Issues: education

Can this be justified when the fact-fabrication has been revealed?

11/22/2016

Can this be justified when the fact-fabrication has been revealed?

Dr Yang Pan-Chyr makes his words definitely clear on the website of National Taiwan University (his words in blue):

That the etymology of the word "university" bespeaks of a "unified change," a dogma that I firmly believe NTU has invariably observed. Owing to the staunch diligence of all our students, faculty, and staff, "National Taiwan University," in QS Intelligence Unit's research director Ben Swart words, "has already entered the ranks of the world's leading universities."

Indeed, QS World University Rankings has showed the results about the ranking of National Taiwan University in 2016. It revealed National Taiwan University made itself become the 68^th at the world's top 100 universities (Central News Agency, September 6.)

I am certain we are all validated by such high praise. We shall continue to uphold our fundamental responsibilities to constantly seek the advancement of academics and the development of professional talents for the nation. Furthermore, we must also continue to shoulder the expectations and demands of society, which calls for impeccable moral standards and scrupulous self-discipline. I sincerely hope that, other than pursuing academic excellence, NTU will act as a guiding beacon of virtue for the nation and society.

The scandals about the fact-fabrication papers published in international journals have gotten headlines recently because of the research team, the leader of which is Guo Mingliang, the Vice President of Kaohsiung Medical University. He counterfeited data and published 11 papers, four of which unfortunately got one of co-authors, Yang Pan-Chyr, the president of National Taiwan University. That is too bad to forge fake data in the research papers.

As the president of the best national university, is the above all about what he declared impeccable moral standards and scrupulous self-discipline? Isn’t it true that authors, misconducting fake data, of the published journals are threatening the reputation of not only Taiwan University but the system of higher education and medical research in Taiwan beyond question?

With the tide of globalization continuing to impact the world, the present era provides ideal opportunities for NTU's faculty and students to showcase their multifarious talents to the international community. One by one, they have been presenting their exceptional academic research achievements on the global stage…Each of these breakthroughs has altered the international scientific or medical landscape. The assiduous effort of our academic colleagues is axiomatically evident in the monumental research they have produced across the entire spectrum of all academic fields.

The reason why this event of medical science misconduct has hit the headlines so hard is that the researchers, who are professors with a PhD, are very well of how to hold a moral high ground when it comes to research for the truth about nature. Aren’t they supposed to exclude human bias while collecting data? Why did they make the huge mistakes and more than once? Fame is the thirst for them, isn’t it?

In addition to an exceptional academic environment, NTU also provides students with the optimal educational platform. Our mission in education is to cultivate leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, and we have designed a series of courses for the specific purpose of initiating students into the international community. The Creativity and Entrepreneurship Program develops students' teamwork and problem-solving skills while instigating the ability to demonstrate personal aptitudes for any field or business beyond graduation.

Taiwan University Graduate Student Association and other student groups came to an agreement last night on 20^th that the outcomes from the scandals have damaged the great reputation of National Taiwan University, which was built for many decades with endless efforts.

The conclusion was also mentioned that the investigation on this should be thoroughly conducted by an independent investigation committee. Besides, any conflict of interest should be avoided (Hong, Shin-tsu, Untied Daily News, November 21, 2016). How could they believe the truth might come out from what has been hidden even digging deep enough, but the president doesn’t step down yet?

As NTU president, I fully expect myself and the administrative staff to devote our conscientious efforts to serve NTU, and, with the concerted enterprise of all our students and faculty, to define and refine this temple of learning, research, and progress into a truly inspirational university.

Has he fully devoted his conscientious efforts to serve NTU, and, with the concerted enterprise of all his students and faculty, to define and refine this temple of learning, research, and progress into a truly inspirational university? Shouldn’t he take responsibilities for whatever he’s done to the school?

Education Minister Pan Wenzhong gave his comment on this event -- that Yang Pan-Chyr might be under thoroughly careful examination if he has violated academic ethics. He also gave his opinion about it. It is that clarification of the scandals should tell the truth after a square and fair investigation has done its job, and there won’t be an issue of power but responsibility.

In addition to that, Pan Wenzhong stressed that now National Taiwan University has organized a Committee to do what needs to be done. Don’t you question who at National Taiwan University is able to authorize one to organize this committee?

