Record-Breaking Alumni Night Brings Together Over 1,600 Graduates to Celebrate NCKU’s 94th Anniversary
Edited by Rainee Cheng. Image Credit to NCKU News Center.
Alumni from around the world gathered at NCKU’s Chung-Cheng Hall on the Kuang-Fu Campus on November 9 to celebrate the university’s 94th anniversary together.
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) hosted its annual Alumni Night on November 9, 2025, with a record-breaking 163 banquet tables—the largest in the event’s history. Alumni from across the globe gathered at Chung-Cheng Hall on the Kuang-Fu Campus to celebrate the 94th anniversary of their alma mater.
NCKU’s 94th Anniversary Alumni Night featured 163 banquet tables, which are the largest number in the university’s history.
In his remarks, President Shen Meng-Ru (沈孟儒) shared his experiences over the past two months attending alumni association events both in Taiwan and abroad. Having shaken hands with thousands of alumni, he was deeply moved by their passion for NCKU. “What truly makes this university unique,” President Shen said, “is the incredibly strong connection among our alumni. This is NCKU’s greatest and most valuable asset.” He added that every time he sees the hopeful eyes of alumni who wish to see the university continue to progress, their support becomes his motivation to keep moving forward, no matter how far and how fast.
President Shen also shared a touching story. In September this year, an alumnus passed away, leaving behind a large inheritance. Since his family, including his son, lived abroad, they decided to honor his final wish by donating the inheritance to NCKU. It was a considerable amount, so the university invited the family to visit the campus. The son returned to Taiwan and admitted that he initially didn’t understand why his father wanted to make such a generous donation. During the visit, the son was introduced to the history of NCKU and guided around the campus. Moved by what he saw and learned, the son later made a donation that exceeded his father’s.
This heartwarming story drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. Reflecting on this, President Shen remarked that he gradually came to understand why such meaningful contributions continue to come to NCKU. “It all goes back to the time when our alumni were students here, forty or fifty years ago,” he said. “They were deeply influenced by teachers who cared for, guided, and inspired them—the spirit of mentorship that left a lasting mark on their hearts. Education is teaching by example.”
He added that on this year’s Teachers’ Day, he encouraged all faculty members to remember the essence of being an educator—to guide students wholeheartedly, to nurture them, and to help them grow into individuals who contribute to society. President Shen concluded, “When those students find success and have the means decades later, they will return to give back to their alma mater. I believe that’s the very sentiment that brings most of our alumni home today.”
President Shen also shared a touching story. In September this year, an alumnus passed away, leaving behind a large inheritance. Since his family, including his son, lived abroad, they decided to honor his final wish by donating the inheritance to NCKU. It was a considerable amount, so the university invited the family to visit the campus. The son returned to Taiwan and admitted that he initially didn’t understand why his father wanted to make such a generous donation. During the visit, the son was introduced to the history of NCKU and guided around the campus. Moved by what he saw and learned, the son later made a donation that exceeded his father’s.
This heartwarming story drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. Reflecting on this, President Shen remarked that he gradually came to understand why such meaningful contributions continue to come to NCKU. “It all goes back to the time when our alumni were students here, forty or fifty years ago,” he said. “They were deeply influenced by teachers who cared for, guided, and inspired them—the spirit of mentorship that left a lasting mark on their hearts. Education is teaching by example.”
He added that on this year’s Teachers’ Day, he encouraged all faculty members to remember the essence of being an educator—to guide students wholeheartedly, to nurture them, and to help them grow into individuals who contribute to society. President Shen concluded, “When those students find success and have the means decades later, they will return to give back to their alma mater. I believe that’s the very sentiment that brings most of our alumni home today.”
President Shen cut the anniversary cake together with representatives of NCKU alumni associations to celebrate the university’s birthday.
President Shen emphasized that NCKU is moving forward on the right path and at an accelerating pace. “In just five years, NCKU will reach its 99th year, moving toward the milestone of NCKU 99,” he said. “We must lay a strong foundation for the university as it approaches its centennial. Let us all work together toward that goal.”
NCKU Global Alumni Association Chair Chen Chi-Hung stresses that NCKU will continue to grow stronger and better.
