<![CDATA[News Updates - Ministry of Education Republic of China (Taiwan)]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/np-117-1.htmlMinistry of Education Republic of China (Taiwan) RSS channel.en-usRSS發行者20<![CDATA[Program to Increase Recruitment of Overseas Chinese Students, Students from Hong Kong and Macao, and International Students]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39534-3be9a-1.htmlFor the purpose of professional to elite talent streaming, and strengthening the matchmaking environment between industry and overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students.
 
Special Report
To alleviate the impact of declining birth rates on higher education, and technological and vocational education systems in the Republic of China (R.O.C., Taiwan), in 2017 the Ministry of Education (MOE) began to encourage recruiting students from New Southbound Policy countries in order to let students enter the industry environment to both gain practical experience, and to guarantee their income to cover their basic expenditures while in R.O.C., Taiwan. In the current labor shortage environment, the MOE hopes to sustainably cultivate talent and provide solid training for the intermediate skilled labor that R.O.C., Taiwan needs. After the students graduate, regardless of whether they stay in R.O.C., Taiwan or return to their home countries to work at local subsidiaries of Taiwanese companies, they will certainly be high-quality technical talents.
Currently, the nationalities of the overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students in R.O.C., Taiwan have begun to shift from mainly Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macao, whose students’ levels of cultural and linguistic adaptability were high enough to be included in mixed ability classes, to Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Malaysian students now making up over half of all overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students. Now even Indian, African, and Mongolian students appear on campus, so that the language of instruction is currently having a growing impact on learning efficacy. Therefore, institutions must transition accordingly into teaching in English.
In addition, according to Providence University (PU) Vice President of International and Cross-Strait Affairs, Dr. Philip Lin, the majors of overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students have changed from before the pandemic. Before the pandemic, many overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students came to R.O.C., Taiwan for its deep culture, democracy, and creative resources and chose colleges of humanities, law, business, and arts majors. After the pandemic, due to changes in industry and geo-economics, the effect of the global village has become stronger, and “overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students choose business and management, engineering, hospitality, arts, and information science majors because every country greatly needs talent in these specialties.”
Prioritizing Student Rights to Prevent the Chaotic Situation of International Student Education
In April 2022, the MOE took the important step of promulgating the Program to Increase Recruitment of Overseas Chinese Students, Students from Hong Kong and Macao, and International Students in Key Industry Sectors (the Program to Increase Recruitment of Overseas Chinese Students, Students from Hong Kong and Macao, and International Students, for short). By prioritizing students’ rights and interests, the plan aimed to establish a checking mechanism from the source to curb any and all kinds of irregularities.
As PU has been using a modularized model to flexibly recruit international students and provide a complete life counseling and scholarship application mechanism, as well as a comprehensive college or career counseling mechanism, it has gained the trust of Ugandan and Swazi (from the Kingdom of Eswatini) students. PU recruited one student for itself and assisted the MOE in arranging for more than 30 students to be re-matched to other schools and related disciplines while guaranteeing the promise from their original institutions to cover tuition and living expenses so that they could complete their study exchange in the R.O.C., Taiwan worry-free. For this reason, Dr. Lin has been commissioned by the MOE to be the manager of the Program to Increase Recruitment of Overseas Chinese Students, Students from Hong Kong and Macao, and International Students in order to optimize and take account of the New Southbound Policy recruitment and teaching administration of higher education.
Mastering English or Chinese to Pave the Way for Specialization
The MOE’s Program has two key prongs: Key Industry Department Recruitment, for cultivating elite talents, and Establishing International Departments, mainly for training professional technical talents. These aim to return talent cultivation to the heart of education rather than putting the cart before the horse and let education meet the requirements of industry or students’ part-time jobs.
1. Key Industry Department Recruitment: Departments can recruit undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the “Five Plus Two Innovative Industries Plan” listed by the National Science and Technology Council, including intelligent machinery, green energy, and biomedicine. Courses are to be taught entirely in English or Chinese, in which students must be able to learn professional knowledge in the language of instruction.
2. Establishing International Departments: Institutions must establish international departments that exclusively handle international students and academic affairs, including exclusive mechanisms for lifestyle adjustments, learning, and guidance counseling. Overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students are to be recruited into specialized classes, or existing ones in majors related to the six industry sectors of manufacturing, construction, agriculture, long-term care, electronic business (including information processing), and services. Courses will consist of one year of Chinese language instruction and four years of professional courses.
From these two policy prongs, we can see that the MOE has set language thresholds for institutions and students to ensure that students can comprehend the professional knowledge they are taught, maintain higher education quality, and strengthen the Chinese language ability of overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students. “It’s like the British sixth form,” says Dr. Lin. “Therefore, we hope that students who come through these international departments, after at least 15 hours a week of Chinese instruction, and at least 720 hours in one year, can reach Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) level A2, which is equivalent to a high school graduate and the basic level needed to study at university and college. After the sophomore year, they should reach B1.”
Integration of Mainstream and Original Cultures
As most of the disadvantages in the past originated from the opaque agency system, the Program to Recruit Overseas Chinese Students, Students from Hong Kong and Macao, and International Students prohibits working with agencies and will refer for prosecution those who do. Dr. Lin explains, “We worked with the MOE to formulate a verification mechanism. Since the start of the Program, we have conducted 72 unannounced inspections of recruitment, courses, instructors, and student rights at various institutions.” As institutions familiarize themselves with the details of the Program, the MOE hopes to use methods of encouragement, such as granting additional quotas and scholarships to compliant institutions.
“For example, respecting the religion of Indonesian students by providing halal foods, prayer rooms, and other everyday arrangements is a must. We must do this first in order to help overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students turn the culture shock between the mainstream and original cultures into gradual integration.” Dr. Lin turns to PU as an example. “We arrange counselors and learning partners to help international students adapt more quickly to life in R.O.C., Taiwan, as well as encourage departments to offer courses such as Tourism Chinese that can help enhance international students’ cultural understanding.”
Currently, those in the first classes who have passed the TOCFL test have begun the professional education of their freshman year, entering professional fields of study where the language can be smoothly integrated. Students are free to take part-time jobs, so institutions can link scholarships with academic performance to prevent students from overworking at the expense of their studies. These measures can achieve both economic support and learning efficacy, killing two birds with one stone.
Planning Ahead by Enhancing Support Measures for Staying in R.O.C., Taiwan
Dr. Lin believes that the next step is to think about the plans of these students to stay in R.O.C., Taiwan, and how to plan separately for professional and technical talents.
To take professional talent as an example, many past cases of overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students offer food for thought. Winnie Swy graduated from the Department of Architecture Art Conservation at National Taiwan University of Arts and is now an administrative assistant there. After graduating, she hoped to stay in R.O.C., Taiwan and work at a firm, but due to the limitations of the work permit application Scoring Criteria on the size of the company, she decided to take the advice of Assistant Professor Chang-Wei Lee to remain as a project assistant in a school where it would be easier to get a work permit. Now-Associate Professor Lee says, “Overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students from Malaysia and Indonesia perform well, actually. If we can resolve the issues of the scoring criteria, it would create a greater impetus to attract talents to stay in R.O.C., Taiwan.”
Dr. Lin agrees. “Permanent residency” is a big incentive to stay in R.O.C., Taiwan. “Japan and Korea have already gone through the declining birth rate crisis that R.O.C., Taiwan is undergoing; what we’re experiencing, they have already experienced.” Adding new industry sectors to the list, linking scholarships to give back to institutions or companies in the future, and planning across governmental departments to provide systematic support measures for professional and technical talents to stay in R.O.C., Taiwan can encourage and motivate institutions to plan for counseling and career matching for students.
National Taiwan University’s International Mentorship Program values the professional abilities of all overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students; PU’s Glocal Exchange Fair created a platform that uses a tailored approach to match companies with overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong and Macao, and international students. Dr. Lin says, “Not only this, institutions must invite experts who truly understand international education to change administrators’ international mindset and create a virtuous cycle of sustainable talent cultivation.”
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Tue, 19 Mar 2024 08:03:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39534-3be9a-1.html39534新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Sports Administration holds the 2024 Baseball Stadium and Field Maintenance and Management Seminar]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39533-55d93-1.htmlTo enhance the capability of maintenance and management personnel of baseball stadium and fields at all levels throughout Taiwan, the Sports Administration (SA) has commissioned the National Taiwan University of Sport to organize two seminars focused on baseball stadium and field maintenance and management. Personnel responsible for the operation, handling, and management of baseball stadiums and school baseball facilities at every level are expected to participate. The first seminar is scheduled to take place at the Sanchong Baseball Stadium in New Taipei City on March 8th. The goal is to enhance understanding of mechanical and electrical equipment maintenance within baseball venues through shared insights into common issues and on-site visits. This initiative aims to improve professional knowledge related to site maintenance and to foster opportunities for experience sharing and interaction among management and supervisory staff.
Effective maintenance and management of baseball stadiums and fields are essential for their longevity, personnel safety, and the smooth conduct of games. Specifically, maintaining mechanical and electrical equipment requires specialized expertise. Although most maintenance tasks at stadiums and fields are handled by outsourcing suppliers, it is crucial for venue staff to oversee operations and verify whether suppliers fulfill their daily tasks—an essential competency for all on-site personnel.
The focus of the first seminar will be on maintaining electrical and mechanical equipment in baseball stadiums and fields, as well as addressing common issues associated with such equipment. Professional lecturers will share their expert knowledge and conduct onsite case studies at the stadium. The goal is to enhance the familiarity of management and supervisory personnel from each baseball venue with the typical challenges encountered in maintaining electrical and mechanical systems.
The seminar will present the findings from baseball stadium and field surveys, highlight common issues in mechanical and electrical maintenance, and outline response strategies. The morning session will cover topics such as lighting systems, power contract capacities, and essential practices for first and second-level mechanical and electrical maintenance. The afternoon session will feature an onsite visit to Sanchong Baseball Stadium, allowing participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the morning's topics and their practical applications. A discussion session will enable management and supervisory personnel from various regions to exchange ideas and strategies, thereby collectively enhancing the standard of baseball stadium and field maintenance and management.
The SA stated that baseball is among the most popular sports in Taiwan and emphasized that managing stadium and field facilities is crucial for their smooth operation. The seminar aims to be a platform for exchange and sharing among baseball venue management and supervisory staff, enhancing their professional knowledge and the quality of the venues. This, in turn, is expected to provide players and fans with a superior environment for playing and spectating.

