NKUST Graduation Ceremony for 8,305 Students: 50 Events Across 5 Campuses Celebrate Achievements, with Presidential Education Award and a 75-Year-Old Master's Graduate as Highlights
Good News Taiwan / Wang Wenling
4 minutes ago
[Reporter Wang Wenling / Kaohsiung Report] National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) held its 2026 graduation ceremony today (13th) to bid farewell to graduates as they embark on a new chapter in life. This year's ceremony not only invited distinguished alumna Zhang Yueyuan back to share life experiences but also featured three graduates from different backgrounds who demonstrated resilience and learning spirit, becoming the focus of the event. From overcoming illness to return to campus, a 75-year-old crossing the sea to fulfill his dream of earning a master's degree, to receiving the Golden Rudder Award for self-discipline, service, and leadership, their life stories added the most touching notes to this year's graduation ceremony.
This year, NKUST had a total of 8,305 graduates completing their studies. To allow all graduates to share this important moment with faculty and family, the university organized 50 graduation ceremonies and related activities across its five campuses, each planned by individual departments and institutes. The university-level ceremony invited graduate representatives, college representatives, and award-winning students to attend and receive blessings from faculty, symbolizing that all graduates are embarking on a new chapter in life.
In his speech, NKUST President Wu Zhongxin said graduation is not just the completion of studies but the beginning of a new journey. Facing rapid AI development and industrial changes, what truly determines how far a person can go is not just the amount of knowledge they possess, but whether they have the ability to continuously learn and grow. He encouraged graduates to bravely embrace challenges, remain humble and kind, find their place in a changing era, and become talents with both professional competence and humanistic care. He also reminded graduates to cherish family, value health, and while pursuing dreams and achievements, never forget the most important original intention and warmth in life.
This year, Cai Zongxian from the Department of Fishery Food Science, who won the Ministry of Education's 2026 Presidential Education Award, was the most representative example of life education at the graduation ceremony. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in his junior year, Cai underwent two years of treatment and a bone marrow transplant, once hovering between life and death. After recovery, he chose to return to campus to continue his studies at NKUST, not only maintaining top academic performance but also actively engaging in campus life. Passionate about hosting and stage expression, he has been active in various on- and off-campus activities, was invited to host a youth summit, and served as the host for today's graduation ceremony, welcoming his own graduation in a special way.
Cai has received multiple honors, including the National Outstanding College Youth Award, the Zhou Daguan Cultural and Educational Foundation's Anti-Cancer Dream Scholarship, and the Taiwan Cancer Foundation's Top Ten Anti-Cancer Fighters Medal. This year, he also received the Presidential Education Award. Cai expressed his hope to develop a career in oral communication and public expression, using his story and voice to bring positive influence to more people.
Also admirable is Gao Jiliangchen, a 75-year-old graduate from the master's program in Fisheries Technology and Management. Originally from Japan, he worked for a globally renowned integrated fishing net manufacturer, engaged in sales of fixed-net and aquaculture fishery materials for many years, and had close ties with Taiwan's fisheries industry. After retirement, he did not stop learning. In 2023, after exchanging Japanese fixed-net technology with NKUST professors Liu Renming and Su Baoyu, he had the idea to return to campus and chose to pursue a master's degree at NKUST. Gao said that although Taiwan's fixed-net technology originated from Japan, it has developed unique features in response to marine environment challenges such as the Kuroshio Current and typhoons. Therefore, he hoped to combine his many years of industry experience with academic research to explore new fixed-net technologies better suited for Taiwan's marine environment. Gao noted that studying with younger students was a bit nervous but also made him feel younger and benefited his physical and mental health. For him, learning has no age limit; as long as one maintains curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, every stage of life can continue to grow and create new possibilities.
This year, one of the winners of NKUST's highest student honor, the "Golden Rudder Award," is Yu Xinqian from the Department of Finance and Taxation, who demonstrated the self-discipline, leadership, and service enthusiasm of the younger generation. The award requires excellent academic performance, good conduct, physical education scores, and perfect attendance, making it a comprehensive affirmation of student performance. Yu served as a class officer for four consecutive years, organized study groups to help classmates learn, and served as a after-school tutoring assistant. During her studies, she also served as the convener of the Home for Children's Foundation's "Youth Fishing Rod Project," leading her team to win first place nationwide. She said she has always believed in the power of "altruism" and hopes to turn her self-discipline into motivation to help others, finding a sense of achievement and life direction through serving peers. This academic year, 40 students received the Golden Rudder Award, demonstrating NKUST students' outstanding performance in academics, character cultivation, and holistic development.
The graduation ceremony specially invited distinguished alumna Zhang Yueyuan to return and give a speech. She encouraged graduates to bravely pursue their dreams and continuously improve, maintaining a passion for learning and an open mindset, and accumulating their own value through every choice and experience, learning from setbacks and growing through challenges.
NKUST's Dean of Academic Affairs Luo Guangmin stated that from Cai Zongxian's resilience in the face of illness, Gao Jiliangchen's perseverance in lifelong learning, to Yu Xinqian's self-discipline and altruism, and Zhang Yueyuan's pursuit of dreams, all echo the spirit of this year's graduation theme "From NKUST to Anywhere." Every graduate has a different starting point and story, but all will carry the nourishment and courage accumulated at NKUST, starting from here, moving toward a broader future. (Photo / Reproduced by reporter Wang Wenling)
