"Honors College , Dean’s Evening Talk / November 11, 2022".
"In recent years, the culture and origins of the Austronesian language family have gained significant attention and are frequently discussed. Culture is accumulated by people, and people’s survival relies on nature. Therefore, the relationship between the Austronesian islands, humans, and plants is truly inseparable. In this lecture, Principal Zheng Hanwen approached the topic from a botanical perspective, delving into the relationship between the islands, humans, and plants."
"A heart of the ocean, floating on the European coast, opened the door to Columbus' maritime journey, bringing unexpected discoveries! Spices, which are now easily accessible, once represented status and wealth, and not everyone could obtain them. They were rare and precious, without a doubt. Sir Joseph Banks and Captain Cook traveled to Tahiti, where they unexpectedly discovered the potential of the breadfruit plant as a food source, offering hope for survival to countless people. Plants have quietly told many historical stories and brought unexpected surprises to people, providing irrefutable evidence for historical records."
"Unique plants on the islands, such as Lin Tou, Qiongya Camellia, Kou Tree, and Taiwanese Longan, have been used in construction and shipbuilding, woven into everyday utensils, and even made into bark cloth, which records the rise and fall of the tribe's history. These plants appear in various forms across different ethnic groups, illustrating different lifestyles, the flourishing exchanges between them, and showcasing the wisdom of making full use of resources and the strong will to survive. All of this is truly worth thoughtful reflection and appreciation."
"As the saying goes, 'A flower is a world, a blade of grass is a paradise.' Each flower and each blade of grass seems to encapsulate the vastness of the world’s stories. When visiting an island, why not start with plants as a point of departure to explore the historical stories behind them and the intricate, unique relationship between people? Who knows what tales of rise and fall, love and hate, and conflicts they might tell!"
"Principal Zheng Hanwen’s words of encouragement to the students: 'I see the power of life shining through your eyes. Wishing you peace and joy!'"
Link to the news report by our campus reportershttps://pr.ntnu.edu.tw/news/index.php?mode=data&id=21053
