NCKU's Department of Earth Sciences Hosts 2023 the 7th Taiwan-Philippines Earth Sciences International Conference

The 7th Taiwan-Philippines Earth Sciences International Conference (TPESIC) took place on February 6th and 7th at the NCKU Convention Center, spanning two days of robust discussions. The conference was divided into two main sections: Solid Earth Sciences and Atmospheric Sciences. Distinguished speakers included Professor Hung-Chi Kuo from the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at National Taiwan University and Dr. Graciano P. Yumul, Jr. (Senior Vice President, Cordillera Exploration Company Inc.). Over 150 outstanding experts, scholars, and students from 13 universities in Taiwan and the Philippines, as well as organizations such as the Central Weather Administration, National Science and Technology Council, Water Conservation Agency, Academia Sinica, National Museum of Natural Science, Cordillera Exploration Company Inc., Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), gathered to exchange research findings in the field of Earth Sciences.

Since 2007, Taiwan and the Philippines have initiated cooperation in Earth Sciences, covering topics such as Solid Earth, Oceanography, and Atmospheric Sciences. The conference serves not only as a platform for breakthrough ideas in relevant fields but also aims to deepen the collaboration between the two countries. Targeting young scholars and students, the conference facilitated the dissemination of Earth Sciences knowledge through academic posters and oral presentations, promoting exchanges among young scholars from Taiwan and the Philippines.

Professor Ruey-Juin Rau from NCKU's Department of Earth Sciences, the organizer of the conference, welcomed the attendees with brief remarks. Following this, Professor Chin-Chun Tsai, Dean of the College of Science at NCKU, warmly greeted scholars and students from the Philippines, introducing them to the distinctive attractions of Tainan, thereby fostering cultural exchanges in addition to academic ones. Professor Hung-Chi Kuo shared research findings related to the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, while Dr. Graciano P. Yumul, Jr. presented research on reconstructing ancient climate change processes on Northern Luzon Island through structural and petrologic evolution.

Topics in Atmospheric Sciences included the development of weather forecasting systems by the Central Weather Bureau, climate change issues in Taiwan and the Philippines, and discussions on other factors affecting climate, such as the effects of cold fronts and the impact of forest land development on oceans. Solid Earth Sciences covered research on the tectonic evolution of Taiwan and the Philippines over the past two centuries and studies related to metamorphic rocks. The agenda also included professors introducing research projects and equipment in their laboratories, aiming to attract students to join relevant fields and cultivate talent.

Taiwan and the Philippines are closely related in geographical environment, geological structure, atmospheric environment, and seismic activities. The Taiwan-Philippines Earth Sciences International Conference (TPESIC) serves as an important platform for maintaining cooperation in Earth Sciences research between Taiwan and the Philippines. Since the initiation of cooperation in Earth Sciences fifteen years ago, Taiwan and the Philippines have also established the "Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon, and Earthquake (VOTE)" collaborative project five years ago, with 2023 marking the final year of the second phase of the VOTE project. It is hoped that more young scholars from Taiwan and the Philippines will participate in future cooperation projects between the two countries.