Jump to the main content block

With salamander(Hynobius), we are complete-we are all endemic species of Taiwan. NDHU Special Screening:Good Morni MIT

Update : 2023-03-31
SDG指標: SDGs15,SDGs04,SDGs11,SDGs17
Sharing and discussion by NDHU alumni Sheng-Wun Jheng and You-Zhu Lin, as well as research assistants(Interpreter Taili Tung)
Sharing and discussion by NDHU alumni Sheng-Wun Jheng and You-Zhu Lin, as well as research assistants(Interpreter Taili Tung)

To allow faculty and staff members at National Dong Hwa University to experience the beauty of Taiwan's mountains and forests, become acquainted with the unique protected species, convey the concept of "Leave No Trace" in the forest and promote biodiversity, and actively implement the sustainable development goals declared by President Han-Chieh Chao, the university organized the "Good Morni MIT" special screening event and post-screening discussion on March 29th, 2023. This event, conducted in both Chinese and English, encouraged plastic-free and carbon-reduction implementation. In addition to watching the documentary film "Good Morni MIT," Vice President Chin-Peng Chu delivered the opening speech, while two Dong Hwa alumni, Sheng-Wun Jheng and You-Zhu Lin, who are researchers on the salamander project, were invited as panel speakers, sharing with faculty and staff members, students, and partners on the topics of the salamander, mountains and forests, plastic reduction, and conservation issues. A post-screening survey was also designed to increase interaction and communication with the audience.

Opening Speech by the Vice President Chin-Peng Chu
Opening Speech by the Vice President Chin-Peng Chu

In February, a wave of enthusiasm for salamanders, smiling fairies in the mountains, swept across Taiwan in the form of a documentary film. Directed by filmmaker Jue-Ming Mai, who previously made "MIT Taiwan," the film goes deep into the mountains and records the researchers of salamander over the years with rich and vivid images and sincere texts. The documentary is a collaborative effort that brings together cross-disciplinary and cross-agency efforts, including support and sponsorship from well-known corporations and government agencies that have long been concerned about environmental issues. Famous singers provided narration, music composition, and vocals for the film, while famous director and researchers spent years scouring the stones and rocks on Taiwan's high mountains, searching for the salamander and carefully restoring the stones and rocks to their original positions to avoid disturbing salamanders' habitat. The film reveals issues facing Taiwan's basic scientific research, habitat interference, human waste disposal, garbage, climate change, and other issues can also be linked to biodiversity, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), and ESG(environmental, social, and governance)issues. After the film's release, many well-known corporations, agencies, organizations, and schools supported it by arranging special screenings.

The panel discussion started with Miss You-Zhu Lin sharing two interesting encounters she had with salamanders. She then talked about the possible impacts of habitat conservation, hiking, and mountaineering activities on the salamander and its habitat. She sincerely hoped that the audience could muster up the courage to take some time to confirm with relevant agencies when they see construction projects in the mountains. Another panel speaker, Mr. Sheng-Wun Jheng, described his connection with the salamanders, mountains, land, and the environment. He also talked about the interference with the environment caused by human activities, such as lighting campfires, burning garbage, and leaving behind human waste and toilet paper. He expressed his mission to encourage himself and the audience to pay more attention to the environment and others with a sensitive and non-self-centered attitude and take action to make better choices and changes for the environment and what they care about. During the Q&A session after the screening, the audience asked many questions about the salamanders' natural enemies, changes in population size, egg-string hatching time, research methods, traditional knowledge of indigenous people about salamanders, and equipment used for filming the documentary. The atmosphere at the event was lively and enthusiastic.

Local elementary and middle school teachers who have been working with Office of International Affairs for many years were also invited to the event, including the team led by Principal Yao-Peng Yang of Hualien High School and Principal Wen-Qian Xiao of Xikou Elementary School, as well as Teacher Li from Guofeng Junior High School. They shared Dong Hwa's resources on sustainability and internationalization with local teachers. The attending teachers were very grateful for Dong Hwa's invitation. After watching the film, they expressed their determination to further implement the SDGs when they return to their institutions. They were also impressed by the wonderful post-screening discussion and became fans of the two Dong Hwa alumni and the research team who are recording and protecting Taiwan. They were moved to cherish this land even more.

Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Sprout Project, National Dong Hwa University, Director Jue-Ming Mai's team, and Vieshow Cinemas Hualien Paradiso, we were fortunate enough to sit comfortably in the theater and enjoy the five cute high-altitude smiling fairies of Taiwan without having to climb mountains or struggle through rough terrain, with a total of 92 viewers in attendance.

However, we hope that viewers can gain more knowledge, and thinking on issues such as the development and disturbance of biological habitats, climate change, and biodiversity, and are willing to commit to reducing plastic waste for at least two weeks or more, letting the enthusiasm felt during the event turn into concrete actions.

The charm of the high-altitude smiling fairies is irresistible, and we are all endemic species in Taiwan. Biodiversity conservation, plastic reduction, and carbon reduction can't happen without you!


Group photo of the NDHU-1
Group photo of the NDHU-1
Group photo of the NDHU-2
Group photo of the NDHU-2
Visitors: