Taiwan has been actively improving its marine education. With an emphasis on fundamental marine knowledge, the government has endeavored to promote marine education and achieve the development visions stated in its white paper on the marine education policy. Three major goals have been established: to implement robust marine education mechanisms according regional development needs; to enhance fundamental marine education to demonstrate Taiwanese people’ capacity as the citizens of an ocean nation; and to integrate school education with the development of the marine industry to create innovative systems for fostering marine education talents. Accordingly, fundamental marine knowledge and literacy in the Taiwanese public can be enhanced to cultivate the talent required by the marine industry, thereby opening a new page in Taiwan’s development of marine education.
Since 2018, the Ministry of Education has issued the Marine Education Contribution Awards to recognize organizations, individuals, local governments, and education teams that have endeavored to promote marine education. The ministry created the Candidate Selection and Ceremony Plan for the Marine Education Contribution Awards to identify those who have made considerable contribution to marine education; to encourage the public to invest resources in marine education; to combine the resources of various sectors to enhance marine education; and to increase the capacity for promoting marine education. These awards are issued through exchanges of resource between the government and public to emphasize corporate social responsibility, prioritize national development, and further the public interest. Organizations and individuals who receive these awards are obligated to fulfill their social responsibilities and become exemplars in the marine industry. These awards are given to recognize the education spirit and contribution of organizations and individuals who have selflessly contributed to the development of marine education and to relevant fields over the long term. In addition, the awards are issued to express gratitude to those local governments and educators who have endeavored to develop and promote regional marine education, organize the relevant educational resources, and provide educational services. These awards encourage cities and counties to exchange their experience in marine education and develop marine education; they also imbue local governments and educators with a sense of pride by recognizing them as exemplars in marine education.
Symbol and Trophy Design
Designer: Emi Yeh, Creative Director of Misty Pure Ltd.
Symbol Design
The symbol mainly consists of an image that depicts an endless cycle of water waves. The letters M and E (the first letters of “marine education”) form the image of splashing waves. Multiple splashing waves are stacked together to depict two hands that are inclined at a 15° angle and appear to be pushing; this symbolizes continual advancement and sustainability. Between the splashing waves is a symbol that resembles the geographical shape of Taiwan, signifying that the ocean brings life to Taiwan. The overall symbol connotes a sense of infinity and dynamism. The colors of the symbol are composed of blue, bronze, and gold to elicit a sense of stability and depth.
Trophy Design
The theme of the trophy is illustrated by the image of a pushing gesture depicted by stacking layers of splashing waves, which surround the trophy and signify a driving force that promotes the development of marine education. The trophy is primarily made from lapis and a crystal base. The trophy material is translucent and exhibits a gradient of sea blue color. Pieces of lapis are combined to simulate the ocean’s color texture and how the ocean reflects light. Overall, the trophy reflects the core values of the Marine Education Contribution Awards, which are to love the ocean, to know the ocean, and to become familiar with the ocean.
