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NCKU's 95-year-old Honorary Professor Li was Awarded the Ministry of Education's "Education Dedication Award" in 2023.
National Cheng Kung University's 95-year-old honorary professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ke-Rang Li, is highly respected by students for his knowledge, teachings, and exemplary conduct. Early graduates who donated funds to Professor Li, hoping to provide him with a comfortable retirement, saw their contributions redirected by him to establish the "Li Ke-Rang Scholarship" within the university. Many others followed suit with donations, and the scholarship ran for 30 sessions, concluding in the year 2019. Over the years, it disbursed over ten million NT dollars, benefiting thousands of students, becoming a cherished story at the university. In the year 2023, Professor Li was honored with the Ministry of Education's "Education Dedication Award," a recognition his former students and acquaintances believe is well-deserved.
In line with the proverb "a good teacher fosters a nation," the Ministry of Education established the "Education Dedication Award" in 2006, aiming to acknowledge individuals who selflessly dedicate themselves to education, inspiring and positively impacting society, and revitalizing human resources in education to promote its development.
Professor Tz-Cheng Chiu, the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU, recalls taking classes with Professor Li during his student days. Although their interactions were limited, he still remembers the professor's teachings and warm guidance, which instilled in him the importance of knowing when to advance or retreat. Professor Shih-Chen Shi, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was a recipient of the "Li Ke-Rang Scholarship" during his student days. He upholds the spirit Professor Li conveyed: "treating students as one's own children, sincerely wishing for their well-being, will move the students." This ethos guides him in guiding students forward.
Having worked closely with Professor Li for many years, Wei-Xian, currently the President of the United University and a distinguished professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU, believes that Professor Li's lifelong dedication to NCKU and his caring attitude towards students have made him a role model. He initiated the "Li Ke-Rang Scholarship" after retirement, which ran for 30 sessions. "Professor Li is also the best spokesperson for NCKU. Whenever he has the opportunity, he will do his best to promote NCKU and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He doesn't take criticism of NCKU or the Department of Mechanical Engineering lightly, sometimes even getting upset. He's just adorable." Professor Li has a wide network of contacts and has facilitated numerous events in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
When Professor Li graduated from high school, he was admitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Taiwan Provincial Institute of Technology (predecessor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU) as his sole aspiration, graduating in 1962. After graduation, he worked at Taiwan Power Company before going to the United States in 1972 to pursue a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Texas State University. He returned to Taiwan in 1979 and joined NCKU, retiring in 1995. During his tenure, he held various administrative positions, including head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering, and was instrumental in establishing the first Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering department in Taiwan's universities, the first Aerospace Engineering department, and the first doctoral program in Mechanical Engineering. In 2021, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by NCKU.
Before Professor Li's retirement in 1994, many alumni of the Department of Mechanical Engineering were moved by the guidance and warm care he provided during their student days, hoping their mentor could enjoy a financially worry-free retirement. Thus, they proactively donated, leading to the inception of the Li Kerang Scholarship. Donations from alumni such as Jian-Qi Fang, Mao-Ren Chen, Shi-Zhang Wu, Zhong-xiong Wu, Zheng-Hao Hong, and Chang-Jin Lin continued for over 20 years.
The Li Ke-Rang Scholarship, primarily a student aid fund, initially disbursed funds each semester but transitioned to an annual disbursement. It lasted for 30 sessions and did not have a quota limit for applicants. Initially, only 4 to 5 students applied, but the number gradually increased, with over a hundred applicants in later years. If funds were insufficient, Professor Li and his wife would personally make up the shortfall. Professor Li cared for each student who applied for the scholarship, meticulously reading each recommendation letter, a gesture that touched many with his genuine concern for students.
In line with the proverb "a good teacher fosters a nation," the Ministry of Education established the "Education Dedication Award" in 2006, aiming to acknowledge individuals who selflessly dedicate themselves to education, inspiring and positively impacting society, and revitalizing human resources in education to promote its development.
Professor Tz-Cheng Chiu, the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU, recalls taking classes with Professor Li during his student days. Although their interactions were limited, he still remembers the professor's teachings and warm guidance, which instilled in him the importance of knowing when to advance or retreat. Professor Shih-Chen Shi, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was a recipient of the "Li Ke-Rang Scholarship" during his student days. He upholds the spirit Professor Li conveyed: "treating students as one's own children, sincerely wishing for their well-being, will move the students." This ethos guides him in guiding students forward.
Having worked closely with Professor Li for many years, Wei-Xian, currently the President of the United University and a distinguished professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU, believes that Professor Li's lifelong dedication to NCKU and his caring attitude towards students have made him a role model. He initiated the "Li Ke-Rang Scholarship" after retirement, which ran for 30 sessions. "Professor Li is also the best spokesperson for NCKU. Whenever he has the opportunity, he will do his best to promote NCKU and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He doesn't take criticism of NCKU or the Department of Mechanical Engineering lightly, sometimes even getting upset. He's just adorable." Professor Li has a wide network of contacts and has facilitated numerous events in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
When Professor Li graduated from high school, he was admitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Taiwan Provincial Institute of Technology (predecessor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU) as his sole aspiration, graduating in 1962. After graduation, he worked at Taiwan Power Company before going to the United States in 1972 to pursue a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Texas State University. He returned to Taiwan in 1979 and joined NCKU, retiring in 1995. During his tenure, he held various administrative positions, including head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering, and was instrumental in establishing the first Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering department in Taiwan's universities, the first Aerospace Engineering department, and the first doctoral program in Mechanical Engineering. In 2021, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by NCKU.
Before Professor Li's retirement in 1994, many alumni of the Department of Mechanical Engineering were moved by the guidance and warm care he provided during their student days, hoping their mentor could enjoy a financially worry-free retirement. Thus, they proactively donated, leading to the inception of the Li Kerang Scholarship. Donations from alumni such as Jian-Qi Fang, Mao-Ren Chen, Shi-Zhang Wu, Zhong-xiong Wu, Zheng-Hao Hong, and Chang-Jin Lin continued for over 20 years.
The Li Ke-Rang Scholarship, primarily a student aid fund, initially disbursed funds each semester but transitioned to an annual disbursement. It lasted for 30 sessions and did not have a quota limit for applicants. Initially, only 4 to 5 students applied, but the number gradually increased, with over a hundred applicants in later years. If funds were insufficient, Professor Li and his wife would personally make up the shortfall. Professor Li cared for each student who applied for the scholarship, meticulously reading each recommendation letter, a gesture that touched many with his genuine concern for students.
Professor Ke-Rang Li is highly respected by colleagues and students alike for his knowledge, teaching, and exemplary conduct.
Professor Ke-Rang Li, in his advanced age, concluded the "Li Ke-Rang Scholarship" after its 30th edition, marking a perfect closure.
In the year 2019, then-Vice President Fong-chin Su, on behalf of the university, expressed gratitude to Professor Ke-Rang Li for his selfless dedication by presenting him with a medal.
