【93rd Anniversary Celebration】Striving for Excellence, Leading with Distinction: NCKU Honors the Remarkable Achievements of Three Alumni in 2024
Written by Amy Lin. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
President Meng-Ru Shen personally presented the “2024 NCKU Distinguished Alumni Award” at the ceremony held on November 11. The three outstanding recipients were: Pei-Ming Chen (left 1) from the Department of Electrical Engineering (Class of 1987), Ho-Shang Lee (left 2) from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Class of 1979), and Ter-Chang Yao (right 1) from the Department of Electrical Engineering (Class of 1985).
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) continues its tradition of recognizing remarkable alumni, who bring immense pride and honor to NCKU, for their exceptional professional achievements and contributions to society through the “NCKU Distinguished Alumni Award” ceremony, held during the university’s anniversary celebration. The ceremony took place on November 11 at Ge-Chi Hall on the Cheng-Kung campus. President Meng-Ru Shen personally presented awards to three outstanding alumni: Ho-Shang Lee from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Class of 1979), Ter-Chang Yao from the Department of Electrical Engineering (Class of 1985), and Pei-Ming Chen from the Department of Electrical Engineering (Class of 1987).
President Meng-Ru Shen noted that this year’s award recipients have set an exceptionally high standard for future honorees. He expressed hope that the NCKU community will continue to enhance the university’s reputation and distinction.
In his speech, President Shen remarked, “Today’s event is not merely a recognition ceremony, but an opportunity for me to represent the university in thanking these three alumni for their substantial contributions. Over my four semesters as president, they have been our greatest supporters, and I am deeply grateful.”
President Shen noted that competition in higher education is increasingly fierce, with talent and funding being critical to university development. Since taking office, he has been actively recruiting global talent and securing resources for NCKU. Among the honorees, Ho-Shang Lee not only contributed to fundraising efforts but also provided his U.S. office as a venue for talent interviews, earning him this well-deserved recognition.
Ter-Chang Yao, founder of the Phoenix Fund, has provided transformative support for NCKU that is unmatched by other institutions. As a vital figure in NCKU’s financial development, he has been dubbed the university’s “Financial Minister” and could be described as an “economist diverted by electrical engineering.”
Pei-Ming Chen overcame numerous challenges to establish the NCKU Hsinchu Alumni Association, creating a crucial platform for connecting alumni in the region. His efforts have strengthened the sense of unity and collaboration among NCKU alumni working in Hsinchu Science Park. This year’s award recipients have set an exceptionally high standard for future honorees. President Shen expressed hope that the NCKU community will continue to enhance the university’s reputation, enabling alumni worldwide to take pride in their association with NCKU while paving the way for students’ bright futures.
Ho-Shang Lee reflected that his time at NCKU represented the most fulfilling and liberating period of his life.
Ho-Shang Lee, CEO & Chairman of DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. (U.S.) and Chairman of Global Fiberoptics Inc. (Taiwan subsidiary), has dedicated nearly 40 years to the optical fiber industry, establishing himself as an innovative leader in optical communications. Committed to sustainable development, Lee has focused on developing proprietary core technologies, securing over 80 patents. In 2007, he expanded into LED lighting, driving innovations with his patented light source technology. Lee actively supports his alma mater through donations for teaching and infrastructure, including the AI Teaching Improvement Plan, the “Yi-Cheng Creative Thinking Hall,” and the “Artificial Intelligence Teaching Classroom,” fostering AI education and creative thinking.
Ter-Chang Yao remarked that NCKU graduates possess valuable traits including being down-to-earth, willing to work in teams, humble, and ready to take responsibility—all of which he considers excellent guiding principles.
Ter-Chang Yao, Chairman of Phoenix Innovation Capital Inc., brings over 30 years of venture capital experience, having supported hundreds of startups and young entrepreneurs in advancing cutting-edge technologies. In 2020, Yao and fellow NCKU alumni established the Phoenix Fund, which donates 15% of its annual earnings to NCKU, contributing over 70 million TWD to date. In 2023, he launched the NCKU Angels Club and Phoenix Innovation Platform to support alumni and campus startups, aiming to enhance NCKU’s innovative capacity and societal impact, realizing a win-win, mutual-benefit model.
Pei-Ming Chen shared that his experience at NCKU provided him with not only professional knowledge but also invaluable principles for navigating life. These precious experiences and teachings have guided him steadily throughout his career path.
Pei-Ming Chen, President of Winbond Electronics Corporation, has over 30 years of experience in electronics and semiconductors. Since assuming President in 2020, he has successfully implemented various ESG initiatives while leading teams in collaboration with global industry leaders. Chen actively supports NCKU by facilitating funding, course offerings, and industry-academia collaborations through Winbond Electronics for NCKU’s Intelligent Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing Academy. As the founding chairman of the Hsinchu NCKU Alumni Association, he has successfully fostered a strong connection among alumni.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2024-11-19
