Cheng Shiu University Signs Collaboration Agreement with the National Palace Museum, Marking a New Milestone for Taiwan’s Cultural Heritage Preservation and Conservation

Cheng Shiu University (CSU) officially signed a collaboration agreement with the National Palace Museum (NPM) on the 19th, marking a significant milestone for Taiwan in the fields of cultural heritage preservation and professional conservation. As a university long dedicated to conservation education, this formal alliance with the NPM represents strong recognition of CSU’s professional capacity and opens a new chapter in cross-institutional talent cultivation and technical cooperation.

A Landmark Collaboration in CSU’s 60th Anniversary Year

The signing ceremony was held on the 12th floor of the Administration Building, in conjunction with the university’s 60th-anniversary exhibition, “Tribute to Sirius — Restoration Research Exhibition of Hsiao Chin’s Donated Works.”
The event was attended by CSU President Rwei-Chang Kung, NPM Director Tsung-Huang Hsiao, Wu Su-Chin, Chairperson of the Hsiao Chin International Art and Culture Foundation, and National Cheng Kung University Professor Emeritus Hsiao Chiung-Jui, who together witnessed this significant advancement in CSU’s conservation education.

President Kung noted that the sixty valuable works donated by the Hsiao Chin Foundation represent society’s trust in CSU’s conservation expertise. The partnership with the NPM will further strengthen CSU’s research capacity, professional resources, and international reach in the field of cultural heritage conservation.

NPM Recognizes CSU’s Strength: Advancing Conservation from Museum to Society

With nearly 700,000 cultural artifacts in its collection, the NPM holds extensive conservation experience. Director Hsiao remarked that while artists focus on creation, long-term preservation requires strong professional collaboration. CSU’s long-term efforts in assisting private collectors and advancing technical education make it an exceptionally valuable partner.

Key areas of future collaboration include:

• Technical exchange and joint conservation research

• Public education and professional outreach on cultural preservation

• Hands-on training for CSU graduate students at the NPM Southern Branch conservation studios

Director Hsiao expressed hope that the partnership between CSU and the NPM will elevate Taiwan’s visibility and influence in the Asia-Pacific conservation field.

Sixty Donated Works: Transforming Art into Educational and Research Resources

Wu Su-Chin, Chairperson of the Hsiao Chin International Art and Culture Foundation, shared that the foundation has long collaborated with CSU to support the preservation and research of Hsiao Chin’s artworks.
The symbolic donation of sixty works for the university’s 60th anniversary represents not only artistic assets but also invaluable materials for teaching, exhibitions, and scholarly research. She noted that these works “belong to society and to future generations of students.”

Art Beyond the Gallery: A Fusion of Restoration, Theatre, and Research

The exhibition “Tribute to Sirius — Restoration Research Exhibition of Hsiao Chin’s Donated Works” will run until January 9 next year. Integrating diverse elements, the exhibition features:

• Artwork Display: Presenting Hsiao Chin’s iconic Eastern symbols and cosmic visual language.

• Restoration Research: Revealing the technical processes and conservation stories behind the works.

• Immersive Theatre: Using light, sound, and spatial design to evoke the artist’s spiritual universe.

Professor Emeritus Hsiao Chiung-Jui also delivered a keynote speech titled “The Eternal Sirius,” guiding audiences into the philosophical and existential dimensions of Hsiao Chin’s creative journey.