【94th Anniversary】Celebrating Excellence at NCKU: Four Honorees Receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award

Written by Amy Lin. Image credit to NCKU News Center.

President Meng-Ru Shen presents the 2025 NCKU Distinguished Alumni Award to this year’s four recipients. From left to right: Ching-Lai Lu (Executive MBA, Class of 2008), Jason Ta-Kang Ma (Electrical Engineering, Class of 1986), President Meng-Ru Shen, Shin-Kun Peng (Transportation and Communication Management Science, Class of 1979), and Shu-Tzu Chen (Master’s in Political Economy, Class of 2008).

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) held the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on November 9 at the Cheng Kung Auditorium on the Kuang-Fu Campus, recognizing alumni for excellence in their professions and meaningful contributions to society. The event also aimed to inspire current students by highlighting distinguished role models whose achievements exemplify NCKU’s values.

This year, four outstanding alumni received the prestigious honor. The awards were presented by President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒) on behalf of NCKU. The recipients, in the order of presentation, are as follows:

Shin-Kun Peng (彭信坤), Class of 1979, Bachelor of Transportation and Communication Management Science
Jason Ta-Kang Ma (馬大康), Class of 1986, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Shu-Tzu Chen (陳淑姿), Class of 2008, Master of Political Economy
Ching-Lai Lu (盧鏡來), Class of 2008, Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)

President Meng-Ru Shen noted that NCKU has more than 220,000 alumni around the world, all quietly contributing to and supporting the university’s continued progress.

In his remarks, President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒) emphasized that the selection process for the Distinguished Alumni Awards is “extremely, extremely rigorous,” joking, “Sometimes I wonder—if I applied, would I even make the cut?” President Shen said he is deeply impressed by the tremendous impact and dedication demonstrated by the honorees each year. Reviewing the list of honorees each time, he is genuinely struck by the extent of contribution and effort involved. With over 220,000 alumni worldwide, President Shen noted, NCKU benefits from continuous support across academia, the public sector, finance, and technology. The university plays a vital role in the country’s development; currently, over half of Taiwan’s senior civil servants are NCKU alumni—a testament to the university’s longstanding contributions to the country.

President Shen expressed his gratitude to this year’s four honorees. He praised Shin-Kun Peng (彭信坤), an academician who has provided significant support to NCKU and played an essential role in shaping key national policies. Jason Ta-Kang Ma (馬大康) once led an NCKU team on a visit to Google and personally recommended the university to Google headquarters, helping establish a strong collaborative partnership. Ching-Lai Lu (盧鏡來) has consistently stepped forward to support the university during times of difficulty or challenge. President Shen also expressed heartfelt appreciation for Shu-Tzu Chen’s (陳淑姿) “continued care, commitment, and long-standing support for her alma mater.”

All four award recipients expressed deep honor in receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, and conveyed their sincere appreciation to their alma mater for its guidance, as well as gratitude to the many mentors and supporters who accompanied them along the way.

With visible emotion, Shin-Kun Peng shared that although he has received many honors throughout his career, the NCKU Distinguished Alumni Award is the most meaningful one to him.

Shin-Kun Peng, Vice President of Academia Sinica (Bachelor of Transportation and Communication Management Science, Class of 1979)

Shin-Kun Peng (彭信坤) has long been deeply engaged in academic research, rising through the ranks at Academia Sinica’s Institute of Economics from Assistant Research Fellow to Distinguished Research Fellow. In July 2024, he was elected Academician of the 34th Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at Academia Sinica, and in September began serving concurrently as Vice President. He has held several prominent leadership roles, including President of the Taiwan Economic Association, the Regional Science Association, and the Chinese Economic Association in North America (CEANA), establishing a broad and lasting influence in the field.

Dr. Peng’s research spans international trade, regional and industrial economics, earning distinction in both academic and policy circles. His scholarship has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Research Award from the National Science and Technology Council, the Academic Award from the Ministry of Education, and the Distinguished Award in Economics from the Taiwan Economic Association.

Actively engaged with his alma mater, Dr. Peng has served as a jointly appointed professor in NCKU’s Department of Economics since 2009. He played a key role in bringing the 2017 Pacific Conference of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) to NCKU, delivered the Phoenix Lecture in 2024, and joined the university’s International Advisory Board in 2025—all demonstrating his continued commitment to supporting NCKU’s development through global insight and academic leadership.

