【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】

2025-06-07 The National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) held its 22nd graduation ceremony today (July 7). President Chen Chi-Jen encouraged graduates to face the unknown future “with courage, responsibility, and influence,” and inspired them with the words, “You don’t have to be a lighthouse, but you can be a match that lights up a bit of darkness for others.” He urged graduates to bravely pursue their dreams and maintain a commitment to social sustainability.

President Chen noted that NUK ranked first among medium-sized universities in Taiwan in a nationwide survey of the "Most Favored University Graduates by Top 2000 Enterprises." It is also the only medium-sized university to rank among the top 30 overall, demonstrating strong recognition of its educational quality and student performance. On the sustainability front, the university has implemented the ISO 50001 energy management system. In 2024, NUK ranked in the top 18% of 1,477 global universities in the GreenMetric rankings, placing in the top 7% globally for infrastructure, water resource management, and transportation.

On behalf of the university, President Chen expressed gratitude to the parents for their long-standing trust and support, which enabled students to grow with peace of mind. He praised the dedication of the faculty who helped students mature through their guidance and mentorship. He also paid tribute to NUK’s first honorary doctorate recipient, Mr. Hung Ssu-Chuan, who funded the construction of the Student Activity Center, the venue for today’s ceremony, in 2016—a testament to giving back to society. President Chen encouraged graduates to remain steadfast and quoted Steve Jobs: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” He reminded students that even in times of confusion, every step they take will eventually become a valuable asset. True confidence, he said, lies in believing in the power to make a difference.

Dr. Lin Chi-Yung, General Manager of Merck Taiwan, was invited to deliver a speech. Drawing on his 30-year career, he emphasized the importance of discovering interests and setting direction during university. He shared how a summer internship at China Steel Corporation inspired his passion for manufacturing after witnessing the awe-inspiring steelmaking process. Despite detours in his career, he remained true to his initial aspiration. He encouraged students to set long-term goals and continue working diligently, because “efforts are never wasted—they bloom at the right time.”

Dr. Lin also reminded graduates that with the rapid pace of technological change, what they’ve learned in school is only the beginning. Lifelong learning and continual self-improvement are key to staying competitive. He emphasized the importance of developing transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication, and language abilities to adapt to changing industries. He urged students not to imitate others, but to “understand yourself and play the cards you’ve been dealt to the best of your ability,” and offered his heartfelt wishes for their success on the new journey ahead.

Alumni Association President Lee Tsung-Ming remarked that graduation marks a significant life transition, and every experience at NUK will become a source of strength in the future. He encouraged graduates to embrace gratitude and value the relationships and personal growth cultivated during their time at the university—these are the strongest foundations to carry forward. He emphasized that no matter where graduates go, the Alumni Association will always be their support. He urged them to act with integrity, responsibility, and innovation, to use their talents to contribute to society, and welcomed them to return to their alma mater often to continue the legacy and spirit of NUK.

Yang Yu-Ning, a graduate from the Department of Applied Chemistry and the student representative speaker, delivered a touching and humorous reflection on college life. She described the past four years as “more exciting than any Netflix original.” If their university life were a screenplay, it would have had countless bloopers—but they never stopped rolling. Through breakdowns, fixes, laughter, and improvisation, they created a film only they could understand, but one worth watching. She thanked her family, teachers, and classmates for their support through times of confusion and encouraged everyone to “applaud the version of ourselves who thought we wouldn’t make it but still pushed through.”

Chen Chien-Ying from the Department of Computer Science recalled the unique experience of entering university during the pandemic, saying, “We adapted to remote learning and persevered through difficult times to reach today’s graduation.” He encouraged fellow graduates to remember the passion in their eyes when they started, and that whether a choice turns out right or wrong, both outcomes offer valuable lessons. No part of the journey is wasted. He ended with a hopeful vision of life ten years from now, urging classmates to courageously pursue their dreams.

In addition to the official ceremony, a “Future Mail” activity was held in collaboration with Chunghwa Post. Graduates could write letters to their future selves, to be delivered between one and thirty years later, as a blessing or reminder for what lies ahead.

#SDG4 #SDG9 #SDG17 @Student Affairs Division & Events