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 "Undergraduate Preparatory 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 took the responsibility as director for the third time. Under the pressure of declining birth rates and the ongoing process of departmental integration within the university, the institute entered a strategic turning point. Therefore, efforts were intensified not only to continue promoting teaching, research, and service activities as before, but also to expand the annual "Tamkang School of Strategic Studies Conference" and the "National Strategic Community Symposium for Doctoral and Master's Theses Presentation." Also, pioneering collaborations with foreign think tanks, we established partnerships with the "Taiwanese Association of Strategic Studies," organizing the biannual "Cross-Strait Strategy Forum" in cooperation with the Shanghai Institute of Public Relations and the "Taiwan-Japan Security Forum" in collaboration with the Institute for International and Security Studies in Japan, thereby fostering international exchange and cooperation.

Furthermore, in response to the Ministry of Education's announcement of the “108 National Basic Education Curriculum”, where "National Defense Education" was established as a single subject, the institute realized the need for qualified educators in this field. To address this, the institute not only initiated the "National Defense Education Teacher Training Program," but also collaborated with the university's Extension Education Office to offer a "Bachelor's After-Degree Program in National Defense Education." Additionally, our institute organized the "National Defense Education Expo” to continuously reinforce its expertise and contributions in the field of national defense education through policy research and academic development.

In summary, over the course of 41 years, the institute has undergone developments in its operations, teaching programs, academic research and social services. Under the guidance of distinguished educators renowned for their expertise in both international and strategic studies theory and practice, the institute has contributed significantly to the cultivation of professionals in international affairs and strategy for our country. With a total of 1,079 graduates at the doctoral and master's levels, these alumni have demonstrated their talents across various fields such as education, research, administration, legislation, national security, media, and private enterprises. Regarding the study and advancement of international relations and strategies in Taiwan, their contributions to the study, application, and advancement of international relations, strategies, and national defense policies in Taiwan have been exceptional and noteworthy.