He stressed that the Ministry of Education is cautious about the matter. Academic research needs to be honest, and will ask National Taiwan University to probe into it objectively and carefully. According to the seriousness of this event, there will be an inspection followed by an appropriate way to deal with the findings (Hong Xinci, United Daily News, November 21, 2016).

Our culture is deeply steeped in the Confucian ideal of benevolent love, thus preserving the invaluable traditions of ethnic-Chinese society… Forging NTU into "the portal through which international society appreciates ethnic-Chinese culture and East Asia" continues to be the obstinate aspiration of our indefatigable pursuit.

It’s said and believed that the Chinese or Taiwanese, if you prefer to say, political realm or even academic domain is teeming with counterfeit culture, don’t you agree with? Another question is Yang Pan-Chyr defends himself with his endeavors as only a co-author. Does a co-author only enjoy the credit for publication offered by others without a second thought or giving an oblivious look at?

Wu Si-yao, a legislator, pointed out that all these do tell the common habits formed with some teachers at higher education level and it is of importance to demand a quick and impartial investigation to find out the facts. She also remarked that Yang Pan-Chyr as the president of National Taiwan University should be very aware of the expectation of others and the codes of morals. What has happened can possibly offer something to alter Taiwan's academic ethics (Zhang Jin-hong, United Daily News, November 21, 2016).

Why are they doing forgeries? It is because there is no legal action which can be applied to punishing fact-fabrication in academic domain. That means there won’t be a way definitely to stop the scholars and researchers, most of them teaching at university level, gaining access to opportunities of a promotion, receiving a national-based grant or subsidiary funds from the Ministry of Science, or the Academic Award of Ministry of Education. Yes, they can always try!

What if they are caught? Don’t worry! It’s not a big deal they will only be suspended one or two years from applying the funds or grants, and they can still keep their teaching job without awkwardness or restlessness!!! How do they grade their students if their students cheat you might wonder?

On his curriculum vitae, Pan-Cheer Yang has won such beautiful honors and accomplished the below:

Honors:

Distinguished Teacher Award, National Taiwan University, 1999

Academic Award, Ministry of Education, ROC, 2002

Academician, Academia Sinica, 2006

Distinguished Professor, National Taiwan University, 2006

National Chair Professor, Ministry of Education, Taiwan ROC, 2007

Academician ,The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, 2008

(http://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/index.php/tw/yang-pan-chyr-)

Journal Reviewer and Editor

Editor-in-Chief

MicroRNA(2011~Present)

Lung Cancer: Targets and Therapy(2012~Present)

Academic Editor

PLoS One (2010~Present)

Editorial Board

J Clinical Oncology (2008~Present)

Carcinogenesis (2007~Present)

Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio (2007~Present)

J Formosan Med Assoc (2005~2010)

The International J of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (2007~ Present)

European Respiratory Journal (2012~Present)

Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2012~Present)

Journal Reviewers

Journal of Clinical Investigation, EMBO-Molecular Medicine, British Med J, Oncogene, Cancer Res, Clinical Cancer Res, Hepatology, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Infectious Diseases, BMC Cancer, Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, Molecular Carcinogenesis, Cancer, Int J Cancer, Chest, Respiratory Research, J Thoracic Oncol, Lung Cancer

(parts collected from his curriculum vitae)

education

Childhood

3/09/2016

“Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.” Jack London

What will I remember, which is the most wonderful and thrilled before schooling?

I’ve been told more than once that I need to get into an elite music class not a general study class if I start my private elementary school at the age of six. It’s said that is the best for me, but I have to take the entrance exam. I am six this May.

I really wish I could be put in a lower stream than I should be. A general class is good enough for me.

My mother took me to two classes, to learn drawing since I was three years old and play piano at the age of four once a week. I kind of like the drawing class because I don’t have to practice it everyday.

I’m supposed to practice the piece of music for at least 20 minutes a day, which I learn every Saturday. My teacher and my mother, who accompanies with me every time, will find out if I practice well on the following Saturday. If I play okay, that means I do as required. My mother would be happy and give me a small but great treat for sure. I can tell not only me but my mother too, pleasing in manner of kind of triumph. If I don’t do as good as other classmates, my mother doesn’t utter a word but takes me home directly. She'll stare at me and say “I don’t set rules you can’t follow. Don’t let it flow in one ear and out the other. After you do what you need to do, you can do whatever you want to.” I should I know.

