2024.04.15

The 2024 recipients of NTHU's Outstanding Alumni Award (left to right): Wen-Hung Tsai (蔡文弘), Chiu-Tien Hsu (徐秋田), Mina Chiang (江玉敏) and Hsiao-Yu Chen (陳筱宇).

 

 

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan has announced four recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Award for 2024: Hsiao-Yu Chen (陳筱宇) (Department of Industrial Chemistry, 1978); Wen-Hung Tsai (蔡文弘) (Institute of Computer and Decision Science, 1988); Chiu-Tien Hsu (徐秋田) (Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, 1992, 1994); and Mina Chiang (江玉敏) (Department of Engineering and System Science, 2015).
 
Hsiao-Yu Chen (Department of Industrial Chemistry, 1978)
 
Hsiao-Yu Chen has long been devoted to cultural and social development, promoting improvements in the quality of life through compassion. She has made significant contributions to NTHU and to society.
 
After graduating from the Department of Industrial Chemistry at NTHU in 1978, Chen became the first female doctoral graduate of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, USA. Her research articles published in the Polymer Journal challenged previous positions in the field and revolutionized the manufacturing processes and applications of certain materials.
 
Following her doctoral studies, Chen joined Alcoa in the USA, where she obtained multiple patents. She was the first Asian female department head at Alcoa Technical Center and the first female Technical Director at Closure Systems International, Inc. (CSI), a subsidiary of Alcoa. Her academic and professional achievements are remarkable.
 
In 1999, Chen transitioned to serving full-time in the ministry, acting as an advisor to multiple churches and spearheading cultural and social initiatives. She also promoted Chinese education for second-generation immigrants as Vice Principal of the Indianapolis Chinese School from 2000 to 2003. Furthermore, from 2016 to 2020, she helped establish a cross-church team that conducted fitness activities in nursing homes in Shanghai's suburbs, offering solace and support to the elderly.
 
In 2020, Chen established The Shepherd Investment Co. Ltd., which donates approximately 95% of its annual profits to educational, medical, faith-based, and charitable institutions. Over the past three years, the annual donation amount has exceeded millions of dollars.
 
Feeling blessed with a fulfilling life, Chen and her husband, Chon-Kwo Tsai (蔡宗國), decided to give back by donating their family's inheritance of NT$60 million to NTHU. This donation includes contributions to The Rising Sun Program, the renovation of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences' mini-theater, and the establishment of the "The Shepherd NTHU Musician Fund" to support the operation of the Junshan Concert Hall and the promotion of musical activities.
 
Chen and Tsai, both passionate about music, were members of the NTHU Orchestra Club. They firmly believe in the intangible influence of music and art on one's character and they encourage younger students to pursue holistic development, emphasizing that the diverse perspectives cultivated during their academic studies will enrich both themselves and society in the future.
 
Wen-Hung Tsai (Institute of Computer and Decision Science, 1988)
 
Wen-Hung Tsai has dedicated himself to the development of information products, elevating Taiwan's position in global technological innovation. He has made significant contributions to NTHU and society.
 
Tsai graduated from the Institute of Computer and Decision Science at NTHU in 1988 and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Quanta Computer Inc.
 
Tsai led Quanta's laptop division, spearheading the development of new computer models. His initiatives enabled his clients to secure international accolades and market dominance. Following his proposal for a collaboration with Google, Chromebook laptops now command an 80% global market share.
 
Tsai, a prominent leader within Quanta, has established multiple new ventures, each evolving into billion-dollar enterprises, that are emblematic of the entrepreneurial triumphs achieved within the organization.
 
Tsai oversees most of Quanta's business units and research centers, which boast an annual profit exceeding NT$500 billion. Two decades ago, he anticipated the rise of automotive electronics driven by electric vehicles and established the Automotive Electronics Division.
 
Today, the division stands as the foremost supplier of automotive central computers and various ECUs for electric vehicles worldwide. Its clientele includes European, American, and Japanese automotive giants, with annual sales nearing NT$100 billion and profits on a consistent upward trajectory.
 
During a pivotal period at Quanta Storage Inc., Tsai took on the role of chairman, implementing reforms that strengthened the company's infrastructure and morale, guiding it successfully through adversity. Additionally, he served as the CEO of RoyalTek, overseeing the advancement of automotive navigation and in-car entertainment systems, expanding the company's market reach.
 
Beyond his professional endeavors, Tsai has worked to support startups with innovative technologies. Currently, he serves as the Chief Executive Advisor at CapsoVision, a Silicon Valley unicorn company, where he spearheads substantial technological and product advancements. CapsoVision is now at the forefront of the global endoscopic capsule market.
 
Despite his busy schedule, Tsai remains engaged with his alma mater, mentoring alumni such as Su-Hua Chung (鍾素華) (Class of '87, the 2019 Outstanding Alumni of the College of Engineering) and Jun-Yuan Wu (吳鈞源) (Class of '89). He has also collaborated with Professor Chen-Fu Chien (簡禎富) on a three-year research project.
 
