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NCKU Holds 6th “Indigenous” Graduation Ceremony, Celebrating Graduates’ New Life Chapters Through Cultural Traditions
The Indigenous Student Resource Center (ISRC) at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) held the 6th “Indigenous Graduation Celebration (「原」味小畢典)” on June 5 at the Multi-functional Hall of the Student Activity Center on NCKU’s Kuang-Fu Campus. The event invited Dean of Student Affairs Liang-Yi Hung, Director of the Indigenous Student Resource Center Yu-Cheng Wang, three tribal elders, as well as graduates’ families and friends to celebrate and offer blessings to the graduates.
Centered around Indigenous graduating students, the “Indigenous Graduation Celebration” incorporated Indigenous cultural elements throughout the event, from venue decoration to program design. During the opening session, Indigenous DJ Nightfall (DJ 關燈浪) joined the event with music performances to create a lively atmosphere before the official ceremony began. The DJ and several graduates wore traditional clothing, while many participants also wore traditional accessories, demonstrating their respect for and support of Indigenous cultural traditions.
In their speeches, Dean of Student Affairs Liang-Yi Hung and Director Yu-Cheng Wang both highlighted the importance of the “Indigenous Graduation Celebration” to Indigenous students and the ISRC. They noted that after the ceremony was suspended in 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances, the opportunity to gather again this year was especially meaningful and precious. Alumni who were unable to attend in person, as well as former ISRC staff members, also sent their blessings through video messages, wishing the graduates success and happiness in the future.
During the graduate representatives’ speeches, the three graduates shared their gratitude and blessings. Some reflected on their experiences of connecting with the ISRC, while others shared how the center influenced their university journey or recalled activities they participated in through Indigenous student organizations, offering reflections on their college lives from Indigenous perspectives.
The ceremony incorporated Indigenous cultural values by replacing the traditional tassel-turning ritual with a ceremonial wreath placement and a shared-cup drinking ceremony, followed by a circle dance to conclude the event. These culturally meaningful rituals were designed to celebrate graduates as they entered the next stage of their lives.
The ceremonial wreath placement used flower wreaths, which were personally placed on graduates by the Dean of Student Affairs. In traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, the act of placing a wreath symbolizes wisdom passed down by elders and represents the transition into adulthood. The shared-cup drinking ceremony was conducted by the ISRC director and students sharing millet wine through connected cups, symbolizing the transmission of traditions between elders and younger generations, as well as unity and solidarity. After the ceremony, graduates received gifts including woven bags, millet wine, and notebooks, combining cultural significance with practicality.
The final circle dance served as a key moment of connection, allowing everyone in the circle to feel seen, valued, and cared for, creating a warm yet powerful bond among participants.
This year’s event brought together tribal elders and partners from different organizations and fields, creating opportunities for cultural exchange. Graduates were seen interacting with elders, while ISRC staff members from other universities also attended to exchange experiences with NCKU students and staff.
The Indigenous Student Resource Center has long organized various student-related activities and developed strong connections with students. The center hopes that regardless of where graduates go in the future, they will continue to return, maintain their connection with NCKU’s ISRC, and know that the center will always welcome them.
Centered around Indigenous graduating students, the “Indigenous Graduation Celebration” incorporated Indigenous cultural elements throughout the event, from venue decoration to program design. During the opening session, Indigenous DJ Nightfall (DJ 關燈浪) joined the event with music performances to create a lively atmosphere before the official ceremony began. The DJ and several graduates wore traditional clothing, while many participants also wore traditional accessories, demonstrating their respect for and support of Indigenous cultural traditions.
In their speeches, Dean of Student Affairs Liang-Yi Hung and Director Yu-Cheng Wang both highlighted the importance of the “Indigenous Graduation Celebration” to Indigenous students and the ISRC. They noted that after the ceremony was suspended in 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances, the opportunity to gather again this year was especially meaningful and precious. Alumni who were unable to attend in person, as well as former ISRC staff members, also sent their blessings through video messages, wishing the graduates success and happiness in the future.
During the graduate representatives’ speeches, the three graduates shared their gratitude and blessings. Some reflected on their experiences of connecting with the ISRC, while others shared how the center influenced their university journey or recalled activities they participated in through Indigenous student organizations, offering reflections on their college lives from Indigenous perspectives.
The ceremony incorporated Indigenous cultural values by replacing the traditional tassel-turning ritual with a ceremonial wreath placement and a shared-cup drinking ceremony, followed by a circle dance to conclude the event. These culturally meaningful rituals were designed to celebrate graduates as they entered the next stage of their lives.
The ceremonial wreath placement used flower wreaths, which were personally placed on graduates by the Dean of Student Affairs. In traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, the act of placing a wreath symbolizes wisdom passed down by elders and represents the transition into adulthood. The shared-cup drinking ceremony was conducted by the ISRC director and students sharing millet wine through connected cups, symbolizing the transmission of traditions between elders and younger generations, as well as unity and solidarity. After the ceremony, graduates received gifts including woven bags, millet wine, and notebooks, combining cultural significance with practicality.
The final circle dance served as a key moment of connection, allowing everyone in the circle to feel seen, valued, and cared for, creating a warm yet powerful bond among participants.
This year’s event brought together tribal elders and partners from different organizations and fields, creating opportunities for cultural exchange. Graduates were seen interacting with elders, while ISRC staff members from other universities also attended to exchange experiences with NCKU students and staff.
The Indigenous Student Resource Center has long organized various student-related activities and developed strong connections with students. The center hopes that regardless of where graduates go in the future, they will continue to return, maintain their connection with NCKU’s ISRC, and know that the center will always welcome them.
Group photo of participants at NCKU’s 6th “Indigenous Graduation Celebration” held on June 5.
“Indigenous Graduation Celebration” Blesses Graduates as They Begin a New Chapter of Life Through Cultural Rituals.
The “Indigenous Graduation Celebration” Blesses Graduates as They Embark on a New Chapter of Life Through Cultural Rituals.
