Responsibilities of Research Universities
and
NCKU in 21st Century

Da Hsuan Feng
Senior Executive Vice President
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)

A Speech delivered to the 20th Anniversary of NCKU Alumni Association of Greater New York
October 20, 2007
Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, Flushing, New York

(Presentation delivered in Chinese)

Seeing so many alumni under one roof, all bubbling with enthusiasm about your alma mater, representing my boss, Academician Michael M. C. Lai, President of NCKU, and on behalf of my two colleagues, Professor Yeh and Dr. Oh from NCKU Alumni Office, I am flushed with excitement to be here this evening.

As Chairman Chang mentioned earlier, there are many who will speak this evening. So I will make my comments short, and hopefully sweet!

I cannot but be in awe to notice that you represent fifty one years of NCKU, from class of 1951 to 2006. That means that you represent 55 years of the 75 years of NCKU. For this, how can anyone, least of all me, not give you the heartiest congratulations?

In February 1st of this year, NCKU has a new president, who is my boss, Academician Michael Lai. With him assuming the helm, not only did he proceed to build a new team of leadership, for which I am a member, but he also succinctly outlined his vision for NCKU. In my many discussions with him, I know that he wanted very much to be here this evening with you and let you hear from him directly about what is happening in NCKU. Unfortunately, as those of you who understand Taiwan’s legislative landscape, October is one busy month in the Legislative Yuan. A high percentage of the discussion is centered on budgets for universities. Hence, if there is one legitimate reason why Academician Lai should not be here tonight, defending and ensuring NCKU gets its fare share of the budget surely is one!

Since I represent Academician Lai, and we have had numerous discussions about the vision of NCKU, I would like to say a few words about that here. However, let me stress that any misconceptions and erroneous thinking in my discussion is due entirely to me.