In 2009, Tsai was honored as an Outstanding Alumni of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He has frequently spoken at the Department of Computer Science, offering valuable insights into industry management. Additionally, he has arranged visits for student clubs from his alma mater to Quanta.
 
Chiu-Tien Hsu (Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, 1992, 1994)
 
Chiu-Tien Hsu excels in the application and innovation of precision instruments in manufacturing, and he has made significant contributions to the development of new talent, to his alma mater, and to society.
 
Hsu graduated from the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering (PME), obtaining his bachelor's degree in 1992 and his master's degree in 1994. He established FitTech Co., Ltd. in June 2004, and the company went public in 2019.
 
FitTech specializes in compound semiconductor testing equipment, and it has become a market leader in integrated Prober and Tester systems, which have been validated by major LED manufacturers.
 
Hsu's entrepreneurial spirit focuses on integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement, earning FitTech the third spot in precision instrument manufacturing according to CommonWealth Magazine's 2023 "Top 2000 Enterprises Survey."
 
In 2017, Hsu initiated the "Endowment Fund Project" for the PME, supporting sustainable growth and sponsoring student teams such as the NTHU Racing Team and the DIT Robotics over the past six years. He was also honored as the 19th Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Engineering in 2018 for his significant contributions.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Hsu donated to the "Covid Love - Relief Fund for Students" project. He also served as the president of the PME's alumni association and encouraged alumni to return to campus and share their career experiences.
 
In 2022, PME celebrated its 50th anniversary. Hsu served as the reunion coordinator for the ‘92 graduating class and rallied fellow alumni to donate funds to support the renovation of the department's space, transforming it into the versatile "PME '92 Lecture Hall."
 
Hsu prioritizes matters concerning his department and alma mater, always readily accepting invitations to serve as an alumni association officer, as a judge, or to give speeches. He has settled in Taichung and makes a special trip to Hsinchu every time he returns to campus. "Everyone's busy; it's just a matter of deciding whether to make time and do something well," he said cheerfully.
 
Mina Chiang (Department of Engineering and System Science, 2015)
 
Mina Chiang has long been concerned about human rights and poverty, dedicating herself to combating issues such as modern slavery, human trafficking, and forced labor. Her outstanding achievements make her an exemplary figure, deserving of the title of Outstanding Alumni.
 
Chiang studied in the Department of Engineering and System Science and minored in the Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Social Sciences at NTHU. During her time at NTHU, she served as an investigator representative as well as a team leader for the NTHU Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Tanzania International Volunteer Teams, demonstrating outstanding leadership.
 
Chiang also co-founded the first NTHU International Model United Nations delegation, initiated entrepreneurial forums on campus, and demonstrated pioneering capabilities by studying in the Middle East as an exchange student.
 
After graduating from NTHU in 2016, Chiang served as a project officer at Marian University College in Tanzania. During her tenure, she raised US$40,000 to help establish a science laboratory on campus and promoted community development projects. She also collaborated with local priests and teachers to establish student exchange programs between Marian University College and NTHU.
 
In 2017, Chiang was awarded a full scholarship from the Rotary Club to pursue a master's degree at the Institute of Development Studies, the top-ranked institution in the field of international development in the United Kingdom. After graduating, she dedicated herself to combating human trafficking and addressing issues of human rights and labor rights abuses.
 
In 2019, Chiang founded Humanity Research Consultancy in the United Kingdom, providing in-depth research services, policy advice, supply chain remediation, and training to governments, international large-scale non-profit organizations, and renowned international corporations. Humanity Research Consultancy assists clients in combating modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, and other related issues. The scope of its work covers regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
 
Within two years of its establishment, Humanity Research Consultancy was awarded the Best Human Trafficking & Slavery Research Consultancy in 2021 as one of the winners of the SME UK Enterprise Awards. Additionally, it was shortlisted for the 2023 Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
 
Chiang's achievements in combating human trafficking have received international recognition, providing intelligence on human trafficking and scam factories to countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States, and assisting countries in formulating strategies and policies.
 
Humanity Research Consultancy was also invited to participate in an operation led by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to combat scam factories in Southeast Asia in 2023, making it one of only two non-governmental and non-law enforcement organizations involved.
 
Humanity Research Consultancy has been recognized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as one of the key global organizations in the fight against scam factories and human trafficking in its recent publication.
 
During her time at NTHU, Chiang participated in international volunteer services and also served as a teaching assistant for the "International Human Rights" course. After graduation, she dedicated herself to improving the working environments of migrant workers and to eradicating modern slavery.
 
She has returned to her alma mater multiple times to share her experiences, inspiring many younger students. She exemplifies the educational paradigm of NTHU, which emphasizes "first becoming a person, then a citizen, and finally a professional."
 
Please refer to the Alumni Center website for the full interview: https://alumni.site.nthu.edu.tw/p/404-1346-262027.php?Lang=zh-tw

 

Outstanding NTHU graduate Hsiao-Yu Chen (陳筱宇).

 

Outstanding NTHU graduate Wen-Hung Tsai (蔡文弘).

 

Outstanding NTHU graduate Chiu-Tien Hsu (徐秋田).

 

Outstanding NTHU graduate Mina Chiang (江玉敏).