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President Meng-Ru Shen Presents “Cheng Kung Lecture” in Recognition of Support for Quantum Education
 

NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen presents Distinguished Alumnus Ho-Shang Lee with the “Cheng Kung Lecture” honor in recognition of his support for education at NCKU and the cultivation of talent in quantum technology.

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Distinguished Alumnus Ho-Shang Lee, Chairman of Taiwan Great Land Fiber Co., Ltd., regards quantum physics as a fundamental foundation of modern technology and a broad range of scientific disciplines. To advance quantum education at his alma mater, Lee generously donated funds to establish the course “Frontier Quantum Science and Technology.” Now in its second year, the course welcomed Lee on September 18 to share with students his perspectives on quantum physics and his own learning experience. NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen attended the full lecture and presented Lee with the “Cheng Kung Lecture” honor in recognition of his support for education at NCKU and his contributions to cultivating talent in quantum technology.

President Shen: The Value of Inspiring and Supporting Students Is Irreplaceable

President Meng-Ru Shen said that Ho-Shang Lee has long demonstrated a deep commitment to NCKU and to education. NCKU established the Cheng Kung Lecture to recognize individuals for outstanding achievements and contributions to society. In its 15-year history, only three individuals have received the honor, underscoring its significance.

President Shen noted that, in the era of artificial intelligence, the roles and responsibilities of teachers are evolving. Nevertheless, the importance of caring for, inspiring, encouraging, and supporting students as they grow remains irreplaceable. Throughout his education and career, Lee encountered many exceptional teachers who profoundly influenced his life and strengthened his enduring connection to his alma mater. President Shen expressed the hope that NCKU faculty members will continue to teach with dedication so that, even 30 or 40 years later, students will remember the inspiration and encouragement they received from their teachers.

NCKU Distinguished Alumnus Ho-Shang Lee, Chairman of Taiwan Great Land Fiber Co., Ltd
 

Ho-Shang Lee: Building Students’ Confidence to Understand and Design Quantum Computers

Although the class lasted only two hours, Chairman Lee devoted substantial time to preparing for it, developing dozens of presentation slides. Drawing on his own understanding and learning experience, he sought to give students the confidence to understand the principles of quantum computers and, ultimately, to design them.

Lee explained that quantum mechanics is both fascinating and challenging because phenomena in the quantum realm differ fundamentally from everyday experience and occur at microscopic scales. Because quantum computing is grounded in quantum mechanics, he began with foundational concepts such as photons, electrons, and quantum bits (qubits), before guiding students through the historical development of quantum mechanics and key phenomena including interference and entanglement.

Lee noted that, although quantum mechanics has developed over more than a century, important questions about its underlying physical interpretation remain. Nevertheless, quantum theory has long provided a foundation for modern technology; semiconductor technologies, for example, rely on principles derived from quantum mechanics. He observed that artificial intelligence is currently a major focus of technological development, while quantum science and quantum computing may become increasingly prominent in the next wave of technological innovation.

Advancing Frontier Quantum Education and Cultivating Taiwan’s Future Technology Talent

Ho-Shang Lee, a 1979 graduate of NCKU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the NCKU Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 2024. Recognizing the potential of quantum technology to become an important driver of future industries, he donated to his alma mater in 2025 to establish the “Frontier Quantum Science and Technology” course. The initiative is designed to give more students early exposure to this emerging technological field and opportunities for substantive engagement, while strengthening Taiwan’s capacity to compete internationally in quantum science and technology.
 

Students listened attentively.
 

Quantum Science: A High-Demand, Cross-Disciplinary Learning Platform at NCKU

NCKU Department of Physics Chair and Distinguished Professor Yueh-Nan Chen said that students across science and engineering disciplines have demonstrated strong interest in and demand for quantum technology education. The “Frontier Quantum Science and Technology” course brings together experts and scholars working in quantum science and technology in Taiwan and incorporates recent research advances, providing students with a platform for engaging with frontier developments in quantum science.

Since the course was launched two years ago, demand for enrollment has been exceptionally high. However, limitations in classroom capacity and teaching resources have prevented the course from accommodating additional students.

Professor Chen also noted that quantum physics is one of NCKU’s established research strengths. The NCKU Center for Frontier Quantum Technology Research is designated by the Ministry of Education as a center in a featured research field, and its research findings have been published repeatedly in leading international journals. Academia Sinica has also recently expressed interest in pursuing research collaboration with NCKU in quantum science, further underscoring the growing importance of quantum technology research and talent development.