Pioneering Engineer in Semiconductor Industry Lisa Su Receives Honorary Doctorate from NTHU
2023.06.10
Pioneering engineer in the semiconductor industry and the Chair and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) was awarded an honorary doctorate by National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan. The award ceremony was held on June 2 in Austin, Texas, United States, with NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) conferring the honorary doctorate degree upon Su. Chun-hwai Su (蘇春槐), Su's father and an NTHU alumnus, welcomed Su to be part of the NTHU family by presenting a bouquet of flowers to her.
When delivering an address, Su stated that it is truly an honor to receive the prestigious honorary doctorate from NTHU, one of the leading universities in Taiwan and in the world. She continued to say with a smile that the recognition actually holds very special meanings to her, as her father, a graduate of NTHU, always tells his family how fun studying at NTHU was and the time he spent in school.
Su noted that what makes her excited is working on products that truly touch the lives of billions of people every day. And she is very thankful to her education that enables her with the foundation to work in such an exciting field, and also to answer some of the world's most challenging and important problems.
Su emphasized that she has experienced herself firsthand the power of education and the incredible opportunity it provides. When she just entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she didn’t know what she wanted to do. But she first had the opportunity to learn about semiconductors as a research assistant during her freshman year at MIT. From then on, she was fascinated about semiconductors and the ability to build tiny chips that would really change the world. After she graduated, she told people she worked in semiconductors, and they just asked, “What is that?” But today, chips are everywhere; they are essential to every part of our lives.
Su pointed out that education plays a significant role in shaping the future. Therefore, she would like to acknowledge President Kao and his vision, the entire NTHU administration, and faculty members and staff, whose dedication and leadership have placed NTHU at the forefront of academic excellence as well as research discovery. In addition, NTHU's commitment to providing a world-class education while fostering a wonderful spirit of innovation, and importantly, inspiring the next generational leaders is incredibly impactful to the world.
Recollecting his first phone call with Su, President Kao noted that Su told him that “NTHU has deeply affected my father and my father has influenced my life journey.” Now he would like to add that “Su has certainly impacted the tech world and in turn, everyone of us.”
Kao stated that he and Su shared the same experience—both were born in Taiwan and moved to the United States at a very young age, so he knows very well that Su, as a woman and an Asian, needs to work extra hard to break the glass ceiling and bamboo ceiling. The fact that she is now a standout leader in the semiconductor industry bears testament to her hard work. “Su is a role model for the students and faculty of NTHU, as she works super hard to become the person she is today.”
Su's husband Daniel Lin (丹尼爾‧林) was also there witnessing the ceremony when President Kao bestowed the honorary doctorate upon Su along with an NTHU's Permanent Alumni Card.
Chun-hwai Su, Su's father, graduated from NTHU in 1967 with a degree in mathematics. After half a century, Su followed in the footsteps of her father by joining the NTHU family. Overwhelmed with joy, Chun-hwai Su expressed that he is extremely proud of his daughter's accomplishments. “Lisa has been undaunted to confront any challenges by making the impossible possible, and that's what makes a great story,” Su's father said. He emphasized that even when the odds are not in her favor and there is just 1 percent of success, Su will still do her very best instead of giving it all up.
While reading the citation for Su's nomination for the honorary doctorate, Prof. Shawn Shuo-Hung Hsu (徐碩鴻), dean of the College of Electrical and Computer Science, praised that Su is an extraordinary leader who has revolutionized the high-tech industry with her transformative leadership and remarkable achievements.
“As the Chair and CEO of AMD, Dr. Su has redefined what innovation truly means. Her visionary thinking and pioneering spirit have continued to inspire us all. NTHU has no doubt that she will continue to make positive, long-lasting changes for the betterment of the world,” Hsu pointed out.
Su was born in Tainan City in 1969. She emigrated to the United States at the age of three. She later attended MIT and earned her doctoral degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, she worked in several world-leading high-tech companies including Texas Instruments and IBM. She became senior vice president of AMD's global business units and chief operating officer in 2012 and was appointed CEO in 2014, becoming the first female CEO in the company's history. In 2022, Su became chair of AMD.
Wall Street Journal had coverage about how Su brought AMD from the brink of bankruptcy and turned it into a formidable competitor in the semiconductor industry. The article pointed out that when AMD was still struggling to survive, Su made the right decision by opting to double-down on the company's core products.
Prior to the pandemic, the Associated Press and Equilar, an executive data firm, reported in 2019 that Su was the highest-paid CEO in the S&P 500, with an annual salary of US$ 58.5 million (NT$1.75 billion).
Su's exceptional achievements and her profound influence won her numerous awards. She received Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award from Global Semiconductor Alliance and was also appointed as the Board of Directors Chair of the Global Semiconductor Alliance in 2018. In 2020, Su was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2021, she was the first woman to be awarded the IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal, which is the highest honor in semiconductor industry. In the same year, she was named to President Biden's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Su is the 41st recipient of NTHU's honorary doctorate degree. The previous recipients include Nobel Laureate Dr. Chen Ning Yang (楊振寧), former President of the Academia Sinica Dr. Yuan Tseh Lee (李遠哲), former chairman and CEO of TSMC Dr. Morris Chang (張忠謀) (founder of TSMC), and world-renowned environmentalist Dr. Jane Goodall.
Lisa Su received the honorary doctorate from NTHU. From left, Dean Shawn Shuo-Hung Hsu (徐碩鴻) of the College of Electrical and Computer Science, President W. John Kao (高為元), Lisa Su (蘇姿丰), her husband Daniel Lin (丹尼爾‧林), and her father Chun-hwai Su (蘇春槐).
NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) (left) conferred the honorary doctorate degree upon Lisa Su (蘇姿丰).
Chun-hwai Su (蘇春槐) (left) welcomed his daughter Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) to be part of the NTHU family by presenting a bouquet of flowers to her.
NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) presented a Permanent Alumni Card to Lisa Su (蘇姿丰), emphasizing the free parking privilege on campus, which drew laughter from the crowd.
NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) (left) taking selfies with Lisa Su (蘇姿丰).
NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) (left) and Dean Shawn Shuo-Hung Hsu (徐碩鴻) (middle) of the College of Electrical and Computer Science flew to the United States to confer the honorary doctorate degree upon Lisa Su (蘇姿丰).
Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) and her husband Daniel Lin (丹尼爾‧林) taking photos after the Honorary Doctorate Award Ceremony.
Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) received the honorary doctorate from NTHU.
NTHU presented a Permanent Alumni Card to Honorary Doctor Lisa Su (蘇姿丰).
Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) received the honorary doctorate from NTHU.
NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) praised the impact of Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) on the world.
Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) received the honorary doctorate from NTHU.
visited: