President Chin-Lung Chan said: “NPUST has cultivated countless talent over the century. Now, this ‘Tree of Hope’, which Dr. Lay has planted with his own hands, will lay solid roots for NPUST’s next hundred years.”

Currently a successful CEO, Lay received solid practical training during his studies at the NPUST. With a foundation in veterinary medicine established, Lay began developing a strong interest in immunology. He was also deeply inspired by the famous saying of Professor Cheng-I Liu, a pathology expert, who said: “It doesn’t matter if you can’t get into National Taiwan University. Study hard, and become a teacher of National Taiwan University students in the future.” After entering the biotechnology industry, Lay went to the United States to further his studies and enhance his professional knowledge. In 1987 Lay founded PharMingen, a company focused on biological, immunological and medical research products. He later founded BioLegend in 2002 to give focus to research and development related to proteins, antibodies and immunological reagents. During the epidemic, Lay kept to his integrity and down-to-earth entrepreneurial spirit, working through difficulties with his employees and creating a friendly workplace that allowed BioLegend to grow into a world-renowned biotech company.

Lay, who has long been concerned with public welfare, enthusiastically supports biotechnology innovation and promotes the research and development of new immunotherapy drugs with hopes of accelerating the treatment of neurodegeneration, immune diseases, and cancer. He encourages younger generations to explore their interests and potential, emphasizing a “persistence in doing the right thing.” During the honorary doctorate awarding ceremony, guests gathered, including Lay’s family members, teachers and alumni of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, to witness the grand moment for this outstanding alumnus who took the veterinarian oath, but ultimately made a successful pathway towards medical treatment for humans.

Through the exhibition, which was kicked off by university president Chin-Lung Chang, NPUST hopes to inspire its students to follow in the footsteps of these giants in the pursuit of greater heights. In his speech, President Chang said “‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ means benefiting from the wisdom and innovative research of our predecessors, and constantly transcending ourselves as we move towards higher places. These experts in their fields have taken a lifetime of precious academic experience and paved a path for us, so that we can fearlessly explore the unknown. This exhibition presents the achievements of their hard work—not only highlighting their contributions to the academic world, but also the profound impact they have had on the entire society.”

A total of 10 outstanding professors are being showcased at the exhibition, including: Professor Liang Chou Hsia, “the authority on livestock breeding”; Professor Chung-Ruey Yen, “the father of emerging tropical fruit trees” ; Professor Fure-Chyi Chen, “the orchid king”; Professor Tzou-Chi Huang, “the champion of pesticide free lemons”; Professor Niann-Tai Chang, “the plant doctor”; Professor Mei-Hui Chen, “the navigator of under forest economies”; Professor Shih-Chu Chen, “the expert on aquatic animal diseases”; Professor Jung-He Wang, “the godfather of organic agriculture”; Professor Win-Ton Cheng, “the expert aquaculturist”; and Professor Pao-Chuan Hsieh “the father of soy sauce”.

A commemorative video premiered during the opening ceremony, highlighting the professor’s contributions. They were also each invited to personally share some of their rich experiences and offer a word of encouragement for the future.

The Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Honorary Exhibition will remain on display on the first floor of the NPUST Library and Exhibition Hall until February 7, 2025, during which time visitors are welcomed to come learn about these outstanding professors and find some added inspiration to pursue great things.

During the ceremony, President Chang said: “Professor Ting is an outstanding alumnus who studied Agricultural Civil Engineering when our school was operating as the Taiwan Provincial Pingtung Vocational School of Agriculture. He has served our school for more than 30 years and contributed his expertise to those who came later on. Professor Ting has been studying water conservation for more than 40 years, and the Greater Chaozhou Artificial Lake Project he championed in 2018 earned him the “Dayu Award” and a spot on the MOEA Water Resources Agency’s list of heroes. This year is the 100th anniversary of NPUST and I would like to thank Professor Ting for giving this honor to his alma mater and for adding a bright page to the 100-year history of NPUST.”

Professor Ting said “I was educated at Taiwan Provincial Pingtung Vocational School of Agriculture and have worked at NPUST for nearly half a century, and so I am grateful for the cultivation the school has provided and for the opportunity to contribute to Taiwan’s water conservation engineering. Thanks to the weirs built by Japanese water conservation expert Torii Nobuhei, and the construction methods he used, there have been no water shortages in Kao-Ping area in the past two or three years. This has attracted Japanese water conservation experts to Taiwan to learn about technologies used in Japanese water control projects in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. I am deeply honored to have been inspired by Torii Nobuhei to promote water conservation science and technology and cultural heritage in both of our countries. And I am honored that he gave me the opportunity to receive the Rising Sun Medal from the Emperor of Japan.”