▎PEOPLE

National Taiwan University (NTU) proudly congratulates its distinguished alumnus and Academia Sinica Academician, Prof. Cho-Yun Hsu, on receiving the 2024 Tang Prize in Sinology on June 20, 2024. Despite physical challenges, Prof. Hsu has remained dedicated to academic research, achieving breakthroughs and making significant contributions. His profound knowledge spans both Eastern and Western historiography, and he is highly respected for his dedication to quality education, rigorous scholarly approach, and commitment to social conscience and intellectual integrity.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Hsu expressed his sincere gratitude to the Tang Prize committee for their recognition and encouragement. He emphasized that his journey in learning and personal growth began at NTU, where he received guidance at every stage. He remains deeply grateful for the university’s positive influence on his academic career. He reaffirmed the lasting impact of the NTU motto, “Integrity, Diligence, Fidelity, and Compassion,” created by former NTU President Ssu-Nien Fu (1949-50).

In the spirit of training and nurturing talent, former NTU President Shih-Liang Chieng and former Academia Sinica President Shih Hu facilitated Prof. Hsu’s opportunity to pursue advanced studies in the United States after his graduation. In 1962, after receiving his Ph.D. in Humanities, Prof. Hsu returned to Taiwan to teach in NTU’s Department of History. He introduced new concepts and methods in historiography, emphasizing that history should not only be “narrated” but also “interpreted.” His innovative perspectives significantly influenced the development of historical studies in Taiwan.

This year, NTU established the “Ying-Shih Yu International Center” to commemorate the esteemed sinologist Prof. Ying-Shih Yu and to promote sinology research. Prof. Yu was the first recipient of the Tang Prize in Sinology, inspiring NTU to actively advance sinology and paving its way forward. NTU is committed to creating a supportive academic environment, continuing the legacy of training and nurturing talent, and establishing itself as a global center for sinology.