Conservation Without Borders: Taiwan–Japan Exchange in Cultural Heritage Restoration

Starting today (August 26), Cheng Shiu University (CSU) welcomes a six-member delegation of faculty and students from Yokohama University of Art for a ten-day summer exchange program in cultural heritage conservation. More than just a short-term workshop, this marks the third cross-border collaboration between the two institutions since establishing their partnership years ago, further deepening both professional expertise and cultural ties.

At the opening ceremony, CSU Vice President Dr. Shun-Jen Cheng extended a warm welcome: “We truly value this long-standing friendship, and we hope this exchange will become nourishment and opportunity for the future careers of our students and faculty alike.” To mark the occasion, the university presented the Japanese guests with a special edition CSU commemorative backpack, symbolizing blessings and a fruitful journey.

Cross-Material Learning: Hands-On Restoration Training

The program is led by Professor Yi-Cheng Lee, Director of CSU’s Cultural Heritage Conservation Research Center, and covers restoration practices across multiple materials including paper, metal, and ceramics. Students also explored the making and preservation of medieval manuscripts, broadening their perspectives on conservation methods while deepening their understanding of the context and essence of cultural heritage.

Through repairing, observing, documenting, and reconstructing, conservation education here is more than a transfer of skills—it becomes an ongoing dialogue between culture and history.

Exploring Taiwan’s Cultural Landscape

In addition to practical courses, the program features field visits to diverse cultural venues in Kaohsiung and beyond, such as:

• Neiwei Arts Center – observing conservation displays and interactive creative spaces.

• Laiyi Township Indigenous Cultural Museum – participating in an “Insect Infestation” workshop to understand climate and pest threats to cultural relics.

• Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum – exploring Taiwan’s cultural heritage and religious art.

These site visits immerse the Japanese guests in the breadth and depth of Taiwan’s local cultural practices in preservation, providing first-hand experience of heritage in context.

Building Global Perspectives: CSU as a Hub for Conservation Education in Asia

CSU has long been committed to advancing cultural heritage conservation education, establishing the Cultural Heritage Conservation Research Center and positioning itself as a “Techno-Conservation Hub” in Taiwan. By hosting international academic exchanges such as this, the university continues to foster the exchange of professional expertise while equipping students with global communication skills and cultural literacy.

As Professor Lee emphasized: “We hope our students will not only become skilled conservators, but also ‘cultural physicians’—professionals who connect with the world and understand the true value of heritage.”