NCKU Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony: President Meng-Ru Shen Sends Best Wishes and Encouragement “Diligence Builds Character, Kindness Shapes the World”
Written by Hsu Tsu-Yueh. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
The commencement ceremony
After years of dedication to learning and personal growth, supported by the guidance of teachers and families, students reached an important milestone in their lives. National Cheng Kung University held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 on June 6, celebrating the achievements of its graduates and offering heartfelt wishes as they begin a new chapter. In his remarks, President Meng-Ru Shen encouraged graduates with a speech titled “Diligence Builds Character, Kindness Shapes the World.” He emphasized that no matter how rapidly technology advances or how much the world changes, diligence and character remain the most important foundations for life.
President Meng-Ru Shen sends best wishes and encouragement “Diligence Builds Character, Kindness Shapes the World”.
The ceremony opened with the entrance of President Meng-Ru Shen, University administrators, faculty members, and representatives of NCKU alumni associations from around the world. A total of 6,281 students graduated as part of the Class of 2026, including 2,660 bachelor’s degree recipients, 3,385 master’s degree recipients, and 236 doctoral degree recipients. Among the graduates, 413 were international students. Of these, 26 came from six of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies: Eswatini, Paraguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Haiti, and Guatemala. President Shen and the deans of each college then conferred degrees and performed the tassel-turning ceremony for graduate representatives from each department and institute.
Graduates are ready to enter a new chapter in life.
President Shen expressed that graduation is more than earning a degree. It is an important milestone of one’s youth, a dream mutually supported by family. It is an answer sheet that each graduate handed in, spending time and efforts and going through setbacks and challenges along the way.
President Shen presented two life mottos as his most important graduation gift to the graduates: “The universe rewards diligence” and “kindness and integrity.” He shared his experiences from studying in the School of Medicine to pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Oxford. Those days were hard, but it was the unseen efforts that shaped a person’s abilities and character. True scholarship is not only about knowing what others have done, but also about being willing to explore the core of a question. The world can change, and tools can advance, but diligence, focus, and an honest attitude toward learning never goes out of date.
Speaking on kindness and integrity, President Shen drew an example from his advisor at the University of Oxford. His advisor extended guidance and care that exhibits “kindness that keeps others in mind.” He emphasized that the truly great people not only pursue excellence in their academia, but also demonstrate kindness and warmth in their character. Not only do they pursue the truth, but are willing to stay kind to others. In the AI era, personal values become even more important. After all, it is not the algorithm, but the people who use technology, that determine how technology influences the world.
Behind every graduate’s achievement is the quiet and steady support of family members, as well as the guidance and companionship of teachers throughout the years. Graduation is the result of the care and support of many people working together. President Shen urged graduates to build their abilities through diligence, and to let kindness and integrity guide the direction of their lives. President Shen hopes that however high the graduates soar, they would always remain kind and lead a firm and bright life that makes NCKU always proud.
NCKU Distinguished Alumni Peter Chen, Chairman of the Qisda Corporation and President of the NCKU Global Alumni Association, congratulated the graduates for reaching this milestone.
The commencement speech guest this year was Distinguished Alumni Peter Chen, Chairman of the Qisda Corporation and President of the NCKU Global Alumni Association. He congratulated the graduates for reaching this milestone that signifies the beginning of a new chapter in life. With NCKU being the favorite university in the industry, holding a diploma from NCKU is a well-trusted business card that represents the strong brand built through the efforts of generations of alumni.
Chen expressed that the rapid rise of AI brings both opportunities and challenges. Those who utilize AI well may enjoy much higher efficiency than before. AI would not necessarily replace all persons from their posts, but would make those who are unwilling to embrace change more easily replaceable in the industry. What one should consider in this era is the question, “Can I use AI to make myself more valuable?”
Chen also puts emphasis on the importance of “innovation.” He expressed that sometimes innovation is simply thinking one step further and doing one step more than others. These small steps accumulate to make one competitive and power improvement. He encouraged the graduates to plan their life and career to orient themselves. The world is changing rapidly, the best plan is not one that never changes and instead is one that maintains a clear core goal while adapting to changing circumstances and finding new ways to move forward.
Chen also shared his favorite English proverb, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” He wishes that the graduates connect with alumni associations around that world and know to make use of the plentiful resources of the alumni association. He further hopes that, when the graduates are capable in the future, they can provide support to their alma mater and help younger students. In this way, the positive cycle can continue to grow. To build a world-class NCKU, every generation of NCKU members must work together.
Established in 2021, NCKU’s Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing reached a new milestone in talent cultivation this year. The Academy celebrated the graduation of its first two doctoral students and 65 master’s students. Among the master’s graduates, five were international students from Austria, Vietnam, and India, reflecting the Academy’s success in cultivating global talent. About 60 percent of the graduates had already secured job offers before completing their studies.
First PhD graduate of the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing, Chi Li (right), receives his diploma from NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen (left).
