Off-campus teaching is a feature of the Interdisciplinary Program of Education - Education for Sustainable Development Course. Through off-campus teaching, students can learn from the experiences and real-world verification they acquire in different environments to understand more about the theory and practice of sustainable development. This style of learning is completely different from in-class study; it is also in line with the goal of exploration and hands-on approaches promoted in the Curriculum Guidelines (2019).

From September 2 to 8, during a lull in the pandemic down before the start of the semester, a group of 15 teachers and students in the Interdisciplinary Program of Education came to Kinmen for field investigation and study. Although the group members were anxious about having to undergo rapid testing before boarding the plane, fortunately the test results of all members were negative and the group came to Kinmen as scheduled.

　This session of off-campus teaching comprised two courses: “Practice of Sustainable Environmental Planning and Community Empowerment”, and “Fieldwork on Cultural Resources”. There are two reasons for choosing Kinmen for off-campus teaching. One reason is that the best site for field investigation is a place of different culture(s), through which students’ observation and problem-solving skills can be trained. Although Kinmen and Taiwan are now under the same political system, they manifest different local characteristics owing to the influences of historical and geographical factors. The other reason is that Kinmen is rich in human, social, natural, and cultural resources, and is now committed to developing itself as a “University Island”. As Dr. Li Chin-cheng, director of our school’s Kinmen Learning Center, said, there are classrooms everywhere in Kinmen, making it an excellent place for “teaching through environmental settings”.

　In terms of tangible cultural heritage, Kinmen possesses plenty of southern Fujian-style historical buildings and settlements, as well as many western-style buildings constructed with overseas funds sent back by emigrants from Kinmen. These buildings are currently being preserved with a lot of efforts through the Old Building Rehabilitation & Utilization approach. In chronological terms, Ming Dynasty buildings, tombs, and stone monuments can also be seen everywhere, something unimaginable for the main island of Taiwan.

　In regards to intangible cultural heritage, many local settlements still maintain the convention of “surname villages” and possess a strong sense of family lineage identity. Folk religious activities are flourishing; the most well-known of these is the “Wind Lion God” (Fengshiye) that can hold back evil spirits. Historically, there have been many outstanding people with their lineages connected to Kinmen; for example, the Tsai family in Qionglin; Mr. Wang Shijie, closely involved in the pioneering development of Hsinchu; and Mr. Zheng Yongxi, the first Jinshi (the highest and final degree in the imperial examination) with Taiwanese identity in the Qing Dynasty, whose residence was in Tek-kham (old Hsinchu) but whose ancestors were from Kinmen.

　It is worth mentioning that Kinmen first played both the role of “Opposing the Qing and Restoring the Ming”, then later the role of “Combating Communism and Restoring the Country”. It has thus been an island where wars have been seemingly unending. In 1661, Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) set sail from Liaoluo Bay, expelled the Dutch, and acquired Taiwan. In 1663, Zheng Jing abandoned Kinmen and fled to Taiwan. When the Revolt of the Three Feudatories took place in 1674, Zheng Jing once again occupied Kinmen. In the 20th century, the larger wars between the Kuomintang (KMT)-led government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) included the Battle of Guningtou in 1949; the Battle of Dadan & Erdan Island in 1951; the September 3rd Artillery Battle in 1953; the August 23rd Artillery Battle in 1958; and the June 17th Artillery Battle in 1960. With such incessant fighting, Kinmen became an island of war. From 1953 onwards, battlefield administration was implemented; and martial law was not lifted until 1992. Having experienced this unique historical background, Kinmen was left with remnants of the military and of war. This session of off-campus teaching activities helped students see this military heritage, and experience the unique historic atmosphere.

　After the lifting of martial law, Kinmen faced conflicts in urban development, especially when facing the rapid urbanization and construction of international airport in Xiamen on the other shore. The challenges became more significant owing to the competition between cities. Kinmen National Park was established in 1995 to conserve the aforementioned southern Fujian-style historical buildings and settlements, to avoid over-modernization and to preserve unique local character. In 2001, the “Small Three Links” were implemented between Kinmen and Xiamen; through this, Kinmen has made use of its geographic advantages to play a role as a bridge between Taiwan and Mainland China. With the impact of economic development, the residents in Kinmen are currently facing increased needs and pressures. Example issues: How can a balance be struck between new and old buildings and settlements, while meeting housing demand? In addition to tourism and liquor-making at Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Factory, in the post-pandemic era, how can local industries continue to develop? How can current issues can be properly but complementarily resolved? These were all topics discussed by students who took the Planning for Practice of Sustainable Environmental Planning and Community Empowerment.