Distinguished aviator donates to set up NCKU aerospace fund
Tainan, Taiwan, 10 July 2012
Hischun (Mike) Hua, former executive vice president and general manager Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) and U-2 pilot, donated the majority of his life's savings to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) July 6 to help boost Taiwan’s aerospace industry and cultivate talent in aeronautical research.
Hua, a retired 87-year-old general, who is currently based in the United States, was quoted by former Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. Chairman Yeou-kuang Shung, as saying that he decided to donate NT$15 million (US$501,680) to NCKU because aeronautical studies are vital to a nation, but do not get the attention they deserve in Taiwan.
It’s truly generous of General Hua to gift his own saving to fund aerospace studies at NCKU, where he once taught, and future domestic aeronautical industry development, according to president Hwung-hweng Hwung who was honored on behalf of NCKU to receive Hua’s donation.
With the donation, Aeronautics and Astronautics of NCKU will set up aerospace scholarship and an outstanding aviation engineer award and conduct research on domestic aviation policy and most importantly, to launch a think tank dedicated to providing feasible solutions to current technical and operational problems of the field in Taiwan.
Hua, long seen as a legendary figure in Taiwan’s aviation, flew the high-altitude spy plane over China between 1959-63 as a pilot with the Air Force's 35th Squadron, known as the "Black Cat Squadron," which assisted the U.S. in reconnaissance missions over China during the Cold War.
Known as the father of aviation in Taiwan, Hua also played a major role in the development of Taiwan's military planes, overseeing the design of the TCH-1 turboprop trainer, the more advanced AT-3 transonic jet-trainer, the XC-2 transport aircraft and the locally built Indigenous Defense Fighter.
Hua received the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award of Purdue University in 1990 for his exceptional technical, managerial, and diplomatic accomplishments, which have led to significant contributions in the aerospace industry.
Hua has been awarded several local military decorations in recognition of his significant contributions to national security, as well as the U.S.' Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Hischun (Mike) Hua, former executive vice president and general manager Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) and U-2 pilot, donated the majority of his life's savings to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) July 6 to help boost Taiwan’s aerospace industry and cultivate talent in aeronautical research.
Hua, a retired 87-year-old general, who is currently based in the United States, was quoted by former Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. Chairman Yeou-kuang Shung, as saying that he decided to donate NT$15 million (US$501,680) to NCKU because aeronautical studies are vital to a nation, but do not get the attention they deserve in Taiwan.
It’s truly generous of General Hua to gift his own saving to fund aerospace studies at NCKU, where he once taught, and future domestic aeronautical industry development, according to president Hwung-hweng Hwung who was honored on behalf of NCKU to receive Hua’s donation.
With the donation, Aeronautics and Astronautics of NCKU will set up aerospace scholarship and an outstanding aviation engineer award and conduct research on domestic aviation policy and most importantly, to launch a think tank dedicated to providing feasible solutions to current technical and operational problems of the field in Taiwan.
Hua, long seen as a legendary figure in Taiwan’s aviation, flew the high-altitude spy plane over China between 1959-63 as a pilot with the Air Force's 35th Squadron, known as the "Black Cat Squadron," which assisted the U.S. in reconnaissance missions over China during the Cold War.
Known as the father of aviation in Taiwan, Hua also played a major role in the development of Taiwan's military planes, overseeing the design of the TCH-1 turboprop trainer, the more advanced AT-3 transonic jet-trainer, the XC-2 transport aircraft and the locally built Indigenous Defense Fighter.
Hua received the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award of Purdue University in 1990 for his exceptional technical, managerial, and diplomatic accomplishments, which have led to significant contributions in the aerospace industry.
Hua has been awarded several local military decorations in recognition of his significant contributions to national security, as well as the U.S.' Distinguished Flying Cross.
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