features a fitness center, exercise studio, table tennis room, 100-meter rooftop running track, discussion rooms, self-study rooms, multipurpose spaces, lounges, an arts and cultural space, and a rooftop garden. Students can exercise, read, discuss coursework, or participate in social activities without leaving campus, putting into practice the educational philosophy of “learning through everyday life.”

For many first-year students living away from home for the first time, safety, convenience, and access to daily-life support are important considerations when choosing a university. From spatial planning to shared facilities, Beyond Hall takes into account students’ physical and mental well-being, learning needs, and opportunities for social interaction, helping students adapt to university life with confidence while giving parents greater peace of mind.

To further promote internationalization on campus, Beyond Hall also includes an Alumni and International Scholars Center, providing accommodation for alumni, international scholars, and short-term exchange students while taking into consideration diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. In the future, students from different countries and cultures will have opportunities to meet and learn together within the same living environment, allowing international exchange to become a natural part of everyday campus life rather than being limited to classrooms and academic conferences.

In terms of sustainable design, Beyond Hall incorporates the concepts of urban green corridors and natural ventilation, making use of Kaohsiung’s seasonal winds to improve the campus microclimate and reduce energy consumption. The building has also received candidate status for Taiwan’s EEWH Gold-level Green Building certification. By connecting surrounding parks, schools, and urban green corridors, the building further links the campus with the surrounding community, reflecting KMU’s commitment to environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

The total construction cost of Beyond Hall exceeded NT$1.6 billion, including an NT$97.824 million subsidy from the Ministry of Education. To further enhance the quality of student accommodation and shared facilities, KMU has also launched a fundraising campaign, with contributions supporting upgrades to hardware and software, facility improvements, operations and maintenance, and sustainable development. The campaign has received enthusiastic support from alumni, businesses, and the wider community, with donations exceeding NT$90 million, demonstrating the KMU community’s collective commitment to supporting the next generation and nurturing future talent.

KMU stated that the completion of Beyond Hall represents the collective efforts of the Ministry of Education, the Board of Trustees, past university presidents, administrative teams, alumni, and members of the community over many years. It is more than a dormitory; it is an important home base for accompanying students through their growth, promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering friendships, and expanding their international perspectives.

Looking ahead, KMU will continue to enhance its teaching, research, residential, and international exchange environments, ensuring that every student who chooses KMU can enjoy a campus experience that offers not only professional education, but also a safe place to live, the freedom to explore, and the courage to pursue their dreams. From the world to KMU, and from KMU to the world, the University will continue working together with its students to create a new future for medicine and healthcare.

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