Launch of 2009 "Human Resource Upgrades for Future Employment" Seminar Series

To enhance the employability of future talents, National Central University, I-shou University, Tamkang University and Asia University are co-sponsoring the "2009 Human Resource Upgrades for Future Employment" seminar series. The presidents, deans, department chairs, as well as employment assistance office directors from 155 universities and colleges throughout the country will attend four large-scale seminars to be held in northern, southern and central Taiwan. Corporate executives are invited to communicate with schools face to face and, based on their long-term observations of industrial developments and talent demands, offer education policy makers first-hand job market information and point out more directions for innovations in university education in the hope of turning the one million university students in Taiwan from a mere source of manpower into highly sought after talents.

The four seminars are aimed at consolidating the resources of universities and colleges as well as industries, help young people find jobs, upgrade the employment qualifications of students currently in school as well as of those recently graduated, boost employment rates, minimize the gap between the expectation of educators and the talent needs of the industries, and develop the advantages of young Taiwanese in the job market in order to train top-quality people to meet talent demands in the future and enhance Taiwan's international competitiveness.

The CEOs attending the seminars include 7-Eleven General Manager Hsu Chung-jen, Sinnex Technology International Corp. CEO Evans Too, McDonald's Restaurants (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. President Li Ming-yuan, former IBM general manager and current CEO of Test Rite Group Sophia Tong, TSMC Human Resources Vice President Chang Ping-hang as well as Human Resources Department Director Ye Ching-huang, HSBC Senior Vice President Tao Zun-zhi, General Manager of Watson Wyatt Taiwan Charles Wang, and Commonwealth Magazine Publisher Diane Ying. The first seminar will be held at National Central University on Apr. 22, the second one at I-shou University on Apr. 30, the third at Tankang University Taipei Campus on Mat 6, and the last one at Asia University on May 13.

According to the Ministry of Education, due to rapid changes across the globe, educational approaches in Taiwanese universities, including expertise in various fields, should be adjusted to equip university graduates with job qualifications that will meet the demands of enterprises, such as willingness to learn, adaptability, stability, ability to work under pressure, as well as teamwork skills. This series of activities was initiated by the schools themselves, indicating the increased attention that universities are paying to the employability of their students. It is also the largest event in recent years that provides the opportunity for communication between schools and corporations. The attendance of the CEOs of various enterprises shows the significance of talent cultivation for the industrial sector. Hopefully, the voice of these corporations will provide inspiration for teaching and curricular design in universities.