The Electrical and Computer Engineering Dual Bachelor’s Degree Program, jointly offered by Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), proudly celebrates its first cohort of graduates this year. A total of 17 students have successfully earned bachelor’s degrees from both universities. With solid technical skills, international academic experience, and globally recognized qualifications, these graduates are highly competitive and well-prepared to pursue global career and academic opportunities.
To celebrate this memorable milestone, Dean Shih-Lun Chen of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Program Director Professor Yu-Kun Lai traveled to the United States in mid-May to attend the students’ commencement ceremony. Dean Chen remarked, “This marks an important milestone in CYCU’s international education collaboration. We will continue to enhance the program to provide more students with opportunities to step onto the global stage and strengthen their international competitiveness.”
The university-wide commencement ceremony at UWM was held on May 18 at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in downtown Milwaukee. The event was both grand and heartwarming, with CYCU faculty, students, and the graduates’ families gathered to celebrate this significant achievement. Reflecting on the students’ journey, Professor Lai shared, “I can still vividly recall how shy and nervous many of them were when introducing themselves during the welcome orientation upon arriving at UWM in early 2023. Two years later, standing confidently on the graduation stage, they have not only earned dual degrees but also grown into mature, poised young professionals. Witnessing their transformation has been truly touching and inspiring.”
The first cohort of graduates from the CYCU-UWM Dual Bachelor’s Degree Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering has demonstrated outstanding academic performance. Three students graduated with honors, earning cumulative GPAs above 3.5. During the Order of the Engineer ceremony, they were recognized by the Dean of UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science and were awarded the traditional Gold Cord, symbolizing academic excellence.
Among this year’s graduates, eight students have already been admitted to prestigious graduate programs in the United States and will continue their studies at top-ranked universities, including Cornell University, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California Davis, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and the University of Southern California (USC). Following the UWM commencement, a special banquet was held to celebrate their achievements, during which students shared their experiences and challenges while studying in the U.S., and received graduation gifts as a token of congratulations.
CYCU and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) have maintained a close partnership since 2008. In the 2021 academic year, the two institutions officially launched the Electrical and Computer Engineering Dual Bachelor’s Degree Program, offering students a unique pathway to earn dual degrees. Under this program, students complete their first and second years of foundational coursework at CYCU, followed by advanced professional courses at UWM during their third and fourth years. With a mutual credit recognition system in place, students who fulfill the graduation requirements receive bachelor’s degrees from both CYCU and UWM.
The successful graduation of the first cohort marks a significant milestone in the program’s international collaboration model. Moving forward, CYCU aims to further expand its teaching and research partnership with UWM, strengthen international education practices, and continue cultivating outstanding talents equipped for the global stage.
