Page 38 - 2016基督教教育‧國際研討會

1-10 台灣高等教育發展的趨勢--以東吳大學為例

東吳大學 趙維良副校長
Soochow University VP Dr. Wei-Liang Chao

Outlines

An overview of the last 20 years of higher education in Taiwan
1. From 1986 to 2010, the number of universities and colleges increased to 59 universities

and 44 colleges, but junior colleges were reduced from 77 to 15.
2. Since 2005, the total number overall of degree students increased relatively slowly, and

the Ministry of Education improved its consolidation policy so that the numbers of
universities and colleges stopped growing.
3. Since the number of native Taiwanese university students increased relatively slowly, the
numbers of international degree students in 2014 had increased 2.5 times compared to
2006.

Challenges to higher education in Taiwan over the next decade
Since the mid-1990s, Taiwan has experienced a low birthrate and a general aging of its society.
In 2016, the numbers of incoming freshmen nationwide started a steep decline to 252,000. In
2023, they are expected to decline by one third compared to 2013. There are also additional
issues that have since emerged. A few examples are: (1) A less friendly environment for
learning and instruction due to market-driven educational policies; (2) a significant gap
between research and industry because of the paper-driven academic reward system; (3)
increasingly uneven distribution of education resources; and (4) decreased social mobility due
to unequal education opportunities. Whether these are contributing challenges or the direct
results of higher education expansion deserves further exploration, but all of these issues
nevertheless have led to a delayed and aging labor force in Taiwan. This will eventually
increase the social welfare burden on the younger generation at the expense of social mobility.

Trends of higher education in Taiwan over the next decade
1. University governance and deregulation: Through governmental policies of deregulation

and liberalization, each institution is expected to become more competitive and
accountable.
2. Globalization: To offset the effects of the declining birth rate by increasing the numbers of
international students, the MOE has set up awards and programs for higher-education
institutions to promote internationalization by encouraging the enrollment of foreign

32