With the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PhD program resumed its in-person orientation event after a two-year hiatus. To mark the occasion, the program also held the First Academic Forum of the PhD Program in Cultural Heritage and Artistic Innovation on the same day. The event aimed not only to facilitate interaction among new students, faculty members, and senior cohorts, but also to encourage academic presentations and foster interdisciplinary thinking.
The orientation session opened the event. Attending faculty members included Dean of the College of Cultural Resources and Director of the PhD Program Prof. Cheng-Wei Lin, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the Center for Arts and Technology Prof. Yi-Ping Hung, Dean of Academic Affairs Prof. Shao-Jen Lin, Emeritus Prof. Bao-Yao Lin, Emeritus Prof. Hui-Cheng Lin, and recently retired Prof. Jen-Yi Liao. During the session, the faculty elaborated on the program’s educational philosophy and founding background, while also offering sincere encouragement to new students, hoping they would contribute meaningfully to the fields of cultural heritage and artistic innovation in the future.
In addition to faculty members, alumna Associate Professor Yu-Ling Ku from the General Education Center of the university and Taipei City Councilor Shu-Hua Hsu also attended the event. They shared their experiences during their studies and offered best wishes for the new cohort’s academic development. With guidance and encouragement from faculty and alumni, the new students were expected to gain inspiration and prepare for their future research journey.
Following the orientation session, the long-anticipated First Academic Forum of the PhD Program commenced. The forum began with a keynote lecture by Prof. Jen-Yi Liao on “The Practice of Public Responsibility in Art Museums.” His talk combined theoretical perspectives, international and domestic case studies, and his own professional experience. It addressed the public responsibilities of art museums while also proposing directions for the development of Taiwan’s museum sector, envisioning a future in which museums better respond to society’s expectations for artistic justice.
After the keynote, four PhD students presented their research, covering immersive performance, Indigenous cultural heritage, drama education in social welfare institutions, and the development of fine arts associations. Their presentations were followed by commentary from faculty members specializing in related fields.
The final segment of the event was led by the organizing committee, which introduced an overview of the PhD program, including faculty structure, curriculum design, academic regulations, and research ethics. It also highlighted recent activities organized by the PhD student association, such as the Brown Bag lunch seminars and a series of doctoral workshops.