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Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:48:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39533-55d93-1.html39533新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[2024 Sport Event Taiwan Workshop Launch Forum kicks off on February 27]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39532-06ff4-1.htmlThe Sports Administration (SA) will host 5 international forums in 2024 to enhance domestic event organizers' capabilities and foster event branding. They will also invite foreign speakers to Taiwan to share insights and connect with local distinctive international sports events. The first forum on February 27 included a launch ceremony for various activities, with participation from local governments, organizers, experts, and sports-related units. The theme, " International Sport Event X City Branding", was announced, officially kicking off this year's Workshop series. The goal is to develop branded international sports events showcasing Taiwan's uniqueness through closer event-city cooperation.
Since 2021, the SA has organized the "Sport Event Taiwan Workshop”, enhancing international links, promoting benchmark learning, and facilitating exchanges between international event organizers. This initiative improves the handling of international sports events in Taiwan and enhances the promotion of approximately one hundred international competitions guided by the SA annually. In doing so, it promotes the transformation and development of sports events, raising their international profile.
The forum featured speakers from international partners such as Finland, Canada, Thailand, and South Korea, as well as guests including the official representative of Malaysia in Taiwan and representatives from the APEC Secretariat and 12 economies. Under the main theme of "International Sport Event X City Branding”, Perttu Pesä, President of the International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH) and director of Major Events in the City of Tampere, discussed the European Masters Games in Tampere. Lance Macdonald, a committee member of the International Children’s Games (ICG), offered valuable insights into youth events and local characteristics. Charlie Jung, Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai Mass Participation Sports Trade Association (TMPSA), shared experiences from the Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Sung Cul Lee, Direct of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), discussed the unique approach of Korean cities to developing their sports event image. By presenting actual cases and implementing suggestions from various parties, the forum endeavors to effectively advance the branding of sports events and achieve enduring advantages through mutually beneficial collaboration between sports events and cities.
Deputy Director-General of the SA, Hung Chih-chang, stated in his speech that this year's theme is "International Sport Event X City Branding". The objective is to assist event organizers in comprehending international trends through international forums and strengthening integration with local governments. By leveraging international events, the goal is to shape the city's image and establish brand characteristics, allowing people worldwide to experience Taiwan's unique local culture through sports events. This initiative aims to promote Taiwan and enhance the international visibility of its events and cities.
In addition to hosting a series of international forums, the "Sport Event Taiwan Workshop" will also organize the 3rd "Fun Sports Hackathon Competition" this year. Both local and international students will be invited to participate, collaborating with sports event units and sports innovation teams. By utilizing concepts such as technology applications and local connections, they will present creative proposals to explore the boundless potential of sports events in Taiwan. For more Workshop details, visit the “Fun Sports in Taiwan” YouTube channel or the “Optimizing International Sports Exchange Zone” under the International and Cross-Strait Sports Division on the SA official website.

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Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:33:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39532-06ff4-1.html39532新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Representatives of 12 APEC economies come together in Taipei at the 2024 ASPN Round Table Meeting held by the Sports Administration]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39531-bb777-1.htmlWith APEC approval, the Sports Administration (SA) annually hosts the 2024 ASPN Round Table Meeting through the APEC Sports Policy Network (ASPN) platform. A recent roundtable meeting took place in Taiwan on February 27th, followed by visits to the Taipei Dome and the Organizing Committee of the World Masters Games 2025 Taipei & New Taipei City (WMG2025 OC) on the 28th. Ms. Siti HARLENA Harris Lee, Program Director of the Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG) of the APEC Secretariat, traveled to Taiwan specifically for the meeting. Representatives from 12 economies, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Chinese Taipei, attended the event. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Department of International Education of the Ministry of Education (MOE) also participated, making it an unprecedentedly large-scale event.
ASPN, launched by Chinese Taipei in 2016, operates under the APEC HRDWG. It invites sports-related departments from APEC economies, international sports organizations, and domestic and foreign scholars and experts to participate. The platform facilitates policy dialogue, case sharing, and the promotion of sports innovation initiatives, enhancing international sports exchanges.
This year's meeting invited representatives from various economies to share examples of sports innovation and branding international sports events. The SA will continue to handle the ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator, offering six-month guidance courses for sports startups and assisting in matching relevant resources. Over the past five years, the SA has conducted 10 accelerator activities, aiding 104 sports innovation teams from over 20 countries and regions, with a cumulative investment exceeding NT$800 million. This year, 46 sports innovation teams applied from 14 countries and regions applied, with 13 teams selected. In terms of international sports events, about 100 events held in Taiwan receive guidance annually. Since 2021, the SA has organized the Sport Event Taiwan Workshop, focusing on "International Sport Event X City Branding" to help organizers understand international trends and use sports events to shape a city’s brand image and promote Taiwan's international profile.
Representatives from the APEC Secretariat and various economies were invited to Taipei for the event. On the 28th, they attended meetings and visited the WMG2025 OC, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Taipei Dome. Additionally, they attended the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships at Taipei Arena. These visits showcased our expertise in hosting international sports events. The representatives were encouraged to assist in promoting the upcoming WMG2025 event, which will be held in Taiwan in May next year. The meetings and diverse visits offered valuable insights for all participants.

