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On April 12, 2025, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University held its “NCTU Day” celebration, during which the Department of Civil Engineering organized an “Alumni Homecoming” event. The department formally presented its “2024 Distinguished Alumni Award” to several recipients, including legislator Xu Xinying, DNV Chief Engineer Gu Baobing, Taiwan International Ports Corporation Kaohsiung Branch Chief Engineer Zheng Zhiwen, Zhaofeng Engineering Technical Consulting Company General Manager Chen Zhengyu, Agricultural Department Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Agency Disaster Monitoring Group Leader Chen Zhenyu, Taoyuan City Government Land Administration Bureau Deputy Director Huang Jianhua, and Hsinchu City Government Administration Director Xu Zhibao. Legislator Xu Xinying remarked that life’s journey is remarkable, as she had originally expected to pursue a career in satellite measurement technology but found herself entering politics through unexpected circumstances. She credited her rigorous research training at NCTU (now NYCU) for enabling her to approach diverse public issues with rationality and pragmatism. Professor Huang Jinwei emphasized the principle of “Do what you look like!” Xu Xinying’s thesis was titled “Calculating Global Ocean Geoid Undulations and Their Applications Using Multi-satellite Altimetry Data,” which utilized multi-satellite altimetry data to improve global gravity anomaly models and gravity anomalies in shallow sea areas. Her research combined data from multiple satellites including Seasat, Geosat/GM, Geosat/ERM, ERS-1/35day, ERS-1/GM, ERS-2, and T/P for analysis and research.
Source: Wikinews (Chinese)
Our Commentary
Background and Context
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) is one of Taiwan’s premier research institutions, formed by the 2021 merger of National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) and National Yang Ming University. NCTU, originally established in 1896, has a storied history in Taiwan’s technological development and is particularly renowned for its engineering programs. The university regularly celebrates “NCTU Day” to honor its heritage and maintain connections with its extensive alumni network.
The Civil Engineering Department at NYCU has a strong tradition in both structural engineering and geospatial technologies. The department’s research encompasses traditional civil engineering disciplines as well as advanced technologies including satellite-based measurement, geographical information systems, and remote sensing applications. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions in their respective fields, whether in industry, academia, or public service.
Xu Xinying represents an interesting case study in career evolution, having transitioned from a highly technical scientific background in satellite measurement to a career in politics and public service. Her trajectory illustrates how technical expertise can translate into effective public policy work, particularly when complex analytical skills are applied to governance and legislative processes.
Expert Analysis
Xu Xinying’s career trajectory from satellite measurement technology to politics demonstrates the valuable transferability of analytical thinking across seemingly disparate fields. Her academic background in using multi-satellite altimetry data to calculate global ocean geoid undulations represents highly complex technical work requiring sophisticated mathematical modeling and data integration skills. These same analytical capabilities offer significant advantages in navigating the complexities of policy development and legislative decision-making.
Her comment about approaching “diverse public issues with rationality and pragmatism” suggests that scientific methodology—hypothesis testing, evidence evaluation, and data-driven conclusions—informs her political work. This science-based approach to governance stands in contrast to purely ideological or personality-driven politics that sometimes dominate public discourse.
Professor Huang Jinwei’s referenced principle, “Do what you look like!” (做什麼像什麼), which roughly translates to “whatever you do, do it properly/professionally,” reflects a cultural emphasis on thoroughness and commitment that appears to have influenced Xu’s approach to both her scientific work and public service. This ethos of rigorous professionalism represents a valuable characteristic in both technical fields and governance, where attention to detail and systematic thinking lead to better outcomes.
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
Xu Xinying’s doctoral thesis work on satellite altimetry represents a significant contribution to geospatial science. The integration of data from multiple satellite systems including Seasat, Geosat/GM, Geosat/ERM, ERS-1/35day, ERS-1/GM, ERS-2, and TOPEX/Poseidon demonstrates sophisticated data fusion techniques that remain relevant in contemporary Earth observation science. This research has practical applications in oceanography, climate science, and geophysics, contributing to our understanding of sea-level variations and Earth’s gravitational field.
