Universities are usually perceived as ivory towers free of politics, but the uproar surrounding presidential elections at National Chunghsing University (中興大學) has shattered that illusion.
A dispute has been simmering for weeks over the appointment of Peng Tso-kwei (
As Taiwan's democracy matures, professors and students have been appealing for democratic reform at the nation's institutions of higher learning.
While Taiwan was under martial law, university presidents were appointed by the central government so that a tight rein could be kept on academics.
It was not until 1994 that university presidents were elected by school faculties in accordance with changes to the University Law. For years scholars had argued that universities should be autonomous and governed by professors.
Occasionally, however, the well-intended law showed its shortcomings. According to Article 6 of the University Law, it states a university's search committee should hold a first round of elections to recommend two or three candidates to the Ministry of Education.
Selection process
From those candidates a new president is chosen by a committee of five to nine members at the education ministry.
Controversy has arisen over election procedures at the schools and the composition of the committee formed by the education ministry. Some scholars are convinced that the Ministry of Education should not have a final say in the choice of university president.
The initial election of a university president varies widely from school to school. Two systems are generally employed: The first method is election by popular vote by all full-time faculty members; the second is electoral voting, where a search committee is in charge of selection of the candidate.
Individuals in favor of a popular vote say that it is the best way of representing popular opinion.
"Only we professors know what's best for our school. The education ministry should respect the choice of professors by approving the candidate who gains the most ballots [in a popular vote]," said Wu Ming-ming (
However, most professors interviewed by the Taipei Times said they had reservations about popular voting as it caused instability and fighting among factions.
Vote-buying
"Professors are not different from ordinary people. All the drawbacks of elections such as vote-buying or blackmail are frequently heard of during elections at school," said Chen Tung-sheng (
Wu Yen-hua (
"What does the highest vote count mean? The perils of populism should not be brought onto the campus," warned Peng Yun (
"In addition, the election process is too time-consuming, with preparation requiring nearly half a year," Peng said. "During this period the campus is in disarray and teachers cannot concentrate on teaching. It's a real burden," Peng said.
Minister without portfolio Huang Jung-tsun (
"The most suitable individual can not necessarily be elected by means of a popular vote," Huang said.
He said a search committee election was a good alternative, as most scholars regarded popular elections as flawed. Under this scheme, he said, it is essential that an impartial committee be formed.
Public trust
Chen, Huang and Wu all said an essential attribute of a committee member was austerity. They also agreed all candidates should undergo public scrutiny.
"There should be a transparent and just benchmark to vet suited committee members in the hope of earning the trust of the public," Huang said.
When he was asked about the involvement of the education ministry, Huang said, "It is not time for universities to be totally independent on account of the fact that the quality of professors still leaves a lot of room to be desired.
"I think the Ministry of Education's involvement is acceptable for now."
According to Wu Yen-hua, "If the education ministry's search committee can win the trust of the public, their opinions should be respected.
"It is actually a good idea for an outsider to be the referee of a game if he stays unbiased."
Huang said that in the long term it would be best if the education ministry kept out of the election process.
"The education ministry should not step in and choose presidents for schools.
"It should merely play an assisting role and guide schools toward a sound scheme for them to establish a fair-minded search committee on campus. Only then can power be given to professors," Huang said.
But first, professors should improve their tattered public image, but "I don't think it's time yet," Huang said.
FIREPOWER: On top of the torpedoes, the military would procure Kestrel II anti-tank weapons systems to replace aging license-produced M72 LAW launchers Taiwan is to receive US-made Mark 48 torpedoes and training simulators over the next three years, following delays that hampered the navy’s operational readiness, the Ministry of National Defense’s latest budget proposal showed. The navy next year would acquire four training simulator systems for the torpedoes and take receipt of 14 torpedoes in 2027 and 10 torpedoes in 2028, the ministry said in its budget for the next fiscal year. The torpedoes would almost certainly be utilized in the navy’s two upgraded Chien Lung-class submarines and the indigenously developed Hai Kun, should the attack sub successfully reach operational status. US President Donald Trump
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) is expected to start construction of its 1.4-nanometer chip manufacturing facilities at the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP, 中部科學園區) as early as October, the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) reported yesterday, citing the park administration. TSMC acquired land for the second phase of the park’s expansion in Taichung in June. Large cement, construction and facility engineering companies in central Taiwan have reportedly been receiving bids for TSMC-related projects, the report said. Supply-chain firms estimated that the business opportunities for engineering, equipment and materials supply, and back-end packaging and testing could reach as high as
ALL QUIET: The Philippine foreign secretary told senators she would not respond to questions about whether Lin Chia-lung was in the country The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that a business delegation is visiting the Philippines, but declined to say whether Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) is part of the group, as Philippine lawmakers raised questions over Lin’s reported visit. The group is being led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin (黃昭欽), Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA) chairman Joseph Lyu (呂桔誠) and US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) vice president Lotta Danielsson, the ministry said in a statement. However, sources speaking on condition of anonymity said that Lin is leading the delegation of 70 people. Filinvest New Clark City Innovation Park
DEFENSIVE EDGE: The liaison officer would work with Taiwan on drones and military applications for other civilian-developed technologies, a source said A Pentagon unit tasked with facilitating the US military’s adoption of new technology is soon to deploy officials to dozens of friendly nations, including Taiwan, the Financial Times reported yesterday. The US Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is to send a representative to collaborate with Taiwan on drones and military applications from the semiconductor industry by the end of the year, the British daily reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. “Drones will certainly be a focus, but they will also be looking at connecting to the broader civilian and dual-use ecosystem, including the tech sector,” one source was
RSS