I admit that most of the time, I skip it to play the piano. I can’t see how I could squeeze some time playing the piano. After school, I’m busy playing Lego and different toys or watching the TV without being known before my parents come home. My parents are so busy that they, especially my mother, forget to ask me if I’ve done what I should though.

One of my classmates at the kindergarten told me that she felt tired every weeknight because she had to learn different things which she was not interested in at all. Her mother gives her a very strict and tight schedule and she can’t complain about it. Her mother always reminds her of what she’s doing is good for her. She told me too that her mother didn’t ever regret giving up work to be a full-time parent, but she wished her mother hadn’t done that for her sake.

Once she asked me how it would feel to be a rule breaker. She knew I didn’t follow all the rules my mother told me. I lost my tongue. I didn’t tell her I might hurt my mother’s feeling when I disappoint her.

Comparing what happens to her, I’m still lucky. I prefer doing nothing to learning things new. I also don’t know why the future is more important than the present. Of course, I don’t question this but keep it in my mind.

It won’t happen I’m pretty sure if I start my primary school that my mother would drop off the lunch box in a thermal bag everyday to me like other mothers. She also can’t make it to be off work before school pickup. Either I’ll become a latchkey kid if the housekeeper quits her job. Or my mother might ask me to stay late for after-school care.

My parents don’t wait in the car at pickup like other parents or talk to the teacher to find out what has been going on at school. They are not parents who could volunteer for every school event either. But, somehow I find my mother has been kept in the loop. It’s true that I need my parents’ full attention and endless love, but not those which my teacher might meddle about. For example, I don’t take a nap during the lunch break.

It is really boring to lie down for more than an hour because I don’t feel sleepy at all, so I talk to myself or play with my fingers covered by my sleeping bag on the floor. Now, I try to make no sound with my eyes wide open and lie still like a small tree without being disturbed by winds.

My parents told me several times that they want to make me have a wonderful life, so they need to overwork sometimes on weekends. I think I don’t like to have more money to spend as they hope to, but I wish I could go out with both of them on weekends like some of my classmates. I’m envious of it that how happy they are when they go with their parents on vacation.

My paternal grandpa moved in a year ago, which has made life way too hard for my worn-out parents. Before he moved in with us, one night my parents thought I was out of earshot and discussed how to arrange my grandpa. I remembered my mother argued with my father about how my father made things more difficult for both of them to deal with.

They talked about what needed to be done. My father and my uncle took turns to look after their father – one month here and one month staying with my uncle, because he couldn’t live on his own any more. My mother sobbed and my father comforted her, who earns his trust to be a good daughter-in-law.

Usually my father holds me up and puts me in the back seat, and grins happily at me if he drives me out. It seems an adventure we’re going to explore and I really like the feeling to be with him. But, somehow I figure out, even though I am not observant of what has been going on in fact, that there must be something big and serious which has happened to one of my parents or both recently.

It was a while ago when my father took me to pick up my mother after work. On that night, he held my hand absent-mindedly, walked me to the car, opened the door to let me get into the seat, and tugged on the seat belt for me. He was unusually quietly to adjust his seat and the rearview mirror, and check the wing mirrors. He didn’t hum one of his favorite songs while he was driving in light traffic.

What happened actually I did not know and I don’t think they’d tell me, so I keep quiet. Since then, my parents stop taking me to the theaters, but we still watch movies at home. I don’t complain if I can be with both of them or one of them to do even boring things.

I should act like a docile kid I understand. But, sometimes I forget about it and insist to get what I want to. The punishment is followed unavoidably – to face the corner in the living room and stand still for a long while before being dismissed. Crying doesn't do me any good.

It seems real that my parents already started planning what I better do with my life. Don’t I need the order of life and the clearly defined goals, started when I am still very little? That’s a real big business don’t you think?

But, be honest with me. What did you want from life at my age if you remember?

Hi!

Shouldn’t parents have to be well aware of that his children can’t fly but sail? Don’t worry about what happens if they can’t fly, they can’t sail, or they can’t even fight. A motive from a kid definitely stimulate him/her self to further efforts to live a full life. As a parent, you have important decisions to make that will help and shape the future of your children it can’t be denied. The way you raise your children now build up a path of the future for your children.

