Whither Taiwan’s universities? This outcome had long been predicted, the inevitable result of Taiwan’s low birthrates and surplus of universities. Hence, the paradox by which Taiwan’s cheap public universities are populated by students from better-off families, while the working class has to send its children to lower quality private universities, often by borrowing money. Safe from foreign competition, Taiwan’s universities can monopolize the local population, save for those few families wealthy enough to send their children overseas. Whatever changes, thanks to low birthrates, around half of Taiwan’s private higher education institutions are expected to close in the coming decade.

Source: Taipei Times January 03, 2021 15:56 UTC