International students stats : NCKU, Taiwanese universities and Taiwan scholarship

Stats do a good job of summarizing a phenomena. A few years back the Taiwanese government decided to internationalize the Taiwanese universities by pouring unbelievable funds into promoting English-based programs and research activities within Taiwanese universities, hopefully bringing in accredited scholars and promising international students. The number of scholarships available either through the Taiwan scholarship or the universities is quite remarkable.

To get a sense of how fast this is happening in Taiwan I suggest we take a close look at some stats I photographed in some events I attended. It’s a bit strange, but when I asked for the presentations with the stats afterwards I was - Taiwanese politeness style - denied. I can’t imagine why.

How about we start with the unimaginable growth in international students in National Cheng Kung University where I’m currently studying? Take a close look at those figures :

2002, 4 years ago, there were 4 international students in NCKU, and it’s been growing mad ever since with 2007 hitting a record of 405 international student, I think over 60% in the International Management English program. Next year, they’re expecting almost 600 students, and I have a strong feeling it’s going to be much more than that.

Moving on to the Taiwan scholarship.

I don’t know about you, but to me - this is quite impressive. Look at the growth in international students within NCKU going up a 178% the year before. This isn’t necessarily a good thing and let me assure you that such a growth creates a lot of challenges and difficulties. No university or education system can go through a change like that this fast and not face some serious issues.

While I wish for the Taiwanese education system and especially NCKU to internationalize, improve and climb up the world university rankings - I’m not sure this is the way to do it. Being part of this system now - I see a lot of weird things happening caused by this system from both the university and students side. I haven’t heard much about this Taiwanese policy or the implications I now notice before coming here, so I’m taking it all in as I go. I think it shows that the Taiwanese are hungry for a change and that they’re serious about making it out in the big world. I really hope this would all work out… I honestly don’t know.