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Dr. Min-Hwan Kao, recipient of the National Taiwan University (NTU) Distinguished Alumni Award and Chairman and Co-Founder of Garmin Ltd., has pledged US$20 million to his alma mater. This donation, facilitated through the Kao Family Foundation, aims to bolster NTU's College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and College of Engineering (COE) by establishing the "Garmin Chair and Garmin Scholar Award Fund" and the "Garmin Faculty Dormitory Construction and Maintenance Fund." The fund will appoint 22 distinguished individuals as Garmin Chair Professors and Garmin Scholars, each receiving an annual incentive of US$30,000 for three years, with the possibility of reappointment. Additionally, US$6.25 million will be allocated to the construction and maintenance of the "Garmin Faculty Dormitory."

Dr. Wen-Chang Chen, NTU President, shared that Dr. Kao, through discussions with Garmin Asia R&D Assistant General Manager J.W. Liao, also an NTU graduate, recognized the university's initiatives for its upcoming centennial milestone in 2028. Dr. Kao emphasized the importance of talent recruitment and housing provisions for young talents. In response, he pledged to fund the establishment of chair professorships, scholar fellowships, and faculty dormitories to enhance NTU's appeal to top-tier candidates.

Expressing gratitude to his family for their steadfast support, Dr. Kao has been committed to educational philanthropy. He established the Kao Family Education Foundation in 2019, benefiting over 4,000 high school students annually, with more than half passing national qualification tests. Dr. Kao's ties to NTU trace back to his graduation from the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1971. His visionary leadership at Garmin, founded in 1989, propelled the company to global prominence in GPS and wearable technology. With nearly 10,000 employees in Taiwan, Garmin is renowned for its innovation and was ranked second on Forbes' list of America's Best Employers among large companies in 2024. Dr. Kao himself received a Distinguished Alumni Award from NTU in 2009.

Dr. Kao highlighted, "NTU graduates have played pivotal roles in Taiwan's economic growth. As technology evolves, attracting international talents is crucial. Faculty excellence and competitive compensation are paramount for a thriving university. Through the establishment of Garmin Chair Professors and Scholars, along with modern dormitories, we aim to fortify NTU's global connections and sustain its growth."

An NTU committee, led by an Executive Vice President, will oversee the selection of award recipients. Public ceremonies will honor Garmin Chair Professorships and Scholar Fellowships recipients annually.