Show-Faye Gu, Chair of the Hakka Affairs Council

Historical Insights and Contemporary Approaches: Charting the Hakka Communication Path in a Multicultural Landscape
The symposium encompassed diverse topics, from Hsinchu's modern history and culture to the challenges of ethnic communication in multicultural settings. Featured speaker, Academician Chih-ming Ka of Academia Sinica, provided a historical analysis of inter-ethnic relationships in Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty, delving into historical events like the I-Kuei Chu and Shuang-Wen Lin rebellions and their implications for ethnic relations.

Professor Ti Wei from the NYCU Department of Communication and Technology raised questions on the Hakka broadcasting approach, asking, "Can Hakka media break away from a top-down framework?" Citing challenges in balancing commercial interests and ethnic media's unique identity, Prof. Wei asked, "If ethnicity itself is the issue, will we ever overcome the challenges facing ethnic media?" His remarks inspired attendees to rethink the dynamics of ethnic media.

Prof. Wei suggested a shift in perspective, focusing less on ethnic-centric media and more on a multicultural approach rooted in social reality. He cited Australia's multicultural broadcasting model as a possible reference, emphasizing that "the importance lies in multiculturalism, not relying solely on one ethnic media outlet."

Preserving and Innovating Culture in the Age of Technology

Hsinchu, home to the College of Hakka Studies, is a major technology hub in Taiwan, and scholars are also concerned about the impact of semiconductor industry development on the local environment and culture. Symposium speaker Professor Chung-hsi Lin from the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology highlighted this: "While Taiwan has invested heavily in technological development, it has overlooked cultural heritage preservation." He urged a broader perspective on cultural preservation to prevent the disappearance of traditional settlements.

Professor Shaw-Herng Huang from NYCU's Department of Humanities and Social Sciences observed, "The Hakka issue is not solely a Hakka issue but one that impacts all of Taiwan." He warned that erasing local culture and history would reduce ethnic identities to mere labor resources, diminishing social diversity and warmth.

The event also featured Ph.D. candidate Huai-Ren Liu from the College of Hakka Studies, who shared findings from his fieldwork, showcasing the architectural diversity of Hakka homes in Taiwan. His work challenges the stereotype of Hakka people as solely "hard-working, frugal, and reserved," instead portraying a rich and layered cultural identity.

Looking to the future, Professor Mei-Hua Lee from the Department of Communication and Technology introduced the concept of an “AI Metaverse,” envisioning human-AI collaboration and voice synthesis to open new digital frontiers for Hakka culture.

The symposium underscored the importance of integrating academic and industry perspectives, heralding the Hakka College’s continued role in advancing Hakka communication, multiculturalism, and technology applications, injecting fresh vitality into Taiwan’s ethnic landscape.


20th Anniversary Academic Symposium of the College of Hakka Studies