Taiwan recently announced that it will extend its recognition to a wider number of mainland Chinese universities from the current 41 institutions to 113.

For over decades, degrees awarded by mainland Chinese universities were not recognised in Taiwan. The relaxation was firstly introduced in 2010, which led to recognition of degrees awarded by 41 institutions, including 38 members of the 985 Project and three specialised institutions, with exception for subjects related to medicine, national defence, and ideology. As a result of the relaxation, mainland Chinese students with recognised degrees are allowed to apply for Taiwanese universities, and Taiwanese students can also get official verification for their qualification awarded by the recognised universities. 

The government recently announced that the recognition will now expand to members of China’s 211 Project, bringing the number of recognised institutions to 113. Many believed that the changes would contribute to an increased number of mainland Chinese students studying in Taiwan, while some worried about its negative impact on the country’s recruitment of degree students given its ageing population. 

In addition to attracting students for degree programmes, Taiwan is also looking at encouraging mainland Chinese students who have graduated from junior colleges to study at Taiwan’s two-year technology universities.   
Practitioners advised caution with regard to Taiwanese institutions’ ability to manage the situation long term, and some also called for balance between the quantity and quality of mainland Chinese students recruited to study in Taiwan, reported the United Daily.