The timing of her research coincided with a period of rapid advancement in satellite-based Earth observation technology in the 1990s and early 2000s, when multiple international space agencies were deploying increasingly sophisticated remote sensing platforms. Her work represents part of the global scientific effort to harness these technologies for improved understanding of Earth systems.
Taiwan’s National Chiao Tung University (now part of NYCU) has historically been a key institution in developing Taiwan’s technological expertise across multiple fields, contributing significantly to the island’s transformation into a global technology leader. Alumni from the university have played important roles in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, telecommunications sector, and other high-tech fields that form the backbone of the nation’s economy.
Related News
The recognition of Xu Xinying’s achievements comes at a time when Taiwan continues to emphasize the importance of science and technology in its national development strategy. Recent government initiatives have focused on strengthening Taiwan’s research capabilities in advanced fields including artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, and space science.
In the realm of space technology specifically, Taiwan has been expanding its satellite program, with the National Space Organization (NSPO) developing a series of FORMOSAT satellites for Earth observation and scientific research. These developments build upon the foundation of earlier work in satellite technology to which Xu’s research contributed.
The intersection of technical expertise and political leadership has become increasingly important in Taiwan’s governance model, with several key political figures having backgrounds in engineering, information technology, or other technical fields. This technocratic element in Taiwan’s political landscape reflects the nation’s emphasis on evidence-based policymaking and technological innovation as drivers of economic and social development.
Summary
The recognition of Xu Xinying with the Distinguished Alumni Award from NYCU’s Civil Engineering Department highlights the valuable intersection of technical expertise and public service. Her transition from satellite measurement technology to a legislative career exemplifies how rigorous analytical training can be effectively applied to governance and policy development.
Her acknowledgment that “life’s journey is remarkable” in taking her from a technical scientific career to politics reflects the often unpredictable nature of professional development, while her emphasis on approaching public issues with “rationality and pragmatism” suggests that her scientific background continues to inform her political work.
The case of Xu Xinying offers a compelling example of how universities like NYCU contribute to society not only through direct technological innovation but also by cultivating analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that graduates can apply across diverse professional contexts. Her recognition alongside accomplished professionals from both public and private sectors demonstrates the varied paths that engineering graduates can take to make meaningful contributions to society.
Public Reaction
The awarding of Distinguished Alumni status to a diverse group of recipients, including both private sector leaders and public servants like Xu Xinying, has been generally well-received by the Taiwanese academic community. It reflects NYCU’s commitment to recognizing excellence across multiple sectors and diverse career paths.
Academic commentators have noted the importance of highlighting non-traditional career trajectories for engineering graduates, suggesting that Xu’s recognition sends a positive message to current students about the broad applicability of their technical education beyond traditional engineering roles.
The general public’s reception has included positive commentary on social media platforms regarding the value of having legislators with strong technical backgrounds, particularly in a society like Taiwan’s where technology plays such a central role in economic development and national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Xu Xinying?
She is a Taiwanese legislator who previously specialized in satellite measurement technology before transitioning to a political career. She is a graduate of National Chiao Tung University (now part of NYCU). - What was her academic background?
Her doctoral thesis focused on “Calculating Global Ocean Geoid Undulations and Their Applications Using Multi-satellite Altimetry Data,” which involved complex analysis integrating data from multiple satellite systems. - What is the Distinguished Alumni Award from NYCU?
It’s an honor bestowed by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s departments to recognize graduates who have achieved significant professional success and made notable contributions in their fields. - How has her scientific background influenced her political career?
According to her statements, her research training at NYCU enabled her to approach diverse public issues with rationality and pragmatism, applying analytical thinking to political challenges. - Who were the other recipients of the award?
Other awardees included DNV Chief Engineer Gu Baobing, Taiwan International Ports Corporation Kaohsiung Branch Chief Engineer Zheng Zhiwen, Zhaofeng Engineering Technical Consulting Company General Manager Chen Zhengyu, and several government officials.
