Background
I. Origin
To foster academic exchange in the field of communication across the Taiwan Strait and beyond, the Institute of Communication Studies at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University launched a cross-institutional symposium in collaboration with the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University and the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The inaugural symposium was successfully held in 2023 in Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
In 2024, the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore joined the initiative, further broadening the scope of regional collaboration. Now entering its third year, this partnership has evolved into a four-year rotating symposium series, with each participating university taking turns as host.
The symposium provides a dynamic platform for faculty, students, and scholars to share research findings, engage in dialogue, and strengthen academic networks across institutions and borders.
II. Story of the Key Vision
The windmill-inspired visual identity was designed by the Institute of Communication Studies at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and will serves as the central emblem for this ongoing series of cross-institutional symposiums. More than a graphic motif, it embodies the shared values and aspirations of the participating institutions. As the symposium series continues to evolve, this visual identity will function as a longitudinal design element—appearing consistently across event materials, publications, and promotional platforms—to reinforce continuity, foster recognition, and visually anchor the initiative’s mission.
At its core, the visual concept draws inspiration from green energy. The outer concentric rings resemble multiple interwoven “Rs,” symbolizing the foundational principles of sustainable action—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and beyond. These rings evoke a sense of motion and continuity, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is a dynamic and collective process.
The five prominent rings represent the five pillars of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. Arranged in concentric circles, the design emphasizes the necessity of global cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing sustainability challenges.
Within the inner circle, three smaller rings signify both diversity and the founding institutions that initiated this symposium series: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Hong Kong Baptist University. Four radial lines extend outward, dividing the concentric structure into 17 segments—symbolizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acknowledging the three founding universities alongside one additional institution responsible for organizing each forum.
Finally, the central axis of the windmill represents the power of individual and collective agency. It serves as a metaphorical reminder that every person has the capacity to drive change and contribute to the realization of the SDGs. With shared determination and incremental effort, progress toward a more sustainable future is not only possible—it is within reach.