Spotlight
Admitted to NCYU Department of Music without Music Background, Lin Cheng-Wei Places First in Marimba Competition 2024, Australia
Recently held in Australia, the 5th Marimba Festival and Competition 2024 attracted 50 outstanding percussionists from Australia, Belgium, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. Lin Cheng-Wei, a student from the Department of Music, NCYU, won first prize in the open class, Best Interpretation Award and Most Popular Award for the compulsory work, bringing glory to Taiwan. A self-taught music student, Lin joined the percussion section of a wind band in junior high school and a band in high school. It wasn't until his senior year of high school that he decided to enroll in the music department and began learning marimba solo. He secured the first place in the Taipei City Student Music Competition for Marimba Solo and an excellent fifth place in the National Student Competition of Music for Marimba Solo. He made his way to the Department of Music, NCYU, where he majors in percussion and minors in theory and composition. Lin mentioned that there is a lot of freedom in playing percussion, which requires only two hands. Foot movement is also necessary when performing marimba, which is very wide; and you need to move your whole body to emphasize the visual effect. He loves music and practices music pieces he likes every day. While his musical foundation might pale in comparison to his classmates from specialized music classes in earlier education, he believes that the key to progress and growth lies in accepting different opinions and learning from others' strengths. The three-round schedule of an international competition required the contestants to prepare a large amount of music pieces. This was something he had never experienced before, but he believed that with pressure comes the need to do his utmost. During the competition week, master classes were also held, where 14 world-class percussionists who served as judges learned from each other. It reminded all contestants that there is no end to learning art, and it is critical to open their minds to different perspectives. Watching the spectacular performances of contestants from various countries allowed him to observe different interpretive styles. The confidence and expressiveness demonstrated by Western contestants impressed him the most. The judges mentioned that Lin, while demonstrating excellent skills, came into his own only in the second half of the performance. Thus, it becomes a lesson for him to learn to show his confidence from the moment he steps on stage. Through this competition, he realized that a good performer should cultivate their own characteristics to capture the attention of the audience and judges. The ultimate goal of music is to convey emotions, and if your music leaves the audience wanting more, then you've succeeded. Associate Prof. Yeh Chin-Yi, who advises Lin, said that Lin's music is very special, and his way of interpretation is captivating and infectious with his passion and delicacy. He may not always fully take the advice from the teachers, but he always has his own way to meet their expectations. The nourishment he gained during the college years allows him to transform and grow in his third year. Not only was he selected to perform a marimba concerto with the NCYU Symphony, he also won the first place in the open class, among others, at the Marimba Competition, Australia. His inspirational story is a culmination of hard work and talent. Photo 1: Lin Cheng-Wei, a student from the Department of Music, NCYU, performed in the final round of the open class at the Marimba Competition, Australia. Photo 2: Lin Cheng-Wei (in orange red), who studies at the Department of Music, NCYU, placed first in the open class at the Marimba Competition, Australia, and posed for a group photo after the award ceremony. Photo 3: Lin Cheng-Wei (first from left), a student from NCYU's Department of Music, received the Most Popular Award from Adam Tan, organizer of the Marimba Festival. Photo 4: A group photo of 18 semi-finalists of the open class at the Marimba Competition, Australia, including Lin Cheng-Wei (front row, first from left), who studies at the Department of Music, NCYU
2024.09.06
8th Taipei Golden Eagle Micro Movie Festival: NCYU Wins Silver and Bronze in "Sustainable Micro Movie Award" Category
