Faculty and students from National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) have embarked on a transformative journey to fishing villages, actively seeking solutions for local development. Led by Associate Professor Yao-Jen Hsiao (蕭堯仁) from the Institute of Applied Economics at NTOU, along with dedicated students Lin (林連灃) and Wang (王思雅) from the Institute of Applied Economics and the Bachelor Degree Program in Oceanic Cultural Creative Design Industries (commonly known as the Department of Cultural Creative Design), this initiative showcases the university's commitment to practical, community-driven education.

The journey began with a summer internship organized by the Taiwan Fisheries Economic Development Association. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Nanya community in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, this dynamic team delved into the heart of fishing village life. Their mission? To inspire the public to appreciate fishing villages in diverse and meaningful ways.

 

Recognized Excellence
The team's remarkable achievements were recently acknowledged in the 2023 Summer Vacation Community Work Experience Program competition, a prestigious event organized by the Ministry of Education and managed by the Foundation of Zhong-Shan Management Education. This extraordinary group secured the coveted first-place award in the Community Industry category, earning national recognition for their outstanding contributions.

 

Addressing Real-World Challenges
During their summer break, students Lin and Wang embraced the opportunity provided by the Taiwan Fisheries Economic Development Association to comprehensively assess the challenges faced by fishing villages. These challenges encompassed a range of pressing issues, including depleted fishing resources, an aging population, labor migration, the decline of traditional fisheries, and inadequate public infrastructure.

In the heart of the Nanya community, students meticulously inventoried village resources, established community empowerment workshops, and developed strategies to promote sustainable tourism. Their innovative initiatives included creating courses such as fish-based diet education, launching the Three Kings Navigating on Boats program, organizing beach cleanup activities, and crafting unique community tours. Notably, they revived local traditions by teaching villagers to create home protection amulet cords made from shell ginger and engage in shell ginger rope weaving activities.

 

Global Impact through Digital Marketing
In an era of digital connectivity, Lin and Wang harnessed the power of online marketing. They successfully designed and executed online marketing campaigns that effectively promoted fishing village tours at international travel exhibitions. Their efforts resonated globally, aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG-8 (Sustainable Ocean and Conservation), SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG-4 (Quality Education).

 

 

Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders
Associate Professor Yao-Jen Hsiao (蕭堯仁), also serving as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Fisheries Economic Development Association, emphasized the transformative power of hands-on experience. He highlighted the profound impact of students immersing themselves in fishing villages, fostering meaningful connections with the local environment, and taking concrete actions to address community challenges.

These experiences, he noted, not only benefit fishing villages but also create lasting memories and empower students to pursue their dreams as they enter society.

 

Student Perspective and Gratitude
Student Wang (王), from the Department of Cultural Creative Design, expressed her deep gratitude for the invaluable learning opportunities provided by the summer community work experience. She acknowledged the challenges faced during their journey, underscoring the remarkable growth achieved in overcoming adversity. Wang extended heartfelt thanks to their supervisors, as well as the Zhong-Shan Foundation and the Taiwan Fisheries Economic Development Association, for facilitating this transformative workplace experience.

 

A Visionary Approach
Professor Sheng-Wen Tseng (曾聖文), the Director of the Department of Cultural Creative Design, commended the students for their exceptional application of design and marketing expertise from a social design perspective. He praised their innovative Nanya community tours and applauded their proactive approach in executing, marketing, and evaluating the results of their tourism initiatives. Professor Tseng encouraged all students in the Department of Cultural Creative Design to seize every workplace learning opportunity and continue to enhance their competitiveness in the job market.