The two alumni Cheng-Hsien Lee and Fernando Luis Ramirez Gonzalez in a Political Science Department classroom.
Every two years, the Ministry of Education (MOE) honors international alumni who have excelled in their respective fields with the Distinguished Taiwan Alumni Award. The award recognizes their contributions to society and highlights the international impact of Taiwan’s higher education. Among 2024’s 11 awardees, National Taiwan University (NTU) stood out with two distinguished alumni, Cheng-Hsien Lee, the current Deputy Speaker of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly in Malaysia, and Fernando Luis Ramirez Gonzalez, the incumbent Mayor of Pilar, Paraguay. Coincidentally, they are both graduates of NTU’s Department of Political Science!
Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan, NTU’s Vice President for International Affairs, remarked that the outstanding achievements of these two alumni not only bring pride to their alma mater but also signify the success of Taiwan’s higher education, significantly enhancing Taiwan’s academic reputation on the global stage.
Cheng-Hsien Lee shared his gratitude for Taiwan’s free, democratic, and diverse society, which motivated him to pursue his studies at NTU. During his student years at NTU, he gained a solid foundation in political theory, which later became the cornerstone of his involvement in Malaysian politics and social movements. From being an opposition leader to forming a coalition government, Lee became one of the few Chinese-Malaysian members of parliament and was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly—a truly inspiring journey.
Fernando Luis Ramirez Gonzalez, on the other hand, recalled his precious experience studying International Relations in the Department of Political Science with the support of the Taiwan Scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He applied the knowledge and skills gained in Taiwan to analyze international political landscapes and better understand global political dynamics. Upon returning to Paraguay, he became the youngest-ever mayor of Pilar. In that role, he visited 8,500 families in his city with the spirit of “Casa por Casa” (House by House) in Spanish, demonstrating his approachable leadership and commitment to serving his people.
On November 7, 2024, both alumni returned to their alma mater to hold a fascinating sharing session, which attracted nearly 80 faculty and students. They shared their life experiences and personal journeys, engaging warmly with the students. All attendees were inspired by their remarkable undertakings and achievements. They returned for the sharing session not only to express their sincere gratitude towards their alma mater but also to provide a shining example for current students and encourage them to pursue their dreams and live remarkable lives.
Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan, the two alumni, and faculty members with attending students.