The "8th Taipei Golden Eagle Micro Movie Festival 2024" was organized by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE). Winners were announced at the award ceremony recently held at the SDG Asia Exhibition. Two works from NCYU stood out from the rest. The work "Rural or Not, Chiayi Cares. AI Localization, Let me do +E" won the Silver Award in the "Sustainable Micro Movie Award" category. The work "Urban-Rural Symbiosis, Ecological Companionship, and Rethinking How to Coexist with Nature" won the Bronze Award in the "Sustainable Micro Movie Award" category. Both showcased NCYU's remarkable achievements in fulfilling the social responsibility as a university, and promoting sustainable actions. Sustainability encompasses a wide range of complex issues that may seem distant but are closely related to our future. To guide the public in exploring the diversity of sustainability, TAISE organized the "8th Taipei Golden Eagle Micro Movie Festival 2024." The event aimed to encourage organizations at all levels to exert social influence in conveying the meaning and achievements of sustainability education using innovative visual imagery. There was a total of 183 entries from across Taiwan in the "8th Taipei Golden Eagle Micro Movie Festival 2024." Among them, two works submitted by NCYU were highly recognized by the judging panel for their outstanding performance. The USR project team "Cross-domain STEAM Bilingual +E: Beautiful Symphony for Chiayi" won the Silver Award in the "Sustainable Micro Movie Award" category with the work "Rural or Not, Chiayi Cares. AI Localization, Let me do +E." Li Yong-Han, a student from the Department of Electrophysics who participated in the project, received the award on behalf of the team. The USR Hub project team "Eco-Healing Mastery" won the Bronze Award in the "Sustainable Micro Movie Award" category for the work "Urban-Rural Symbiosis, Ecological Companionship, Rethinking How to Coexist with Nature." The award was presented to Prof. Yen-Cheng Chiang, Vice Dean of the College of Agriculture, who hosts the project. Under the leadership of Prof. Su Chiung-Wu from the Department of Electrophysics, the "Cross-domain STEAM Bilingual +E: Beautiful Symphony for Chiayi" USR project at NCYU is a cross-domain collaboration among faculty and students across the Department of Electrophysics, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Foreign Languages, Department of E-learning Design and Management, and Department of Landscape Architecture. The work "Rural or Not, Chiayi Cares. AI Localization, Let me do +E" serves as a cradle for talent cultivation, with the team introducing bilingual, cross-domain AI courses to rural schools in Chiayi County. Through interdisciplinary practices, the project aims to help enhance thinking about local issues, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive skills among the students in rural areas, so that the seeds of hope planted by NCYU will sprout and thrive. NCYU's USR Hub project "Eco-Healing Mastery" is supported by faculty and students from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Department of Plant Medicine. "Urban-Rural Symbiosis, Ecological Companionship, and Rethinking How to Coexist with Nature" integrates professional knowledge of "forest health" and "habitat creation" into elementary school curricula and community education. By sharing knowledge about plant diseases and pests commonly seen in our surroundings with community residents, and incorporating a variety of Taiwan's native plants into design, they hope to help transform idle spaces in local elementary schools, optimize the environment to create green habitats, and build awareness of environmental and tree protection among students and residents. Moreover, it is expected to enhance NCYU students' practical application, cross-domain integration, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Since 2017, NCYU has been implementing the Ministry of Education's project "University Social Responsibility," or USR, and has since received recognition from various sectors for their outstanding performance over the years. In the "8th Taipei Golden Eagle Micro Movie Festival 2024," they shared stories of social practice, and demonstrated their mission and achievements in promoting social responsibility. Photo 1: A group photo of NCYU's "Eco-Healing Mastery" team, including College of Agriculture Vice Dean Yen-Cheng Chiang and Department of Landscape Architecture Project Assistant Prof. Pei Chun Chen, and TAISE Chairman Jian You-Xin (middle) Photo 2: NCYU's "Cross-domain STEAM Bilingual +E: Beautiful Symphony for Chiayi" project won the Silver Award, and Li Yong-Han (right), a student of the Department of Applied Physics, accepted the award on behalf of the team. Photo 3: NCYU's "Eco-Healing Mastery" project won the Bronze Award, which was presented to Yen-Cheng Chiang (right), Vice Dean of the College of Agriculture, who represented the team. Photo 4: A group photo of team members of NCYU's "Cross-domain STEAM Bilingual +E: Beautiful Symphony for Chiayi" project.
