Asia University celebrates its 25th anniversary commencement, sending off 2,850 graduates equipped with technological competence and humanistic values

As flame trees bloom and youth begins a new journey, Asia University held its 2025–2026 Commencement Ceremony under the theme “Radiant Summer, Soaring Toward the Future.” A total of 2,850 graduates gathered to mark the beginning of the next chapter in their lives.

As graduates entered the venue in their gowns, applause and cheers echoed from the family seating area. Some parents raised their phones to capture this important milestone, while others quietly wiped away tears. On the campus of Asia University, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the ceremony blended technological vision with humanistic warmth, bringing a moving close to the graduates’ university years.

During the ceremony, Asia University President Jeffrey J. P. Tsai delivered a commencement address titled “This Is Your Era.” Rather than speaking in abstract theories, President Tsai offered the graduates a heartfelt message—like a letter written to the young generation of the AI era—with warmth, encouragement, and conviction.

"Today is not only a commencement ceremony; it is also the beginning of a new stage in your lives," President Tsai said. He reminded graduates that the journey had not been easy. Some had worked part-time while studying, some had overcome academic setbacks, and others had faced difficult moments in life. Yet they all persevered and arrived at this day. He also expressed sincere gratitude to the parents for entrusting Asia University with the most precious years of their children’s youth and for accompanying them throughout their growth.

One of the most touching moments of the ceremony was when President Tsai presented the President’s Special Award to Lin Li-Hsing, a student diagnosed with the rare disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Although the disease has gradually weakened his muscles, Lin overcame numerous challenges with extraordinary perseverance over the past four years. He not only completed his undergraduate studies, but also continued to devote himself to long-term care and health policy. This year, he was admitted to the master’s program in the Department of Healthcare Administration at Asia University, opening a new chapter in his life.

Below is the full text of President Tsai’s inspiring commencement address:

Founder, Minister Lin, Trustee Lin, former Ministers Shih and Chiu, President Chi, Vice President Lin, distinguished guests, dear parents, faculty members, colleagues, and most importantly, our graduating students: good morning.

Today belongs to our graduates. First, I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to the 2,850 graduates who are about to spread their wings and take flight. Congratulations to all of you. Today is not only a commencement ceremony; it marks the beginning of a new stage in your lives.

This journey has not been easy. Whether you worked part-time while studying or faced difficulties in learning, you persisted and made it to this day. You have proven that you possess the ability to face challenges and continue moving forward.

I would also like to thank all the parents here today for your unwavering support and companionship. Thank you for entrusting Asia University with the most precious years of your children’s youth. Seeing them ready to move on to the next stage fills my heart, as I am sure it fills yours, with pride and emotion. We are also deeply honored to have Minister Lin from the Ministry of Digital Affairs with us today to encourage our graduates. We are truly grateful.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Asia University. Under the leadership of our founder and Board of Directors, and through the joint efforts of all faculty, staff, and students, Asia University has continued to achieve outstanding results in teaching, research, internationalization, industry-academia collaboration, and social impact. We have also developed distinctive strengths in healthcare, the arts, smart technology, and sustainable development. From the Asia Museum of Modern Art, the affiliated hospital, and the affiliated veterinary teaching hospital, to the Fengyuan Affiliated Hospital scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, Asia University is moving forward together with society, industry, and the world.

Dear graduates, you have grown in a young and ambitious university. As you move toward the future, you will carry with you Asia University’s DNA: the courage to face challenges and the spirit to innovate. Today, I would like to give you one message: This is your era.

We are standing at a turning point in history. The British writer Charles Dickens once wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." This sentence is especially fitting for the AI era we are living in today. Technology is changing the world at an unprecedented speed, while also opening up unprecedented possibilities for the younger generation.

This may be the worst of times because the world is changing faster than ever before. Much of the knowledge, skills, and work patterns we are familiar with are being redefined. AI is reshaping workflows, industrial structures, and even the ways in which professional talents are needed.

Yet this is also the best of times. Recently, NVIDIA revealed in a technology demonstration that AI-assisted chip design can compress a key GPU design process—one that originally required eight senior engineers and ten months of work—into a single night. The 2024 Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry were also awarded to scientists who used AI to solve major problems in physics and chemistry. In the AI era, anyone who dares to imagine, ask questions, and cross disciplinary boundaries has the opportunity to turn ideas into real achievements.

Future competition will not depend only on who knows how to use more tools. It will depend on who can define problems, judge directions, identify gaps between different fields, and use AI tools to bridge those gaps and create new value.

This is your era because you are more familiar with technology than any generation before you.

This is your era because although the problems you face are complex, you also have tools and resources that no previous generation has ever had.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reminded young people to find what they are good at, what they love, and what is valuable to the world, and to use their influence to change the world. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has also encouraged young people by saying, "You are entering an extraordinary time." Never before has a generation entered society at the starting point of an AI revolution, holding such powerful tools and facing such enormous opportunities.

This is your moment to create the future. Peter Howitt, the 2025 Nobel Laureate in Economics, once said that if he could choose the era in which he was born, he would choose the present. So, please run bravely. Do not just walk slowly.

Dear students, do not wait until everything is perfect before you set out. In the AI era, knowledge will be updated rapidly, and skills will continue to be redefined. Yet several things will always remain important: active learning, rational thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving, and caring for others.

AI can help us improve efficiency, but it cannot replace human judgment.

AI can generate answers, but it cannot take responsibility on our behalf.

AI can imitate language, but it cannot replace human character, empathy, and value-based choices.

This is precisely the spirit Asia University has long promoted through its Three Qualities Academy: to be a person of moral character, to do work of high quality, and to live a life of refined taste.

After today, you will move on to different cities, industries, and paths in life. Whether you choose further study, employment, entrepreneurship, or continued exploration, please remember: Asia University will always be your home and your strongest support.

Dear graduates, this era is full of challenges, but it is also full of unprecedented opportunities. Please pursue your dreams with determination, and respond to the call of the times with professionalism, passion, and kindness.

Because this is your era. This era needs people who understand technology, but even more, it needs people with warmth, people who can create value, and people who are willing to take responsibility. I believe that you are the people this era has been waiting for.

Finally, I wish all graduates a bright and successful future. I also wish all parents good health and every happiness. Thank you.

The full speech is available at: https://youtu.be/2sv8Q-kXXzY

President Jeffrey J. P. Tsai delivers a moving commencement address titled "This Is Your Era," offering graduates a heartfelt message for the AI generation with warmth and conviction.

President Jeffrey J. P. Tsai presents the President’s Special Award to Lin Li-Hsing, a student diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, showing the university’s deep care and support for its students.