President Meng-Ru Shen’s 2026 Lunar New Year Visit to Indonesian Alumni — Gathering in Jakarta-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Indonesian Alumni Association held its Lunar New Year gathering on February 28 at the Golden Sinar International Restaurant in Jakarta. NCKU President Prof. Meng-Ru Shen attended the grand event together with Secretary-General Jian-Hong Wu and Chief Sustainability Officer Rui-Ling Yu, personally expressing gratitude to alumni for their long-term support of NCKU. In his remarks, President Shen stated that during his three-year term, he has attended more than 60 alumni association events worldwide and shaken hands with over ten thousand alumni. He expressed that each handshake was deeply moving, as he could feel alumni’s passion for their alma mater and their earnest expectations. These interactions have provided continuous motivation for university governance. He also emphasized that successive NCKU presidents have worked diligently to maintain the university’s top-tier performance in global rankings, a commitment he will continue during his extended term. As this year marks NCKU’s 95th anniversary, President Shen stated that the university will not slow down its progress toward its centennial milestone. He expressed confidence that by the time he steps down at NCKU’s 99th anniversary, the university’s global ranking will approach the world’s top 100, and that after reaching its centennial, NCKU will be able to firmly enter the global top 100 universities. His confident statement received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Established in 2014, the NCKU Indonesian Alumni Association is now entering its 12th year. Current association president Fu-Rong Liang (Civil Engineering Class of 1993) first delivered a welcome speech to distinguished guests. In celebration of the Year of the Horse, he extended New Year blessings wishing everyone success and prosperity. He noted that this year’s gathering attracted more than 200 participants, with many alumni traveling from different regions to attend. He expressed hope to further expand future events and strengthen alumni cohesion.

Regarding the importance of higher education, President Shen emphasized that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has brought global attention to the country in recent years. He shared that a senior executive from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) once told him that if NCKU had not cultivated so many outstanding managers and engineers, TSMC would not have achieved such stable development. In fact, approximately 50% of TSMC’s senior engineers are NCKU graduates. In addition, under current geopolitical conditions, many NCKU faculty and students have also contributed to Taiwan’s national security and defense-related research programs. He stressed that the future of Taiwan depends on higher education development, and NCKU plays a crucial role not only for Taiwan but also for the world.

During his second attendance at the Indonesian alumni gathering, Secretary-General Jian-Hong Wu reported on current campus developments and expressed gratitude for alumni’s continued concern for the NCKU campus environment. He noted that returning alumni may have noticed fewer leaning trees but more blooming flowers on campus, symbolizing an improved campus landscape and good fortune for the university. NCKU graduates have recently achieved 12 consecutive years of being ranked among the most favored graduates by enterprises, and in the 2026 university president performance evaluation survey, President Shen ranked first among university presidents.

On her third participation in the event, Chief Sustainability Officer Rui-Ling Yu reported that NCKU has ranked among the top universities in various domestic evaluations. This includes winning the Executive Yuan’s National Sustainability Award this year. In the coming years, NCKU aims to rise into the QS Top 150 global university rankings and maintain its position. She emphasized that NCKU’s achievements are not only the result of efforts by faculty and staff, but also the steadfast support of global alumni. She warmly invited alumni to return to campus during the annual anniversary celebration to reunite with old friends and celebrate the university’s birthday.

On February 28 and March 1, President Shen and his team also held in-depth exchanges with Indonesian alumni. Secretary-General Wu shared NCKU’s efforts to build a “Green and Safe Campus”, transforming campus management from passive to proactive governance. Through a systematic “old tree health examination and medical care system,” the university precisely maintains over 200 old trees, preserving the historical memory of the Banyan Garden while diversifying campus plant species. Automated cleaning equipment has also been introduced to significantly improve campus maintenance efficiency. In addition, warm Christmas lighting decorations were installed during year-end examination periods to support student mental resilience. The university also plans to plant sunflowers in front of the library, hoping they will bloom during graduation season, symbolizing bright futures for NCKU graduates.

Chief Sustainability Officer Yu also reported on the outcomes of the “Happy Campus Christmas Tree” project and the “Light Up Intelligent Sustainability” initiative, sharing feedback from campus stakeholders with alumni and expressing gratitude for their support. These efforts have helped create a warm and positive campus environment, allowing students to focus on their studies in an improved learning atmosphere. The visit also included discussions on talent development in research and development, student leadership cultivation, and campus aesthetic education. The university hopes to continue preserving NCKU’s distinctive characteristics through sustainable development with strong alumni support.