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Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:29:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39531-bb777-1.html39531新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Ministry of Education Delegation Visit to India Advances Semiconductor Personnel Training Collaboration]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39526-85cd2-1.htmlA 17-member delegation from Taiwan, led by Political Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Mon-chi Lio visited India in November 2023, to promote bilateral educational collaboration. The delegation consisted of vice presidents or deans from eleven universities in Taiwan: Asia University, Cheng Shui University, Kun Shan University, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, National Chi Nan University, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, and Yuan Ze University.
On November 19, the delegation attended the Indo-Taiwan Educational Cooperation Forum on Semiconductors. The forum was organized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) which had led a delegation to visit Taiwan in September 2023. In his opening remarks, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of the AICTE, praised Taiwan as a semiconductor super power, and said that he hoped that there would be more cooperation between India and Taiwan to train skilled professionals for the semiconductor field.
Deputy Minister Dr. Mon-chi Lio expressed the Ministry’s appreciation to AICTE for its support of educational cooperation with Taiwan, and the hospitality extended to his delegation. He also gave the Indian vice chancellors at the forum details of a new academia-industry scholarship. Officials from the eleven universities in Taiwan and from forty institutions of higher education in India then each spoke and outlined the fields in which their respective universities hoped to engage in collaboration.
That same day fifty MOUs were signed between individual universities in Taiwan and individual institutions of higher education in India. The MOU signings were attended by Deputy Minister Dr. Mon-chi Lio, AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Baushuan Ger, Taiwan’s Representative in India, Dr. Liao Kao-Hsien, Deputy Director General of the Minister of Education’s Department of International and Cross-strait Education, and Prof. B.S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad. Some of the 50 MOUs include agreements to develop joint degree programs in semiconductor-related fields.
During their time in North India, members of the delegation visited the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT Delhi), Delhi Technological University (DTU), and STMicroelectronics, a global hi-tech company with its headquarters in Switzerland. They also attended an award ceremony at Mount Abu Public School for Indian winners of awardes in the 54th World School Children’s Art Exhibition, an art exhibition, organized in Taiwan, and interacted with school principals whose schools have found partner schools in Taiwan on the International Education Taiwan 2.0 website (IETW2.0).
This visit established a solid groundwork for long-lasting collaboration to develop human resources with semiconductor skills to meet India’s needs and strengthen bilateral educational exchanges with Taiwan.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:56:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39526-85cd2-1.html39526新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Taiwan’s Student Dormitory Improvement Initiative Wins Good Design Award in Japan]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39525-05201-1.htmlA five-year Ministry of Education (MOE) project to improve university and college student accommodation launched in 2019 received a Good Design Award in Japan in October 2023, together with international recognition. It was then called the “New Dormitory Plan” but the Ministry’s entry in this international design competition was called “Dormitory Re-design Movement”. Japan’s annual Good Design Award was first held in 1957 and is now considered the equivalent of an Oscar Award for design.
As the Good Design Award website states: “Dormitory Re-design Movement aims to enhance students' living and learning environments by creating additional public spaces in and around dormitories. The social context involves embracing holistic education and incorporating SDGs into design principles, promoting mental and physical health, inclusive education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, and sustainable urban development … the project seeks to positively impact students' living and educational experiences, and cultivate sensibility to life, while adapting to Taiwan's changing student demographics.” 
The design process for this MOE initiative featured participation by four key stakeholders—students, staff, architects, and designers—with the focus on the students. It addressed the quality of dormitory life, public spaces such as cross-cultural kitchens, and art and workshop areas, and ecological sustainability.
The Ministry has worked with 46 universities since 2019 and 148 dormitories, accommodating more than 40,000 students with diverse academic lives, have already been redesigned. They now include multi-functional shared spaces and social environments designed to help achieve the SDGs of promoting well-being, inclusion, gender equality, and sustainability, as well as increasing students' aesthetic appreciation and their environmental awareness.
Dr. Liang Hsueh-Cheng, Deputy Director General of the Ministry’s Department of Higher Education, Huang Guan-Chao, Director of the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, and Dr. Wang Chun-Hsiung, head of the project promotion team received the award on behalf of the Ministry at the award ceremony on October 25, 2023. They also toured the exhibition and interacted with other award recipients from all over the world.
The Ministry of Education is planning to implement the New Dormitory Plan 2.0, a further five-year phase, beginning in 2024. It will continue to provide funding subsidies and work together with universities to create Next Generation Student Dormitory Environments and transform students’ living and learning experiences.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:53:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39525-05201-1.html39525新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[MOE Scholarship Student in Austria Becomes Assistant Chorus Master for the Dutch National Opera]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39524-73340-1.html“Studying abroad is not always easy, but all the great memories and experiences are so precious. All the tears and frustrations were worth it, and I think I have not only become a better musician, but I have also learned more about myself. I hope that one day I can share what I learned in Europe and work to help Taiwan's choirs grow even more!” - Mao Kuo-Jen 


