After more than two decades of anticipation, expectations, and blessings from various sectors, National Yang Ming University and National Chiao Tung University officially merged on February 1, 2021. Under the familiar yet new name of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), this union marks a new chapter and a milestone in the history of higher education in Taiwan.

The familiar name serves as a reminder that we hold steadfast to the principles embodied in the 16 characters: “Seek innovation, pursue excellence; emphasize truth, act with integrity” and “Pursue knowledge and action; practice with compassion and skill.” In the past, Yang Ming and Chiao Tung bore the honorable missions of safeguarding healthcare in rural Taiwan and advancing the semiconductor industry, respectively. Our faculty, students, and alumni take pride in their roles and achievements in these endeavors. Meanwhile, the new name signals the dawn of a new era, bringing fresh missions, tasks, and responsibilities for the university community to embrace.

As the proverb goes: Plan for a year, plant grains; plan for a decade, plant trees; plan for a lifetime, cultivate talent. We fully understand that merging two prestigious universities with rich traditions will inevitably involve challenges. However, we must not lose sight of the original intent behind the merger: building upon the legacies and extending the potential of Yang Ming and Chiao Tung Universities. On the 120th day following the merger, through the “One Tree, A Hundred Fruits” initiative, we aimed to harness collective wisdom to envision the future. This vision aspires to identify and seize critical opportunities, paving the way for this new university, new generation, and new society. It also represents my commitment, on behalf of the administrative team, to our faculty, students, alumni, and the broader society.

The “One Tree, A Hundred Fruits” initiative is structured into six chapters: Origins and Development, Building Consensus, Campus Excellence, Action Framework, and Sustainability and Quality Assurance. In a remarkably short time, we gathered input from faculty and students across the university. Through collective consensus, we outlined a three-year development direction aligned with a ten-year vision. This framework will be gradually expanded into a comprehensive roadmap, culminating in a mid- to long-term white paper for university affairs. It is a bold new experiment, and we warmly welcome feedback from faculty, staff, alumni, and all sectors of society. Each section of the plan is open for comments—be they positive or critical. We humbly welcome your insights and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Following the launch of the initiative, we aim to collect feedback over the next three to four months and present the complete plan by the end of the year.

The essence of “One Tree, A Hundred Fruits” lies in people. Talent cultivation is a century-long endeavor, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University looks forward to your participation as we embark on this journey together.