Cheng Shiu University’s Department of Visual Communication Design Excels in USR Project
Cultivating Indigenous Cultural Heritage Talent Through Local Engagement and Cross-Disciplinary Innovation

Cheng Shiu University’s Department of Visual Communication Design has demonstrated its strength in University Social Responsibility (USR) by winning the Ministry of Education’s “Emerging University Distinctive Project Grant” with its project titled “From Adversity to Prosperity: Indigenous Cultural Heritage Preservation and Local Practice”. Led by Department Chair Prof. I-Cheng Lee, the project was selected from among hundreds of proposals nationwide and will receive a total of NT$8.25 million over three years, highlighting the university’s excellence in cultural preservation and innovative application.

The project symbolizes transformation and resilience, aiming to achieve cultural revival and sustainable development. Located in Taiwu and Laiyi Townships in Pingtung County, which are rich in indigenous cultural assets, these areas still lack sufficient knowledge and capacity for preservation and restoration. This initiative seeks to promote cultural sustainability, ensuring better protection, transmission, and revitalization of indigenous cultural assets while fostering local cultural prosperity.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage: Memory, Identity, and Sustainability

Indigenous cultural heritage is deeply tied to historical memory, cultural inheritance, and ethnic identity. By focusing on the preservation and transmission of these cultural assets, the project aims to empower communities by providing training in preservation techniques and introducing digital archiving. These efforts help sustain cultural value, ensure historical continuity, and uphold Taiwan’s cultural diversity.

NT$8.25M Grant to Foster Local Talent and Technical Skills

With support from the Ministry of Education’s grant, Cheng Shiu University will train local talents, enhance the conservation and micro-restoration skills of museum personnel and community members, and develop value-added cultural products through workshops and capacity-building programs. The project also promotes community participation in cultural asset preservation, encourages cross-sector partnerships, and advances digitization of local collections to ensure the long-term preservation of indigenous resources.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: A Model of Academic-Community Partnership

One of the reasons this project stood out nationally is its comprehensive collaboration across CSU’s academic and research units. The initiative integrates resources from the Department of Visual Communication Design, the Graduate Program in Cultural Creativity and Art Preservation, the Center for Artifact Conservation Research, the Office of Technological Art Development, and the Indigenous Student Resource Center—creating a model of cross-disciplinary cooperation that bridges academia and community.

Project Leadership and Expert Team

The project is led by Prof. I-Cheng Lee and supported by a robust team, including:

• Dr. Shou-Che Wu, Director, Office of Technological Art Development

• Prof. Hsien-Yu Tsai, Director of Performing & Art Education Division

• Prof. Chiang-Fu Chen, Director of New Media Technology Division

• Prof. Hsiao-Meng Su and Prof. Pin-Chia Huang, Department of Visual Communication Design

• Dr. Han-Chung Wu, Head of Chemical Analysis Division, Center for Artifact Conservation Research

• Ms. Chun-Shan Tai and Mr. Chien-Hua Lü, Professional Conservators, Center for Artifact Conservation Research

Through this exceptional cross-sector effort, Cheng Shiu University is setting a new benchmark in indigenous cultural preservation and innovation, showcasing the power of USR in driving meaningful social transformation.