National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s (NYCU) College of Hakka Studies commemorated its 20th anniversary with the grand opening of “Hakka Week,” a vibrant series of cultural and academic events. As NYCU’s only academic unit amidst a cluster of heritage sites, the college is committed to preserving and innovating Hakka culture through local engagement and international outreach, laying the foundation for a new global vision of Hakka studies.
Advancing Scholarship and Cultural Sustainability
At the opening ceremony, NYCU Vice President Dr. Chien Chou reaffirmed the university’s dedication to bolstering the academic strength of the College of Hakka Studies. She highlighted efforts to elevate the Global Hakka Studies journal to international recognition and to deepen the integration of science, Hakka culture, and local development. Dr. Chou also emphasized the college’s anticipated role in a major research initiative launched by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, which aims to transform science parks through interdisciplinary collaboration and regional innovation.
Dean Mei-Ling Chien reflected on the college’s growth since its establishment in 2004, evolving from “two departments and one center” into a comprehensive academic institution with master’s and doctoral programs. Relocated to NYCU’s Liujia Campus in 2010, the college has strengthened its ties with Hakka communities and made substantial progress in enhancing teaching facilities. “We have always remained true to our core mission—cultivating students’ cultural literacy and global perspectives while deepening their identification with local heritage,” she said.
Publications as a Beacon for Cultural Memory
A key highlight of the opening event was launching a commemorative publication, Building the Hakka College: Our Journey from the Ground Up, edited by Associate Dean and Professor of the Department of Communication and Technology (DCAT) Ti Wei. Professor Wei described the book as more than a mere anniversary album, a documentary record that charts how the college found its cultural and academic footing. “Only by collectively understanding the past can we walk together toward the future,” he noted.
The college’s flagship journal, Global Hakka Studies, established in 2013, has also earned national acclaim. In 2025, it received two prestigious accolades from the National Central Library: the “Hot Journal Award for Anthropology” and the “Long-Term Communication Impact Award,” underscoring NYCU’s growing influence in advancing Hakka cultural scholarship.
From Local Showcase to Global Stage
To promote both community engagement and international dialogue, the College of Hakka Studies is hosting a diverse lineup of activities through June 7, including:
- “A Journey through Miri, Sarawak: Exploring Hakka Towns” Poster Exhibition
- “Theatre Speaks Hakka” Retrospective Film Exhibition
- Panel Discussion on the English Translation of The Dull Ice Flower
A literary conversation celebrating the global reach of Taiwanese Hakka literature through translation.
In her remarks, Chairperson Shu-Fei Ku of the Hakka Affairs Council emphasized the dual importance of localization and globalization in cultural preservation. “Hakka communities worldwide vary in food, dress, and symbolism,” she said. “To truly preserve and revitalize Hakka culture, we must advance academic research while making knowledge accessible to all.”
Source : NYCU News
