Taiwan Tech held its graduation ceremony today (24th), celebrating over 3,000 graduates stepping into a new chapter amid the blessings of family, friends, and faculty. Among them, graduate Chen-Chun Chiu pursued his studies from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He also served as a visiting scholar in Germany and Japan, collaborating with international teams on simulation analysis research of metal matrix composites and aluminum alloys. To date, he has published 11 high-impact journal papers, becoming a standout representative of Taiwan Tech’s efforts in promoting international academic exchange and cultivating research talents.

Taiwan Tech held its graduation ceremony on May 24, with many students gathering on campus to take commemorative photos with their classmates.

This year, Taiwan Tech celebrates over 3,000 graduates: 1,291 bachelor's, 1,931 master's, and 166 doctoral students. The photo shows students tossing confetti ribbons in a joyous celebration.

President Jia-Yush Yen emphasized in his speech that in the face of rapid technological advancement, continuous learning and hands-on practice are key to staying competitive. He highlighted Taiwan Tech’s ongoing efforts to enhance teaching, research, and internationalization - such as expanding the Hwa Hsia Campus, increasing all-English courses, and developing large language model capabilities - to build a strong foundation for alumni. He encouraged graduates to embody the spirit of π-shaped talents, leveraging their skills to give back to society and lead fulfilling lives.

Taiwan Tech President Jia-Yush Yen encouraged students that only through continuous learning and hands-on practice can they maintain their competitiveness.

Chemical Engineering graduate and student council president Ming-Yi Lin shared reflections from the past four years, highlighting that her most valuable gain was the ability to turn ideas into action. Passionate about teamwork and improving campus life, she embraced her role as student council president and found her own place along the way. She concluded her speech with a heartfelt thank-you to her mother in Vietnamese, creating a touching and warm moment.

Graduation representative Ming-Yi Lin from the Department of Chemical Engineering delivered a speech.

Taiwan Tech actively promotes international academic exchanges and the cultivation of research talent. In the 113th academic year, nearly 180 students participated in exchange programs across 22 countries, including Germany, Japan, Finland, and the Czech Republic. Over the past decade, more than 70 doctoral students have pursued study abroad opportunities, with Mechanical Engineering graduate Zhen-Jun Qiu being a notable example. Qiu conducted research on metal matrix composites and aluminum alloys at Technische Universität Freiberg in Germany and Kyoto University in Japan, publishing seven papers in international journals and gaining extensive experience in global research and collaboration.

Qiu recalled that he had dreamed of studying abroad since his undergraduate years. Although his planned exchange in the Czech Republic was interrupted by the pandemic, he was encouraged by Chair Professor Ching-Kong Chao to continue his graduate studies at Taiwan Tech. He completed both his master’s and doctoral training while actively engaging in international conferences and research exchanges. To date, Qiu has published 11 international journal papers, including one ranked in the top 2% of most influential engineering papers worldwide, demonstrating his strong research capabilities.

Taiwan Tech Mechanical Engineering PhD graduate Zhen-Jun Qiu conducted research on metal matrix composites and aluminum alloys at the Institute of Metal Forming at Technische Universität Freiberg in Germany and the Graduate School of Energy Science at Kyoto University in Japan. He spent one year at each institution, gaining extensive international research and cross-border collaboration experience.

Zhen-Jun Qiu calls himself a true “Taiwan Tech baby”, having studied continuously from bachelor’s to PhD over the past decade, always as a Taiwan Tech student. Specializing in material deformation and failure analysis, he applied his expertise in Germany and Japan to research aluminum alloys and TRIP steel composites - cutting-edge technologies with potential applications in the automotive, component manufacturing, and aerospace industries.

Reflecting on his study abroad in Germany, Qiu shared that beyond learning new research methods and cross-cultural communication, he deeply appreciated local customs. Germany’s focus on efficiency and concentrated work inspired him to fully dedicate himself to research. He also explored 15 countries including Spain, Portugal, and Denmark during his free time, broadening his horizons while boosting academic performance. He encourages younger students to boldly step out of their comfort zones and seize overseas exchange opportunities, saying, “You don’t have to wait to go from zero to one; life is about preparing while you’re still unprepared!” Qiu advises aspiring academics to honestly assess their talents and interests first, find their path, and leverage their strengths to succeed in the long run.

Zhen-Jun Qiu conducted research on the “Tensile-Compression Asymmetry of Aluminum Alloys” at the Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Japan. The photo shows Qiu (front row, second from left) posing with his supervising professor Takayuki Hama (front row, third from left), and fellow lab members.

At just 27 years old, Zhen-Jun Qiu plans to join the industry as an R&D engineer after graduation. He aspires to be “a person worth investing in,” aiming to leverage his international research experience and network to bring advanced capabilities back to Taiwan, continuously improving technology and overcoming challenges.

The ceremony also featured encouragement from Chang-Lin Ge, Chairman of MPI Corporation, who emphasized the importance of humility, confidence, action, and taking responsibility - qualities that become one’s most valuable assets in a career. Hong-Yi Chen, President of the Outstanding Alumni Association, urged graduates to broaden their international perspectives, cultivate humanities and teamwork skills, and reminded everyone to cherish health, happiness, and kindness on their journey toward their dreams.

Chang-Lin Ge, Chairman of MPI Corporation, shared his entrepreneurial experience and encouraged every graduate to stay humble, confident, and proactive, while bravely taking on responsibilities as they steadily embark on their new life journeys.

Hong-Yi Chen, President of the Taiwan Tech Distinguished Alumni Association, reminded graduates to cherish their health, happiness, and kindness as they pursue their dreams.

The newly appointed Alumni Association Chairman and CEO of Alltech, Yu-Wen Wu, demonstrated his commitment to his alma mater by donating 100 shares of Alltech stock to support the university’s development. He encouraged graduates to boldly pursue their dreams and embrace change, saying, “The future needs you to challenge tradition with creativity, solve problems with technology, and create new possibilities with courage.”

The newly appointed Alumni Association Chairman and Alltech CEO, Yu-Wen Wu, encourages graduates to pursue their dreams and embrace change.