2024.09.06
NCYU Department of Music Wind Ensemble Receives High Praise for Performance in South Korea: R.O.C. Flag Flies on World Stage at WASBE Conference for the First Time
The Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music participated in the 2024 World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Conference held in Gwangju, South Korea. Their performances at the indoor main concert on July 17th, as well as the music contest and outdoor concert on July 18th showcased the uniqueness of Taiwanese original music. Highly praised by WASBE Chair Dr. Colleen Richardson and members of the International Board, they earned the highest honor in Taiwan. After the event, WASBE Chair Dr. Colleen Richardson commended the members of the Department of Music’s Wind Ensemble. The WASBE Conference is one of the most prestigious events on the international wind music calendar that attracts leading wind ensembles and professionals from all over the world. The conference this year took place from July 16th to July 21st in Gwangju, South Korea. In their performances, the Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music not only showcased their strength, but made a significant contribution to bringing the art of Taiwanese wind music onto the world stage. In the 40 years since the WASBE Conference was held biannually, this is the first time a Taiwanese university has been selected to join the event. This is also the first time the R.O.C. Flag appeared on the WASBE stage, alongside the flags of other participating countries during the opening ceremony in South Korea. It is of extraordinary significance to Taiwan. To participate in the grand event, the Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music performed original works by Taiwanese composers Ruei-Ran Wu, Chen Yi-Chen, and Lee Che-Yi. These works incorporate a rich variety of Taiwanese elements, including Hakka culture, everyday life, and Chiayi’s unique characteristics, making the music more locally distinctive and culturally profound. In addition to their spectacular performances, the Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music were invited to present new compositions (Category I) at the WASBE’s music contest. During the event, they actively attended concerts to appreciate performances by bands from different countries, where they learned about conducting, arranging, and performance techniques in wind music. Performances from around the world provided valuable opportunities for the members of the Wind Ensemble to learn and improve their professionalism. NCYU President Han-Chien Lin expressed his gratitude for the support and sponsorship from various sectors, which allowed the Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music to debut on the WASBE stage on behalf of Taiwan. This is an honor for the Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music and for Taiwan as a whole to demonstrate their musical talents and achievements on the stage for the world to see. In the future, the Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music will continue to strive and enhance their artistic prowess, so that they can present more wonderful musical works to the audience. They also hope to have more opportunities to participate in international music events to enhance Taiwan’s influence on the global music scene. Photo 1: The R.O.C. Flag flew alongside the flags of participating countries during the opening ceremony of the 20th WASBE Conference in South Korea. Photo 2: The Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music performed at the main concert on July 17th. Photo 3: WASBE Chair Dr. Colleen Richardson (right) presented a certificate to the concertmaster of NCYU’s Wind Ensemble. Photo 4: The Wind Ensemble from NCYU’s Department of Music attended the 2024 WASBE Conference in Gwangju, South Korea. Photo 5: NCYU President Han-Chien Lin (left) presented a commemorative flag to WASBE Chair Dr. Colleen Richardson (center) and posed for a group photo with Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, NCYU. Photo 6: Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin (first from right), Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, posed for a group photo with the judging panel of WASBE’s music contest.