Mao Kuo-Jen started studying Conducting in Austria at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz in 2015 and consequently enrolled in the Choral Conducting master’s degree program in 2019. By that time, he had already worked with local amateur choirs. For example, in 2016 he organized a young Afghan refugee choir in Graz, sponsored by the Basel Children and Youth Choir Festival. Like many other students he was gravely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. All choir rehearsals were banned during the pandemic and this presented him with a huge financial challenge. Luckily, he was awarded a Ministry of Education scholarship which enabled him to focus on his studies during this difficult time. During his scholarship period, he gained further valuable work experience, for example working as an accompanist in the choir of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, and as an assistant conductor, conducting a 100-member choir and orchestra.
In 2021, he was invited to conduct the Taiwan National Choir performing a German repertoire. This offered him a chance to share what he had learned while studying and working in Austria with music professionals in Taiwan. In the same year, he also participated in international master classes with the German choral conductor Frieder Bernius, the Norwegian choral conductor Grete Pedersen, and the Italian conductor Lorenzo Donati. He has already conducted several professional choirs, such as the Stuttgart Choir, the Norwegian Soloists, the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir, and the Taiwan National Choir.
The scholarship also provided him with the opportunity to attend more international masterclasses and he successfully graduated from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz with a master's degree in 2022 and then began the Advanced Studies - Choral Conducting postgraduate program.
Mao Kuo-Jen has been working as the assistant chorus master in the Dutch National Opera since the end of September 2023. Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang, the Director of the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Austria, always kept in touch with him while he was studying in Austria, and when he was offered the chance to work in Amsterdam as assistant chorus master in the Dutch National Opera, he told Dr. Wang. Dr. Wang congratulated him on behalf of Ministry of Education and wished him a bright future.
During his studies, he also learned about Austrian and European culture. This helped him to progress professionally and to gain a lot in terms of inner growth in the last few years. He met many wonderful people and made friendships and these connections also supported him during his more difficult times abroad. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its generous support and for enabling him to fulfill his dream.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:47:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39524-73340-1.html39524新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Education Division at the Taipei Representative Office in Germany Takes Part in Go Abroad Week at RWTH Aachen]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39523-a3626-1.htmlThe International Office at RWTH Aachen, a technical college in Western Germany, organized a Go Abroad Week, from October 23 to 27, 2023. The program included an education fair on Monday afternoon which offered interested students the opportunity to obtain extensive information and advice on studying and internships abroad.
External organizations such as the Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and Tokyo Tech, and internal university departments and programs each had an area where they could interact with the numerous visitors attracted to the fair, eager to ask questions and engage in interesting discussions. 
Approximately forty students spoke with Education Division personnel, seeking information about opportunities to go to Taiwan during or after their studies in Germany. The Education Division personnel provided details about opportunities  to study or do internships in Taiwan—including different scholarships available and learning Chinese—to interested students.
Most of the students wanted to go to Taiwan as exchange students and they were delighted to hear details of the range of excellent universities in Taiwan. Many had already considered Taiwan as a potential study abroad destination, but others only became aware of Taiwan in this way during their visit to the fair.
On Thursday, October 26, 2023, the Education Division took part in an online consulting session for interested students, which was organized by RWTH Aachen's International Office. More than a dozen students attended presentations about Taiwan, and Taiwan’s education and economy. After the presentations, the students asked the Education Division personnel questions about Taiwan’s education and internship programs.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:45:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39523-a3626-1.html39523新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Eight Universities Sign MOU Launching Taiwan-UK University Consortium]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39522-6484e-1.htmlOn November 20, 2023, four British research universities—Newcastle University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Liverpool, and the University of the West of Scotland—and four research universities in Taiwan: National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Sun Yat-sen University, and National Tsinghua University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) thereby launching and becoming inaugural members of the Taiwan–UK University Consortium.
The signing ceremony, attended by personnel from the Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, and Chang Chia-Cheng, Director General of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, Edinburgh Office, was held at the University of Edinburgh Moray House School of Education and Sport, following discussions at a Taiwan–UK University Consortium workshop earlier that morning. 
The formation of this first-ever consortium of research universities in the UK and in Taiwan was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and the British Council. Ralph Rogers, Director Taiwan at the British Council, gave the opening remarks in which he spoke about the common commitment to innovation shared by Taiwan and the UK, saying that their universities play a leading role in this regard. He also mentioned the potential of “innovative approaches in English language teaching and learning” to assist Taiwan to achieve its 2030 bilingual policy objectives. 
He was followed by Dr. Nicole Lee, Director General of the Ministry of Education's Department of International and Cross-strait Education, and Director General Chang, who spoke about the close ties that Taiwan and the UK have enjoyed for many years, the importance and growing popularity of the UK as a destination for Taiwanese students, and Taiwan's growing appeal for British students wanting to improve their Mandarin proficiency or pursue university studies. 
The consortium members are committed to supporting and collaborating in efforts to advance ‘Green Energy and Net Zero solutions’ to achieve a sustainable, net zero future. They will strengthen faculty and student exchanges, conduct collaborative research and professional training, and establish a knowledge exchange platform for key emerging technologies. Other universities in the UK and Taiwan may be invited to join the consortium in the future.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:43:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39522-6484e-1.html39522新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[University Academic Alliance in Taiwan Establishes Two New Partnerships “Deep in the Heart of Texas”]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39521-70bae-1.htmlAs 2023 drew to an end, Taiwan and Texas remained focused on the future. In September 2023, the Ministry of Education of Taiwan announced the establishment of a National Key Areas International Cooperation Alliance and an International Industry-Academia Collaboration Alliance, to attract outstanding international students to Taiwan to work and study. The formation of university alliances and the establishment of overseas bases will promote bilateral cooperation in training highly skilled people and developments to facilitate breakthroughs for future generations. 
A memorandum of understanding was signed on November 27, 2023, between the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT) and Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), by Prof. Wen-Chang Chen, the president of National Taiwan University on behalf of UAAT, and by John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System on behalf of TAMUS.
A second memorandum of understanding was signed on November 29, 2023, between UAAT and the University of Texas System (UTS). Prof. Wen-Chang Chen, signed on behalf of UAAT, and James Milliken, Chancellor of the University of Texas System, signed on behalf of UTS.
Political Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Mon-chi Lio took part in each of the signing ceremonies online. Among the other government and education officials from Taiwan and the State of Texas who participated in person and online were Dr. Nicole Yen-Yi Lee, Director General of the Ministry of Education’s Department of International and Cross-Strait Education; Arend Zwartjes, Public Affairs Officer at the American Institute in Taiwan; Yvonne Hsiao, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston; Dr. Li Tsai-Yen, president of National Chengchi University, and Dr. Wu Cheng-Chih, president of National Taiwan Normal University.
Deputy Minister Lio spoke at each signing ceremony, congratulating the universities involved, saying “This MOU will provide a strong foundation for strengthening academic exchanges, and cooperation between Taiwan and Texas. It sets the stage for robust semiconductor education and research collaboration, together with scope for a wide range of collaborative activities in other fields, including quantum technology, space technology, health science and engineering, agriculture, and Mandarin learning.” 
John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M System, said: "I am eager to see how we will progress as we work closely together with our friends in Taiwan. This kind of collaboration leads to the most exciting advancements."
Prof. Wen-Chang Chen expressed similar anticipation, saying that he really looked forward to exciting synergy between the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan and the university systems in Texas, based on their respective core competencies and mutual interest.
The two MOUs place emphasis on cooperation in semiconductor-related fields, in accordance with the goals of the US–Taiwan Education Initiative Three-Year Strategic Plan (2023–2025). The focus of this strategic plan is to promote semiconductor technology related training, research, and industry cooperation, actively nurture semiconductor professionals, and facilitate related international industry-academia collaboration. These MOUs will facilitate new partnerships between leading institutions in Taiwan and Texas that will usher in a new era of international education collaboration in these sectors.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:28:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39521-70bae-1.html39521新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[New Jersey Department of Education and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Sign Memorandum of Understanding]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39520-f6b31-1.htmlA delegation from the State of New Jersey, led by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, visited Taiwan in October 2023 as part of their state’s Choose New Jersey promotion campaign. This were on an economic mission to East Asia to bolster bilateral ties and foster new partnerships between New Jersey and Asian countries.
During their time in Taiwan, on October 20, 2023, the delegation signed several memoranda of understanding with a number of government departments at a signing ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The signing ceremony was attended by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, and officials from New Jersey and Taiwan.  
These included a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Education in Taiwan and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to collaborate on educational initiatives. The MOU had already been signed in New Jersey by NJDOE Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and brought to Taiwan by Governor Murphy. It was signed by Dr. Yen-Yi Lee, Director General of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education of the Ministry of Education, thereby finalizing it, and Governor Murphy signed each copy as a witness.
“The signing of this memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Education in Taiwan and the New Jersey Department of Education marks a significant step for international collaboration in education,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “This partnership will open doors for cultural exchanges and educational advancement, enhancing the learning experiences for our students in New Jersey and fostering global cooperation in the field of education.”
Key aspects of the three-year MOU include New Jersey and Taiwan agreeing to boost joint efforts in language education and STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—education, in accordance with the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative signed in 2020, and promote collaborative projects and academic exchanges between their respective educators and educational institutions. With the help of the Ministry of Education’s Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, fifteen elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey have already established sister-school relationships with elementary and secondary schools in Taiwan with which they interact. This MOU provides a sound basis to further expand exchanges and collaboration between education institutions at all levels. The two signatory parties will form a working group which will meet at least once a year and draw up work plans to coordinate efforts to achieve agreed-on goals. 
Everyone at the signing ceremony recognized the importance of international cooperation in bolstering two-way economic investment, academic exchanges, and K-12 educational collaborations. “The agreements signed at the event highlight the importance of working with partners around the world to form a stronger and fairer economy and create a better future for our children,” said Governor Murphy. “We can learn invaluable lessons through our partnership with Taiwan, and we hope that the agreements signed today will be beneficial to the strength of both New Jersey and Taiwan.”

