Following the period of joy and physical exertion came the graduation ceremony for the second-year students. The ceremony featured a special address by Mr. Grzegorz Mazek, a senior diplomat from the Crisis Management Centre of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the father of IMAS graduate Antoni Mazek, Mr. Mazek traveled to Taiwan with his family specifically for the graduation ceremony. He shared his profound observations on his son's transformation since coming to National Chengchi University. He also highlighted that East Asia has become a new learning hub in technological, political, and social aspects, emphasizing that understanding diverse cultures is fundamental to solving global crises. Mr. Mazek concluded his speech by quoting Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, describing his feelings about his trip: "Lord, Thank you for creating the world beautiful and of such variety, And also for allowing me, in Your inexhaustible goodness, To visit places which were not the scene of my daily torments.”
Watch the full speech in the video below.
by Mr. Grzegorz Mazek, a senior diplomat from the Crisis Management Centre of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Good afternoon, Dean Yang, Vice-Deans Liu and Luo, esteemed faculty, all distinguished guests, and most importantly, all 2025 graduates, it is a great privilege and honor for me to speak today to you all, on the day when you—graduates—are completing one of the most important stages of your life. We gather here to celebrate your hard work, self-development, and academic successes. My name is Grzegorz Mazek. I work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, at the Crisis Management Center. However, I am not here because of my job, but because my wife Dorota and I are the proud parents of Mr. Antoni Mazek, one of today’s graduates. Antoni’s brother, Franciszek, is also here with us today. We flew in from afar to see for ourselves what a wonderful place the National Chengchi University is—a place Antoni has told us so much about. It has been almost two years since he was able to return to Taiwan after earning his Bachelor’s degree at Humboldt University in Berlin. I remember how hard he worked to come back here, because earlier, in 2021 and 2022, he had spent almost 10 months in Taipei on a university language course. We encouraged him to study in Taiwan, to take that trip to the other side of the world, because we saw how deeply he was committed to studying at NCCU. I remember how much uncertainty and paperwork surrounded his departure two years ago—questions like: Will I make it? Will all the documents be ready in time? We reassured him: You will make it. Take the chance to experience another culture, diversity, travel. Antoni has repeatedly praised the university’s classes and lectures. He has refined several languages. In Berlin, he studied in German and English; in Taipei, in Mandarin and English. Fortunately, with us, he still speaks Polish. Every day, we waited for contact from him—via instant messaging—usually around 5 a.m. our time. As parents, it is a source of pride to watch young people handle the challenges of a new country and culture, and to see how excited they are by it. I admire you, students from different parts of the world, for coming to another country to discover a new culture and meet new people. I know that being far from family and friends can often be very difficult. There are moments of doubt. Our role, as parents, was to support and encourage you not to give up. I was proud to see my child coping with the world, looking at it with curiosity, traveling, and forming lasting friendships. Studying here allows you to better understand the world in all its complexity. In my work, I often get asked, “What’s going on out there?”—usually when a crisis breaks out. At such times, my answers are often based only on theoretical knowledge, not on lived experience. But you have the chance to respond: “I know how it is. I was there. I understand the people involved and their emotions.” Knowledge alone may not resolve conflicts, of course. But understanding the thinking, values, and culture of the people we talk to certainly helps prevent misunderstanding. Let us learn to respect our diversity, which is not a threat—but a richness. NCCU is not only an academic institution imparting knowledge about the modern world; it is above all a community where you meet dozens, even hundreds, of people and build connections. Diversity is the strength of this place. Taiwan is a dynamic, democratic society. Its strength comes from its appreciation of diversity. Antoni told us about the kindness of random people he met. A couple he encountered in the south of the island not only offered him a ride, but took the time to show him all the attractions in the area. That is the spirit that makes Taiwan so special. In European culture, travel and studying away from home have long been part of growing up and gaining life experience. Beginning in the 14th century, Polish students traveled to Italy to study—later to Germany, the Netherlands, and other places. Today, East Asia has become a new center for learning—not only in technical fields, but also in political and social understanding. I would also like to mention the Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, whose work often reflects on travel. He himself spent many years in southern Europe. Allow me to quote a passage from his poem “Prayer of Mr. Cogito – Traveller”: Lord, Thank you for creating the world beautiful and of such variety, And also for allowing me, in Your inexhaustible goodness, To visit places which were not the scene of my daily torments. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to National Chengchi University and the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), under the leadership of Prof. Philip Liu, for warmly welcoming Antoni and giving him the opportunity to develop and grow. I am also grateful to the Taiwan authorities for the generous scholarship offered through the Taipei Representative Office in Warsaw. It is a wonderful promotion of the island. Graduates of 2025, many paths are opening up before you. Some of you know exactly what you want to do next. Others are still seeking the right opportunity. Be brave. Change the world around you. Don’t be discouraged by geopolitics or voices that say nothing depends on you. Don’t let skeptics drag you down. Transform the world with your enthusiasm and commitment. We are here to support you. Accept who you are—your abilities, talents, and passions—and give them to the world. Remember to keep balance in your life. Make time for your friends and nurture the friendships you’ve made here. Relish this moment and this day. Go out into the world and make it better. Be proud of what you have achieved and appreciate the effort that brought you here. We wish the university authorities and lecturers continued health and great success. We wish the parents peace and joy. And we wish our beloved children the courage to move forward in their golden age—may they live up to their youth and fulfill their dreams.
Thank you all!
