▎PEOPLE

On May 24, 2025, National Taiwawn University (NTU) held the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2024 at the NTU Sports Center. This year, the university celebrated the graduation of 4,794 undergraduate students, 5,373 master’s students, and 584 doctoral students—a total of 10,751 graduates.

President Wen-Chang Chen’s Address: Confidence, Responsibility, and Vision

In a wide-ranging commencement speech, President Wen-Chang Chen shared his reflections on NTU’s evolving role and long-term vision, encouraging the graduates to face challenges with greater confidence and courage. He emphasized that NTU’s core mission is to cultivate leaders across diverse disciplines, support groundbreaking research, and contribute meaningfully to global challenges—whether through intellectual leadership or practical problem-solving—while also actively advancing the development of Taiwanese society.

Quoting past speeches delivered at NTU by TSMC founder Morris Chang and AMD Chair and CEO Dr. Lisa Su, President Chen reminded the graduates not to fear failure, but rather to choose the most challenging problems to solve, and to dedicate themselves to fields where they can make the greatest impact. “University,” he said, “is the best time to explore, to learn, and to become a leader.”

Messages of Encouragement from NTU Alumni and Distinguished Guests

The ceremony featured two segments of keynote messages. First was a video compilation titled “Crossroads of Time, Blessings for the Journey,” featuring heartfelt messages from outstanding NTU alumni, honorary doctors, and several alumni who have served as Taiwan’s presidents. They offered reflections from their own life journeys and warm encouragement for both graduating and current students.

The in-person keynote speech was delivered by Jamie Lin, CEO of Taiwan Mobile and an NTU Chemical Engineering alumnus. Sharing insights from his own life, he urged graduates to venture out into the world, find their calling, and commit to lifelong learning. He left the class with this powerful reminder:

“There are no miracles—only accumulations. Keep leveling up. Become someone you can be proud of, and use your strength to give back to the Taiwan you love.”

Graduation Speeches: Local and International Student Perspectives

This year’s student commencement speeches were delivered by Wei-Shan Tai, a dual-major graduate in History and the University Bachelor’s Program, and Mina Song, from Korea, a graduate of the Chinese Literature Department.

In her speech, Wei-Shan Tai reflected on the value of courage—not just the courage to try, but also the courage to accept failure. She encouraged her classmates to revisit the passion that brought them to NTU whenever they feel lost in the future.

“No matter the path each of us takes, I believe we will all arrive at the summit that we, ourselves, aspire to—not the one defined by society. I look forward to meeting you there.”

Mina Song shared how her early passion for the Chinese language led her to NTU, with a clear goal of studying only here. Her life in Taiwan has been vibrant and full, as she balanced her academic work to maintain her international student scholarship with her tutoring in Korean and becoming the first Korean president of NTU’s Tzu Chi Youth Service Club.

“In both good times and hard times,” she said, “let the efforts we make today become the light that leads us forward. Embrace the future with hope, and walk bravely into your bright tomorrow.”