Quality education ranked as the top priority for most respondents, followed closely by a safe educational environment and opportunities to learn Chinese.
Quality education ranked as the top priority for most respondents, followed closely by a safe educational environment and opportunities to learn Chinese.
Around 86 percent of international students are willing to stay and work in Taiwan under a new government policy aimed at enticing graduates to seek employment in the country, a recent survey released by the Association of International Cultural and Educational Exchange Taiwan revealed.
The survey, conducted as part of the annual online assessment of students attending the Blue Ocean Education Exhibition, said that quality education was the primary draw for most respondents, with 24.75 percent expressing this as their top priority, the Taipei Times reported. Following closely were a safe educational environment (15.4 percent) and opportunities to learn Chinese (14.47 percent).
The benefits of Taiwan’s affordable tuition fees and convenient location were not cited as frequently, at 10.4 percent and 4.49 percent respectively, despite being promoted as major selling points, according to the association.
New programs
In September last year, the Cabinet approved a plan including offerings such as scholarships, assistance in securing residency, and the introduction of new industry-academia joint programs to encourage international students to stay in the country post-graduation.
The government unveiled its plan to attract 320,000 international students to the country by 2030, with the goal of retaining at least 210,000 graduates within its borders after their studies, as reported by Erudera. The initiative, backed by a significant investment of NT$5.2 billion ($162 million) spanning five years, from 2024 to 2028, has received official approval from the Cabinet.
As part of the plan, the MOE intends to establish up to 10 overseas offices and introduce specialized programs to encourage students from countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines to study in Taiwan, focusing on STEM and finance fields to meet industry demand.
According to Yang Yu-hui, head of the MOE’s Department of Technological and Vocational Education, degree programs will be tailored to meet the specific demands of Taiwanese businesses, emphasizing fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and finance.
Deputy Minister of Education Liu Mon-chi highlighted that international students enrolled in two-year degree programs will be eligible for scholarships and living allowances provided by the Cabinet’s National Development Fund during their studies.
Additionally, students will be encouraged to stay in Taiwan for an additional two years after completing their studies, enabling them to participate in the Taiwanese labor market, addressing the country’s labor shortage.
To facilitate the transition for international students, the government plans to simplify residence permit procedures, ensuring that students can easily obtain residency and permanent residency status in Taiwan.
Aspirations, priorities
Regarding the new program, 86 percent of survey respondents expressed their willingness to apply. Scholarship opportunities at prospective universities topped the list of priorities for 24 percent of respondents, followed by English course offerings at 17.28 percent and teaching quality at 14.45 percent.
Looking ahead to post-graduation aspirations, 21.9 percent of respondents prioritized entering a suitable field, while 21.6 percent aimed to quickly secure employment.
The survey findings also indicated that students anticipate studying abroad will significantly contribute to their career development, according to Association CEO Allen Hung.
Hung recommended that universities and language centers enhance efforts to provide more admissions information and guidance on finding internships and employment after graduation to attract a higher number of international students.
The survey collected 2,175 valid responses between Jan. and Dec. 20, 2023, forming the basis of the 2024 International Enrollment Blue Ocean Trend Report.
Addressing labor shortage
In July 2023, Taiwan’s Education Minister Pan Wen-Chung also announced a strategic plan to address declining university enrollments due to the country’s low birth rate. The initiative aims to attract an additional 10,000 international students over the next four years, offering scholarships as part of the government’s strategy.
Eligibility for these scholarships requires international students to commit to working in Taiwan for a specified period after graduation.
The plan, scheduled to commence this year and continue until 2027, also involves collaboration with the private sector, introducing semiconductor studies courses, and developing international dual degree programs. The initiative builds upon the Ministry of Education’s 2022 plan to enhance Taiwan’s attractiveness as a study destination, focusing on key sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.
Taiwan’s appeal for higher education is evident, with the total number of international students reaching nearly 93,000 in 2021, surpassing 2020 figures.
According to a 2022-2023 survey conducted by the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education in Taiwan, 42.7 percent of international students choose Taiwan for its “quality and reputation,” while 35.8 percent are attracted by opportunities for employment and residency in the country.
