▎HONOR

On May 6, 2025, President Wen-Chang Chen of National Taiwan University (NTU) was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest civilian distinction conferred by the French government. The honor recognizes President Chen for his over two decades of unwavering commitment to strengthening Taiwan–France collaboration in scientific research, talent cultivation, and cultural exchange.

The decoration was presented by Sylvie Retailleau, former French Minister of Higher Education and Research and past President of Université Paris-Saclay, in a formal ceremony attended by Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chih-Chung Wu, senior NTU officials, academic collaborators, and members of President Chen’s family. The French government emphasized that this distinguished award expresses their deep appreciation for President Chen’s outstanding contributions to advancing Taiwan–France relations.

In his acceptance remarks, President Chen recalled his first visit to France in 2004 to attend the International Polymer Conference, where he was immediately drawn to the country’s academic excellence and cultural richness. Since then, he has remained dedicated to deepening Taiwan–France ties. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, colleagues, and students, noting that the honor was not only a personal one but also a testament to the enduring friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two nations. He pledged to continue fostering bilateral engagements in pursuit of global academic progress.

A Champion of Taiwan–France Academic Cooperation

President Chen has long been a driving force in Taiwan–France scientific collaboration. During his tenure as Dean of NTU’s College of Engineering in 2011, and again as NTU President since 2023, he has led efforts to establish multi-faceted partnerships with leading French institutions, such as the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), and Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA).

These efforts have led to a series of major developments, including the signing of numerous Memoranda of Understanding, the launch of joint research projects, and the establishment of dual-degree programs, student exchanges, and international internships. One of the most notable achievements is the creation of a tri-national joint research center in collaboration with UGA and Kyushu University, which currently jointly host over 25 multinational research projects, showcasing NTU’s global research leadership.

Building on this momentum, President Chen has also expanded NTU’s collaborations with other top French institutions, such as Université Paris-Saclay, Université de Bordeaux, and Université Grenoble Alpes, further advancing joint degrees, student mobility, industry-academia partnerships, and cross-border research initiatives.

President Chen’s being decorated with the Legion of Honour is not only a recognition of his personal achievements but also a powerful symbol of Taiwan’s growing academic stature on the international stage.