At the beginning of his remarks, Shin-Kun Peng (彭信坤) grew emotional, pausing briefly to compose himself. He shared that although he has received many awards throughout his career, the Distinguished Alumni Award from NCKU is the most meaningful to him—because one of his professors from 50 years ago was present at the ceremony, making the moment especially moving and unforgettable.

Peng reflected that while NCKU graduates may not always be the smartest, they are undoubtedly among the most grounded. He expressed how proud he was to be part of the NCKU community. “I may not be smarter than others,” he added with a smile, “but I can definitely endure more.” This, he noted, is what sets NCKU alumni apart—and why they continue to excel across diverse fields.

He closed by expressing deep appreciation to the teachers who shaped him, to his wife—also an NCKU alumna—who has supported him throughout, and to the many colleagues who have stood by his side. Smiling warmly, he shared this moment of recognition with everyone in attendance.

Jason Ta-Kang Ma expressed his gratitude to NCKU, as well as to the faculty and fellow students of the Department of Electrical Engineering, for their guidance and support during his university years, which helped lay a solid foundation for his future.

Jason Ta-Kang Ma, Engineering Director, Google ChromeOS (Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Class of 1986)

Jason Ta-Kang Ma (馬大康), Engineering Director at Google ChromeOS and a 1986 graduate of NCKU Department of Electrical Engineering, earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. He has long focused on the integration and innovation of power systems and artificial-intelligence expert systems. His exceptional work earned him recognition in Who’s Who in the World in 1998 and the Microsoft Global Gold Star Award in 2006.

Dr. Ma has actively bridged international resources and Taiwan’s academic community. Since 2020, he has helped introduce Google’s University Collaboration Program to Taiwan, working closely with NCKU to support a range of research initiatives in generative AI, semiconductors, and smart healthcare. He has also provided sustained support for student research and for international academic exchanges.

Furthering these efforts, Dr. Ma initiated the NCKU–Google Collaboration Program Committee to expand cooperation in machine learning for large-language models, sustainable development, and hardware technologies. Through this platform, he has facilitated Google Cloud credits and travel grants for students, while also inviting NCKU faculty to visit Google campuses multiple times to jointly develop long-term collaboration strategies. Dr. Ma’s concrete actions have significantly strengthened industry-academia collaboration between NCKU and Google. Through his leadership in the global development of ChromeOS and his dedication to nurturing future talent, he continues to elevate Taiwan’s international presence in digital transformation and technological innovation.

Upon receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, Jason Ta-Kang Ma (馬大康) expressed that the honor was a tremendous encouragement. He extended his thanks to his alma mater, as well as to the faculty and fellow students of the Department of Electrical Engineering, whose guidance and support during his undergraduate years laid a solid foundation for his academic and professional journey. That experience, he said, enabled him to pursue a Ph.D. abroad and instilled in him a lifelong passion for learning along with the courage to take on challenges.

These formative experiences have shaped his commitment to technological innovation, leadership in global teams, and dedication to nurturing talent throughout his career. He also acknowledged the enduring support of his wife and family, which has been essential throughout his journey.

Ma noted that he will carry this recognition as a source of renewed motivation to deepen academic collaboration with NCKU, help cultivate diverse talent in emerging technologies, and continue to champion the spirit of NCKU’s motto, “Veritas et Conscientia” (窮理致知), in both vision and action.

“Challenges,” Shu-Tzu Chen remarked, “are not setbacks—they are what drive us forward and spark insight.”

Shu-Tzu Chen, Minister, Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan (Master of Political Economy, Class of 2007)

Shu-Tzu Chen (陳淑姿) has long been committed to advancing youth policy initiatives. During her service on the Tainan City Youth Affairs Committee, she led programs such as the “Youth Dialogue Consensus Forums” and “Youth Committee Gatherings,” creating platforms for meaningful engagement between young people and the government. During her service on the Tainan City Youth Affairs Committee, she led programs such as the “Youth Dialogue Consensus Forums” and “Youth Committee Gatherings,” creating platforms for constructive engagement between young people and the government.