Might it be the priority to give your children a wonderful and great childhood – full of fun, adventure, and love?

education

That really hurt didn't she know?

12/16/2015

That really hurt didn't she know?

The enforcement of some rules hasn’t been lax especially in high schools in Taiwan, such as a permission slip signed by a parent for the absence of an hour or a day. Sometimes, a teen-age-old who doesn’t know what to do with him/her self and might reluctant to get much guidance from his parent/s or teachers. What the parent/s could do might just let him/her float along to do as he/she pleases , but breaks the rules.

It seems a clear strategy for parents or teachers to put effort into finding common ground with their children or students, especially teenage ones. She went to a coeducational senior high school, where students are not officially banned dating with the opposite gender on campus.

It is more likely and true to happen for boys, whose priorities change from puberty to maturity. They hardly talk to their parents in depth, but girls do especially to their mother. She was one of them to talk things to her mother, who was never accused of being a helicopter mother.

She was warned of not speaking to boys with frankness, who might take the offer lightly just because it seemed to have come easily. She kept this to herself without saying a word to her mother this time.

She didn’t like to film what happened around her with her cell phone. But, at that very moment, she just did what she did.

She did selfie and it was too obvious to clarify what she meant to. It was more than a picture, which showed ample cleavage!Surely the rest of her breasts was covered with her uniform, like wearing a bikini top. She just had a sudden urge to do it. She hit the key and sent it out. She didn’t give it a second thought.

Why did she do that without a moment's hesitation? Was it because she grew up and was more on an equal footing? Or did she completely forget what her mother reminded her of?

Her boyfriend she thought he was like some young students in Taiwan held a birthday party for their friends in a motel on that weekday night. It did not occur that other guests complained to the motel staff about the room romp. He was one of the students who was self-disciplined. Like his friends or acquaintances, he seemed incapable of navigating a day without multiple phone conversations or messages. It was not unusual to receive a message, was it? Here came a funny beep to signal for a new message.

His good friends knew there was a girl in that music-major elite class who had a crush on him even though he was in a general study class. He looked stunned and blushed at the right moment he read the message. His friends became quite and were surprised to see him try to slide his cell phone into his pocket immediately. He failed. Those carefree teenagers abandoned fake politeness and wanted to snatch his cell phone. They were oblivious to the fact that he did not give in. They forced him to face down the bed and took his cell phone.

It is definitely true on Internet it’s best and easiest to traffic stories. The more intense or forbidden it is the more likely the story is to be spread around in a very short time. Her text, with that seductive attachment evoking strong emotions or other negative feelings, popped up on the unknown cell phones among the students of her school or of others in a night. Her teacher lost her tongue when her mobile dinged with a text and she checked it out in the early morning the following day.

Her teacher ruled her music-major students with an iron fist. She decided what courses students should take every semester, and it was not negotiable after she made a decision. The only option left for the parents of the students was a compromise since most graduates under her supervision went to national universities and several of them even became outstanding musicians. If there was a complaint, it fell on deaf ears.

The teacher burst into the classroom during the before-school care, staring at her, and furiously blurted out, “You are such a bitch!” She took the trembling hand of her student suddenly and dragged her all the way, rushing to the entrance of the classroom where her beloved boyfriend’s was.

What the teacher did this on purpose was to show the students a fatal warning, which is something like this – you do this, you die. Without mercy!

The teacher also confiscated her cell phone. The odds of contacting him from her online plummeted when things happened and days passed. He had a hard time getting organized for a whole week. Finally, he received not a message from her. She was gone and showed no more online.

He wondered if she would be all right. He tried to text her, followed by no response. He couldn’t get a hold of anyone at the house either. There should be someone to look after her. But, no one was there. When he almost gave it up, the service answered the phone and offered the forwarding phone number.

When her desk phone kept ringing, she finally answered the phone. She only said “bye” and then promptly hung up on him. She couldn’t go back to sleep. It always ached at the end of the day after school, but she welcomed the pain. It meant she lived after the deeply hurt from the humiliation from facing his whole class and being forced to spit out those disgusting words.

She caught a glimpse of him. It seemed a standoff that he was shoving his hands in his pockets and looking down, standing against the wall. Some of his classmates clapped their ears with their hands, some didn’t look at her, and some just ran out of the classroom, but some she could feel did stare at her.

