NCYU and Alishan Railway Partner to Bridge Youth with Centenary Heritage

CHIAYI CITY, April 28 (CNA) — National Chiayi University and the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office under the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today. NCYU will incorporate fields along the Alishan railway into its curriculum, establishing systematic tours and research to serve as a knowledge bridge connecting the younger generation with the century-old railway. NCYU President Lin Han-chien and AFRCH Director Wang Chao-pao signed the MOU, aiming to integrate academic research, talent cultivation, and field practice to promote the cultural preservation of the Alishan Forest Railway and industrial development along the line. NCYU stated that it has long promoted 'Chiayi Pilgrimage' micro-credit courses to lead students out of classrooms and into fields. Through this cooperation, sites along the railway from Beimen Station to Alishan will be further integrated into curriculum content, creating systematic guidance and research. President Lin noted that NCYU has already established the 'Shuisheliao Learning Research and Education Center' at the Shuisheliao Station. By combining teaching and research with the cultural context of the railway, the history and nature of the Alishan line can shine in Chiayi, making 'Chiayi Pilgrimage' a true bridge of knowledge. Director Wang expressed that the Alishan Forest Railway is a national-level cultural landscape and a 'cultural artery' connecting Chiayi with high mountains. NCYU's professional support will help transform railway assets into local sustainable energy, encouraging community participation and injecting new commercial and artistic life into the stations. Wang added that the cooperation will blend forestry memories, industry chains, and aesthetic design to create brand value with the warmth of the land, developing a new model for cultural tourism with international competitiveness.