Creating a high-quality learning environment and nurturing outstanding international talents:
Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology said farewell to its 4,606 graduates in the 2016 commencement.

Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology held its 2016 commencement on June 5 for as many as 4,606 graduating students. President Tsai and Vice President Chen sent telegrams to express their blessing with sincerity to all graduates. President Tai, former President Chang, late Chairman of Legislative Yuan Jin-Ping Wang, Former Chairman of the National Alumni Association Wen-Long Chang, and other VIPs gave their blessings to all the graduates, hoping that they would contribute significantly to the national community. The Commencement was given the theme "Infinite future, Challenge, Dream," with outstanding faculties and graduates coming into the venue and led by flags of all the departments in the ceremony. All these created a sense of consolidation and honor, symbolizing that the graduates would soon face an infinite future, challenges, and dreams in their lives.

【President Tai (middle) of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and graduating foreign students.】

President Tai said that Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has been founded nearly 47 years. Throughout all the robust development and different phases, each school performance was well recognized by the Ministry of Education, parents, and the community. Since 2006, STUST has been given a total of $NT 748 million by the Ministry of Education through its "Teaching Excellence Program" grants, with a total sum of subsidy ranked second among universities of science and technology nation-wide. It was recognized as a model for universities of science and technology in 2012 by the Ministry of Education. From 2013 to 2015, the Ministry of Education granted it a total of $NT 429 million through its "University of Science and Technology Development Model Plan.” According to Cheers magazine survey on favorite universities for enterprises, STUST has been honored as their favorite private　university for 8 consecutive years (2009-2016). It was listed on the TOP 10 universities for its remarkable progress in performance assessment. In 2016, STUST won the American InBIA review, ranked first in the best university incubators of the year (Best University Incubator); it is the first Taiwan incubation Center to have obtained this award. In 2015, the Ministry of Education gave grants to vocational schools that promoted general education curriculum reform program; STUST was selected as one of the "merit schools," ranked first in the country in terms of subsidy program and funds.

【President Tai (left) of Southern Taiwan University presented Moral Education Award to student Nai-Yan Chiu (right). While the student received the award with a rich body language, the president responded with intimate interaction.】

President Tai showed his gratitude to Chairman Zheng for his wisdom and leadership; his thanks also went to the board of directors and supervisors for their selfless dedication and support, which have brought to the school best teachers, equipment, and campus environment. The transformation of STUST these years has brought it development and success today, while it has to keep pace with national universities, with a broader vision and constantly strive for excellence, forward-looking layout, international and industry standards, and sustainable development. In June 2015, the school took the responsibility for the operation of Tainan Cultural and Creative Industrial Park when it was officially opened, which was a new milestone in Southern Taiwan. In addition, the New Building for Daily Living, with its 43-meter-tall gate, stands now not only as a symbolic landmark for STUST but also as open arms to welcome industries to work together with STUST to create technology research and development and economic prosperity for Taiwan. President Tai reminded all the graduates that the school’s motto “Being honest and just” is a great norm for a lifetime.

【Former Chairman of Legislative Yuan Jin-Ping Wang visited STUST and gave a graduation speech, encouraging students to apply their knowledge to their soaring careers.】

Former Chairman of the Legislative Yuan Jin-Ping Wang said that he has been present over the past few years in STUST’s commencement to give graduates refueling and blessings, encouraging the graduates not to do what they should not do. He also emphasized that no matter under what kind of environment, everyone should hold on to his post and role, carrying out his or her duties. When peers need assistance one should feel to be duty-bound to give timely assistance. When the former chairman came to the commencement, students were very excited and asked for a group photo with him. The former chairman shook hands with every student and took pictures with him, showing his personal charm and affinity with them.

【Former Chairman of the Legislative Yuan Jin-Ping Wang visited STUST and received a warm welcome: he shook hands with students and waved to show his greeting.】

Former President Chang gave a speech to encourage students to remain grateful for everything; even in the face of setbacks or challenges, they should also show their appreciation. From setbacks one will be able to grow, just like muscles—one must take exercise before being able to exert its effects when it is needed; one needs to find the true self from setbacks and even becomes better. He also said STUST is the best private University of Science and Technology. As long as there is the willing to work hard, any alumni will be able to produce light and heat in every corner of the society.

【President Tai (left) of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (right) and the GMBA valedictorian】

Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has had great success in promoting internationalization. This year a total of 51 international students are given a degree. The American GMBA Student Kuey in the ceremony on behalf of all the graduates. He said that everyone has their own philosophy of life as the core and that, although far from home, he learned to adapt, to respect, and to re-define his own philosophy of life; he ignited his passions in mind and combined with the power of Southern Taiwan people to head for the future. In addition, this year there are for the first time students from the Denmark to acquire a GMBA degree from the School of Business and Management. The student from another sister school in Austria—Yun-Lin Shih from JKU—also achieved a double GMBA degree from both JKU and STUST.

【President Tai of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (right) and Yuan-Kuan Chen (left).】

Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology encourage students to run for both academic learning and technical skills. Yuan-Kuan Chen, a student from the night school program of Mechanical Engineering Department (mechanical system and automation control group) won a total of 28 licenses and became a top student with the most school licenses. He was given the title—License Master. His Homeroom teacher Ching-Hwa Wei said that Chen is a well-targeted student, originally enrolled to the department due to his good performance in the Tainan National Skills Competition. Two years later he decided to switch to the training unit of night school program in the hope that during the day he could go to the "Mechatronic Integration Program" offered by the Workforce Development Department of the Ministry of Labour in order to strengthen his vocational and technical training and learn more solid technical skills. In addition, to increase his savings for tuitions and reduce the family burden, Chen created his independent business and set up his "DeJerry Studio," providing services related to mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, home appliances, 3D printing, and many other maintenance and assembly work as well as recycling and bagging trading service. He has been operating it for three years. While working during the day to get work experience, he came at night to the school to learn the theory. He has made the first in class for several times. In addition, Chen said that he would choose to continue their studies, as he has been admitted to the Institute of Industrial Management of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He hopes to participate in the contest of "Light of Vocational" organized by the Ministry of Education, not only for himself but also for winning schools.

【Graduates of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology posed for pictures to remember the good days】

The 2016 commencement of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology was indeed a heartwarming one. Over the past years there has been a large installation art; this year a large cap became the thematic device--a symbol of life to open another new tour. The ceremonies continued until 20:00, with parents, relatives, and friends of graduates coming to the school. A total of more than 7,000 people attended the ceremony. Parents visited the beautiful scenery in STUST campus under the leadership of their children, and they left unforgettable memories of college life in front of the school and the installation art.