Chair Chen Chi-Hung (陳其宏) of the NCKU Global Alumni Association first paid tribute to President Shen in his address. He noted that the bond among NCKU alumni has grown stronger than ever, and that their commitment and contributions to the university have become increasingly active and impactful. He credited this to President Shen’s leadership and the university team’s dedication to personally attending alumni gatherings around the world—something rarely seen in other institutions. With the support of faculty members and the university’s genuine engagement with alumni affairs, the network of 220,000 NCKU alumni worldwide has become a powerful force. “NCKU will undoubtedly continue to grow stronger,” he said with confidence.
Chair Chen highlighted that more alumni are returning to campus each year. He praised the recent NCKU Industry-Academia Innovation Day (Innovation Demo Day), where the university showcased its full spectrum of research strengths and technological achievements. Many of these have been developed into highly valuable and promising projects by innovative start-ups. He also mentioned the long-term Phoenix Fund, which is on track to reach its “perfect ten” fundraising goal by the end of this year, ready to provide solid support for colleges and departments across the university. Chen expressed heartfelt gratitude to the alumni community for their ongoing support, emphasizing that a “world-class NCKU” under President Shen’s leadership is within reach, but it requires a strong and united alumni platform to achieve it. “A world-class university must have a world-class alumni association standing beside it,” he said. “Together, we can help NCKU reach its full potential. Nothing is impossible if we continue to support our alma mater.”
Chair Chen highlighted that more alumni are returning to campus each year. He praised the recent NCKU Industry-Academia Innovation Day (Innovation Demo Day), where the university showcased its full spectrum of research strengths and technological achievements. Many of these have been developed into highly valuable and promising projects by innovative start-ups. He also mentioned the long-term Phoenix Fund, which is on track to reach its “perfect ten” fundraising goal by the end of this year, ready to provide solid support for colleges and departments across the university. Chen expressed heartfelt gratitude to the alumni community for their ongoing support, emphasizing that a “world-class NCKU” under President Shen’s leadership is within reach, but it requires a strong and united alumni platform to achieve it. “A world-class university must have a world-class alumni association standing beside it,” he said. “Together, we can help NCKU reach its full potential. Nothing is impossible if we continue to support our alma mater.”
After nearly a decade, the NCKU Indonesian Alumni Association reunited in Taiwan, bringing together four tables of alumni for the celebration.
One of the highlights of NCKU’s Alumni Night each year is the “Cap Ceremony” , a tradition honoring alumni who graduated 60, 50, and 40 years ago. This year, participation remained enthusiastic, with more than 330 alumni taking the stage to receive their commemorative caps. Many senior alumni joyfully took photos with President Shen, creating a lively and heartwarming scene.
Among those celebrating their 40th anniversary were NCKU Global Alumni Association Chair Chen Chi-Hung (陳其宏, Department of Electrical Engineering, Class of 1985) and his classmates, Distinguished Alumni Yao Te-Chang (姚德彰), Hu Shu-Bin (胡書賓), and Hu De-Hsing (胡德興, Department of Transportation and Management Science, Class of 1985), all of whom joined the ceremony on stage to receive their caps.
Notably, the NCKU Indonesian Alumni Association, which had not organized a group homecoming visit for nearly ten years, reunited this year with four tables of alumni returning to Taiwan for the occasion. During the evening, they performed the song “When the Applause Rings Out” (掌聲響起) , sharing joy and friendship with fellow alumni from around the world. They expressed their hope to meet again next year!
Among those celebrating their 40th anniversary were NCKU Global Alumni Association Chair Chen Chi-Hung (陳其宏, Department of Electrical Engineering, Class of 1985) and his classmates, Distinguished Alumni Yao Te-Chang (姚德彰), Hu Shu-Bin (胡書賓), and Hu De-Hsing (胡德興, Department of Transportation and Management Science, Class of 1985), all of whom joined the ceremony on stage to receive their caps.
Notably, the NCKU Indonesian Alumni Association, which had not organized a group homecoming visit for nearly ten years, reunited this year with four tables of alumni returning to Taiwan for the occasion. During the evening, they performed the song “When the Applause Rings Out” (掌聲響起) , sharing joy and friendship with fellow alumni from around the world. They expressed their hope to meet again next year!
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2025-11-15
