TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Education is planning to establish the Taiwan Advanced Academy of Science (TAAS) in response to President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) goal of increasing Taiwan’s number of Nobel Prize winners by at least three within the next 30 years.
According to a preliminary proposal, TAAS would function as a cooperative consortium comprising National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Cheng Kung University, and Academia Sinica, CNA reported.
This framework would differ from Taiwan’s current education and admissions system.
Current plans call for TAAS to adopt a joint admissions system and group applicants by specialty fields such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences, per CNA. Admissions would involve a two-stage selection process: the first stage would consist of written examinations testing scientific knowledge, while the second stage would include document reviews, practical assessments, and interviews.
Education Ministry Secretary-General Lin Po-chiao (林伯樵) said TAAS differs from the college-wide bachelor’s programs already offered by many universities. TAAS is intended for students whose academic interests and aptitudes are already highly focused, he said, adding that the academy is still in the planning stage.
Lin emphasized that TAAS would not enroll large numbers of students and would not affect existing high school or university admissions pathways. Even if TAAS students do not ultimately pursue academic careers, exposure to scientific research during the most formative stage of their education would still prove valuable in their future professional lives, he said.
