The education ministry says that 67 departments at various universities and colleges have seen enrollment fall below 30 percent. Among these are some departments with as few as two to three enrolled students. Four departments are reporting zero enrollments. Low enrollment rates are even impacting doctoral programs at some prestigious universities.
Education Minister Wu Se-hwa said on Friday that the education ministry will announce a list of closing universities before next May.
An education official said schools with enrollment rates under 50 percent will not receive any subsidies. The official also said that the Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan will investigate the quality of instruction at schools falling beneath 50 percent enrollment.
Popular departments at top universities have not escaped falling levels of enrollment. Some students accepted into dentistry, law, and finance programs did not enroll.