26 27 Education in Taiwan 2015 2016 Higher Education 07 Higher Education Universities, Colleges and Junior Colleges

Higher education institutions in Taiwan include The Ministry of Education and several 2-year junior colleges, 5-year junior colleges, universities have jointly established the Higher and universities. Like most countries, the Education Evaluation and Accreditation study period is 4 years for an undergraduate Council of Taiwan in the year 2005 to university degree, 1 to 4 years for a master conduct evaluations of universities. This degree, and 2 to 7 years for a doctoral evaluation consists of Institutional Evaluation degree. and Program Evaluation. The former is held every 6 years to examine whether schools The popularization of education has led to have achieved their strategic goals, while the a rapid increase in universities, colleges and latter is also conducted once every 6 years student enrollment numbers, although the to examine the quality of faculty, teaching, figure has leveled off in recent decades. research, and service. The Ministry also In SY2014, there were 159 universities and encourages universities to obtain international colleges, totaling 1,339,849 students. certification. The Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan, for Reforms in teacher training have played an example, is a member of several international important part in the expansion of higher organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Quality education. Significant improvements in Network (APQN) and the International Network teacher quality can be attributed to policy for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher adaptations and the newly implemented Education (INQAAHE). evaluation system. Currently, Ph.D. degree holders account for over 80% of faculty in Another of Taiwan’s significant achievements universities, the figure having increased by is in the area of “Innovation”. In a report Taiwan enjoys excellent global 15% in the past 10 years. Professors account from the World Economic Forum (WEF), competitiveness in spite of limited land for one-third of all teaching personnel. Taiwan ranked tenth among 144 countries in and natural resources. According to the innovation in 2014. To encourage students to World Competitiveness Yearbook 2014 To maintain competitiveness, Taiwan’s unleash their creativity, the Ministry screens published by the International Institute government has invested more than US$400 and selects outstanding students to study for Management Development (IMD) in million in higher education annually in the abroad under sponsorship by the government. Switzerland, Taiwan ranked thirteenth overall in last five years to encourage universities In recent years, students from Taiwan have global competitiveness among 60 countries, to enhance their standards for research been making their mark in international design and was notably outstanding in “Economic and teaching, and the results have been competitions such as Germany’s iF Awards Performance” and “Business Efficiency.” remarkable. and Red Dot Award every year.

One reason for Taiwan’s economic Although Taiwan’s higher education system prowess is its quality human resources, has gained recognition for its achievements an accomplishment closely tied to the in many areas, tuition still remains very issue of higher education. In the Global reasonable. Tuition is about NT$58,720 Competitiveness Report published by World (US$1,924) dollars per year at public Economic Forum (WEF) published in 2014, universities, and about NT$109,944 (US$3,552) Taiwan ranked twelfth in “Higher Education dollars at private universities. College tuition and Training.” Taiwan’s human resources stands at only 10~20% of the national per provide highly-qualified workers in sufficient capita GDP, considerably lower than that of supply to the labor market and bring positive many other countries, which in some cases is benefits for industry innovation. over 30%. 28 29 Education in Taiwan 2015 2016 Higher Education

More Signs of Progress in Education Vocational and Technological Colleges and Universities The institutions in this category include junior associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and master Everywhere around the world competition is increase global competitiveness. Countries the world colleges, technical colleges, and universities of degrees, while universities of technology can also getting fiercer and more talent is migrating over spare no effort in investing in the cultivation technology, accounting for a total of 91 schools. accept Ph.D. students. across borders. How can Taiwan’s higher of innovation and talent by improving their higher Junior colleges are divided into 2-year programs education industry face up to these challenges education systems. Thus since 2006, the Ministry and 5-year programs. Technical colleges and In accordance with government policy, the key so as to promote commercial innovation of Education has been promoting a plan to develop universities of technology can admit students for points for development in these schools are: while strengthening Taiwan’s international world-class universities and research centers. competitiveness? The program was renamed “Heading toward Top Implement Multiple-Route Universities” and has been in place since April 2011. A 2-year colleges accept the graduates Knowledge and innovation is the only way to After 7 years, we are now reaping the rewards: Admissions 3 of 5-year and 2-year vocational Vocational and technological colleges and schools through several methods:1 . Taiwan is Reaching In addition, the top universities have also universities recruit students through separate recommendations of students with A examination and enrollment systems: outstanding skills; 2. individual recruitment. Out to the World responded to public outcry at poor higher Seven years after the plan started, 11 of education quality, promising to improve the learning environment and boost 1 5-year junior colleges recruit graduates B Enhance Teaching Quality the universities that have been subsidized of junior high schools. Entrance methods by this plan as of the end of 2014 are student motivation to enhance the quality of university students. include examination-free entrance and Promotion of government programs, ranked in the world’s top 500 universities special examination admission. enhancement of teaching quality, and as well as the world’s top 100 universities C The University is Becoming a adoption of a practical approach towards in the global university rankings (UK’s The Place for Innovation in Business The 4-year colleges/universities and teaching. Times and Quacquarelli Symonds, QS). 