She ignored the whispers behind her on campus. It seemed that they did not care about if she was out of the earshot.

This scandal was tried to be terminated by the school, from which the teacher received a punishment, an annual bonus ceased this year.

What would you do if you were “she?”After this what a life will she lead to?

This is based on a real story, which happened in April this year,2015, in a senior high school with a good reputation. It was released by a newspaper on December 5^th.

＊According to Criminal Law, the teacher would be sued to commit an insult to her student in the public to the maximum for six years if the case was tried.

education

What did her father expect her to be?

10/28/2015

What was her father’s expectation?

Everyone knows that there are two different systems for cell phone users, one of which is android and the other of which is window system. And an answering machine can screen the calls and might not be able to shed the caller’s anonymity. She didn’t blame for that function because she used to screen calls too. If she needed some time quiet without being interrupted, she was happy to unplug her landline.

She was very careful to download those kinds of tempting apps. She was on the alert to prevent the possibility of identity theft on the Internet through an unknown connection. She was not one of them who are always ready to give something new a try.

She didn’t want to loan money to her acquaintances, who believed they must have every piece of the latest and greatest electronics. Besides, an updated electronic gadget was a weakness of theirs. That urge to buy made them work early or late shifts and picked up odd jobs after school. They couldn’t resist the chance to make a quick buck. She had no tolerance for that sort of behavior. However, she kind of knew how they survived at their schools, but not at her top-notch girl senior high school.

The Internet has opened up an instant access to a virtual world, and also allowed to make real world function in its own way while it might be manipulated.She couldn’t deny that it’s an amazing way to reach each other by having a kind of standing appointment, not those official ones like with a shrink,but chatting at a certain time for a Skype session. That made it possible to talk to her elder sister in the States even though the 12-hour difference was a torture unable to keep alert at midnight.

She didn’t appreciate the pranks on TV, which her younger brothers preferred much to sitcoms. She was left no choice, but joined them since her mother didn’t complain about it. She stayed home on weekends, didn't do anything special with friends.

Some of her mature classmates talked about going out on a blind date.Sometimes, they also broke the no-phones rule during lunch break, which was suspended only with urgency. While camping near the mountain area, they worried about either their cell phone with a flat battery not working or a coverage a problems unable to use the cell phone. Then, they wouldn’t know where their boyfriend were, not allowed to use the locater app.

Dating with a teenager, a so-called boyfriend, was out of her concern. One of her good friends liked to hang out with her boyfriend, and she refused to go out with them. It made her feel like a third wheel. This was definitely alien to her knowledge. She didn’t think she would ever do this. It was far away weird.She didn’t believe that love could last forever. Why to bother?

She chose what happened to her life.

She had girl-next-door looks, brought up in the quiet and well-groomed neighborhood, which indicated prosperity. In the eyes of her teachers and classmates, she was cute with freckles dotted on her cheekbones, carefree and happy-go-lucky.

Her sharp brain became crystal-clear after being with her for a while. She knew exactly what she was doing. She was so observant that she remembered most details around her to tell and see what came after revealing.

She was a low-key and private high-school student. She knew well that a better way to do was to fight shy of discussing her family in depth.Prevention to unveil was the primary goal in dealing with friends or classmates. She hardly invited her friends to meet her family, who just knew she came from a wealthy family. She used to hold back from telling her good friends about what happened between her parents. She kept some secrets and suffered. She believed there were things best left alone.

She felt obligated to make it a priority, anything that was related to her mother. When something just happened to her mother, she willingly missed appointments and social events with her friends.

Her performance at school got the thumbs up from her relatives. She was especially good at mathematics. She didn’t know how she made it, but she’d like to study something related to math after she went to university. When she was in the first semester of the second year, her father told her to major in law if she could. He expected her to be a lawyer or a judge in the future.

Would she become what her father expected her to be under the guidance of her well-liked her teachers?

Education System in Taiwan

Taiwan’s education system is highly centralized. The Ministry of Education is part of the Executive Yuan (Cabinet). The Executive Yuan is the most powerful executive body and carries out government decisions and laws made by the Legislature. The Government, through the Ministry of Education, exercises considerable control over tuition, curriculum, and establishment of new programs.

