Yes, 50 Ph.Ds have graduated from TKU this year, making it the highest in number since such programs started. Among the graduates, 11 of them are females, which is also a record number.

The Ph.D program of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering (CSIE) saw off the most number of graduates, 14 of them, leaving the program this year. They are followed by the Department of Chemistry with 9 Ph.Ds. Historically, Ph.D. students are older than other student population and this year is no exception. Some of this year’s Ph.D. graduates are in their late 40’s who all have had a fulfilling career along side their studies. For instance, Wang Chong-sheng, from the CSIE works at the Taipei Mass Transit System Company is 47 years old this year, believes that his doctoral studies have helped him keep up with the time. Lin Yu-ren, the other Ph.D graduate from the Business Administration program, is 46 and works as a lecture at St.John’s & St. Mary’s institute of Technology University. He is most appreciative of the faculty members on his program who have taught him not only avant-garde knowledge, but also a stringent attitude in research. Appreciation to faculty members is also shared by Huang Ching-zher, a Ph.D. graduate from the Chemistry Department. He thanks his supervisor, Professor Chen Kan-nan, particularly in inspiring him and all the other students to be independent and creative researchers. (~ Ying-hsueh Hu )