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:26:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39520-f6b31-1.html39520新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[The Sports Administration announces the result of the 2023 sports venue inspections Conformity rate of 95% ensures sports consumption safety for the public]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39519-ce63a-1.htmlTo ensure people's sports safety and consumer rights , the Sports Administration (SA) collaborates with local governments to conduct annual inspections of sports venues. The purpose is to provide consumers with a safe sports environment and protect their associated rights. The results of the 2023 annual assessment were announced on February 22, 2024. A total of 1,563 public and private sports venues nationwide underwent inspections, achieving an average conformity rate of 95.84%.

The SA released results of the 2023 inspections, covering various venues and facilities. Among them, 385 swimming pools achieved a conformity rate of 95.32%, while 549 fitness centers attained 95.08% conformity. Additionally, 524 venues selling fitness coaching courses reached a conformity rate of 97.14%, and 105 venues issuing gift vouchers achieved 95.24% conformity. Comparing these figures to the results from 2022, significant improvements are evident, with all categories surpassing a 90% conformity rate. Furthermore, for the three aforementioned categories of "swimming pool" , "fitness center" and "selling fitness coaching courses" , the number of operators inspected also increased compared to the previous year. Local governments place great importance on guiding sports venue operators to comply with swimming pool management regulations and standardized contract regulations. The SA will continue to support local governments in increasing the number of inspections each year and actively assist non-compliant operators to improve promptly to protect people's rights in sports consumption.

The targets of the sports venue inspection encompass swimming pools, fitness centers, and operators selling fitness coaching courses and issuing gift vouchers. The inspection covers various aspects, including venue safety, such as emergency first aid equipment and carbon monoxide poisoning inspections. Additionally, consumer contract safety is assessed. Fitness centers and sports venue operators involved in contracts for membership recruitment, coaching course sales or gift voucher issuance should ensure compliance with the Mandatory Provisions to be Included in and Prohibitory Provisions of Standard Form Contracts.

Among the non-conforming items in this inspection, "swimming pools" had the most violations for failing to comply with relevant laws and regulations such as construction management, fire protection, air quality management, and business registration. In the "fitness center membership recruitment standardized contract" inspection, common violations included operators’ failure to clearly record start and end times, membership types, member rights, fee types, total contract amounts, and payment method-related information. For the inspection of the standardized contract, operators commonly failed to state contract termination notification and refund methods as required. In the inspection of "gift vouchers issued by sports venue operators", common violations included the absence of performance guarantees on the vouchers and operators charging handling fees that did not comply with regulations when vouchers were returned.

For operators found to be non-compliant after inspection by local governments, the SA has communicated with the respective local authorities to require improvements within a specified timeframe, as per Article 36 of the Consumer Protection Act. If the violations of operators pose a serious threat to consumers' lives, health, or property, immediate business suspension may be required. Failure to rectify the violations within the given deadline may result in fines under Article 56-1 or Article 58 of the same law. Continuous monitoring will be conducted to guide operators towards improvement. Operators that have not improved in the previous year will be listed as priority inspection and guidance targets for the current year. Those failing to pass inspections for two consecutive years without making necessary improvements within the specified timeframe may face appropriate actions by local governments in line with the Consumer Protection Act and relevant regulations to enhance sports safety for venue users. Additionally, this year's results will be announced concurrently with the list of operators failing inspections for two consecutive years to ensure the public's right to know and serve as crucial reference for sports consumption safety.

 

In addition, in view of the increasing emphasis on personal data protection by Taiwan’s people, consumer disputes and incidents have repeatedly occurred in the fitness industry in recent years. In order to guide the industry and protect the personal data file protection and consumer rights of consumers after joining fitness center memberships and purchasing coaching courses, in the inspections of fitness centers and fitness coaches in 2024, two inspection items were added by the SA: "Inspection related to personal data protection" and "Whether the operator has posted consumer warnings in the business premises"; local governments are also required to conduct inspections to enhance the protection of people’s rights and interests when spending money in sports venues.

The SA reminds consumers that before purchasing fitness coaching courses, gift vouchers, or buying fitness center memberships, they should ensure that the content of the vouchers or contract complies with the Mandatory Provisions to be Included in and Prohibitory Provisions of Standard Form Contracts. Consumers should also consider their own time, fitness, and financial ability when signing a contract, and carefully review the contract content to fully enjoy the health and happiness brought by exercise.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:22:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39519-ce63a-1.html39519新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Registration opens for the World Masters Games 2025 Taipei & New Taipei City on February 17]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39518-e46a0-1.htmlThe World Masters Games 2025 Taipei & New Taipei City (WMG2025) is co-organized by Taipei City Government and New Taipei City Government. It will be held from May 17th to 30th, 2025. A total of 68 venues in six counties and cities including Taipei and New Taipei cities, Yilan County, Taoyuan City, and Hsinchu County and City will hold a total of 35 sports competitions (nine of which include Parasports). Registration is scheduled to officially open at 2 p.m. on February 17 this year. People from all over the world who are over 30 years old and who love sports are invited to sign up for the event.
The Taipei City Government's Department of Sports stated that the World Masters Games promotes "lifelong sports" and "sports for all." This global event provides an opportunity for young, middle-aged and senior sports enthusiasts to engage in international competition by registering without undergoing a selection process to participate in the WMG2025. Athletes aged 30 and above can register individually or collaborate with both local and international participants to form teams. Registration discounts are offered to Taiwanese citizens and foreign residents in Taiwan. Registration fees vary for participants holding ROC documentation (holders of an ROC passport, ROC ID card, National Health Insurance card, or ARC). Athletes, team officials, and supporters with ROC documentation are charged NT$3,600, NT$1,800, and NT$1,800, respectively. For foreign passport holders, registration fees differ. Athletes, team officials, and supporters are charged NT$7,500, NT$3,600, and NT$3,600, respectively. Additionally, supporters under 12 years old and assistants of para-athletes are admitted free of charge.
Additionally, the organizing committee (OC) offers a two-stage early bird registration. From February 17 to April 17, 2024, there is a 30% discount on the registration fee, followed by a 20% discount from April 18 to September 17. Athletes who are interested are encouraged to register early and train independently.
The International Masters Games Association (IMGA) hosts the World Masters Games, which has occurred every four years since its inception in 1985. It is a large-scale international event that integrates sport tourism. The WMG2025 highlights Taiwan's natural ecology, culture, history, distinctive food and local culture. 30 self-guided tour and 30 group tour itineraries are planned. Online sales of tour itineraries are expected to launch on registration day, allowing participants to explore city attractions and experience Taiwan's scenery during the event.
The Sports Administration stated that this is the first time that the World Masters Games are being held in Asia. The WMG2025 extends its invitation to sports enthusiasts worldwide as well as domestic participants aged 30 and above, offering them the chance to forge friendships with athletes from across the globe through sports. For details and registration, visit the official website: https://wmg2025.tw.

