President Lai Awards Presidential Education Prize, Stating Taiwan's Greatness Stems from Actions That Change Destinies

(CNA reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang, Taipei, July 3) President Lai Ching-te, while presenting the 2026 Presidential Education Award today, said that each awardee has demonstrated courage and perseverance in adversity, breaking through difficulties and changing their destinies through action. Taiwan's greatness stems from its people changing their destinies through action, showcasing warmth and allowing the world to see Taiwan. He encouraged the students to continue bravely pursuing their dreams.

President Lai, accompanied by Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao, attended the 2026 Presidential Education Award ceremony. The President congratulated the award-winning students. For this year's selection, a total of 326 outstanding students from across the country were nominated, with 167 advancing to the second round. After on-site visits by experts and scholars, 60 students from different educational stages stood out.

The President said that each award-winning student is extraordinary and has performed exceptionally. From their award-winning deeds, it can be seen that although everyone faced different challenges during their growth, they all demonstrated immense courage and perseverance, overcoming various difficulties and writing extraordinary life stories.

He stated that Liao Chien-kai (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology) in the university group, who experienced family upheaval early in life, transformed his experiences into nourishment for artistic creation. He not only became a national team member in the graphic design technical category but also successfully applied for the Ministry of Education's overseas elite training program, using his expertise to exert a positive influence.

He mentioned that Huang Ting-li (Changhua Senior High School) in the high school group, facing adversities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading difficulties, not only overcame challenges to complete his studies in the gifted science and mathematics class but also won a silver medal at the International Olympiad on Robotics, demonstrating the courage not to give up when facing difficulties.

President Lai said that Li Hsiao-lung (Tai'an Junior High School, Miaoli County) in the junior high school group has not only passed the intermediate-high level certification for the Atayal language but has also achieved excellent results in national indigenous language speeches. Facing family changes, he actively sought scholarships during his studies to help with household expenses, a mature filial piety and sense of responsibility that is admirable.

He pointed out that Lin Yun-fei (Nankuo Elementary School, Changhua City) in the elementary school group, despite feeling unwell, bravely fought her illness with the optimism of fighting monsters and continued to improve her language and painting skills, receiving recognition with the Dream Realization Scholarship, fully demonstrating her resilience.

The President noted that there were also two students who received awards for the second time. Wei Yu-tse (Chengde Junior High School, Hsinchu City) in the high school group bravely pursued his dreams on the sports field. In 2025, he withstood injury pressure at the Tokyo Deaflympics and won a silver medal in the men's decathlon, marking Taiwan's first medal in this event in 16 years, which is remarkable.

He stated that the second recipient is Yang Tzu-li (Hsi-yang Junior High School, Changhua County) in the junior high school group, a very outstanding athlete who has overcome multiple disabilities. In addition to his excellent diving and swimming skills, he won double championships in the 100m and 300m inline skating events for the men's group at this year's National Paralympics, which is truly not easy.

President Lai said that everyone's efforts deeply inspire people, and he hopes that through today's commendation, more people will be inspired to bravely face life's challenges and strive for their ideals.

The President pointed out that he has always believed that although Taiwan is not large, its greatness comes from many people changing their destinies through action, not only demonstrating the strongest and warmest power of life but also allowing the world to see Taiwan. He looks forward to the award-winning life fighters continuing to soar, bravely pursuing their dreams, and creating their own paths. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun, Wan Shu-chang) 1150703

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