NTU celebrates its 96^th Anniversary

On the morning of Nov. 15, National Taiwan University (NTU) hosted its grand 96th-anniversary celebration at NTU Sports Center. The ceremony, presided over by President Wen-Chang Chen, was graced by former presidents, alumni, and other distinguished guests. Two NTU Honorary Doctors were inaugurated in 2024: Fubon Group Chairman Daniel M. Tsai received an Honorary Doctor of Laws, while French scientist and 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof. Alain Aspect received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in a separate ceremony held on October 14. Both recipients were praised for having achieved extraordinary feats in their respective fields. In addition, the anniversary celebration also honored 10 Distinguished Alumni and the winners of the Student Social Devotion Special Awards.

In his opening speech, President Chen highlighted the university's new initiatives on both teaching and research. On the teaching front, NTU aims to cultivate talent with core 4C competencies (Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication) through programs such as specialized modules, bachelor's and honors courses, and the “Beyond Borders” global self-directed learning project during winter and summer breaks. Additionally, the establishment of the International High School and University Alliance and the implementation of International Internship and Mentorship Programs, alongside plans for expanding international recruitment and education, will further elevate NTU’s global standing. In terms of research, NTU is committed to attracting and retaining top talent with Eminence Chair Professorships and Excelsior Chair Professorships, establishing prominent research centers, and fostering projects with worldwide impact, particularly through international joint research initiatives with partner institutions in the U.S., Japan, and France (such as UIUC-Kyushu-NTU and UGA-Tsukuba-NTU). President Chen stressed NTU’s aspiration to maintain a spirit of excellence and innovation, embracing the core value of "turning the impossible into possible" while fostering a sense of responsibility to society and the world.

President Chen also accentuated the exceptional contributions of this year’s two Honorary Doctors—Tsai for his pioneering work in finance, telecommunications, and e-commerce, forging an enterprise with a global reputation that is conducive to Taiwan’s innovative and sustainable development; Prof. Aspect for his groundbreaking research in quantum entanglement and Bell’s inequality, which has laid the foundation for the future of quantum technology.

In his acceptance speech, Tsai expressed his gratitude to the alma mater for the Honorary Doctor degree, describing it as a prestigious honor. He dedicated the accolade to his late father, Wan-Tsai Tsai, the founder of Fubon Group, whose legacy as an entrepreneur has guided him like a beacon of life. The newly inaugurated honorary doctor has always taken pride in his identity as a member of NTU Law, crediting the institution for honing his logical and analytical skills. These abilities have equipped him with both legal and business acumen, enabling him to be creative while ensuring full compliance with regulations. In a heartfelt message to the younger generation, Tsai shared three key principles of life: 1) Be honest with yourself, reflecting your personal strengths, weaknesses, and inner-self when navigating the world of complexity; 2) Cultivate empathy and openness in relationships with others; 3) Embrace sustainability and care for the planet, particularly in the face of climate change, inspiring the next generation to not only succeed but to contribute meaningfully to society and the world.

In addition to the Honorary Doctors, NTU's Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee selected 10 Distinguished Alumni for Class 2024. These awardees excelled in fields ranging from academia to industry, commerce, and social service and faithfully reflected NTU’s core values. In the academia category are Hsing-Jien Kung (Department of Chemistry), Chung-Chieh (Jay) Kuo (Department of Electrical Engineering), and Yi-Fang Tsay (Department of Botany); in the industry/commerce category are Chiu Hsiung Wang (Department of Business Administration) and Frank Huang (Department of Physics); in the social service category are Ming-Ho Huang (Department of Medicine), Ming-Xian Weng (Department of Agricultural Engineering), and Xin-Ru Zhang (Department of History); finally in the Miscellaneous category, Yuan-I Tseng (Department of Civil Engineering) and Andrew Chew (Department of Electrical Engineering). These alumni will be invited to deliver NTU Lectures on the Intellectual and Spiritual Pilgrimage, sharing their professional experiences and inspiring future generations of students.

At the end of the ceremony, the university also presented the Student Social Contribution Special Awards to four winners, namely Cleven Lee (Department of Psychology), Ying-Chieh Huang (Department of Public Health), Julian Chen (School of Forestry and Resource Conservation), and the student group “Moonteacha,” all recognized for their dedication to sustainable development and their selfless contributions to society. One more awardee was introduced this year to encourage the practice of social responsibility and sustainability, underscoring NTU's commitment to instilling a sense of civic duty and compassion in its students.

Throughout the anniversary period, NTU organized a series of diverse events, including “Deeply Rooted in Taiwan, Navigating to the World: Special Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of Academician Tsao Yung-Ho's Passing” at NTU Library, “bulabulay/Our Glory-Special Exhibition of Precious Material Culture of Indigenous Taiwan” at the Gallery of NTU History, “NTU Anniversary Festival – Drunken Moon Lake Lakeside Music Picnic Fair” by the Office of Student Affairs, anniversary-exclusive guided tours, and more.

Meanwhile, colleges and departments also held academic seminars and alumni reunions. The ceremony and festivities are a testament to the university’s enduring legacy and promising future.

■ Information on NTU Anniversary events: http://event.ntu.edu.tw/festival2024/