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Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:58:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39518-e46a0-1.html39518新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Results of the 2023 Sports Situation Survey released Regular exercise to promote health and make life happier]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39499-f3fc1-1.htmlIn an effort to gauge the effectiveness of various policies aimed at promoting sports for all, the Sports Administration (SA) commissioned Shih Hsin University to conduct the “Sports Situation Survey”. The results of the survey for last year (2023) were announced on January 18, 2024. The proportion of Taiwanese people participating in sports reached 82.6%, and the proportion of the population who exercised regularly reached 35.0% for the first time since 2014 (definition of regular exercise: exercising more than 3 times a week; exercising for more than 30 minutes each time; sweating and breathing heavily during exercise). To further promote sports for all and actively promote national well-being, the SA has collaborated with various county and municipal governments in the “iSports Taiwan 2.0 Plan.”. This partnership aims to cultivate a sports environment that reflects local characteristics and gradually realize the goal of “Healthy Body and Cheerful Life through Exercise”.
The survey results of 2023 indicate that, after the pandemic, Taiwanese people have placed significant importance on their health, as reflected in their commitment to exercise. In 2023, there was a 1.0% increase in the number of individuals who exercised regularly, particularly among women. Women who do not engage in regular exercise can enhance their motivation and frequency through exclusive women's exercise programs, while those who already exercise regularly can experience improved self-health and increased life satisfaction. Surveys suggest that wearable device technology and home fitness remain the future trends in sports for the Taiwanese population. Furthermore, core training, personal trainers, and exercise are increasingly valued as effective measures for overall well-being by Taiwanese people.
The survey results are summarized as follow:
A. The increase in the frequency and intensity of exercise, along with a higher proportion of the population being active, has led to a record-high number of people who exercise regularly, showing a 1.0% increase over last year.
(1) After the pandemic, Taiwanese people’s health awareness increased, with 82.6% of the population exercising, and the population doing regular exercise has reached 35.0% for the first time.
The sports population reached 82.6%, an increase of 0.8% compared with the previous year (2022). The number of people who exercise regularly is 35.0%, an increase of 1.0% from the previous year (2022), a record high.
(2) The increase in the frequency and intensity of exercise is the basis for regular exercise to hit a record high last year.
The average number of exercise sessions per week in 2023 was 3.64 times, an increase of 0.02 times from the previous year. The number of those who exercised more than three times per week on average was 51.8%, an increase of 0.4% from the previous year. 48.4% of exercise sessions caused heavy breathing and sweating, an increase from the previous year of 3.7%, bringing the active population to 35.0% last year.
B. Young, middle-aged and older men, middle-aged women, white-collar workers, etc. were the main force in increasing the population doing regular exercise in 2023.
The proportion of the population who exercised regularly in 2023 increased in all age groups except those aged 60-64 compared with the previous year. The increment ranged from 0.1% to 1.8%, with the largest increase among those aged 65-69 (1.8% increase). In 2023, the proportion of the population who exercised regularly in all occupations increased slightly compared with the previous year. Retirees have the highest proportion of the population who exercise regularly, at 60.7%; white-collar workers have the largest increase (2.6% increase) compared with the previous year.
In 2023, the proportion of women aged 65-69 who exercised regularly was the highest, at 60.9%; the proportion of women aged 30-39 who exercised regularly was lower, at 16.4%. Compared with the previous year, the proportion of people aged 40-44, 50-54 and 55-59 who exercise regularly increased by 2.5%, 2.6% and 2.3% respectively. It shows that middle-aged women were the main force in the increase in the proportion of women who exercise regularly.
In 2023, the proportion of men aged 65-69 who exercised regularly was the highest, at 61.2%; the proportion of men aged 40-44 who exercised regularly was lower, at 21.2%. Compared with the previous year, those aged 18-24 had the largest increase (increased by 5.8%); followed by those aged 65-69 (increased by 4.6%), 45-49 years old (increased by 3.0%), and those aged 13-17 (increased by 2.3%) ). It shows that young and middle-aged men are the main driving force in the proportion of men who exercise regularly.
C. The proportion of female exercise population and regular exercise population increased compared with the previous year. For women who do not exercise regularly, women's exclusive exercise classes are the first choice to improve their willingness to exercise.
The proportion of women who exercise in 2023 was 81.7%, an increase of 1.3% from 2022; the proportion of women who exercise regularly was 31.5% in 2023, an increase of 0.7% from 2022, with the highest among those aged 65-69 and the lowest among those aged 30-39. Compared with the previous year, the growth rates for those aged 40-44 and 50-59 both exceeded 2.0%
28.8% of women who do not exercise regularly believe that women-only exercise classes can increase their frequency and willingness to exercise. The main sports activities include walking/trekking, home fitness training, jogging, stretching/Pilates/yoga, badminton, cycling, etc. It is recommended to offer physical fitness series, stretching/Pilates/yoga, badminton, spinning bike and courses.
D. Regular exercise can promote self-health and happiness in life.
The proportions of “self-perceived health” and “perceived happiness” in the lives of individuals who exercise but not regularly are slightly higher than those who do not exercise. However, for those who exercise regularly, both “self-perceived health” and “perceived happiness” in life are consistently at least 10% higher than those who do not exercise or engage in irregular exercise.
E. Wearable device technology and home fitness are sports and fitness trends. "Core training", "personal trainer" and "exercise is good medicine" are increasingly being given importance.
(1) Wearable device technology and home fitness are sports and fitness trends
This survey used items from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM; American College of Sports Medicine) sports and fitness trend survey to ask the opinions of Netizens. The survey results show that Taiwanese people believe that wearable device technology and home fitness are the top two major sports and fitness trends in the future, which is consistent with the previous year, indicating that wearable device technology and home fitness are still the main sports and fitness trends.
(2) "Core training", "personal trainer" and "exercise is good medicine" are increasingly given importance
"Core training" ranked 6th for the first time in survey, receiving a good ranking, and is mainly done by young and regular exercisers. Compared with the previous year, the rankings of "Personal Trainer" and "Exercise is Good Medicine" increased the most, with the former's ranking increasing by six places and the latter two's rankings improving by four places. Looking further at the demographic background, demand for "personal trainers" is mainly from men, the young and those who exercise regularly; those who believe "exercise is good medicine" are mainly female, middle-aged and active people.
The 2023 survey reveals that people have placed a greater emphasis on health after the pandemic, with exercise being one of the key means to attain better health. This shift in mindset has led to an increased number of individuals who now engage in regular exercise. The survey collected data through questionnaires to understand people's exercise habits, providing valuable insights for the Sports Administration (SA) to develop a variety of sports services in the future. Moving forward, we will continue to promote the “iSports Taiwan 2.0 Plan,” working in collaboration with local governments to encourage sports activities at the county and city levels. Our aim is to develop sports programs that reflect local characteristics, integrate sports with health promotion, enhance the quantity and quality of sports professional resources, and create a welcoming sports environment and services. 
Note: This study interviewed individuals aged 13 and above across Taiwan via local phone calls from July to September, 2023. We employed stratified random sampling and obtained 25,517 valid samples, with a maximum sampling error of ±0.6% at a 95% confidence level. We collected a minimum of 385 samples in Lianjiang County, and at least 1,510 samples in major cities, including Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Taoyuan City. The remaining 15 counties and cities contributed at least 1,067 samples. In addition, we conducted an online survey using self-administered questionnaires, targeting users aged 13 and above on FB/IG, resulting in 1,070 valid samples.
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Wed, 07 Feb 2024 06:29:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39499-f3fc1-1.html39499新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[2023 Sports Elite Awards Yang Yung-wei won Best Male Athlete Award and Lien Chen-ling won Best Female Athlete Award]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39498-404d2-1.htmlThe Sports Administration (SA) held the “2023 Sports Elite Awards Ceremony” on December 25th. A final selection meeting was held on the morning of the ceremony to select the winners from the list of finalists chosen at the preliminary selection meeting. The Best Male Athlete Award was presented to Yang Yung-wei, while the Best Female Athlete Award went to Lien Chen-ling. Tseng Tzu-Chiang (John Tseng) received the Best Coach Award, and the title of Best Sports Team Award was bestowed upon the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou Men's 3x3 basketball team. Gu Shiau-shuang earned the Best Sportsmanship Award, and Hsieh Yuan-Kai was honored with the Best Rookie Athlete Award. During the ceremony, Premier Chen Chien-jen presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to coach Liu Jin-chi and a Special Award to go player Hsu Hao-hung. Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung delivered a speech, offering words of encouragement and congratulations to all the winners. He also praised the relentless dedication of athletes and coaches, highlighting their remarkable achievements for Taiwan in international sports.
The SA stated that a total of 85 submissions for the 2023 Sports Elite Awards were received, and all the recommended athletes had outstanding results in domestic and international competitions. In addition to selecting the winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Special Award through a project review meeting, the finalists for the Best Male Athlete Award, Best Female Athlete Award, Best Coach Award, Best Sports Team Award, Best Rookie Athlete Award and Best Sportsmanship Award were also selected through a preliminary meeting.
The nominees for this year's Best Male Athlete Award included Yang Yung-wei, who aimed for his third consecutive win, Lee Chih-kai, known as the pommel horse prince, first-time nominee Lai Kuan-chieh, tennis star Hsu Yu-Hsiou, and young Paiwan talent Lai Chu-en. Ultimately, Yang Yung-wei captured the judges' favor and was honored with the Best Male Athlete Award. In the category of Best Female Athlete Award, contenders included judo queen Lien Chen-ling, boxing champion Lin Yu-ting, roller skater Li Meng-chu, canoeing champion Chang Chu-han, and Bunun warrior Gu Shiau-shuang. Each of them exhibited exceptional performances, making it a challenging decision for the judges. Ultimately, Lien Chen-ling was chosen as the recipient of the award.
Shortlisted for Best Coach Award were Tseng Tzu-Chiang, the driving force behind boxing gold medalist Lin Yu-ting, Liu Wen-teng who coached the judoka Yang Yung-wei, and coach Wu Jiong-zhu, who coached the roller skating team. Their dedication and strategic guidance ensured that the athletes could train without any hindrance. After a tough battle, Tseng Tzu-Chiang won in the end. Regardless of whether they won the award or not, the coaches are always the biggest support for the athletes and share the glory with them. Shortlisted for Best Rookie Athlete Award were the roller skater Wang Yu-chun, fencer Hung Li-hsiang, Lin Pei-hsuan, who was the youngest to meet the Asian Games qualifying standard, Huang Chao-hong, a high school student excelling in javelin, and hurdler Hsieh Yuan-kai; the award was ultimately presented to Hsieh Yuan-kai. As for this year’s Best Sportsmanship Award, the contenders included Kan Chia-wei who embodies the spirit of "bloody fighting", Gu Shiau-shuang known for "never gives up until the last second", Kuo Hsing-chun who never considered “giving up” as an option, and Lien Chen-ling who believes in herself and is persistent in pursuing her dream. Gu Shiau-shuang finally won the award because of her perseverance and spirit in the final bout.
The contenders for this year's Best Sports Team Award included the 2021 Summer World University Games badminton mixed team, the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou men's roller skating team, the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou men's gymnastics team, the 2023 TWIF World Outdoor Championships women’s tug of war team, and the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou men’s basketball 3x3 team. With all these teams delivering outstanding performances, the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou men’s basketball 3x3 team stood out as the winner.
The SA mentioned that, in addition to the representatives of the main and co-organizers, players and coaches who have previously received the Elite Awards were invited as award presenters to symbolize the spirit of continuity. Hsu Yu-Hsiou, who won the Best Rookie Athlete Award in 2017 and was a finalist for the Best Male Athlete Award this year, also had the honor of presenting the Best Rookie Athlete Award. As he handed the award to the five shortlisted newcomer athletes, he couldn't help but reminisce about his own experience standing on the Sports Elite Awards stage years ago.
Every year, the finalists for the Elite Awards have consistently showcased exceptional performances and garnered high-profile recognition throughout the year. These athletes and teams compete on the international stage with boundless energy, achieving remarkable success for Taiwan. They look forward to continued recognition and support from Taiwanese people. The SA remains steadfast in its commitment to being the strongest support for all athletes and coaches, consistently investing resources and implementing policies to help them excel in their respective fields.

