History of the Presidency

President Wen-Chang Chen was born in Taichung County in 1963. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Rochester in 1993. He is now President of NTU, Chair Professor of NTU, Distinguished Professor of Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science and Engineering. His past positions include Dean of College of Engineering at NTU; President, Federation of Asian Polymer; President, the Polymer Society (Taipei); Polymer Program Coordinator, National Science Council (Taiwan, ROC), etc. His major awards and Honors include Honorary PhD, University of Grenoble-Alps; National Chair Professorship (Engineering and Applied Science), Ministry of Education (Taiwan, ROC); Academician, Asia-Pacific Academy of Materials (APAM); Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), etc.

President Kuan was born in Taipei City in 1956. During his presidency, with the goal of a learner-centered open university, he actively promoted the “Future University” programs to break through the existing learning framework. He emphasized the concepts of social responsibility and sustainable development, announced the goal of carbon neutrality, facilitated international interactions, raised funds for faculty and students, updated the NTU regulations, and improved the environment for retaining and recruiting talents.

President Kuo was born in Taipei City in 1964. He received his bachelor and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from National Taiwan University and University of Texas at Austin, respectively. He served as Chair of Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering of National Taiwan University, a Distinguished Research Fellow and Director of Research Center for Information Technology Innovation of Academia Sinica, Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of Information Engineering, Advisor to President (Information Technology), and founding Dean of College of Engineering of City University of Hong Kong, and an Adjunct Professor and Senior Advisor (Research) of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (United Arab Emirates). He served as Interim President and Executive Vice President for Academics and Research. He is a professor of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering.

President Chang was born in Taipei City in 1957. He received his doctorate degree from the University of California, San Diego, and served as Chair of the Department of Physics, Dean of the College of Science, and Interim President of NTU. He is now Executive Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Professor of the Department of Physics.

President Yang was born in Taichung City in 1954. He is the first president to have completed his undergraduate and graduate education within NTU. During his presidency, Yang continued to promote the University's motto of "integrity, diligence, fidelity, and compassion" while emphasizing the importance of internationalism, academic excellence, as well as encouraging students to give back to the society. A professor of medicine, Yang also actively promoted interdisciplinary research and encouraged entrepreneurship programs among students and researchers in the hope of advancing NTU as the number one Chinese language institution and as one of the best among all international universities.

President Lee was born in Kaohsiung City in 1952. During his presidency, Lee emphasized the pursuit of excellence in education and research while promoting the concept of social welfare as part of the University’s mission. President Lee also worked to enhance the University’s general education program, promoted the arts throughout the University campus, and encouraged the pursuit of such ideals as innovation, truth, and caring for life.

President Chen was born in Taichung County in 1939, and is the second alumnus to have served as president of NTU. Chen is also the first NTU president to have been elected entirely from within the school’s administration. As a medical doctor and educator, Chen actively promoted academic independence and development, and at the same time pushed for administrative efficiency and the development of the campus’ infrastructure. His administration was characterized by the terms “independent, genuine, balanced, and excellence.”

President Kuo was born in Tainan City in 1941. He also served as professor and chair of the Department of Zoology and Dean of the College of Sciences.

President Sun was born in 1934 in Shandong Province. He is an economist, philosopher, as well as educator. In addition to his academic role, Sun was appointed into the government on various occasions, including to serve as minister of the Ministry of National Defence. As the first NTU alumnus to have served as NTU president, President Sun reinforced the University’s motto of “Integrity, Diligence, Fidelity, and Compassion,” the motto that was taken from former President Ssu-Nien Fu’s inspiring 1949 University Anniversary Address. He also advocated for “education as a means to serve society” in the hopes to enhance the University’s research abilities through reinforcing academic requirements and encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities. Moreover, Sun continued to sustain the University’s foundation of academic independence during the nation’s social and political transition into a liberal and democratic country.

Born in 1915 in Jiangsu Province, President Yen was a scholar in civil engineering and mechanics. President Yu reinforced the concept of the University’s autonomy and independence in both governance and the academics. Yu was an advocate of liberalism as he stressed the importance of respecting the student’s independent development, as well emphasizing that the university’s education should be an educational as well as moral one.

President Yen was born in Henan Province in 1912. Over the span of his professional career, Yen held a multitude of positions in the academia as well as in the public sector, including serving as minister of the Ministry of Education. President Yen believed that the university’s role was to cultivate talent so as to contribute to nation’s development. He also emphasized the importance of the unity between education and research in the University’s operations.

President Chien was born in Zhejiang, China in 1908. He was a chemist, philosopher, and educator. President Chien was known as a modest and easy going character. Building on his predecessors’ foundation for a free and autonomous academic environment, Chien promoted a balanced and well-rounded education during the 19 years that he served as president of NTU. It was during Chien’s administration that NTU became the comprehensive university that it is today.

Born in 1896 in Hubei Province, President Shen was a writer, a historian, and an educator. In addition to serving as interim president of NTU, Shen also served as chair of the History Department and Dean of College of Liberal Arts.

Historical linguists, educator, politician, and pioneer of modern Chinese literature and the New Culture Movement, Professor Fu has been heralded as one of the most influential presidents in NTU history. Fu was born in 1896 in Shandong Province. President Fu was known for his decisive character and ability to stabilize the administration during an age of unrest. Under Fu’s governance, NTU has become a free and autonomous academic institute, as well as a paradigm for devotion.

Born in 1894 in Fujian Province, President Chuang was a famous modern chemist and educator. Chuang conducted research in China, Taiwan, and Germany before heading NTU in 1948. Chuang resigned as NTU president shortly after swearing in due to reasons related to personnel appointments.

President Loh was born in Zhejiang, China in 1897. He was a renowned materials scientists, engineer, metallurgical scientists, and educator. Loh’s presidency was based on his belief that the university is essentially a research institute and that its mission is not only to impart information, but also to harbour the endless pursuit of knowledge. His administration laid the foundation of the NTU’s structure.

President Lo was born in Zhejiang Province in 1898. He was one of the main figures of modern Chinese plant physiology. Appointed as the University’s first president during an age of postwar unrest, Lo was given the task of reforming the school’s organization after the Japanese retreat. Lo worked on restoring national consciousness within the University while insisting against political interference, establishing the institute as an independent academic entity.