Learning never stops during summer vacation! Taiwan Tech collaborates with the Taiwan Thousand-Mile Trail Association to host a three-day handcrafted trail workshop starting from June 16. Professor Po-Chien Hsiao from the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering led 14 Taiwan Tech students to travel to the Jiaping Tribe in Taiwu Township, Pingtung County. They learned traditional stone stairway construction techniques, expanding their professional skills and practicing university social responsibility. This initiative also serves as a warm-up for their upcoming mountain settlement revitalization project in the mountain village of Pisang, Nepal, scheduled for July.

The trail masters of the Taiwan Thousand-Mile Trail Association introduce trail construction tools.

The handcrafted trail emphasizes using local materials and traditional techniques that are appropriate for the environment, minimizing environmental impact, and integrating sustainable designs with natural and cultural elements. Taiwan Tech's USR project “Chengnan Infinity - Sustainable Co-construction Plan of Urban and the Infinite University” invited Mr. Hsu Ming-Chien, Vice Executive Director of the Taiwan Thousand-Mile Trail Association with extensive experience in trail construction, as the main instructor. He taught Taiwan Tech students “ecological techniques”, using the shape and characteristics of stone slabs to construct natural trails that are ergonomic and suitable for human use, extending this experience to Nepal where the terrain is similar to the stone materials found in the Jiaping Tribe.

Under the guidance of the Jiaping Tribe Youth Association, students visited existing trails in the old tribe to understand the local terrain, ecological environment, and community needs. They then planned and designed the trails under the guidance of Mr. Lai-Mu Lu, an honored elder and trail master of the Paiwan tribe. Students learned traditional Paiwan trail laying techniques from professional trail masters of the association. Three groups of students were assigned tasks including constructing retaining walls, laying ergonomic trails, creating general mountain trails, ensuring the new trails adhere to ecological conservation principles, are user-friendly, and contribute to sustainable heritage preservation.

Honored trail master Lai-Mu Lu, 92 years old (on the right), guiding students in trail construction techniques.

At the age of 92, honored trail master Lai-Mu Lu personally demonstrated the techniques of constructing retaining walls and building trails, passing down decades of accumulated experience to young students. During the operation, he emphasized various skills and then supervised students as they constructed the trails under his guidance. Lai-Mu Lu remained nearby to provide instructions, collaborating with students to complete the trail construction. Furthermore, the handcrafted trail workshop included cultural exploration activities. Students visited cultural relics museums and traditional leader houses in the tribe, gaining insights into the traditional culture and life stories of the Paiwan indigenous people. This diverse learning experience enabled them to delve into Paiwan history and achieve comprehensive development through both theoretical learning and practical application.

Students work in groups to construct the handcrafted trail.

Students completed the ergonomic handcrafted trail construction.

Wen-Huan Wang, a student from the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Taiwan Tech, emphasized that every step in constructing the handcrafted trail must be meticulous. She highlighted the importance of selecting stones carefully and ensuring a solid foundation. Improper stacking or incorrect angles during construction could require additional effort to reinforce afterwards. Techniques like interlocking stone placement and inward leaning were crucial. Wang expressed excitement, stating, “With this practical trail construction course, our upcoming project in Nepal will proceed more smoothly.”

Hao-Jun Hu, a student from the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, expressed deep gratitude to the Taiwan Thousand-Mile Trail Association and local residents for their assistance. He shared that all participating students were responsible and diligent. Although they had the bright sun on their heads and their hands were covered with mud, they still completed the assigned tasks conscientiously and diligently. Throughout the experience, they gained insights into Paiwan culture and learned various construction techniques. The residents were satisfied with the results, making it a mutually beneficial experience.

After three days of practical work and learning, Taiwan Tech students not only mastered ecological trail construction techniques but also gained a profound understanding of the importance of ecological conservation and cultural heritage. This handcrafted trail workshop enabled students to learn by doing, fully preparing them for the upcoming mountain settlement revitalization project in Nepal's mountain villages. They will also take this valuable experience to continue contributing to society and practicing the principles of sustainable design.

A photo of Taiwan Tech's USR “Chengnan Infinity - Sustainable Co-construction Plan of Urban and the Infinite University” team with instructors from the Taiwan Thousand-Mile Trail Association.

Taiwan Tech students visited the reconstructed traditional leader house in Jiaping Tribe, expanding their learning about the history and culture of the Paiwan indigenous people.