On June 13th at the University Research Center, the NPUST Indigenous Student Resource Center and the school’s indigenous students held the 2025 Indigenous Student Graduation Ceremony under a banner that read “Rooted in the Mountains and Seas with Wings Made of Dreams”. The atmosphere was warm and solemn, deep with emotion and cultural heritage, and filled with blessings. The theme of the ceremony was chosen to reflect the way in which the indigenous students are staying rooted in their culture as they pursue their dreams—drawing strength from tradition while daring to fly high and embrace the future.
The venue was decorated with images of indigenous culture, and a red carpet was laid out to bless the graduating students and welcomed them into a new chapter of their lives. The students and teachers all wore the traditional costumes of their respective tribes, showing respect for their own culture and bringing a more solemn and familial atmosphere to the ceremony.
During the event, the guests enjoyed a special meal infused with indigenous flavors— and while satisfying their taste buds, they were able to reflect on the thoughtfulness and tradition behind each of the dishes. The taste of the land gave the ceremony an added element of authenticity and sincerity as a tribal celebration with deep emotions blended within the excitement.
During the ceremony, the parents put wreaths on the graduates and shared words of intimate blessings. NPUST’s president, Chin-Lung Chang, personally put ribbons on each of the graduates, honoring them with a token of cultural continuity and collective achievement. The red ribbons, carefully prepared by the Indigenous Student Resource Center, were embossed with golden lettering that read “really can be that so very excellent”—an expression of confidence peppered with humor and a symbol of affirmation and appreciation for the graduates.
Since its establishment in 2016, the Indigenous Students Resource Center has always been a place of warm support for Indigenous students on campus. From academic tutoring to daily life care or spiritual support, the center treats the students like family and has becomes a solid backing for them while they study away from home. In the future, the center will continue to watch out for all the school’s Indigenous students and help them stay rooted in their culture while spreading their wings to pursue their dreams.
