The new academic calendar released yesterday by the Taiwan University System, a consortium of three universities headed by the National Taiwan University (NTU), followed the growing trend of shorter university semesters.
The Taiwan University System, which also includes National Taiwan Normal University and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, first tested the 16-week semester, which deviated from the then-common 18-week semester, in 2022.
For the new academic year that is to start in September, the consortium is to begin winter vacation two days earlier than last year.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
Meanwhile, academic institutions including National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University have said that they are considering following suit to have 16-week semesters.
Citing the Enforcement Rules of the University Act (大學法施行細則), the Ministry of Education said one university credit is defined as one credit per 18 hours of classes, and all lab and intern courses are defined as one credit per 36 hours and 54 hours respectively.
All members of the Taiwan University System still adhere to this definition — which ensures that all courses can be concluded within 16 weeks — despite their flexible semester schedules, the ministry said.
Also citing the University Act (大學法), the ministry said universities are obligated to report when adjusting the duration of semesters, as it affects students’ learning rights.
Schools should make applications to the ministry from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 or from May 1 to June 15, if they wish to make adjustments to the number of weeks in a semester, it said.
Commenting on NTU’s intent to designate summer semesters an official semester, the ministry said that such a plan was “not recommended” in its April 13 meeting in 2022.
At the time it advised against having a third semester, citing controversial admission fees and other issues, the ministry said.
Universities are already allowed to schedule certain courses over the summer and they should take advantage of such policies, it added.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS