1 Challenges and Perspectives for the Future of Higher Education in Taiwan Michael M.C. Lai President National Cheng Kung University November 3, 2009

2 The Missions of a University To educate and nurture future leaders and innovators of the society To do research to generate and promulgate new knowledge and technology To serve the society and mankind to meet global and local challenges

3 The challenges facing Taiwan higher education The declining birth rate (too many universities) The nature and quality of higher education: elitist or populist education? The fallen international competitiveness, including physical infrastructure and quality of education The declining government support Students from mainland China

4 Attempted classification of Higher Education institutions: University of California as an example University of California (10 campuses) (12.5% of high school graduates) (doctors degree) California State University (masters) City and Community Colleges (bachelors) Junior Colleges (two-year colleges) Easy transfers between the school systems Each system has its own educational goals Keys: parents and high school teachers

5 Views from the top universities: Strengths of general education in Taiwan Good solid foundations in elementary and high school Fair and equal opportunity for every kid of diverse background (unified college entrance exam) Well prepared in basic language and math skills Strong in analytical skills

6 Views from the top universities: Weaknesses of general education in Taiwan Fixed and uniform curriculum (low diversity) Practice and drills of reflexive learning (or test) skills Information acquisition and repetitive regurgitation Inability to express verbally and in writing Lack of creativity training Lack of aggressiveness Less emphasis on the synthesizing ability Poor in international communication (English) skills

7 The weaknesses of university education in Taiwan The course requirements are too easy Does not emphasize interdisciplinary learning Too much emphasis on professional training, not enough on humanistic education Not enough internationalization (global language skills, intercultural awareness and international competitiveness)

8 Trends toward the mixing of professional and humanistic education (I) C. P. Snow: “Science and technology” and “humanities” are two different cultures But, today’s societal problems, e.g. gentrification of societies, global warming, energy issues, etc. are too complex to be solved by science and technology alone.

9 Trends toward the mixing of professional and humanistic education (II) Neal Lane: “We abdicate our responsibilities as citizens if we, as scientists and engineers, do not understand our science and technology in the larger context of humanity and its great unsolved problems” Future trends: Engineering, like medical and law schools, will be taught in postgraduate schools.

10 Our efforts and unfinished businesses in education reforms Established Academy of Educators Curriculum reform: joint teaching from different departments Reduced the number of courses offered Encourage students to take cross-departmental courses Mentor new teachers Diversification of college entrance screening

11 How to attract diversified high school students? Problems: Regionalization of universities (NTU vs. the rest) Disparity in the distribution of political and financial resources (north vs. south) Laissez-faire attitude of the southern Taiwanese Solutions: More active recruitment Elevating NCKU name recognition

12 Keys to successful build-up of research capability in the university Attract leaders (“stars”) in a given discipline Cluster hiring Mentor young talents and give them time and space Build research teams and clusters Collaborate and integrate (blurring of the boundaries between the traditional departments and institutes)

13 The roles of university in fostering research outputs Fund and support interdisciplinary researches (in contrast to individuals or individual department) Support common facility and equipment Provide administrative and research support personnel Reduce administrative red-tapes Safeguard the regulatory, ethical, social and legal issues.

14 International competitiveness of Taiwan universities for faculty recruitment: Strengths Good pension systems albeit with low salaries Good personnel fringe benefits (e.g. health insurance coverage) Relatively good job security Good, hardworking students Strong research and academic infrastructure Big talent pool abroad

15 International competitiveness of Taiwan universities in faculty recruitment: Weaknesses Low faculty salaries Government personnel and immigration rules are not friendly Inflexible salary structure Foreign students and scholars can not stay and work after they finish High teaching load Lack of English-friendly environment Relative lack of respect in recruiting Shrinking talent pool abroad

16 Talent Recruitment: Why a researcher gives up job security in universities to work in a research organization? Good working conditions Good research facilities Good research teams Better chance for career success Maybe, higher salary

17 Threats from abroad in attracting and retaining talents in Taiwan Higher faculty salary in neighboring countries (China, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.) Hong Kong changes its university system from 3-year to 4-year in year 2012 and will add 1000 new professors Taiwan

18 Enhancing the innovation and university-industry collaboration Encourage joint projects between university and industry Encourage patent applications from university faculty (Bayh-Dole Act, 1980) Give credit for studying applied science in faculty promotion Encourage personnel mobility between industry and university, e.g. flexible career paths and employment contracts, mobile pension schemes and duel employment in industry and university Encourage start-up companies from faculty

19 Enhancing the Innovation and University- industry Collaboration: cautions University must keep its identity in its missions in education and advancement of human knowledge while working with industry Avoid conflicts of interest

20 Trends toward more flexible and efficient university governance and operation Autonomy (less interference from government or interest groups) Governance structure (more flexibility for its leader to execute educational missions) Accountability (to hold universities responsible for the outcomes)

21 Trends toward Changing University Governance Obliteration of distinction between public and private universities Declining government budget support for public universities In the U.S., land grant universities almost becoming private In Taiwan, influence and regulation from the government in setting tuition standard, student admission and recruitment policy even for private universities Increasing government competitive grant funding for public and private universities

22 Impetuses for university reform More flexibility in budget University leadership can be held more accountable for his (her) actions Oversight from an independent board Faculty is involved in oversight of academic affairs Reduced government block funding, with increased competitive funding (in Japan)

23 Lessons learnt from other countries Harvard MIT University of California system Japan Singapore Korea

24 Evolving trends for higher education Higher education is a privilege, but not a born right, for each individual who wants to pursue it, regardless of his or her financial or social status Each student must work for it (Germany started to charge university tuition) University must be accountable for its own actions Must safeguard the faculty and staff’s rights and university’s competitiveness Offer incentives for faculty and staff and university as well

25 Our mission is to nurture, to do research and to serve our society and mankind. Let’s work together for these goals