TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Education (MOE) will increase the monthly academic research grants for professors, associate professors, and assistant professors at public universities starting next year, benefiting around 18,000 scholars.
This effort is part of a larger plan designed to rectify low wages for academic talent in Taiwan, with the Executive Yuan committing to an investment of NT＄33.29 billion over the next five years.
Teaching staff at public universities will see their research grants increase by between NT＄6,000 and NT＄9,000 a month starting next year.
To bridge the salary gap between public and private institutions, the Ministry will also invest an additional NT＄860 million to encourage private universities to raise their faculty salaries.
This effort will include the introduction of new doctoral scholarships and subsidies for part-time teaching assistant positions for doctorate students.
MOE's Department of Higher Education Director-General Chu Chun-chang stated that if private universities can increase academic research funding by 15%, the MOE will cover 70% of the cost.
From next year, there will also be an expansion of the "flexible pay" system for outstanding teachers, with increased subsidies.