The annual History Workshop organized by the Institute of History and Philology has a long-standing tradition and is considered a major event in Taiwan’s academic community. Over the years, it has nurtured numerous rising historians, many of whom have become prominent scholars such as Ren-yuan Li at IHP and Yi-chun Yeh at FGU. Due to the impact of the pandemic, the workshop had been suspended for seven years, making this year’s revival particularly significant. The event was held on the picturesque Fo Guang University campus, nestled between mountains and the sea, perfectly aligning with this year’s theme: "Mountain and Sea: Environment, Peoples, and Action."
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Dr. Jen-der Lee, Distinguished Research Fellow and Director of the IHP. Dr. Lee reflected on past workshop themes, noting that each one has set new directions for historical research and inspired generations of scholars to delve deeper into their studies. Known for its rigorous and enriching content, the workshop has often been described as an intense "boot camp," leaving a lasting impression on participants. With this long-awaited relaunch, Dr. Lee expressed hope that the workshop would once again serve as a platform for future academic exchanges and collaborations among scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Professor Hao-I Chu, Director of the Department of History at FGU, also delivered a welcome speech, encouraging participants to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of the campus, including the renowned Turtle Island’s Sunrise, which is part of both the "Eight Scenic Views of Lanyang plain" and the "New Eight Views." He also invited attendees to experience FGU’s famous vegetarian cuisine.
The first day concluded with an engaging lecture and Q&A session by Academician I-tien Hsing, setting an excellent tone for the rest of the workshop. On January 16, Professor Hao-bin Jhuang from FGU and Professor Ying-i Cheng from Soochow University led a field investigation, guiding participants through an outdoor study of interethnic interactions and local society in the Kavalan Prefecture Administration founded by the Qing Dynasty.
This workshop is well established a strong foundation for the Department of History as a key center for historical and cultural studies in the Lanyang region, further strengthening the collaboration between Fo Guang University and Academia Sinica.
