The effects of the low birth rate of the baby bust generation have taken a large toll on enrollment in Taiwan from elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. This reduction in student population has made a dramatic impact on the future of higher learning. Now junior and private universities find themselves faced with the crisis of development and maintaining student numbers in an increasingly competitive educational market. In order to combat the issue, a meeting was held in the Chueh-sheng International Conference Hall on October 25th. The meeting was titled, “Strategies to Handle the Impact of the Baby Bust Generation on Higher Education in Taiwan.”

President Flora Chia-I Chang stated, “We’ve paid attention to the phenomenon of the baby bust generation as it’s impact has become more apparent within the last few years. So we’ve invited professional researcher and professor of the Social Studies Department of National Taiwan University, James Hsueh, to give an analysis of the situation. Also because this has already been a problem in Japan, Professor from the Department of Japanese, Mei-ling Wang and Director of Lanyang Campus, Jyh-horng Lin, will give a report on the methods that Japan utilized to handle the effects of an aging society.”

Moderator of QS World University Rankings, Martin Ince, began the meeting by emphasizing the importance of providing students with current information, university management and government participation, and the need for increased population of international students. He added that by increasing the university world ranking, it would open the proper avenues, allowing for expansion and international development. He stated, “In order for Tamkang University to make its mark in the international world, it must develop and share its most unique characteristics.”

Professor James Hsueh began by analyzing and explaining the fluctuations of the birth rate in the most impactful years. He then talked about the necessity of being a competitive university and ways to maintain student population numbers through comparing to other countries that have undergone the same problem in the past. Professor Mei-ling Wang then explained the methods and problems that Japan endured dealing with the effects of a declining birthrate starting from the year 2000. She first mentioned that there was a decrease in student enrollment, academic funding, and government support in private universities by 32.7 percent. It was followed by an academic revolution of many schools focusing on reform of teaching methods, curriculum, international communication, politics, and student competitiveness. She stated, “By modelling the examples of other countries, we will be able to turn this calamity into an opportunity of development.”

SDGs

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