2 Taiwan’s innovative ability has been the 2-year junior colleges employ In addition, night schools are ranked recognized in the World Competitiveness the following methods:1.screening by Implement the Program for Promoting among the 500 schools in Shanghai Jiao 1 Yearbook published by IMD. In recent skill; 2. recommendation; 3. registration Teaching Excellence for vocational and Tong University’s Academic Ranking of years, the number of patents and and placement; 4. The Star Plan, which is technological colleges and universities, the World Universities and their ranks improved new breeds developed by Taiwanese designed to balance the gap between urban goals of which are:1. Enhance professional year by year. In 2014, 7 schools made universities has grown by 161%, and and rural areas and support disadvantaged teaching skills; 2. Strengthen curriculum the list. This is a sign that the subsidized income from intellectual property rights students in remote areas; 5. application using design; 3. Strengthen student motivation; schools have inspired themselves to meet has increased by 240%. This momentum the Subject Competence Test for a given 4. Set up teaching evaluation systems; 5. international benchmarks and rise up to will in turn stimulate more innovations and year and other written reviews that may be Implement and/or improve all areas related international competition with the top increase contributions to society. beneficial for the review. to teaching quality. schools in the world. Strengthen teaching and learning B The Quality of Students D Campuses Play Host to the World 2 Continues to Improve abilities:1. Offer subsidies for instructors “Internationalization” is the key to global to gain work experience in public and private Top universities in Taiwan have instigated visibility. Whether the universities in a firms; 2. Recruit from industry to enhance reforms in their general education systems country are attractive to foreigners is also teaching; 3. Promote off-campus internships. and interdisciplinary programs. Currently, a criterion in evaluating national power. there are 109,397 students enrolled in More than 60,000 foreign scholars have Encourage students to participate interdisciplinary programs as of the end 3 visited Taiwan, and nearly 55,079 foreign in various competitions:Outstanding of 2013. The universities are also fulfilling students are studying in Taiwan’s top students have been able to apply for airfare their social responsibilities, as seen in universities. In addition, 15,189 students and accommodation subsidies to take part actions like support of disadvantaged received the opportunity to be exchange in international competitions and exhibitions. students. Between 2006 and 2013, a students overseas. On average, almost total of 21,622 disadvantaged students 473 international conferences are held Encourage professional certification: enrolled in colleges and universities, a 4 in top Taiwanese universities each year, Instructors and students are encouraged figure growing at an average rate of thereby broadening the horizons of to obtain professional certification to improve 139% annually. Taiwanese students. teaching quality and enhance students’ competitiveness in the job market. 30 31 Education in Taiwan 2015 2016 Higher Education

Masters Degree Program for Industry C Promote Evaluations of 2 Vocational and Technological Professionals Robot Climbs to Grab Colleges and Universities Gold of 2014 FIRA- 3 Industrial colleges:The academy Each school is evaluated as an integral unit offers customized training courses that RoboWorld Cup every 5 years to improve quality of education. focus on the specific recruitment needs of industry and are oriented toward student Advanced Intelligent Robots and System Promote Cooperation between employment. D the Industry and Academia to Lab, National Cheng Kung University Dr. Lin Yu-Ching, Department of Physical 4 Second-Baccalaureate Program Cultivate Talent Medicine and Rehabilitation Encourage interaction between academia Emphasize Innovation and Prof. Wang Jeen-Shing, Department of and industry; design specific courses or E Electrical Engineering curricula to meet the needs of industry Research / Development Yu-Liang Hsu, Assistant Researcher, personnel. To encourage collaboration between Department of Electrical Engineering schools and industry, the government offers Chiang Wei-Chun, Doctoral Program, Collaboration between industry and 1 subsidies to six schools that establish regional Department of Electrical Engineering academia :Develop vertical education cooperative work-study centers and promotes Chou Te-Feng, sixth grader, School of Crowned at the Hurocup Adult category, systems, increase the integration between the “Industrial Region Work-Study Program”, Medicine the Lab team recalled and shared their industry and academia; therefore, it will with the goal of improving the national Chi Yi-Chun, 1st grader, School of Medicine experiences. “Despite the hardware of our improve the quality in human capital. economy and contributing to society. Yang Tsung-Han, Graduate Program, aiRobot David is much more stable than 3+2 (3 years in vocational high school and Launch International Department of Electrical Engineering the previous three generations, we dared 2 years in 2-year junior college); F not to underestimate our competitors,” said Partnerships and Exchanges th Sporty games are not a privilege for human team member Ho Ya-fang, 4 grader of DEE Doctoral Program. 3+2+2 (3 years in vocational high school, To cultivate international talent, the beings, robots also enjoy exercising their 2 years in 2-year junior college, and 2 government encourages schools to establish mechanical muscles. One of the most “Our robot is more agile so as to complete years in a 2-year technical college/ an international environment, including frequent winners is aiRobot David, the certain motions that other robots failed to do university completion program); internationalized campuses, curricula, and brainchild of the Advanced Intelligent Robots like climbing,” said Ye, Yan-ting, who is in the administration systems, and promote global and System Lab under National Cheng Kung second year of DEE Graduate Program. 