Graduates gathered beneath the Möbius Strip motif, a symbol of lifelong learning, shared purpose, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Many Journeys, One Community

Among this year’s graduates was Ai-Tzu Zhang, who entered NYCU through the university’s Pu-Yu Program (now the Tun-Meng Program), an initiative designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Six years later, she was selected to lead the graduation oath on behalf of the Class of 2026.

Motivated by the lack of medication literacy she observed in her family and community, Zhang pursued a career in pharmacy with a mission to make healthcare knowledge more accessible. During her studies, she participated in outreach programs promoting medication safety and health education in rural communities and schools.

Before graduation, she also traveled to Australia through a Ministry of Education initiative to learn community-based approaches to health literacy. “Medicines expire, but education does not,” Zhang said. “Through education and perseverance, everyone can travel farther than they ever imagined.”

Ai-Tzu Zhang, a pharmacy graduate and student representative, led the graduation oath on behalf of the Class of 2026.

The ceremony also reflected NYCU’s growing international community. Speaking on behalf of international graduates, Nguyen Hong Minh Chau of Vietnam reflected on adapting to life and graduate studies in Taiwan.

At the same time, Sharon Tang of Malaysia described NYCU as a place that encouraged curiosity, exploration, and cross-border opportunities. Their experiences highlighted how students from different cultures and backgrounds found friendship, opportunity, and a sense of belonging during their time at NYCU.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The journeys depicted onstage reflected a broader theme shared by many members of the Class of 2026: some of the most meaningful lessons at NYCU occurred beyond the classroom.

Whether through community engagement, international exchanges, research projects, clinical training, or cross-cultural friendships, students learned to navigate uncertainty, broaden their perspectives, and apply knowledge to real-world challenges. For many graduates, education was not simply about earning a degree, but about discovering how they could contribute to society.

When Challenges Become Turning Points

That message was echoed by commencement speaker Ray Lu, CEO of the Junyi Academy Foundation, whose address was titled “Three Pieces of Bad News That Changed My Life.” Drawing on personal experiences of uncertainty and unexpected setbacks, Lu encouraged graduates to view challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities for growth.

“Some bad news may look like a period at first,” he said. “Years later, we realize it was actually a colon—introducing a more important story still waiting to be written.” He urged graduates to transform limitations into possibilities and contribute something meaningful to the world around them.


Commencement speaker Ray Lu encouraged graduates to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and transformation.

Crossing the Finish Line Together

In his commencement address, NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin emphasized the importance of collaboration in an increasingly interconnected and AI-driven world. Referencing NASA’s Artemis II mission and astronaut Christina Koch, Lin highlighted a principle that extends far beyond space exploration: “Cross the finish line together.”

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and societies, Lin noted that teamwork, communication, empathy, and the ability to work across disciplines will remain essential human strengths. He encouraged graduates to view collaboration not simply as a professional skill but as a mindset necessary to address the increasingly complex challenges facing the world.

The Next Turn Begins

As graduates tossed their caps into the air, the Möbius Strip that defined this year’s commencement served as a fitting symbol of the journeys ahead. Like the stories represented throughout the ceremony, its continuous surface suggests that learning, growth, and human connection rarely move in straight lines. Instead, they evolve through unexpected encounters, shared experiences, and new opportunities.

For NYCU’s Class of 2026, graduation marks the next turn in a journey that began long before commencement day. Their paths may lead to different places, but the values cultivated at NYCU—curiosity, resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to creating positive impact—will continue to connect them long after they leave campus.