The National Chi Nan University held its graduation ceremony for the 2018-2019 school year on June 1. Themed “Jigsaw of Memories,” the event paid tribute to both the accumulation of past schoolyard experiences and future professional aspirations.

This school year saw a total of 1,586 students — 1,112 from undergraduate departments, 295 from master’s programs, 144 from postgraduate programs for working professionals, and 35 from the doctoral division — receive their degrees.

Apart from visiting family members and friends, many of whom reside abroad as overseas Chinese compatriots, the graduation ceremony also saw performances by students of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies and indigenous campus groups, respectively led by teachers Lin Kuo-chen (林幗貞) and Gu Pei-ci (古珮琪).

NCNU President Dr. Yuhlong Oliver Su noted that such performances are a reflection of the university’s twin emphasis on cultivating regional ties and bridging international communities. In his speech, Dr. Su also highlighted NCNU’s dedication to local growth as the nation’s top recipient of USR (university social responsibility) grants, and the success of NCNU’s southbound orientation as evident in the rising number of alumni working in Southeast Asia.

The President concluded his speech with a Confucian quote, “the accomplished scholar is not merely a vessel,” to remind graduating students of the importance of using their knowledge and skills to benefit others, especially those who are at a disadvantage, and that learning is a lifelong process that demands continuous passion and drive.

An awards ceremony for honoring outstanding NCNU alumni followed. The 11 awardees this year include Dr. Yen Hung-ju (顏宏儒), who joined the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico as a J. Robert Oppenheimer Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow from 2013 to 2017, and KMT Taipei City Councilor Chung Pei-chun (鍾沛君).