One of the Academy's first doctoral graduates, Chi Li, previously earned a master's degree from NCKU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and worked at TSMC. Driven by his passion for research and experiment, he returned to NCKU to pursue a doctoral degree at the Academy after two years in industry. Li said he had expected doctoral study to focus mainly on theoretical or fundamental research. However, the Academy maintains close ties with industry, undertaking industry-sponsored projects and engaging in frequent exchanges with companies to better understand real-world needs. This helps align research directions with industry demands and provides valuable preparation for both academic and industry careers.
Yu-Chen Kuo (middle), who lives with cerebral palsy, overcame physical and academic challenges through determination and a positive attitude and finished his studies.
One of the highlights of the commencement ceremony was Yu-Chen Kuo, a graduate of the Department of Law who lives with cerebral palsy. Over the past four years, he overcame physical and academic challenges through determination and a positive attitude. NCKU also provided an inclusive learning environment, along with appropriate support and care. With the continued support of his family and the education system, Kuo completed his studies with outstanding academic performance, writing the valuable and moving chapter of his life. As his mother slowly pushed his wheelchair onto the stage, he received the tassel-turning ceremony and diploma. The audience responded with a long round of applause. The applause was not only in celebration of his graduation, but also in admiration of his determination not to let limitations define his future.
Yin-Wei Chiu (left), a second-year master’s student from the Institute of Electrical Engineering, and Chen-Hung Wu (right), a senior student in the Cross College Elite Program, delivered the graduate representative speech together.
Yin-Wei Chiu, a second-year master’s student from the Institute of Electrical Engineering, and Chen-Hung Wu, a senior student in the Cross College Elite Program, delivered the graduate representative speech together. Through a humorous dialogue, they reflected on shared memories of life at NCKU and in Tainan. Wu joked that one of his most unforgettable memories was rushing between classes. As a freshman, he often rode his bicycle from a general education class in Wei-Nong Building to a calculus class in the Common Classroom Building, riding his bike faster than a Tainan city bus. He also reminded fellow graduates to respect Tainan’s food culture, joking that in Tainan, “sugar-free means slightly sweet, and half-sugar means full sugar.” Chiu added that living in Tainan also meant learning how to ride a motorcycle while navigating roundabouts and staying alert to surrounding traffic. They said that life at NCKU and in Tainan left them with more than memories. The experiences of rushing to finish reports, getting lost, and getting back up after setbacks gradually shaped them into people better prepared for the future.
Reflecting on what he had gained from his studies, Wu said that the flexible structure of the Cross College Elite Program helped him develop strong adaptability. He learned how to seek out resources independently and gained the confidence to overcome challenges through self-directed learning, putting the spirit of NCKU’s motto, “Veritas et Conscientia (Pursuit of truth through exhaustive reasoning),” into practice. Chiu said that he developed resilience through countless nights of debugging. Even when his screen was filled with error messages, he learned to take a deep breath, drink a cup of soy milk from Sheng-Li Breakfast Shop, and tell himself, “A restart will fix everything.” When asked whether he planned to join Taiwan’s “guardian mountain” semiconductor industry after graduation, he jokingly replied, “My liver has already gone through the toughest training at NCKU. I'm always ready to go.”
In closing, the two graduates encouraged their fellow classmates to move forward with the skills they had developed at NCKU, roots as strong as the University’s banyan trees, and enthusiasm as bright as a Tainan summer, entering the workforce or continuing their studies. They wished everyone a happy graduation and a future as sweet and memorable as Tainan’s delicacies.
Eugene Hsu, an Indonesian student from the Institute of International Management, delivered his commencement speech.
Eugene Hsu, an Indonesian student from the Institute of International Management, delivered his commencement speech entirely in English. He shared that he came to Taiwan from Indonesia in 2021, first completing his bachelor’s degree before pursuing a master’s degree at NCKU. He described the past five years as one of the most meaningful chapters of his life. When he first arrived in Taiwan, far from home, he often felt uncertain, afraid, and doubtful of whether he could handle everything. At the same time, he carried a sense of resilience and determination that refused to let him give up. He expressed his gratitude to his parents for their trust, to professors who helped students discover their potential, and to friends who stood by them through difficult times. He also encouraged graduates to thank themselves for overcoming hardships and for continuing to move forward.
Eugene recalled that when he first arrived in Taiwan, he placed a personal motto above his desk in the dormitory, “No matter how difficult things become, or how challenging the future may be, I will make it through.” At the time, he said, his younger self would probably never have imagined standing on the commencement stage as a graduate. He reflected that growth is often difficult to notice while it is happening. During the process, people tend to feel the weight rather than progress. Only by looking back do they realize that every hard moment, every moment of self-doubt, and every decision to stand up again was never wasted. Instead, these experiences gradually shaped them into who they are today. Congratulating his fellow graduates, Eugene said he believes that no matter how difficult the future may be, they will be able to make it through.
Graduates tossed their caps into the air, joyfully celebrating their graduation.
The commencement ceremony drew to a close as graduates expressed their appreciation to their parents, teachers, classmates. Carrying with them the blessings from the teachers, family, and friends, the graduates sang the NCKU anthem and joyfully tossed their caps into the air, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2026-06-12
