Project Assistant：CHANG, YAN-LING

On September 20, 2025, the Marine Education Center hosted the 2025 Marine Professionals Cultivation Forum. The theme of the forum was “Ocean Sustainability and Human–Ocean Harmony.” The forum responded to the actions and challenges of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, especially Challenge 10: Restore society’s relationship with the ocean, and showcased Taiwan’s longstanding commitment and innovation in marine education and talent cultivation.

In the morning, the forum featured two keynote speeches. Professor Li Chi-lin from the Tamkang University Department of History spoke first, analyzing the deep connections between people and the ocean from the perspective of marine culture. Associate Professor Yang Tzu-Chi from the Institute of Education at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University subsequently shared how smart technologies offer innovative solutions for promoting ocean sustainability. By integrating cultural and technological perspectives, the forum provided novel perspectives for the participants that highlighted how to practically promote local marine culture in education and how to use technology to monitor the ocean and preserve its valuable resources.

The two afternoon thematic sessions centered on interdisciplinary dialogue. The session on “Strategies for Practicing Local Marine Sustainability” was moderated by Section Chief Chen Chi-yuan of the Marine Education Center and featured speakers such as Lu Xiao-yun, Director General of Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council​; chief executive officer Chang Yang-chien of Delta Electronics Foundation; Associate Professor Hsiao Yao-jen of National Taiwan Ocean University; and Department Manager Han Ke-yung of Evergreen Marine Corporation. The dialogue explored how sustainable practice can be promoted through efforts ranging from marine conservation to the engagement with the blue economy. The following session on “Marine Education Policy and Social Engagement” was moderated by Marine Education Center Director Wu Chin-kuo and featured several Level Blue (Advanced) Marine Educators: Associate Professor Chang Yuan-pin of the Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University; Associate Professor Chiang Yun-chih of the Center for General Education, Tzu Chi University; Teacher Chen Zheng-chang of New Taipei Municipal Hsin Tien Senior High School; Chairperson Huang Tsung-shun of the Taiwan Association for Marine Environmental Education; and Director Lin Chiung-fen of the Public Television Service Children’s and Young Adult Program Center. These speakers shared how education, social participation, and media can be leveraged to promote marine education from the ground up, encouraging attendees to consider how to inspire the next generation to engage with the ocean and reflect on the concrete actions humanity can take to protect it.

Finally, a panel discussion was chaired by the two thematic session moderators, Director Wu Chin-kuo and Section Chief Chen Chi-yuan, with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Education’s Department of Planning, the Department of Information and Technology Education, and the K-12 Education Administration. These individuals offered recommendations for advancing an educational vision of harmony between humans and the ocean. The forum attracted approximately 200 participants, bringing together marine education professionals from industry, government, and academia. The organizers hope that this event will inspire others to engage in promoting the sustainable development of marine education and bridge the gap between humanity and the ocean.