Honorary Doctorate Degree to Dr. James S. C. Chao and The Honorable Elaine L. Chao at NTOU’s 63rd anniversary

National Taiwan Ocean University celebrates its 63rd anniversary on 15th of October, 2016 and awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree to Dr. James S. C. Chao and The Honorable Elaine L. Chao

. President Ying-Jeou Ma and President of the legislature Chia-Chyuan Su were also invited among other guests. Principle Chin-Feng Chang denoted that ‘NTOU is up for the important tasks of the ocean era.’

Principle Chang expressed that being surrounded by ocean, Taiwan is rich in ocean resources and has always been holding an important role internationally. NTOU bears important tasks including cultivating talents for marine fisheries; sustainably utilizing ocean resources and developing the marine industry. NTOU has become an indispensable university to society over the years and without NTOU, the marine development of the country would lose its most important support.

Principle Chang also indicated that the 21st century is the century of “the ocean”. Marine development issue has become increasingly important whether it’s in Taiwan or internationally. Especially when it comes to global environmental changes, marine sovereignty, marine rights, fishery rights and rights of navigation, they are all issues surrounding the ocean. ‘The ocean has become an important advantage when it comes to nation development.’ ‘NTOU is willing and would be honored to bear the responsibility of the century of ocean.’

President Ying-Jeou Ma talked about his policy on ‘Revitalization of the country with marine development and the blue revolution’ during his speech, and praised numerous talents NTOU has nurtured during the years as well as the outstanding contribution to both academic and practical training.

President of the legislature Chia-Chyuan Su, outstanding alumni of NTOU department of food science, even joked that it makes him more nervous coming back to school and seeing so many of his teachers than going to a meeting at legislature office. Reminiscing on the 4 years he spent at NTOU, he said seeing the ocean from NTOU could always broaden his vision and makes him feel better.

Principle Chin-Feng Chang introduced Dr. James S. C. Chao and The Honorable Elaine L. Chao to the crowd, saying that Dr. Chao was once the youngest captain in Taiwan. Working from the basis, he’s done all the hard work and has been through all kinds of ups and downs, during which, he has always been courteous to the people he encountered. Dr. Chao has performed outstanding contribution to the international shipping field, established foundations helping numerous ethnic Chinese students, contributed selflessly towards the peaceful development between Taiwan and China, and has always been an excellent role model to the students with his professional performance in both ethics and business. Family education in the Chao family has been a huge success as well. All six of his daughters turned out to be prominent women. Their eldest daughter,The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, was the chairman of U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. She was the first ethnic Chinese in American history to work in U.S. government as a cabinet member, and was also the first ethnic Chinese women in the U.S. government. She’s always humble and ambitious whether in victory or losses. She was praised by ‘The Wall Street Journal’ the ten most valuable board members of corporations in the United States. During her term of service as Labor Secretary, she made major contributions pushing through the Bill of Working Equity. And in line with her original intention of human care, she has contributed selflessly to her hometown. She’s indeed an excellent role model for the younger generation.

Dr. James S. C. Chao humbly thanked NTOU for the honor. Thinking about all the efforts and contribution his wife has made for their family, he emphasize that his philosophy of family education is to always put family, filial piety, society and services in the first place. He hoped that everyone could love their own family and have a wonderful family.

‘I am Elaine L. Chao, but most importantly, I am my father, Dr. James S. C. Chao’s daughter.’ The Honorable Elaine L. Chao opened her speech with this prologue. The ocean is playing a significant role, she said. It connects people around the world, with different ethnicities, different countries and different ports.