Taiwan plans to spend $162.5 million over five years to increase the number of international students, focusing on the markets of Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.
The plan was launched by Taiwan's Ministry of Education on September 7 to attract students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) majors due to strong human resource needs from businesses.
Accordingly, the Taiwanese government aims to attract 320,000 international students by 2030, while retaining 210,000 of them, raising the rate of international students staying from 40% to 70%. To achieve the goal, 10 Taiwanese admissions offices will be established in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Yang Yu-hui, director of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education, said that eligible international students can apply for scholarships that cover one-way airfare, tuition and university fees. In addition, companies affiliated with schools will provide students with a monthly allowance of at least NT$10,000 ($312), along with other job opportunities. This amount is enough to cover daily expenses.
Students in this category will mainly study for two years in their home country and two years in Taiwan. After graduation, they must stay and work for the sponsoring company for two more years or return the scholarship. The Taipei government will also optimize the residency application process to support students.
Affiliate companies may or may not require students to pay back the stipend, depending on their contract with the student. If the company stops hiring, the student does not have to give back the scholarship. The university will help them find employment with another company.
Yang said that compared to the salaries international students would earn back home, the incentives of the scheme are quite attractive for them to stay.
According to 2022 data from Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL), the average starting salary for workers ranges from NT$24,000 to NT$47,000 (US$800-1,200) per month.
Students at Taipei Medical University. Photo: Taipei Medical University
The plan comes as Taiwan struggles with an aging population and falling birthrate. University enrollments have fallen by 20% compared to 10 years ago, while businesses are short of workers.
Increasing international student recruitment is key for all universities, said Christopher Green, a researcher at Chiayi University’s School of Education. But foreign students majoring in STEM can struggle, partly due to language barriers.
Taiwan currently has about 105,000 international students studying at colleges and universities. According to data compiled by ICEF Monitor in June, Vietnam is Taiwan’s number one market for international students. More than 20,000 Vietnamese students are studying here, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total number of international students.
Khanh Linh (According to The Pie News)
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