Graduating NTHU Students Encouraged to Become World Citizens

2025.05.25

NTHU held its graduation ceremony on May 25, awarding a total of 6,463 diplomas, including 2,532 bachelor's degrees, 3,579 master's degrees, and 352 doctoral degrees.

This year's graduation ceremony at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan was held on May 25. During the ceremony, NTHU president W. John Kao (高為元) encouraged the graduates to become world citizens and to maintain flexibility and openness in their thinking. This year the College of Semiconductor Research graduated its first batch of PhDs, who are destined to play a key role in Taiwan's national development strategy.

A total of 6,463 diplomas were awarded this year, including 2,532 bachelor's degrees, 3,579 master's degrees, and 352 doctoral degrees.

Kao said that becoming a global citizen doesn't mean traveling around the world and mastering a foreign language; rather, the key is to have an open mind, not be limited by stereotypes, and be willing to listen to and understand different people. It also involves applying one's talents to benefit society while resonating with the pulse of the world.

He pointed out that those who completed their undergraduate studies this year enrolled at NTHU during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have demonstrated a high degree of resilience and fortitude in surmounting obstacles, which is something they should be proud of.

Kao also said that life is made up of a series of choices and actions, and what's most important is not to walk on the right path, but to walk on your own path. He exhorted the class of 2025 to “Always be both curious and courageous, constantly moving towards the wider world!”

A sense of belonging rooted in history and culture

This year's guest speaker was Professor Chu-Chen Hsiao (蕭菊貞), an outstanding alumna and documentary director. After graduating from the Department of Economics she made a career shift, eventually winning two Golden Horse Awards and multiple international prizes. Her most recent work is a documentary on Taiwan's semiconductor industry titled A Chip Odyssey.

Hsiao said that every documentary she has made has given her a deeper understanding of both Taiwan and herself. She encouraged the graduates, whatever their field, to discover what they are good at and then throw themselves headfirst into it. She urged them to “Have confidence in your abilities---that's the best way to make a lasting contribution to Taiwan.” She also encouraged everyone to learn from history and find a sense of belonging rooted in their culture, so as to face the future with composure. She concluded by saying, “I believe that you will lay the foundation for Taiwan's future.”

The College of Semiconductor Research graduates its first batch of PhDs

This year the College of Semiconductor Research awarded 48 master's degrees and three PhDs, including one to Yi-Ju Yao (姚怡如), who was hired by TSMC prior to completing her studies at the end of March.

Yao was originally a master's student in the Institute of Engineering and System Science, and later transferred to the College of Semiconductor Research, where she studied with Professor Yung-Chun Wu (吳永俊). During her doctoral studies, she published numerous journal papers and participated in patent development. She said that NTHU is the academic cradle of technological development in Taiwan, and that the College's approach to education, which is based in dean Burn-Jeng Lin's (林本堅) formula of specialization, generalization, and innovation, results in horizontal integration and vertical depth. This has enabled her to quickly gain a firm grasp of industrial processes.

Encouraging graduates to make their mark in the semiconductor industry, Lin said that although the reduction in crystal size is like walking into a narrow alley or a dark tunnel, “that's right where new possibilities are to be found!”

Seven graduates awarded the Mei Yi-chi Memorial Scholarship

This year, a total of seven graduates were awarded the Mei Yi-chi Memorial Scholarship (梅貽琦獎章) — NTHU's highest academic honor: He-Ya Lin (林禾雅) of the College of Education, Yi-Hua Ho (何宜樺) of the College of Arts, Ting-Hui Lee (李庭慧) of the Department of Life Sciences, Nian-Cheng Wu (吳念澄) of the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, Shu-Fan Chang (張述帆) of the Department of Education and Learning Technology, Yi-Xiang Chen (陳奕翔) of the Department of Engineering and System Science, and Yin-Song Liao (廖胤菘) of the Tsing Hua Interdisciplinary Program.

Nian-Cheng Wu is the head of both the school tennis team and the Africa volunteer student club. While in Swaziland, he once saw teachers and students lay out an extension cord over 100 meters long so that they could have a computer class. Their resourcefulness and determination made a deep impression on him, inspiring him to stop complaining about things and instead focus on finding solutions. He used his engineering expertise to conduct interdisciplinary research on cell scanning control systems, hoping to bring positive change to the world.

Yi-Hua Ho builds bridges between art and technology. She represented NTHU at the Eurobot competition and won fifth place. She said that the key to cross-domain excellence is discussion and experience, and that the open learning environment at NTHU allowed her to cultivate her integrative competencies and hone her unique talents.

Yi-Xuan Li: No regrets

Yi-Xuan Li (李苡瑄), a graduate of the Department of Computer Science, gave a moving speech on behalf of the undergraduate students. During the winter break of her junior year, her father was diagnosed with cancer. He convinced her to remain in school so that she could graduate on time, which she did, but not before her father passed away. “Don't worry about making perfect decisions in life. What's more important is to understand it, face it, and take responsibility for it, for that is how you become yourself,” she reflected.

Hui-Chun Hsu: Embraced by NTHU's Tender Support

Practicing music therapist Hui-Chun Hsu (許惠鈞) of the Institute of Early Childhood Education gave a speech on behalf of the graduate students. She gave birth during her first year at NTHU, and likened the university to a pair of gentle hands capable of supporting her multiple roles. During her graduate studies, she published 20 picture books and released more than 20 albums, which have been distributed in multiple countries.

She recalled composing melodies and coming up with ideas for papers while nursing her baby in the early morning, learning how to find order in chaos. She thanked her teachers for their encouragement, which helped her realize that academics and life can go hand in hand. In her speech, she beseeched her fellow graduates, “Let us accept every moment of life gracefully and become adults who can gently accommodate ourselves.”

NTHU president Kao encouraging the graduates to become world citizens.

This year's guest speaker was the award-winning documentary director Chu-Chen Hsiao (蕭菊貞).

Seven graduates were awarded the Mei Yi-chi Memorial Scholarship—NTHU's highest academic honor (left to right): Nian-Cheng Wu (吳念澄), Yin-Song Liao (廖胤菘), He-Ya Lin (林禾雅), Ting-Hui Lee (李庭慧), Yi-Hua Ho (何宜樺), Shu-Fan Chang (張述帆), and Yi-Xiang Chen (陳奕翔).

Yi-Ju Yao (姚怡如) (center) of the College of Semiconductor Research with dean Burn-Jeng Lin (林本堅) (right) and Professor Yung-Chun Wu (吳永俊).

Hui-Chun Hsu (許惠鈞) of the Institute of Early Childhood Education gave a speech on behalf of the graduate students.

Yi-Xuan Li (李苡瑄) of the Department of Computer Science gave a moving speech on behalf of the undergraduates.

Graduates tossing their caps on the campus lawn.

The procession preceding the ceremony.

PhD diplomas were conferred by Kao (left) and College of Nuclear Science dean Tsung-Kuang Yeh (葉宗洸) (right).

Graduates of the College of Semiconductor Research.

NTHU held its graduation ceremony on May 25, awarding a total of 6,463 diplomas.

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