【Article by Secretariat】

The 2025 Outstanding Overseas Chinese Students Award results have been announced, with National Chengchi University (NCCU) alumni receiving notable recognition. Charles Guo (郭朝河), a journalism alumnus from Malaysia, was honored in the "Youth Overseas Chinese Contribution Category." Meanwhile, Yan Lee (李彥樞), an alumnus from Singapore who majored in both Advertising and Business Administration, received an award in the "Business Enterprise" category. On June 11, the two awardees returned to their alma mater to visit the university president and their former professors. During their visit, they also engaged with current students, sharing memories from their time at NCCU and offering insights into their career journeys.

The annual Outstanding Overseas Chinese Students Awards, organized by the Overseas Community Affairs Council, honors exemplary individuals worldwide who demonstrate excellence and serve as role models in their fields. Journalism alumnus Charles Guo is a prominent figure in Malaysia's media industry, wearing many hats as a columnist, event host, brand consultant, and content creator. Hailing from Singapore, Yan Lee holds dual degrees in Advertising and Business Administration. A seasoned entrepreneur, he previously founded a company that went public on NASDAQ. He is now a venture capital partner, actively investing in potential Taiwanese startups and supporting their global expansion.

Charles Guo and Yan Lee have each achieved remarkable success in different fields. NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li praised both alumni for their outstanding accomplishments in cross-disciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the university's ongoing efforts to promote innovation in recent years, encourage students to gain experience through internships, and strengthen collaborations with local industries to enhance students' practical skills.

Yan Lee noted that in today's tech and startup landscape, NCCU demonstrates strong cross-disciplinary integration. In addition to information science programs, the university offers abundant resources in business, communication, creativity, etc. When these areas of expertise converge, they break away from traditional STEM programs' conventional, logic-driven mindset; this, he emphasized, is a key strength of NCCU students.

After graduating from NCCU's Department of Journalism, Charles Guo began his career as a financial reporter in Malaysia. Despite having no background in finance and once considering quitting, he persevered by self-studying and reading English-language financial reports and eventually passing his probation period. He still occasionally comments on financial topics today. Reflecting on that experience, he remarked, "If someone is willing to pay you to learn—why not?" He encourages students to take bold steps and embrace learning: "It's okay to be embarrassed when you are young; it's better than making mistakes when you are older."

"There's no need to set a fixed life goal before 35—go explore what excites you," said Charles Guo, admitting to having a rebellious spirit. After leaving his job at the newspaper, he ventured into various fields, eventually becoming a knowledge-based influencer and delving into Human Design to help others navigate internal struggles and anxiety. His journey reflects the importance of continuous exploration and learning in a rapidly changing world.

Yan Lee had a vibrant university life. In addition to his double majors, he joined the Audio Video Lab, helped organize a live-streamed concert for Sodagreen, and actively participated in advertising pitch competitions. While some say NCCU's education is too theoretical, Lee believes otherwise: "What NCCU taught me was how to think, not just how to jump straight into a job."

Although Yan Lee graduated from a humanities and social sciences background, his career has since expanded into AI and big data. He once faced major setbacks, including funding shortages and layoffs, but eventually made a comeback by focusing on big data and leveraging the strength of his team. While he sees great potential in Taiwan's AI talent, he also acknowledges the funding gaps in the local tech startup ecosystem. Now a venture capital partner, he is committed to identifying and investing in promising teams to help Taiwan's tech industry expand globally. He also noted that with many major Taiwanese companies entering Southeast Asia, it is a good opportunity for overseas and Taiwanese students to explore the world just next door.