News--Welcome to National Chiayi University

　　The graduation season approached as golden shower trees and phoenix flowers came into full bloom, and cicadas and frogs sang their song from all around us. The National Chiayi University’s graduation ceremony for the graduating classes of 2022 was held at the Auditorium (Zuei-Suei Guan) on the Lantan campus on May 28th at 9:00 a.m. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the globe for two years since 2020, the Omicron variant is hitting Taiwan relentlessly. The event was organized in accordance to the COVID-19 health guidelines to reduce the chance of infection. Only award-winning students and representatives from each class were invited to the venue. The venue was not open to parents to limit the number of participants. The whole event was live-streamed to enable all the other graduates and parents who could not attend the event to hear the best wishes to the graduates from the faculty.

　　According to the graduation committee, the theme of this year’s ceremony was “Create a Better Future with Every Hard-working Moment.” It implied that moments in the four years of college are like a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, consisting of memories that shine at night. Graduates who would be leaving the university will open their arms, and savor the splendid memories before their eyes. In this summer, they will embark on a new life journey, their hearts filled with wonder and delight.

　　In his remarks at the ceremony, NCYU President Han Chien Lin offered encouraging words to all the graduates. First, he emphasized the need to adopt an attitude of “gratitude, contentment, and making the most of their strengths.” He hoped that the students will always remember what they already have, and adapt in the face of adversity so that they can grow stronger. The second is to embrace “positive thinking, sincerity, and proactivity.” The key to success is to pursue knowledge, expand their professional horizons, and never lose their ambition. The third is to grasp every opportunity to “self-study, pursue their dreams and become a pioneer.” They should all discover and create their own splendor in life. He wished all the students would find a career worthy of lifelong pursuit, and build a wonderful life after graduation.

　　There were 2,471 graduates this year, including 18 with doctoral degrees, 515 with master’s degrees, and 1,938 with bachelor’s degrees. Among them, 76 were international and overseas Chinese students. NCYU, which has been established for over a century since 1922, is proud to have more than 113,112 alumni, who have been putting into practice what they have learned in all walks of life around the world. He expressed gratitude to all the faculty members for nurturing outstanding students. He also thanked the alumni for their efforts and support of their alma mater in their respective roles, which contributes to the success and reputation of NCYU as a cradle of remarkable talents. He wished every graduate would take pride in being a member of NCYU, and contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the region, as well as to the economic growth of the society. Someday in the future, the university will take pride in having them as a member.

　　In this year’s ceremony, three local students and three Indonesian students delivered graduation speeches on behalf of the graduates from the Lantan, Minghsiung and Sinmin campuses. Widya Yuliana from the Global Master Program of Agricultural Science, College of Agriculture, said that experience is their best teacher, so they should never fear trying new things. She added that NCYU is their home, and would always stay in their hearts. Winda Ayu Utami Rhamadanty from the Global Master Program of Teaching Profession, Teachers College, said she would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers. Without their support, it would be hard for her to overcome the cultural barriers and homesickness. Huang Yujie (Melina) from the Global Master Program of Tourism and Management, College of Management, was grateful to NCYU for offering professional academic training and diverse activities that allow her to develop a global perspective. They all come from different countries with diverse cultural backgrounds, but they will all be brave to pursue their lifelong dreams after graduating from NCYU today. She encouraged everyone to feel proud of themselves and enjoy the fruits of their hard work. She also wished to become someone she would admire in the future. Happy graduation to all the graduates in 2022.