NCKU Indigenous Student Resource Center's Fourth "Yuan" Graduation Ceremony: Creating Unforgettable and Sweet Memories-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The Indigenous Student Resource Center at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) celebrated the academic achievements of indigenous graduates and aimed to leave them with sweet and lasting memories before they leave school. The center held a "Yuan" (indigenous) graduation ceremony on the evening of June 14th. The ceremony was rich in indigenous traditions and cultural aesthetics, with many alumni returning to give their blessings. The center emphasized that even after graduation, it remains a home and support system for the students.


In response to various departments within the university organizing their own mini-graduation ceremonies, the NCKU Indigenous Student Resource Center began holding its own ceremonies for indigenous students in 2021. This year marks the fourth such event. With 33 indigenous graduates this year, many parents, relatives, and alumni attended to offer their blessings, totaling 78 participants, including faculty members. Many graduates attended in traditional attire, and to show respect, Dean of Student Affairs Liang-Yi Hung and the center's director Yu-Cheng Wang also wore indigenous clothing.


The attending faculty members not only gave the graduates boundless blessings and encouragement but also conducted traditional indigenous ceremonies. These included a capping ceremony, symbolizing the transition of youth into the next stage of life and taking on social responsibilities, and a shared drink ritual, representing unity and mutual support. These rituals demonstrated the spirit of mutual aid and growth among students at NCKU. The ceremony also featured traditional dances and rituals, which not only fostered camaraderie among the indigenous students but also symbolized that the Indigenous Student Resource Center will always be a home and support for the graduates.


During the sharing session, graduates expressed gratitude for the people and experiences they encountered on campus, enriching their academic journey. Some thanked the resource center for the care and encouragement that provided them with stability. A senior alumna, who had received blessings in the first indigenous mini-graduation ceremony, returned to participate and offered her blessings to the graduates, expressing her gratitude for the support she had received from the center, which helped her find a sense of belonging in the school.


The center hopes that through the "Yuan" graduation ceremony, indigenous students can embrace the next chapter of their lives within the atmosphere of traditional culture, showcasing the beauty and diversity of indigenous cultures to deepen mutual understanding and learning among different ethnic groups, promoting co-prosperity and coexistence. They also hope that graduates, after achieving their professional goals, will give back to their communities and society, and frequently visit their alma mater and the resource center.


At the end of the event, the center presented each guest with a notebook produced by the center, which included an introduction to the wild vegetable culture of the Amis tribe, offering valuable cultural knowledge. This gift also held another layer of meaning, signifying the preciousness of each guest who brought encouragement and blessings to the graduates, hoping that everyone will always remember the warmth and friendship from the ceremony.