2024.07.29
Taiwan, Represented Only by NCYU Department of Music Wind Ensemble, Invited to Perform at WASBE Conference for the First Time
The 2024 20th International WASBE Conference is scheduled to take place in Gwangju, South Korea in July. Among the only nine wind ensembles in the world selected to participate in this event, the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, National Chiayi University, is the only representative from Taiwan. It is also the first time in the 20-year history of the event that an ensemble from a Taiwanese university has been selected to perform at the main concert. This bears witness to the outstanding musical talent and international influence of the faculty and students of NCYU’s Department of Music, making it the pride of Taiwan. At noon on June 17th, President Han Chien Lin presented the flag to Chairperson Shih-Yun Hsieh, and Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, on the second floor of the Student Activity Center, Lantan campus. They delivered a wonderful pop-up performance, earning rapturous applause from the teachers and students. WASBE Conference is a grand event that brings together not only wind music scholars and musicians but also outstanding ensembles from all over the world. The Wind Ensemble from the NCYU’s Department of Music will go to South Korea to perform on the same stage with remarkable ensembles from around the world. They will showcase the elegance and uniqueness of Taiwanese wind music via pieces that feature Hakka culture, commissioned compositions depicting the geographical features of Dongshih Township in Chiayi, and "Eight New Attractions of Chiayi" specially created for Chiayi City. Through diverse musical performances, the Wind Ensemble will show the world the unique charm of Taiwan’s wind music. Dr. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Assistant Professor from the Department of Music and Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, mentioned that one of the focuses of the WASBE Conference is to enhance the role of wind music in education. It is expected to cultivate interest and talent in music among students in higher education of Taiwan. While bringing the most unforgettable experience on the world stage to the students, they hope to enhance their creativity, teamwork and expression skills through music education. By representing Taiwan on the international stage of wind music, they look forward to introducing Taiwanese wind music to the world, and promoting exchange and cooperation in music, education, and culture. This will mark an important milestone for Taiwanese wind music on the world stage. The Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, will perform at the WASBE Conference in their best condition. Through demonstrating results of Taiwan’s wind music education to the world, they hope to showcase the elegance and charm of wind music in Taiwan. In the future, all members of the Wind Ensemble are expected to continue to exhibit exceptional musical abilities, thus enriching the unique musical culture of Taiwan. Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, said that it is a great honor for him to lead the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, to join the WASBE Conference on behalf of Taiwan. It is a culmination of the ensemble’s years of effort in music. In the days to come, the ensemble will persist in their efforts to improve overall musical performance and further contribute to the development of Taiwan’s music. Photo 1: Taiwan is invited to participate in the WASBE Conference for the first time: The Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, will attend the 2024 20th International WASBE Conference in South Korea. Photo 2: On June 17th, the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, gave a pop-up performance at the student cafeteria on the Lantan campus. Photo 3: NCYU President Han Chien Lin presented the flag to Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Conductor of the Wind Ensemble. Photo 4: The Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, performed in the 31st Chiayi City lnternational Band Festival.
2024.06.28
NCYU Department of Biochemical Science and Technology’s New Liquid Bandage Wins Gold Award at World Genius Convention & Education Expo, Japan
The 38th World Genius Convention & Education Expo 2024, Tokyo, Japan was held from May 9th to 10th, 2024, at the Tokyo International Forum (TIF). Profs. Chen Cheng-Nan and Hsin-I Chang from the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology at National Chiayi University participated in the event and won the Gold Award with their innovative new liquid bandage. The liquid bandage is commonly known as "liquid band-aids" or "medical superglue." Traditional liquid bandages contain organic solvents such as nitrocellulose, camphor, benzyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate, which cause a strong stinging sensation when used. Not only are they not recommended for infants and young children, but for favism patients. It is also not advisable to apply them to sensitive skin areas around the eyes, genitals, or mucous membranes. The faculty team of the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology at NCYU has been dedicated to the application and development of green chemistry technology. The new liquid bandage product exhibited at the World Genius Convention & Education Expo, Tokyo, is one of their new products developed using innovative technology. This hydrogel liquid bandage, combining natural green solvents and polymer materials, can quickly form a protective film on the wound surface without any irritation. It can be safely used by infants, young children and adults. It can also be applied to wounds on skin and sensitive mucosal areas; after drying, it will form an excellent protective layer on the wound. In addition, this hydrogel liquid bandage is