List of winners of the 2023 Sports Elite Awards

 

Award

Name

Sport

Lifetime Achievement Award

Liu Jin-chi

Basketball

Special Award

Hsu Hao-hung

Go

Best Male Athlete Award

Yang Yung-wei

Judo

Best Female Athlete Award

Lien Chen-ling 

Judo

Best Coach Award

Tseng Tzu-chiang (John Tseng)

Boxing

Best Sports Team Award

The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou Men’s 3x3 basketball team

Basketball

Best Rookie Athlete Award

Hsieh Yuan-kai

Athletics

Best Sportsmanship Award

Gu Shiau-shuang

Karate

 
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Wed, 07 Feb 2024 06:13:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39498-404d2-1.html39498新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Taiwan’s athletes attend the opening ceremony of the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39497-d1797-1.htmlThe Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games officially opened on January 19, 2024. The Taiwan delegation appoited Tai Wei-chen, a young women's luger, and Wu Kai-zhen, the captain of the men's ice hockey team, as flag bearers at the opening ceremony. Fang Jui-wen, Deputy Director-General of the Sports Administration (SA), Liang Kuang-chung, the representative of the Taipei mission in South Korea, Lin Hong-Dow, president of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee and head of the delegation, chefs de mission Ho Jow-fei, and others were all present to join the ceremony. A total of 19 athletes from Taiwan have qualified for four sports including ice hockey, skating, luge and skiing. After the opening ceremony, the 14-day schedule will officially begin. On the first day of competition, women's luger Dai and the men's ice hockey teams will be the first to compete.
Athletes at the opening ceremony first entered the venue and took their seats on both sides of the main stage. Only the flag bearers walked around the venue. Following the usual practice, Greece, the place where the Olympic Games originated, entered first, and the host South Korea entered as the finale, with the other participating teams entering according to the Korean alphabet, and two or three teams entered the venue at a time. Taiwan's delegation entered in 66th position out of the 78 participating countries and regions.
The Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic venues are mostly repurposed venues from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The main theme of the opening ceremony performance closely followed the games slogan "Grow together, shine forever", emphasizing the unlimited potential and hope of young people, and their potential to  become dazzling stars in the universe. The opening ceremony performers were mostly young dance groups, as well as South Korean pop music newcomers and groups. The torch of the games is a digital torch and was presented in digital electronic form, emphasizing the concept of environmental protection and sustainability.
The SA stated that this Winter Youth Olympics is divided into two major competition areas, the coastal competition area and the mountain competition area. The opening ceremonies were also held simultaneously at Gangneung Stadium and Yongpyong Dome. More than 1,800 young athletes from 78 countries and regions will participate in 7 different sports events in two weeks, competing and engaging in cultural exchange. Our young athletes will try their best to achieve good results and leave no regrets at the Winter Youth Olympics, in which they may take part only once in their lives.

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Wed, 07 Feb 2024 06:09:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39497-d1797-1.html39497新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Visits Indo-Taiwan Educational Cooperation Pavilion at Taiwan EXPO in Mumbai]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39496-aef2a-1.htmlThe Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India participated in the three-day 2023 Taiwan EXPO in Mumbai, India, from October 5 to October 7, 2023, with the theme Explore Taiwan in India. This is the first time that the Indo-Taiwan Educational Cooperation has participated in this B2B expo. 
Speaking at the opening ceremony on October 5, 2023, Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, pointed out that the state of Maharashtra contributes 15% to India's GDP. He visited the Indo-Taiwan Educational Cooperation Pavilion and told Mr Peters Chen, Director of the Education Division, that he looked forward to cooperating with universities and schools in Taiwan. Using a map of India, Director Chen showed the Deputy Chief Minister the locations of more than 30 schools and institutions in India that engage in and promote Mandarin language education cooperation with Taiwan. He said that this cooperation will help Indian students to find job opportunities in Taiwanese companies.
During the three days of the EXPO, representatives of 45 Indian universities visited the Pavilion, and representatives of 58 Taiwanese and Indian companies and manufacturers expressed their urgent need to recruit Mandarin-speaking professionals. More than 300 Indian students also visited the Education Cooperation Pavilion to learn about Taiwan and obtain information about scholarships. The Education Division provided many brochures and information material about university admissions to assist students who want to study in Taiwan, helping to create more opportunities for educational cooperation between Taiwan and India.