In general, the Ministry of Education controls national and private schools, colleges, and universities. An important element in this achievement has been strong central planning, harnessing traditional enthusiasm for education and directing it according to perceived national development needs. It is the Ministry of Education which approves the numbers of students in each department at every university.

education

What does he want to achieve in life?

10/21/2015

What does he want to achieve in life?

Was he the one to decide which senior high school he should go to? No! It was his parents, especially his mother, who picked up the one for him, and his scores on the entrance examination also led him to this senior high school.

The senior high school he went to is affiliated to the university and runs successfully. In addition, there are many part-time students studying on weekends at affiliated college of continuing education to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

In the beginning, his parents were distraught with worry about this senior high school, a coeducational high school.

They thought that he might fall in love with or get a crush on a girl, whom he studied with or met on campus. They believed he was still young and should focus on his studying before going to a university with a fine reputation.

What his parents worried about came from knowing popularity he gained among his friends. He was not bookish, but he didn’t slack off on his homework either. He wasn’t like some of his classmates, who spent time just eating and watching TV at home on weekends. He considered himself a movie buff.

He made time for a gathering with his friends including female friends, whom he kept at a friendship level. He didn’t like to add his two cents to everything when he was with his friends, but he didn’t make plans based on what he was suggested either. There wasn’t a problem about cliques at camp or bullying in his school. It isn’t a surprise that these kinds of things some students might encounter accidentally.

His computer skills seemed to be in high demand later in a job market, which surely promised him a better-than-good chance to study in a computer field at higher education. Besides, he never manipulated his computer skills to do things like what web posse might do. He wasn’t a phubber either, indulging in a virtual online world. In addition, he wasn’t one of those who liked to use their body languages to express how they were feeling, like making air quote marks* with his hands when he gave a speech. But, he acted like most of the young people who have their keypals with whom he regularly exchanged e-mails for fun.

It's believed that he would be one who equips himself in the future with success and self-actualization, approaching with every step of the whole way up. And, he is also expected to fill his goals and promises he's given to his parents.

Schooling in Taiwan

The academic year for all levels of school operates on the semester system, and runs generally from September to June. There are two semesters in an academic year. In general, the first semester starts in September and ends at the end of January, and the second semester starts at the end of February and ends at the end of June.

The Ministry of Education has been encouraging universities to establish three semesters a year so that undergraduates can graduate in three years if they take summer courses (China Times News, May 8, 1997).

The basic qualification in higher education is the four-year bachelor’s degree. However, a bachelor’s degree in medical programs requires a minimum of seven years. A master’s degree requires a further two years of full-time study. Doctorates require a minimum of two years of full-time study following a master’s degree. Most doctoral programs take a long time between three and six years.

Junior high school students in their third year have the pressure of intensive preparation to go to a prestigious senior high school. The third year for senior high school students is also crucial because they are facing a complicated system to get on their higher education. Students in both junior high school and in senior high school may leave home at 7:00 or so and not return home until 19:00 because some might go off for after-school tutoring or very late until 21:30 or 22:00.

On the surface, an opportunity for a student seems pretty fair. Recruiting students at the levels of senior high school and university, however, is more complex than it appears at first sight. For senior high school students, once the major of studying is chosen at the age of 15 or so, it is very difficult to alter it. How students choose their sections, engineering, medical sciences and humanities. The section students choose mostly relies on the parents to help them. Generally, female students are kept in the humanities at senior high school level, due to the stereotypical thinking of people. That leads them into the limited future job marketing after graduation from higher education.

In addition, the ways of recruiting students especially at university level remain some controversial factors about fairness. The fact seems that a structural constraint prevents poor students from equal access to a university guaranteeing a bright future.

Gender segregation still exists in Taiwan
(updated on International Women's Day, 2017)

The Research Center of Global Views Magazine conducted a research from 01/17 to 01/20 this year and has released the results today March 8, International Women's Day (The Absence of Females -- A key to Taiwan's Science Competitiveness, Global Views Magazine, March 8, 2017, https://www.gvm.com.tw).

To explore what the parents believe in, 216 parents of 108 boys and 108 girls respectively, who are senior high school students. In addition to those parents, there were 853 more interviews in this research at the age of 20 and above. The total interviewees are 1069 chosen at random living in 22 different cities in Taiwan, who were given the same questionnaires about abilities of boys and girls, or choices of major and career for women and men. The interviews were conducted through Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing, CATI, followed by data collecting and analyzing.

