Department of Information Technology

At the invitation of the University of Taipei, Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended the graduation ceremony and delivered an address to the members of the graduating class on June 10. He noted that he is very honored to be at the ceremony and proud of the young men and women who worked hard to earn their diploma. He believes that all the sweet and bitter experience at school will become cherished memories for them in the future. 

Chiang pointed out the University of Taipei has a long history and is one of the earliest educational institutions in Taiwan, dating back all the way to 1895. The school went through 11 phases of transition, starting off as an academy and later becoming a vocational school and finally established as a full-fledged university today. The school’s openness and exceptional education environment has helped nourish entire generations of teachers and athletes. Notable alumni include Olympic taekwondo gold medalist Chen Shih-hsin; top world badminton player Tai Tzu-ying; Olympic doubles badminton champion Wang Chi-lin and Lee Yang; LPGA golfer Hsu Wei-ling, and top-ranking tennis player Hsiuh Su-wei.

During his speech, the mayor also shared two anecdotes from his life with the students. When he first arrived in the US, he was able to attend law school in the US and secure a job at a law firm. Many of his classmates in Taiwan were envious for having a high-paying and prestigious position. However, he was let go during the subprime financial crisis in 2010, leaving him emotionally stunned.

He recalled how it was one of his low points, but he reminded the audience that it is only a stage in life and time moves on. While needing to endure the ordeal both mentally and financially, he recalled how his wife encouraged him to keep working hard, helping him find the strength to stand up again. He reminded the students that there is no way to avoid setbacks in life, but the important thing is to maintain your passion and sincerity, as one’s attitude in confronting challenges will determine one’s altitude.

The second story he shared was about his first steps into politics, which began with a campaign running for a seat in the Legislative Yuan. He admitted that many borough chiefs and community leaders did not see him as a winning candidate. However, he told himself that even if he losses the election, he would still remain in the district to serve the public and build up his basis. Fortunately, he was able to claim both the primaries and the election. What he hopes the audience can learn from this anecdote is that determination and remaining true to one’s goal is important in the process of chasing one’s dreams. Regardless of how others judge you, not giving up and continuing to move forward are very important to show one’s courage. 

At the end of his speech, he cited the words of Steve Jobs: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” He wishes the graduating class good luck in the next phase of their life and encourages them to stay true to their objectives and move forward without fear.