Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao visited National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) on May 12 (2026) for this year’s “Celebrity Lecture Series” hosted by the NPUST Student Association. Delivering a keynote titled “Navigators of the Future: Youth Public Participation from a Combat Cat’s Perspective,” she discussed the vital role of youth in public affairs and the government’s commitment to listening to young voices. She encouraged students to face the future with confidence, embrace the “Combat Cat spirit”, and remain dedicated to the goal of “making Taiwan better.” The Vice President also highly commended NPUST for its excellence in practical R&D and talent cultivation. NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang stated that the event provided a rare opportunity for students to gain insight from a national leader’s perspective while showcasing the university’s industry-academic research energy.
A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS
During her lecture, Vice President Hsiao divided her insights into four core themes: “Diverse Participation in Public Affairs,” “the Philosophy behind Combat Cat Diplomacy,” “Local Industry Transformation Cases,” and “Personal Intentions and Learning in Politics.” She emphasized that public participation is broad and does not strictly require running for office. Those hesitant about elections can still contribute to policy-making as staff members, researchers, or technical bureaucrats.
Sharing her famous “Combat Cat” philosophy, she explained how the traits of a cat—flexibility, creativity, confidence, and keeping claws sharp (building strength and leverage)—apply to Taiwan’s difficult diplomatic situation. She noted that Taiwan demonstrates resilience through creative diplomacy, such as the “Peace Cocktail” approach, and leverages its critical position in the global chip supply chain to secure international support.
Using a local example, she cited the transformation of Pingtung’s betel nut industry into cocoa (chocolate) production. She encouraged youth to turn their studies into action, noting that a successful policy requires a cross-disciplinary ecosystem of agricultural experts, fermentation scholars, brand designers, and marketing professionals—all of whom are cultivated at NPUST.
DIALOGUE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
In a Q&A session moderated by Student Association President Kuang-Chieh Lan, the Vice President reflected on her journey from serving in Hualien and the Legislative Yuan to becoming the Representative to the U.S. and eventually Vice President. When asked if she was “happy” on this journey, she humorously replied, “If you are happy, I am happy.” She explained that this was no joke; her goal is to ensure the next generation never loses hope in the country. She urged students to be lifelong learners and not to be limited by their majors, as a commitment to Taiwan’s progress will allow them to adapt to any role.
EXPERIENCING NPUST’S TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Following the lecture, accompanied by university president Chin-Lung Chang, and faculty members, the Vice President took a ride in an autonomous experimental vehicle developed by students under the guidance of Assistant Professor Pin-Yung Chen from the Department of Vehicle Engineering. The ride was an opportunity for NPUST to highlight the leadership role it is taking in autonomous vehicle verification and technical development.
The tour continued to the Green Energy Bio-Factory, where Assistant Professor Hsing-Ying Chung of the Department of Plant Industry showcased the university’s achievements in agricultural technology. The Vice President even was given a firsthand rose harvesting experience. Finally, she visited the NPUST Consumers’ Cooperative to see the full “farm-to-table” process—from R&D and production to final sales. There, she joined students in tasting internship-produced treats, including milk brûlée, Job’s tears milk, and the famous soy sauce ice cream, witnessing the deep integration between NPUST’s technological prowess and local industry.