Chen has actively promoted youth career development by helping design internship and work-study programs within local government agencies, successfully connecting hundreds of students to public-sector opportunities. Professionally, she also served as a strategic advisor for the planning of the Shalun Medical Service and Innovation Park at NCKU’s College of Medicine, where she helped resolve budgeting and coordination challenges.

In 2024, Chen was appointed Minister of the DGBAS, where she oversees the central government’s general budget and the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. Her work focuses on strengthening fiscal discipline, promoting green sustainability and digital transformation, and engaging in international dialogue to highlight Taiwan’s financial governance and forward-looking expertise. Her accomplishments in national fiscal leadership serve as an inspiration to the NCKU community.

Shu-Tzu Chen (陳淑姿) expressed her great appreciation upon receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award. She shared that her passion for learning has continually driven her to pursue further education. Working in the public sector in Tainan highlighted the importance of strengthening her knowledge of politics and economics, which led her to enroll at NCKU.

Reflecting on her time in local government, Chen spoke about the financial and tax deficit challenges she faced in Tainan, which prompted her to think critically about how to build more sustainable fiscal policies. In recent years, while serving at the central level, she has had to navigate budget cuts, customs-revenue fluctuations, and the fiscal impact of natural disasters. During such times, she often reminds her colleagues: “Challenges are not setbacks—they are what drive us forward and spark insight.”

Chen concluded by saying that she hopes to share this special recognition with current students, encouraging them to uphold the NCKU spirit of “pragmatism, innovation, and responsibility” in their own pursuits.

Ching-Lai Lu expressed his hope that more alumni would come together to support NCKU’s journey toward its centennial vision, with the aspiration that the university will one day rank among the top 100 in the world.

Ching-Lai Lu, Chairman, All Ring Tech Co., Ltd. (Executive MBA, Class of 2009)

Ching-Lai Lu, Chairman, All Ring Tech Co., Ltd. (Executive MBA, Class of 2009)

Ching-Lai Lu (盧鏡來) has long upheld the belief of “focusing on sunlight, not clouds—always moving forward.” In 1996, he founded All Ring Tech with NT$1.2 million. By its fifth year, the company was successfully listed on the OTC market and eventually reached a peak market capitalization of more than NT$50 billion, placing it among Taiwan’s top 300 publicly traded companies by value.

With deep industry expertise and strategic foresight in passive components and semiconductor equipment, Lu led the company into the global supply chains of leading firms such as ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited. All Ring Tech continues to expand its reach in cutting-edge areas such as advanced packaging, graphite-based thermal solutions, and silicon photonics (CPO), strengthening its leadership position in the semiconductor equipment sector.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Lu has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to talent development and corporate social responsibility. He has consistently supported innovation competitions and scholarship initiatives. In 2024, he made a major scholarship donation to support students at NCKU, further underscoring his deep connection to the university. He has also promoted industry–academia collaboration, aiming to give back by nurturing future generations through his personal experience.

Lu has additionally invested in the Phoenix Entrepreneurship Platforms, dedicating up to NT$200 million in resources to support the long-term sustainability of both industry and education.

In his remarks, Ching-Lai Lu (盧鏡來) said he was honored and genuinely delighted to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award—though he humbly added that he felt unworthy of the recognition, as he believes all NCKU alumni to be exceptional. “NCKU is truly a place full of hidden talent,” he said with a smile, recalling how the news of the award left him so excited that he could not sleep for three days.

Lu noted that the experience in the NCKU EMBA program had a profound influence on his growth as a business leader. One course in particular—Management Science—had a lasting impact. He recalled how the professor assigned five or six books during the first week, asking students to read them and present reflections within a week, creating immense pressure. But by the end of the semester, he discovered a passion for reading and built a habit of self-directed learning. This habit eventually carried over into his company, where he established a “morning reading club” to encourage collective learning and dialogue among employees, helping shape a shared vision and corporate culture that continue to drive the company’s growth.

He also expressed admiration for President Meng-Ru Shen’s (沈孟儒) visionary leadership and strategic direction for the university, and added that he hopes more alumni will come together to support NCKU’s development toward its centennial goal. “I look forward to seeing NCKU ranked among the world’s top 100 universities in the future,” he said.

Provider: NCKU News Center

Date: 2025-11-25

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