Taiwan’s annual university admissions exams require memorisation of high school class content, however the ministry of education are showing concern that this might be stifling innovation and putting Taiwan at a disadvantage compared with regional neighbours.
A new curriculum and university entrance system is therefore being considered for implementation in 2018, which will see a greater focus placed on extra-curricular work and research.
Ma Hsiang-ping, the ministry’s deputy director for higher education, commented that Taiwan’s traditional Chinese culture might also discourage young people from innovating or starting a business.
Analysis by Silvia Fan, Marketing Services Manager
Taiwan’s economic growth in recent decades was a result in no small part of innovation and exports in the IT industry. Promoting innovation is therefore key to maintaining Taiwan’s economy in the face of regional competition, and this article suggests that education reform has been identified as a key need.
The proposed reforms will only take place in 2018 for the university entrance system, and later than that for wider curriculum reform. UK universities looking to recruit at undergraduate level should keep an eye out for the need to revise entrance criteria for Taiwan students, although it should also be noted that Taiwan is primarily a post-graduate market.
For further information on Taiwan student recruitment prospects contact Silvia Fan, Marketing Services Manager, silvia.fan@britishcouncil.org.tw