Former President Tsai Ing-wen Gives Talk on Resilient Growth at the Forum of NCKU Class of 2026 Graduation Committee
Written by Hsu Tsu-Yueh. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
The first session of the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) “Who Cheng He” Forum, organized by the Class of 2026 Graduation Committee, was grandly held on April 28. Former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to give a talk. Speaking on the theme of resilient growth, she shared with NCKU faculty and students how to practice being a warm decision-maker when facing pressure and controversy. Before the talk began, the NCKU Graduation Committee, the Center for Gender and Women Studies, as well as NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen, and the university’s administrative team jointly welcomed former President Tsai for visiting the university once again.
Former President Tsai Ing-wen Gives Talk on Resilient Growth at the “Who Cheng He” Forum by NCKU Class of 2026 Graduation Committee on April 28
In his opening remarks, NCKU President Shen praised former President Tsai for demonstrating calm and steady leadership in guiding Taiwan forward during the COVID-19 pandemic and a changing period of geopolitics. He also expressed his anticipation for the day’s lecture. President Shen recalled his first close interaction with then President Tsai more than four years ago at the groundbreaking ceremony for the NCKU Geriatric Hospital, describing her as composed and dignified. He also took the opportunity to share an update on the hospital project, noting that the beam-raising ceremony was held two days prior (April 25), with completion expected in August 2027.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen praised former President Tsai for demonstrating calm and steady leadership in guiding Taiwan forward during the COVID-19 pandemic and a changing period of geopolitics, and also shared an update on the NCKU Geriatric Hospital.
This event marked former President Tsai Ing-wen’s second campus lecture since leaving office, and it drew wide anticipation from various sectors. Both rounds of on-campus registration quickly filled to capacity. On social media, there are many comments asking for additional sessions, while some alumni happily recalled that they had already attended Tsai’s talk as early as 2005, at the first student forum held at NCKU.
Former President Tsai has previously served twice as a speaker at the NCKU Student Forum in 2005 and 2012, where she shared her international perspective and views on participation in public affairs with young students. In 2013, she also delivered a talk at the NCKU Gender Forum. After many years, she returned to NCKU, with this lecture focusing on topics such as decision-making and leadership, adapting to pressure and mental resilience, career and life advice for young people, as well as social issues and public communication.
This event marked former President Tsai Ing-wen’s second campus lecture since leaving office, and it drew wide anticipation from various sectors. Students actively raised questions after the talk.
The first lecture of the “Who Cheng He” Forum on April 28 was jointly organized by the NCKU Class of 2026 Graduation Committee, the Center for Gender and Women Studies, and the NCKU United Department Student Association. Co-organizers included the NCKU Museum, the NCKU Student Union, and the NCKU Student Dorm Committee.
Speaking under the title “Resilient Growth: Practicing to Become a Warm Decision-Maker Amid Pressure and Controversy,” former President Tsai Ing-wen shared reflections from her eight years in office. She emphasized the importance of learning from failure, stating, “You may cry, but you must never give up.” She explained that a “warm decision-maker” should embody three key aspects: rationality, empathy, and responsibility. Rational decision-making requires thinking from a long-term perspective and making steady judgments based on institutions, data, and professional expertise. Empathetic decision-making involves understanding different voices and accepting a second-best option when necessary. Responsibility means taking ownership of the outcomes of one’s decisions and growing through setbacks. “Decision-making is not only about national affairs, it also shapes individual lives and the direction of society. As the world changes rapidly, I encourage everyone to make decisions amid uncertainty, to coexist with differing opinions, and to maintain inner stability.”
Following the lecture, a Q&A session was held, during which former President Tsai engaged in direct interaction with the students. NCKU students raised questions about career choices in the age of AI, asking whether it is necessary to enter the semiconductor industry. They also asked, as a female leader, how former President Tsai Ing-wen faced challenges related to gender differences, and how one should manage emotions when confronted with unreasonable online harassment. Tsai responded to each question in turn. She repeatedly emphasized the importance of not being swayed by unverified information online, and instead focusing on managing one’s emotions and maintaining inner stability, so as to avoid making misguided decisions. When facing differing opinions, she advised maintaining patience and trusting that continued communication can eventually move others toward rational dialogue. She added with a touch of humor, “The best way is to keep a dog. Its emotions are even less stable than yours, so in order to manage it, you have to become more stable yourself.”
Tsai Ing-wen answered each of the questions after the talk, and humorously shared that keeping a dog is a way to maintain emotional stability, drawing laughter from the audience.
With graduation approaching, the NCKU Class of 2026 graduating students have launched the “Who Cheng He” Forum for the first time. The name is a homophonic play on “moat” (護城河), expressing the hope that everyone can “become the person they aspire to be.” By inviting speakers from different backgrounds to address a range of themes and perspectives, the forum aims to foster cross-generational and cross-disciplinary dialogue. It also serves as an early gesture of congratulations to this year’s graduates, while conveying heartfelt gratitude and a sense of lasting impact to their alma mater, faculty, and fellow students. Upcoming sessions include “GitHub for Beginner” on April 29, and “The Eye of a Mountain Builder: Viewing Future Career Direction from the Semiconductor Industry” on May 13.
With graduation approaching, the NCKU Class of 2026 graduating students have launched the “Who Cheng He” Forum for the first time. The name is a homophonic play on “moat” (護城河), expressing the hope that everyone can “become the person they aspire to be.”
The NCKU Graduation Committee stated that, as the autonomous organization representing all graduating students, one of its core missions is to guide graduates toward the future and help them clarify their direction. At the same time, as part of the student self-governance system, the committee also aims to pass on the spirit of self-exploration and future preparation to younger students on campus. Former President Tsai Ing-wen has on many occasions encouraged young people to “not limit their imagination,” while emphasizing the importance of social innovation. Her own career path is itself a strong example of “beginning with the end in mind,” defining one’s role in society from the starting point of solving problems. Through her leadership experience across time and her life choices, it is hoped to broaden students’ imagination of future careers, and to encourage graduates to explore their inner calling and bravely pursue impactful career paths.
In the lead-up to the Commencement Ceremony on June 6, the NCKU Graduation Committee has organized a diverse series of graduation season events. These include a yacht party on May 10, pre-orders for graduation souvenirs beginning May 15, a fun competition on May 16, the graduation ball on May 17, a lawn concert on May 23, and a farewell banquet on June 7. In addition, the registration deadline for the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony is May 1, while registration for tassel-turning representatives closes on May 15. Graduating students who wish to participate are reminded to take note of these deadlines. For further registration details, please refer to the NCKU Graduation Committee’s Facebook page or Instagram account.
Tsai Ing-wen shared reflections from her eight years in office and emphasized the importance of learning from failure, stating, “You may cry, but you must never give up.” She explained that a “warm decision-maker” should embody three key aspects: rationality, empathy, and responsibility. She encouraged everyone to make decisions amid uncertainty, to coexist with differing opinions, and to maintain inner stability.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2026-05-04
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