In NCKU's 2024 second "Island Chain of Thought" Lecture, Professor Yu-Feng Chen discusses Taiwan's ecology holistically.-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

In 2024, NCKU's second "Island Chain of Thought" Master Lecture took place on March 8th at the Shu-Chi Auditorium, Kuang-Fu Campus. Renowned Taiwanese scholar in ecology and natural history, Professor Yu-Feng Chen, returned to NCKU to deliver a lecture titled "The Popular Exegesis of Taiwan's Natural History: Discussing Taiwan's Biogeography from a Holistic Perspective." Professor Chen, with nearly half a century of experience in researching Taiwan's ecosystem, is a significant figure in Taiwan's nature conservation and cultural transformation. He highlighted the interconnectedness and delicate balance within Taiwan's diverse ecosystems, guiding the audience to perceive the mutual relationships among various elements of nature and the intricate life network.


Following the captivating lecture by Academician Fan-Sen Wang from Academia Sinica at the end of February, Professor Yu-Feng Chen, retired professor from the Department of Taiwanese Literature at NCKU, continued the series on March 8th. Professor Chen, deeply understanding the inherent connections between astronomy, geography, biology, and humanities, aims to revive and rejuvenate Taiwan's spirit and identity, advocating for Taiwan's sovereignty and dignity, and promoting the inheritance and innovation of Taiwanese studies.


Professor Yu-Feng Chen currently serves as the director of the "Mountain Forest Academy" and the Taiwan Ecological Research Center. With about 48 years of research and investigation experience in Taiwan's mountain forests, he has been actively involved in various educational, social, and political movements related to ecological conservation, as well as nature writing, ecological photography, and public lectures. He has published over 100 academic papers and 41 books, and in 2003, he was honored with the Presidential Culture Award—Phoenix Award.


In his lecture on the 8th, Professor Yu-Feng Chen delved into contemporary humanistic and natural concepts, correlating the evolution of Taiwan's geology with changes in Taiwan's societal value systems, and revealing the evolving humanistic thinking in geographical environmental evolution, providing rich and diverse perspectives for the audience to contemplate. He also expressed hope that the younger generation would integrate all experiences of evolution into truly valuable assets, thereby gaining a genuine understanding of Taiwan and becoming assets to Taiwan's future.


To promote the sustainable development of Taiwan's future research, the Taiwan Comprehensive University System (Taiwan Comprehensive University System) has initiated a four-year "Island Chain Humanistic Research Strategy Alliance Project" involving four universities: National Cheng Kung University, National Chung Hsing University, National Sun Yat-sen University, and National Chung Cheng University. The first year is led by NCKU's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, focusing on the development of "Taiwanese Studies," and introducing a series of activities such as "Island Chain of Thought" themed book clubs and master lectures.


The NCKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences stated that the 2024 "Island Chain of Thought" Master Lecture series plans to invite renowned scholars in Taiwan's island history, literature, ecology, and other fields to conduct a series of lectures. With abundant historical, philosophical, cultural, and historical heritage, nine-hour series of in-depth thematic lectures are planned to immerse students and faculty from the four universities in a space of humanistic literacy, encouraging and promoting the depth of humanities in social and national applications, and enhancing rich humanistic and social thinking. The third installment of the "Island Chain of Thought" Master Lecture series will be held at the same venue on March 22nd, where Professor Yu-Feng Chen will continue his lecture on "The Secret of Taiwanese Humanistic Ecology: The Gateless Barrier of Implicit Zen." Registration for the event is currently open, and interested individuals are welcome to register to witness the mastery. For more information, please refer to the "Island Chain x Humanities" project website.