Former President Tsai Ing-wen Encourages Graduates at KMU: Don't Be Defined by Labels Too Soon

By Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, June 13

Former President Tsai Ing-wen attended the graduation ceremony of Kaohsiung Medical University today, offering graduates three messages: 'Maintain your ability to learn and adapt, don’t be too quickly defined by labels, and take care of yourself.' She emphasized, 'Don’t let temporary successes or failures determine who you are.'

Yesterday, Tsai posted on the social platform Threads that she couldn’t stay up late because she had to wake up early the next day to attend a university graduation ceremony in Kaohsiung. The post received over 100,000 likes, with netizens commenting, 'I’ll wake up early for you,' and 'Can alumni return to attend?'

Speaking at the ceremony, Tsai told graduates that after leaving campus, many things will no longer have clear answers, and life won’t follow a fixed timeline. Some may begin to wonder how to choose their first job, how to balance ideals with reality, and what they truly want.

She said, 'Professionalism isn’t confined to textbooks and exams. Ultimately, it returns to people, to society, and to real-world needs.' Some may worry whether AI will disrupt their years of specialized training, or whether global affairs will impact Taiwan’s future.

'These anxieties aren’t because you’re not good enough,' she said. 'They arise because you’re entering a new world still in the process of reordering itself. Anxiety isn’t a personal flaw—it’s a shared challenge of this era for young people.'

Tsai offered three pieces of advice. First, maintain the ability to learn and adapt amid change. Important life directions aren’t always chosen correctly the first time, and one misstep doesn’t mean falling behind. Don’t place your sense of security in a fixed path—build it on your capacity to learn, adjust, and restart.

Second, don’t let labels define you too early. Don’t let temporary outcomes determine your identity. Graduation isn’t about proving you’re already complete; it’s an opportunity to begin answering, 'Who do I want to become?' in your own way.

Third, take care of yourself and believe you can become a force that supports society. After graduation, you’ll gain more freedom, but that also means taking responsibility for your well-being. This is a crucial life lesson. More importantly, when facing setbacks, don’t push yourself into a corner. Only by caring for your mental and physical health can you walk farther and more steadily.

'In addition to taking care of yourself, don’t underestimate your ability to change society,' she said. 'No matter which field you enter, remember—your efforts belong not just to you. Your expertise, kindness, and courage in facing difficulties will, at certain moments, become a force that supports others and drives Taiwan forward.' (Edited by Huang Ming-hsi)

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