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Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:14:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39496-aef2a-1.html39496新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Taiwan Studies Project MOU Signed with Leading University in Malaysia Extends Bilateral Education Cooperation]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39495-675e2-1.htmlA memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya and the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO) was signed at a ceremony held on October 30, 2023. The MOU supports a one-year Taiwan Studies Project at Universiti Malaya that will continue and deepen the bilateral professional training and education related cooperation between Taiwan and Malaysia.

In her remarks at the signing ceremony, Representative Phoebe Yeh pointed out that Taiwan and Malaysia have forged very strong and close relations for decades, especially in the field of education. Two Taiwan Studies Projects have already been carried out, in 2019 and 2020 respectively, with support from Universiti Malaya, a leading university in Malaysia. These projects aroused the interest of more Malaysian scholars to engage in Taiwan-related studies and have considerably enhanced mutual understanding between Taiwan and Malaysia. The Taiwan Studies Project commencing in 2023 represents a significant milestone for continuing academic cooperation between the two parties. She expressed hope that Malaysians from all walks of life would be able to obtain a better understanding of Taiwan from the perspectives of politics, economics, culture, and community through this cooperative project, and her confidence that Taiwan and Malaysia will be able to forge closer bonds through such ongoing efforts to exchange resources and nurturing skilled people together.

The main focus of the latest Taiwan Studies Project is on two themes: relations between Taiwan and Malaysia, and the Taiwanese gastronomy culture in Malaysia. The Project commenced on October 1, 2023 and will continue until September 30, 2024. It involves establishing academic programs, scholar exchanges, writing and publishing Taiwan Studies materials, developing a Taiwan Studies-related book collection and digital databases, and holding Taiwan Studies-related exchange activities related to its two themes. It will also provide an interactive platform for scholars to meet like-minded professionals to expand future cooperation to explore relations between Taiwan and Malaysia. During the implementation of the project, feedback will be collected from students and participants and compiled to use to make timely adjustments and improvements to its programs.

The signatories of the MOU were Professor Datuk Dr. Danny Wong Tze Ken, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Ms. Charlin Chang, Director of the Education Division at TECO, and the distinguished guests at the signing ceremony included Representative Phoebe Yeh; Professor Dr. Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) at Universiti Malaya; Professor Dr. Andri Andriyana, Director of the university’s International Relations Centre; Ven Jue Cheng, the Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia; and Mr. Yau Teck Kong, Chairman of the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies.

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Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:13:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39495-675e2-1.html39495新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Educational Fieldtrip Seminar to Boost Post-Pandemic Interactions Between Schools in Taiwan and Japan]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39494-7176a-1.htmlTaiwan’s Ministry of Education K-12 Education Administration, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), and the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association co-hosted a Taiwan–Japan Educational Fieldtrip Seminar, to encourage the interactions between senior secondary students from schools in Taiwan and schools in Japan during students’ educational trips. 
A delegation of 74 principals and teachers from senior secondary schools in Taiwan, led by Dr. Li Chung-Yi 李重毅, the director of the recently established Primary and Secondary School International Educational Alliance, and principal of National Huwei Agricultural & Industrial Vocational Senior High School, and eighty Japanese participants, comprising representatives of the co-hosts, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), local schools, and local governmental officials met together in Tokyo on October 17, 2023. The seminar participants engaged in group discussions and shared ideas and thoughts about measures to promote and encourage educational trips between Japan and Taiwan, now that the pandemic has passed. 
Dr. Li Chung-Yi, director of the Primary and Secondary School International Educational Alliance, explained that the Ministry of Education had established the alliance in August, 2023, in response to the internationalization of education trend, to assist primary and junior secondary level schools to foster multi-cultural and international understanding as core competencies. The Ministry will continue to encourage elementary and junior secondary schools to engage in well-grounded international education that will expand their students’ international horizons. 
MEXT representatives expressed their hope that more students in Japan would be motivated to study abroad after interacting with students from Taiwan who are visiting Japan on educational field trips. Having more people study abroad will assist Japan increase its pool of internationally trained, highly skilled professionals. 
All the participants were positive about the effects of educational field trips and the associated exchanges between young people from Taiwan and Japan, both for increasing mutual understanding, and for helping to enhance the quality of international education. They look forward to returning to more frequent, close interactions now that the pandemic has passed.

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Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:11:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39494-7176a-1.html39494新聞工作小組
<![CDATA[Oxford Taiwan Studies Conference Focusses on Technology & Media Governance]]>https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39493-01e71-1.htmlA year after the inauguration of the Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme in 2022, an Oxford Taiwan Studies Conference was held at Saint Antony's College at the University of Oxford, on September 27, 2023. This international conference was jointly organized by the Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK and the School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford.
The theme of the conference was Technology and Multi-Faceted Change in Taiwan and Globally. It began with welcoming remarks by Andy Cheu-An Bi, the Director of the Education Division, Professor Paul Chaisty, Head of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, and Dr. Rachel Murphy, Research Director Oxford School of Global and Area Studies and the Director of the Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme, Andy Bi spoke about the significance of this year’s theme. He emphasized the imperative need to stay abreast of developments in the rapidly evolving technological landscape, giving generative AI and digital media as examples. In the light of Taiwan's enduring role as a leading technological hub and semiconductor manufacturer, he stressed the need to examine the ramifications of technology for diverse aspects of Taiwan’s society, including cultural identity, education, and democracy. 
Twenty-five scholars, one online, from various corners of the world—France, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the UK, and the US—gave papers at four panels, each followed by a Q&A and discussion. Panel 1 was on Digital Transnational Communications and Connections; Panel 2 was on Business, Trade and Regulation; Panel 3 was on Civil Society and Activism and Panel 4 was on Social Welfare and Social Lives in Taiwan. Keynote addresses were given by Professor Lih-Yun Grace Lin from the Graduate Institute of Journalism at National Taiwan University, who is also a member of Taiwan’s National Communications Commission and Associate Professor Chun-Yi Lee, Director of the Taiwan Studies Programme at the University of Nottingham. Prof Lin’s was on media and democratisation in Taiwan, and Associate Prof. Lee‘s  was on TSMC and Taiwan's pivotal role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Among the more than forty attendees engaging in stimulating discussions was Dr. Jing Bo-jiun, a Taiwanese academic who joined the Oxford School of Global & Area Studies in autumn as the senior research fellow at the Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme . Dr. Jing has previously worked as a research associate at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, and more recently as a research fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy at its Asia Program and Stockholm China Center and Head of the Taiwan Studies Project.
The Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme was initiated and promoted by Dr. Nicole Lee, now Director General of the Ministry of Education's Department of International and Cross-strait Education, during her tenure as Director of the Education Division in the UK from 2019 to 2021. The programme encompasses academic research, teaching, and activities such as this conference, seminars, and workshops pertaining to a wide range of Taiwan-related topics in disciplines, including social sciences, politics, economics, and science and  technology.

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Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:10:00 GMThttps://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-39493-01e71-1.html39493新聞工作小組