[2026 Commencement] Diligence Builds Character, Kindness Shapes the World: NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen Encourages the Class of 2026 to Embrace the Future with Warmth and Integrity
Written by Hsu Tsu-Yueh. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
National Cheng Kung University held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 on June 6. In his commencement address, titled “Diligence Builds Character, Kindness Shapes the World,” NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the graduating class. Drawing on his own experiences as a student and researcher, President Shen encouraged graduates to uphold the values of diligence, kindness, and integrity throughout their lives. He urged them to maintain compassionate humanitarian judgment in an era rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence, and to become a crucial force that brings light to society and warmth to the world.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen presented his two life mottos as graduation gifts: “The universe rewards diligence” and “kindness and integrity.”
The ceremony was filled with joy and emotion. Addressing the graduates as they prepared to spread their wings and soar, President Shen first invited them to reflect on their years at NCKU. He noted that from their first day on campus to the moment they walked onto the commencement stage in their graduation gowns, each student had experienced countless early mornings and late nights, as well as moments of frustration, uncertainty, and self-doubt. Yet it was through perseverance and hard work that they can now be proud of their achievements.
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, and the answer sheet that each student handed in through sweat, tears, and perseverance. For this reason, he presented two life mottos as his most important graduation gift to the Class of 2026: “The universe rewards diligence” and “kindness and integrity.”
Speaking about how the universe rewards diligence, President Shen shared his own experience as a medical student. During his university years, a word of encouragement from one of his professors inspired him to join a laboratory, marking the beginning of his research journey. Over the years, he devoted countless hours to conducting experiments, reviewing academic literature, and analyzing data, often continuing his work while others were resting. He noted that these seemingly ordinary and often unseen efforts eventually accumulate, shaping a person’s abilities and character.
Later, while pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, President Shen had a conversation with his advisor that gave him a deeper understanding of the true meaning of academic research. When his advisor asked about key data related to the cells he was studying, he initially answered by citing data from the literature. However, his advisor reminded him, “Those are the data in the literature, not the data from your cells.” To find the answer that truly belonged to his own research, he spent an entire year remeasuring and verifying the data. This experience taught him that true scholarship is not only about knowing what others have done, but also about being willing to explore the core of a question and pursue truth and innovation.
President Shen reminded graduates that character is even more important in determining how far a person can go in life.
President Shen emphasized that, in today’s era of rapidly developing artificial intelligence, answers to many questions seem to be available quickly. However, a meaningful life is never built through shortcuts. Instead, it is built through long-term accumulation and continuous effort. The world continues to change, and technology advances every day, but diligence, focus, and an honest attitude toward learning remain irreplaceable core strengths.
In addition to developing abilities, President Shen also reminded graduates that character is even more important in determining how far a person can go in life. He shared a story about the care he received from his mentor while studying at Oxford to illustrate the power of kindness. When he first arrived in the United Kingdom, his advisor not only guided him in his research but also personally helped him adapt to his new living environment. Many years later, when they met again, the elderly professor even waited in the rain for his student who had traveled a long distance to see him. This sincere care and thoughtfulness have remained unforgettable to him.
President Shen said that truly great people not only pursue excellence in their profession, but also demonstrate kindness and warmth in their character. The future world may place even greater value on speed, efficiency, and competition, but kindness is never a weakness, and integrity is never a disadvantage. Kindness means being willing to understand the circumstances of others, and integrity means choosing to do the right thing even when no one is watching. Especially in the AI era, as technological tools become increasingly powerful, personal values become even more important. After all, it is the people who use technology that determine how technology influences the world.
President Shen encouraged graduates to celebrate their own achievements while also remembering to express their gratitude to those who have supported them along the way.
In his address, President Shen also expressed his gratitude to all parents and teachers. He pointed out that 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. Whether it is the care of parents, the support of family members, or the high expectations and dedicated guidance of teachers, all have been important forces that helped graduates reach this milestone.
He encouraged graduates to celebrate their own achievements while also remembering to express their gratitude to those who have supported them along the way. Graduation is never a journey completed by one person alone. It is the result of the care and support of many people working together.
Facing the new chapter of life ahead, graduates are encouraged by President Shen to bravely take on the challenges of the world. President Shen urged them to build their abilities through diligence, and to let kindness and integrity guide the direction of their lives. No matter whether they become doctors, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, or professionals in any field, they should keep inner warmth, the courage to distinguish right from wrong, and a willingness to bring light to others.
In closing, President Shen ended his speech with heartfelt blessings. He hoped that every NCKU graduate would “build character through diligence and shape the world through kindness.” While pursuing excellence, they should remain gentle; when facing challenges, they should move forward with determination; and after gaining capability, they should still be willing to give back to society and help others. Wherever they go in the world, National Cheng Kung University will be proud of every alumnus, and wishes all graduates a bright future and a safe and smooth life ahead.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2026-06-09