3+4 (3 years in vocational high school and cooperation and exchanges, including University (NCKU), who just snatched the 4 years in a technical college/university); international collaboration in research and championship of Hurocup Adult category at Having led the NCKU iRobt Team for several teaching, teacher and student exchanges the 2014 Federation of International Robot- years, Prof. Li still can learn much from each 5+2 (5 years of junior college plus 2 years and other collaborative programs. soccer Association RoboWorld Cup. in a technical college/university event. “Every single competition lends a completion program) David outshone other competitors with the glimpse of current progress in the robotic development in the world,” he said. G Develope Technological innovated technology. “We reinforced the University Paradigms mechanic rigidity and improved hand design which made climbing function possible this Guide technological universities to build the year, said Prof. Li Tzuu-hseng S. at Department research and development environment for of Electrical Engineering (DEE), who has led industry and academic innovations and bring the Lab for several years. about the cultivation of talent and intellectual properties in this area. Establish diverse In addition to modification on hardware paradigms for the characteristic development design, Linear Inverted Pendulum Model of vocational and technological colleges (LIPM) gait is applied to drastically improve and universities to encourage seamless robot walking pace this time. With all the collaboration between the schools and improvements, we were able to defeat teams st industry and strengthen the foundation of from other countries and won the 1 place, industry and technology. said Prof. Li. 32 33 Education in Taiwan 2015 2016 Higher Education Lifelong Education Toilet Design to Ease Long 08 Female Queues Wins Red Dot Award A Community Colleges Lai Iu-ru, 27, Master Degree, Department of Industrial Design, Tunghai University 76 community colleges in 2012, 78 Chen Shih-sheng, 25, Master Degree, Department of Industrial community colleges in 2013 and 80 Design, Tunghai University community colleges in 2014 were subsidized for offering the public educational institutions for lifelong learning, raising public awareness of critical social issues and encouraging the public to take part in community education. In the future, local colleges will be encouraged C Multi-functional Lifelong to offer local culture courses and develop Learning Center areas of specialization. Meanwhile the Ministry To promote the effective use of of Education will facilitate the certification supplementary elementary school and junior of informal courses, help to raise quality of high school facilities and give community instruction, and work to improve community elementary schools and their supplementary learning institutions and increase the level school education programs a role to play of community participation, thus revitalizing in the promotion of lifelong learning, 15 community learning power and stimulating elementary schools were chosen in 2013 to community growth. be the sites of lifelong learning community A unisex public toilet design that can be the same issue is the greatest challenge,” said centers; these 20 community centers were future solution to the long waiting line outside Lai, continuing that “I must jump out from the “Learning Hometown – evaluated with 28 elementary schools added female toilet has won two Taiwanese students frame and think about the nature of design B Sustainable Community” and subsidized in 2014 to assist in their 2014 red dot the best of the best award. from a new perspective.” Project growth and sustainability and offer a learning platform for community members. Gentolet designers Lai lu-ru and Chen Shih- The two young designers also exchanged To promote lifelong learning, the Ministry of sheng were then in the second year of ideas with peer designers around the world Education has worked to promote “Lifelong graduate school at the Department of while receiving the award in Singapore. Learning Neighborhoods” throughout the D Promotion of Open Industrial Design, Tunghai University when they Lai recalled and said that “Gentolet” had country, allowing these neighborhoods to University Education were granted the honor. been widely acclaimed in western countries, become lifelong learning environments that while was less accepted in Asian countries. provide opportunities for participation and Taiwan has two Open Universities, the National The idea originated from this overspread “Contradictory as it is, Asia is much more growth, thus fulfilling the vision of lifelong Open University and the Open University phenomena, was the theme that Lai adopted populated and can be benefited a lot learning that everyone can learn anytime. In of Kaohsiung. The cumulative number of for the graduation project in college. They more from this design,” pointed out Lai. He 2014, 11 cities and counties were subsidized students has exceeded 400,000, with the observed and discovered there’s gender expects to narrow the gap through further to offer courses such as arts and culture, eco- average enrollment per semester at 18,000. discrepancy on time and frequency the improvement to realize the design. facility being used, and thus strived to leisure and local industrial improvement. The universities have produced over 50,000 achieve the goal of fairly and harmoniously When it comes to future trend, Lai believes The communities are able to establish the graduates so far. Open Universities do not application for both genders. that individualized products will be one of the learning system by providing the public require entrance exams and have no set time focuses in the design industry, and would like with participatory and learning channels for limits for completion of coursework. Students Adopting once again the theme, Lai and to embark on a career in design research- lifelong learning and the means to contribute who fulfill 128 credits will be awarded a his partner improved graphic explanation related field in the future to create new what they have learned through revitalizing bachelor’s degree, while 80 credits will earn to better convey their ideas. “Rethinking the strategy operation models in Taiwan. existing space. the student an associate degree.