2024 National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University “20th Anniversary Academic Conference of the College of Hakka Studies” – Open for Registration!
Date: Friday, November 8, 2024
Venue: College of Hakka Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Zhubei Campus), No. 1, Section 1, Liujia 5th Road, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County
Target Audience: Graduate students, experts, and scholars in the fields of humanities and communication
This conference requires registration. The deadline for registration is October 25, 2024. Please refer to the comment section for the registration link and agenda.
A Look Back at 20 Years of the College of Hakka Studies
In 2004, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University established the College of Hakka Studies, dedicated to fostering local connections while maintaining a global perspective. As a university primarily focused on science and engineering, NYCU aimed to integrate humanistic and social concerns into its academic framework, gradually evolving into a more comprehensive institution.
Now, in 2024, two decades have passed. Over this time, the Liujia Campus, imbued with Hakka culture and spirit, has stood quietly among the towering buildings of Zhubei. The university has also undergone a significant transformation, merging National Yang Ming University and National Chiao Tung University into a single institution.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the College of Hakka Studies. As a unique beacon within a technological university, we hope to explore the key academic topics that have shaped our research over the past two decades and envision the future through this conference.
Communication and Technology Session: The Intersection of Communication Technology and Ethnic Culture
1. Positioning Challenges and Multicultural Breakthroughs of the Hakka TV Station
Speaker: Professor Ti Wei
Topic: “Looking Back and Moving Forward: Reimagining Hakka TV and Hakka Communication”
Professor Wei Di will explore how Hakka TV has navigated challenges in its communication strategies, addressing issues such as top-down transmission models, political interference, and funding constraints. He will propose a new, inclusive, and diverse communication model, drawing inspiration from the success of multicultural television in Australia to rethink ethnic media’s future.
2. AI and the Metaverse: Innovations in Hakka Language Communication
Speaker: Professor Meihua Li
Topic: “AI and the Metaverse: Integrating Hakka Language in Artificial Intelligence and Human-Machine Interaction”
Professor Li Mei-Hua will showcase AI-driven innovations in Hakka language communication, including AI-generated Hakka news anchors, language databases, and speech synthesis tools. She will discuss how AI technology extends and transforms Hakka communication while examining the potential of the metaverse in fostering ethnic cultural exchanges.
3. Cultural Action and Local Resistance Amidst the Global Chip War
Speaker: Associate Professor Yu-Hui Tai
Topic: “Geopolitics and the Chip War: Social and Cultural Activism in Hsinchu Under Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry”
Associate Professor Tai Yu-Hui will analyze how Taiwan’s semiconductor industry boom has affected local communities, focusing on grassroots activism and resistance to land expropriation and resource distribution. Through memes, protest songs, and AI-generated art, she will explore how local identity and cultural activism shape responses to industrial expansion, linking TSMC’s global expansion strategies with broader discussions on technology, culture, and society.
4. Empowering Southeast Asian Immigrant Mothers Through Technology Co-Creation
Speaker: Assistant Professor Ying-Yu Chen
Topic: “Identity and Innovation: Using Storytelling and Co-Design to Empower Southeast Asian Immigrant Mothers”
Assistant Professor Chen Ying-Yu will present her research on co-designing technology with Southeast Asian immigrant mothers in Taiwan. She will explore how zine-making and storytelling empower these women to express their identities, challenge centralized design approaches, and promote inclusive technological development.
5. Keynote Speech: New Perspectives in Communication and Narrative Studies
Speaker: Professor David Ewoldsen, Michigan State University
Topic: “Retrospective Imaginative Involvement (RII): Understanding How Audiences Continue Engaging with Stories After Viewing”
Professor David Ewoldsen will introduce his latest theory, Retrospective Imaginative Involvement (RII), which examines how audiences remain mentally engaged with narratives even after the story ends—often reinterpreting, extending, or even creating their own versions. He will also discuss the Temporarily Expanded Boundaries of the Self (TEBOTS), offering fresh insights into how media influences identity and thought processes, paving the way for new research in communication and cultural studies.
Join Us for an Insightful Academic Discussion!
This academic gathering will critically explore the intersection of communication technology and ethnic culture, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and inspiring new research possibilities. We look forward to seeing you there!