Royal Palm Lecture Series proudly features Dr. Philip L-F Liu

Royal Palm Lecture Series was established this year (2023), aiming to invite highly-accomplished individuals from academia and business circles, domestic and abroad, to present lectures on the NTU campus. To follow up on the successful commencement by Nobel Laureate Prof. Hiroshi Amano, the second lecture in this series features Dr. Philip Li-Fan Liu, who delivered a speech titled “An NTU Alumni’s Academic Journey. In his talk, Dr. Liu encouraged NTU students not to fear failure and boldly step out of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams.

Dr. Liu is known globally for his work on tsunami dynamics. After graduating from the NTU Department of Civil Engineering, he went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for advanced studies. Upon obtaining a Doctor of Science from MIT in 1974, he was recruited by Cornell College of Engineering, where he served until retirement in 2016. Prominent positions Dr. Liu has held include Associate Dean of Cornell Engineering and Vice President of the National University of Singapore.

Dr. Liu has dedicated years to studying hydrodynamics, with extraordinary achievements in tsunami wave simulation and theories. He participated in the aftermath investigation of several major tsunami events. Dr. Liu was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2015, and an academician of Academia Sinica in Taiwan in 2016. His enthusiasm toward research and education has inspired a stream of successors including 30 Ph. D students, who have continued his influence around the world.

In the introductory remark, President Wen-Chang Chen expressed his gratitude for having Dr. Liu speak at the Royal Palm Lecture. Aside from his outstanding academic achievements, Dr. Liu has also served as Associate Dean of Cornell College of Engineering and Vice President of the University of Singapore, and his insights into university administration have been a source of inspiration.

In his speech, Dr. Liu urged students not to fear failure; instead, chase their dreams, be curious, engage with experienced individuals to gain insights, and pursue a career that truly interests them. In your four years of university learning, you'll experience ups and downs. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds will accelerate your growth. Embrace research challenges and be self-motivated. Seize the opportunity to work with the best in your field to propel yourself to new heights. NTU provides a flexible environment that allows you to take chances, make mistakes, and discover your true self.

In four years of university learning, students will experience ups and downs. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds will accelerate your growth. Embrace research challenges and be self-motivated. Seize the opportunity to work with the best in your field to propel yourself to new heights; aim high, don't overanalyze, and avoid excessive practicality that leads to hesitation. Learn from your failures, be resilient, and bounce back. Cultivate a few meaningful friendships, and never stop observing, asking questions, and seeking the truth. Your journey is just beginning, and the path is yours to shape.

Dr. Liu further reminds students that their academic journey is just beginning, and the path is theirs to shape. He urges students to keep observing, ask questions, and seek truths. When it comes to research, time management is crucial, and remember that if you already know the answer, it's not true research. Embrace the pursuit of the unknown, and be willing to change directions when necessary.

NTU iterates that the NTU Royal Palm Lecture Series invites a diversity of distinguished speakers, including academic scholars, technical experts, NTU distinguished professors, highly-accomplished alumni, recipients of honorary doctorates, and influential entrepreneurs. These eminent speakers address pressing global issues and emerging technological frontiers, providing our students and faculty with precious, timely knowledge and insights. The plan is to host six lecturers each year, with the expectation that the rich experiences and wisdom of the distinguished guests will provide inspiration as well as insights to every attendee.