Organized by Professor Liang-Chi Wang of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at National Chung Cheng University (CCU), in collaboration with Associate Professor Kaoru Kashima and Dr. Meng-Lung Hsieh, a group of 12 faculty members and students from Kanazawa University, Japan, recently completed a 10-day intensive academic exchange and joint field school in Taiwan.

This program highlighted a robust inter-university partnership, with CCU hosting for seven days and National Taiwan University (NTU) hosting for three days. Led by expert faculty, the program integrated the unique geological landscapes of southern Taiwan to forge a strong international academic bond.

CCU Expertise: Micro-paleontology and Geological Exploration

During the seven-day session hosted by CCU, the curriculum focused on the department's strength in micro-paleontology. Professor Liang-Chi Wang and Associate Professor Kaoru Kashima led students to the mangrove waters of Sikunshen, Tainan, for hands-on field sampling. Students operated sampling equipment in brackish waters, gaining invaluable experience in identifying optimal sampling sites through trial and error.

The group also visited the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) of the National Applied Research Laboratories. There, they learned the full processing workflow for "sediment cores" collected by research vessels, including core splitting, scanning, and repository management—witnessing the rigorous link between field sampling and precision laboratory analysis.

On land, Dr. Meng-Lung Hsieh guided the team into the mountains of Caoling, Yunlin. They explored the Wannian Canyon and experienced the dip-slope terrain at "Qiaobi Xiongfeng" (The Great Cliff), discussing the impact of geological development on natural disasters and the wisdom of "coexisting with the mountains."

Collaborative Research: From Forest Ecosystems to Seismic Faults

The itinerary leveraged the resources of National Taiwan University (NTU) and the National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS). At the Xitou Nature Education Area, researchers from the NTU Experimental Forest guided students through forest history and geomorphology. At the Chelungpu Fault Preservation Park, NMNS researcher Dr. Ling-Ho Chung provided an in-depth explanation of fault trench structures, allowing students to observe evidence of paleo-earthquakes and strengthen their understanding of disaster prevention.

The exchange also included a visit to the "New Ocean Researcher 1" vessel at Kaohsiung Harbor, the Hatta Yoichi Memorial Park at Wusanto Reservoir, and the Tainan City Zuojhen Fossil Park. Beyond the stunning landscapes of Caoshan Moon World and the Wushan-ding Mud Volcanoes, students traced the historical contributions of Japanese scholars to early fossil research in Taiwan.

Student Reflections: Rare Opportunities and Profound Joy

Participants from both universities expressed great enthusiasm for the 10-day journey. Students noted that the opportunity to visit diverse geological sites, board a research vessel, and perform micro-paleontology sampling was a rare and profound learning experience. Witnessing textbook concepts like "dip-slopes" and "trench structures" come to life in the field brought immense joy and inspiration to the young scientists.

Cultural Highlight: "Night Market Diplomacy"

Beyond the rigorous academic schedule, the organizers arranged a visit to the famous Wenhua Road Night Market in Chiayi. The Japanese visitors were particularly enamored with Taiwan's iconic fried chicken cutlets, praising their crispy texture and flavor. The university also hosted a Pearl Milk Tea social, allowing the guests to fall in love with Chiayi’s hospitality and local delicacies.

Global Vision and Talent Cultivation

"This joint field school, through 'learning by doing' and collaborative teaching, allowed our Japanese colleagues to witness Taiwan's geological diversity while strengthening our joint research capabilities in fields like micro-paleontology," said Professor Liang-Chi Wang. The CCU Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences remained committed to promoting international links and enhancing the global competitiveness of its students.