enriched with ginger extract and secondary metabolites of skin probiotics, providing benefits such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, rapid pain relief, and improved wound healing. To ensure its safety, it has been tested for skin sensitivity and is free of heavy metals and plasticizers. This hydrogel liquid bandage has currently been applied for medical device license and patent protection. It has also been applied for technology transfer to Chloex Biotech Co., Ltd. to facilitate commercialization of research results and enhance output values. A NCYU's spin-off company, Chloex Biotech is an initiative created under the National Science and Technology Council’s Taiwan Germination Program. Prof. Chen Cheng-Nan of the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, NCYU, indicated that participation in the World Genius Convention & Education Expo, Tokyo, Japan is an excellent opportunity to showcase innovative achievements and technological capabilities. It also brings new momentum to the international technological innovation in NCYU and Taiwan. Photo 1: Nakamatsu Yoshiro (left), Chairman of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, presented the Gold Award to Prof. Chen Cheng-Nan of NCYU. Photo 2: Prof. Chen Cheng-Nan of the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, NCYU, explained his innovative "new liquid bandage" to the reviewers in the World Genius Convention & Education Expo. Photo 3: Dr. Chen Cheng-Nan, Professor of the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, NCYU, joined the 38th World Genius Convention & Education Expo 2024, Tokyo, Japan with his innovative "new liquid bandage." Photo 4: The new liquid bandage developed by the faculty team of NCYU's Department of Biochemical Science and Technology
2024.06.07
NCYU Department of Agronomy Alumnus Liu Hung-Tse Passes on Tradition of NCYU Agricultural Technical Mission by Promoting Upland Rice Cultivation Overseas
Liu Hung-Tse, an agricultural technician from the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), is an alumnus of the Department of Agronomy at National Chiayi University. He has been stationed with the technical team in Nicaragua for 7 years since 2014, and with the technical team in Papua New Guinea since 2021. He promotes upland rice through cultivation projects, technology development, and farmer guidance. While continuing the excellent tradition of the NCYU Agricultural Technical Mission, he introduces the innovative concept of sustainable agriculture. Despite the fact that agriculture is one of the major sources of economic income for Nicaragua, there is a lack of quality seeds and cultivation techniques and materials. The technical team led by Liu is commited to developing new varieties and cultivation technologies, purifying local varieties, establishing seed propagation demonstration areas, and improving rice cultivation skills among smallholding farmers and technicians, among others. To support Nicaragua's rice development and farmers' livelihoods, they also assist medium- to small-scale farmers in obtaining the rice varieties and techniques needed for upland rice cultivation, and establishing a localized production model with a sustainability concept. Papua New Guinea relies on imports for 85% of its staple food, rice. Liu’s technical team and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Papua New Guinea, jointely proposed a plan to increase rice seed production and establish a rice seed propagation center. They would also produce original rice seeds for rice seed production, and build up the capabilities to propagate, preserve, and identify rice seed varieties. This has laid a solid foundation for the mechanized cultivation of 20,000 hectares of rice in Papua New Guinea, and the results have been highly recognized at the International Rice Congress (IRC) 2023. Since 1960, many NCYU alumni have traveled to Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia to provide agricultural technical assistance. By faciliating friendships and economic exchanges, they bring Taiwan’s specialized agricultural technology and the spirit of the NCYU Agricultural Technical Mission to the rest of the world. In 2018, NCYU was awarded the Outstanding Agricultural Contribution Award by the UN’s World Harmony Foundation (WHF), which is of far-reaching significance. As an agricultural technician from a younger generation stationed abroad, Liu inherits the legacy of the NCYU Agricultural Technical Mission. To promote upland rice overseas, he underscores the concept of environmental sustainability in modern agriculture, where they focus on both production increase and environmental sustainability. The ultimate goal is to fulfill Taiwan’s social responsibility as a member of the global village. Twelve years after graduation, Liu looked back with mixed feelings, “All the challenges I faced in my youth are nutrients for growth, and all the hard work I did when young will not be wasted. When I look back on the past, it’s like walking alone on a mountain trail for the first time in a developing country, which was bumpy, muddy, and full of unknowns. But I also know that only after this experience, which might happen again and again in the future, will I be able to go farther and longer. “ Photo 1: Liu Hung-Tse, an alumnus of the Department of Agronomy at NCYU, taught farmers in Papua New Guinea how to make molasses fertilizer from agricultural waste. Photo 2: Agricultural technician Liu Hung-Tse met with President Han Chien Lin. Photo 3: As founder of the NCYU Calligraphy Club, Liu Hung-Tse actively participates in social activities. Photo 4: On behalf of TaiwanICDF, alumnus Liu Hung-Tse joined the International Rice Congress to demonstrate Taiwan’s contributions to the international community. Photo 5: Alumnus Liu Hung-Tse organized a rice technician training program in Papua New Guinea.
2024.05.24
