Cheng Shiu University President Gong Rui-Zhang, with nearly 45 years of dedication to vocational education, has consistently promoted industry-academia collaboration to cultivate practical, job-ready talent and enhance student competitiveness. His outstanding contributions have garnered widespread recognition. In acknowledgment of his impact on vocational education, the Ministry of Education awarded him the prestigious Vocational Education Contribution Award, bringing pride to the entire university.

The Vocational Education Contribution Award is presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to vocational education, setting an exemplary standard. In addition to his teaching career, President Gong has held various leadership positions and has served as president for 30 years. His tenure has seen remarkable advancements in teaching, research, student services, and academic support, earning widespread praise from academia, industry leaders, and parents alike.

Amid the challenges posed by declining student numbers in vocational education, with enrollments dropping from 400,000 to 200,000, the Ministry of Education aims to honor those who have advanced the field and raised its status. The 6th Vocational Education Contribution Award ceremony was held on November 5, alongside the 10th Senior Master Artisan Awards, with Minister Cheng Ying-Yao presenting the honors. This year, President Gong Rui-Zhang of Cheng Shiu University and President Ge Zi-Xiang of Lunghwa University of Science and Technology were among the recipients.

President Gong noted that private universities face significant challenges in competing with national universities in terms of resources. To address this, Cheng Shiu University has focused on developing its strengths, establishing world-class centers like the Environmental Toxicology and Emerging Contaminants Research Center and the Cultural Heritage Restoration Center. The university’s three main colleges—Engineering, Health and Management, and Creative Living—have forged stronger ties with industry, enabling collaborative projects that support businesses with research, technology development, and business strategies. The Industry-Academia Research and Development Center was also established to manage these collaborations and improve operational performance.

In addition, the university launched the Five-Axis Machining Talent Development Center earlier this year, focusing on vocational training to develop master-level CNC specialists. This center serves as a key hub for precision CNC cutting technology, providing a platform for application, exchange, and training. Cheng Shiu’s partners include 30 international companies such as Siemens (Germany) and Seco (Sweden), along with nine national universities, forming a southern Taiwan-based platform for precision machining integration.

President Gong emphasized the importance of Cheng Shiu’s motto, "Rectify the Mind, Cultivate the Self," by focusing on character education. In the vocational field, he stressed that workplace ethics, attitude, and resilience are essential. When he first became president, he encouraged faculty to engage more with industries, which initially met with resistance. However, today, faculty actively collaborate with businesses, and Cheng Shiu has become a leader in industry-academia partnerships among private universities.

For the 15th consecutive year, Cheng Shiu University was recognized by the Chinese Institute of Engineers for its outstanding performance in industry-academia collaboration. President Gong expressed, "These achievements are the result of the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, and students. This award is not an individual honor but belongs to everyone, and I am delighted to share it with the entire university community."

---

---

SDGs