The results show that 70% of the interviewees disagreed with the statement that girls are inappropriate for majoring in engineering while there were 16.1% of them agreed with this. It is interesting that the younger, especially at the ages between 20 and 29, the more flexible to consider it is suitable for women to study the untraditional fields like science. On the contrary, the interviewees at the age of 60 and above tended towards this belief.

The conclusion has revealed today, yes on International Women's Day in 2017, that women are expected to be a teacher, a nurse or an accountant while men are an electrical engineer (46.3%), a business manager (22.2%) or a science researcher (18.5%). Among the interviewees, the parents of senior high school students also give some serious thought that working in a science field for a woman would be a real challenge that she has to consume most of time and energy in achievement. Matter-of-factly, women with a full-time job are still expected to fulfill the roles as a wife and a care-giver, not supposed to dedicate herself to her own career. It accurately explains why the absence of women in science fields exists in Taiwan.

It seems ironic International Women’s Day hasn't been mentioned in the media or by our first woman President Tsai Ing-wen. She hasn’t made a public speech either about women’s struggles or efforts like how hard it was for her to approach the highest administration position as a President to rule Taiwan since last year or encouraged her female comrades. Our President today is very quiet on this special day she might forget about. (Yesterday, she did attend the conference of International Women's Day in Taipei, who gave a speech, which appeared very official but superficial without enthusiasm like one of her presidential election speeches to attract attentions' of the media to broadcast. (revised on March 9, 2017)

education

What are they doing?

9/23/2015

What are they doing?

Young people

Sheila and May are busy making the orders for their clients on the internet. Both of them have more regular customers, who are students. Therefore, they're always required to know what those students are looking for in their web store, especially university students or senior-high-school students.

Sheila: The so-called tech-savvy generation usually boast in their own blogs. Being bookish is not popular among young students.

May: I agree with what you said. Students of different levels do selfie almost everywhere to share their photos online with friends, acquaintances, or even those they even don’t know. They might have both a cell phone and a phablet.

Sheila: They also enjoy texting or emailing with an emoji to express their feelings. I admit an emoticon smiley face is always a welcome.

May: It might vary from person to person. But it’s not unusual for teenagers to hold a birthday party for their friends in a fancy motel. As the press released last week, five teenagers were not only complained by other guests about their room romp but caught by the police on account of drug dosing.

Sheila: Do you think it’s possible to forbid teenage students to fall in love at coeducational high schools? You know we were not allowed to, but what about students of nowadays?

May: Now? I don’t think so. But I do know students have banned smoking on campus, and enforcement hasn’t been lax especially in high schools.

Sheila: Men are required to have a more than a year military service at the age of 18 if they stop schooling. Do you think they will learn self-discipline and something else after they complete their army service?

May: It depends. For example, some graduates of university or above, according to their specialty, might apply to get a position of military attach instead of serving in the army.

Sheila: Talking about university, we should be lucky to run our own business. One of my best friends is a full time college teacher. She said she is now required to dedicate the time not only to teaching, helping administrative work but doing research and cooperating with industrial fields to equip students with some skills for their future job hunting.

May: No way! You must be kidding.

Education in Taiwan

Education has been universally available for women and men at the compulsory level since 1945 after World War II when the Kuomintang took over Taiwan (Lin and Hsieh, 1993).

The Constitution of 1947 made special provision for free and compulsory primary school education. In 1968, a Nine-year Basic Education Plan extended free education to the end of junior high school. Nine years of schooling is now compulsory as well as free. Currently, more than 90 percent of the population is literate and roughly 25 percent is engaged in some form of education or vocational training (The Republic of China Yearbook, 1996).

The Ministry of Education is continuing the policy established in 1993 of gradually reducing class sizes for all schools to 40 pupils or less by the year of 1998 (The Republic of China Yearbook, 1996). In 2014, the Ministry of Education put the 12-year basic education system into action even in doubt about the lack of consideration in the eyes of the public.

Can this be justified when the fact-fabrication has been revealed?

Childhood

That really hurt didn't she know?

What did her father expect her to be?

What does he want to achieve in life?

What are they doing?

Young people

Education in Taiwan

cher tu

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