Enrollment Rate of Chinese Students Hits New Low 陸生碩博班放榜 招生達成率31%創新低

Taiwan began allowing Chinese students to come to Taiwan to study for academic degrees in 2011. In 2020, China stopped allowing its students to study in Taiwan due to the pandemic and political issues. The latest information from the University Entrance Committee for Mainland Chinese Students shows that the enrollment rate has hit an all-time low.

In April 2020, China stopped allowing its students to study at Taiwan's universities, citing the global pandemic. However, students already in Taiwan were allowed to remain and pursue graduate studies. The latest information shows that 45 schools have accepted 465 Chinese students for master's and doctorate degree programs, a decrease of 241 compared to 2021. The enrollment rate of 31 percent is an all-time low. The number of unfilled spots in master's and doctorate degree programs is 818 and 217, respectively. Former Shih Chien University president Michael Chen says this is not at all surprising.

Michael Chen, Supervisor, Providence University: “I'm not optimistic at all, even though the government wants to unilaterally open up Taiwan to Chinese students pursuing advanced studies, as I don't think Chinese students will come. We might as well put our efforts into the New Southbound Policy countries.”

Taiwan's universities, especially private ones, are already suffering the effects of the declining birthrate. The lack of Chinese students is making matters worse. Chinese students in Taiwan are not allowed to work temporary jobs or accept government scholarships, and these limits affect the desire of Chinese students to stay in Taiwan. One Chinese master's degree student in Taiwan says finances are the secondary concern. The primary concern is the lack of opportunities.

Chinese Master's Degree Student in Taiwan: “You're not allowed to work internships, become research assistants, or participate in Ministry of Science and Technology programs. The inability to take part in professors' research projects affects your studies.”

The last batch of Chinese students of about 800 arrived to pursue bachelor's degrees in 2019. They may become the last class once they graduate in 2023 if China maintains the ban. The Ministry of Education is making plans to open up Taiwan to "non-degree students," including those from China. Chen says schools can afford to be a little optimistic if they are able to utilize sister school relationships, but they shouldn't have high expectations.

中國2020年4月以疫情為由，暫停陸生來台唸大學，只有在台陸生可繼續升讀研究所，今年陸生碩博班放榜，計有45校錄取465名陸生，較去年減少241名，招生達成率31%創新低，碩班缺額多達818名，博班217名。前實踐大學校長陳振貴說，一點也不意外。

靜宜大學監察人（前實踐大學校長）陳振貴表示：「即使現在政府有意單方面的，想開放陸生來台研修，我對這一點並不保持樂觀的態度，陸生大概不會來，不如我們把我們的心力用在新南向方面。」

台灣的大學，尤其是私校，已受少子化衝擊，陸生越來越少，雪上加霜。而陸生不能打工、不能拿公部門獎學金等限制，多少影響在台陸生意願，一位北部某國立大學碩班的陸生說，經濟還是其次，重點是缺乏學習機會。

北部某國立大學碩二陸生說：「比如說實習的機會，你當老師研究助理的機會，然後或者是你參加科技部大專生計畫的機會，因為沒辦法參與到老師的研究計畫，對學業來講是有影響的。」

若對岸繼續暫停陸生來台，2019年最後一批，約800名學士陸生，明年2023年畢業後，學士班陸生恐成絕響。對於教育部正研議開放境外「非學位生」入境來台，包含中國的非學位生，陳振貴認為，若各校憑個人關係，從姊妹校尋找突破機會，可以有些期待，但希望不大。