Lawyers question Taipei City’s international exchange student program policy to reduce quota for disadvantaged students
Quick Look
- Lawyer Lin Zhiqun questioned Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan's changes to the international exchange student program after he took office, changing the quota for economically disadvantaged students from "at least 3" to "maximum 3, and any shortage will be given to ordinary students", and even allocating it to students with American citizenship.
- He pointed out that the policy was not publicized, leaving disadvantaged families unaware, and the officials' reasons for reducing the quota were untenable.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Taipei City International Exchange Student Program originally provided opportunities for economically disadvantaged students to study abroad. Before 113, it was stipulated that there should be at least 3 economically disadvantaged students, at least 1 from Canada, and at least 2 from the United States.
The controversy over the issue of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan's eldest son continues to rage. Lawyer Lin Zhiqun questioned why, after Mayor Wanan came in, he changed the quota for economically disadvantaged students to "a maximum of 3 students. If less than 3 students can be found, the quota will be given to ordinary students," or even students with American citizenship. He said that this policy is basically the private property of the city government civil servants. "Information" is also a privilege. If the city government does not publicize it, how will disadvantaged families know about this policy? Then officials said that no disadvantaged students came to apply, so we had to reduce the number of disadvantaged students?
Lin Zhiqun stated in a Facebook post that before 2013, the Taipei City International Exchange Student Program had "at least" three economically disadvantaged students, at least one from Canada, and at least two from the United States. By 2015, it had become "a maximum of three economically disadvantaged students. If there is insufficient quota, the quota will be given to ordinary students."
Please read on...
Lin Zhiqun pointed out that for economically disadvantaged students, if it were not for the NT$700,000 subsidy from the Taipei City Government, they would not have the opportunity to study abroad. They are the ones who need this quota. So why did Mayor Wan'an change the number of economically disadvantaged students to "a maximum of 3 students? If less than 3 students can be found, the quota will be given to ordinary students," even students with American citizenship? Students with American citizenship will have more opportunities to study abroad in the future, so why should quotas be allocated to economically disadvantaged students?
Lin Zhiqun continued: If it is felt that the NT$700,000 subsidy for economically disadvantaged students is a burden on the city government, the municipal government has even made NT$7.44 million for a sunshade. Is it short of the money? If economically disadvantaged students do not know this policy and do not know how to apply, then we should strengthen publicity and promote it on campus to let everyone know about this activity.
Lin Zhiqun bluntly said that in order to help the mayor explain, the Taipei City Government previously told everyone that there were only 45 applicants, which means that this policy is simply the private property of the city government civil servants. "Information" is also a privilege. If the city government does not publicize it, how will disadvantaged families know about this policy? Then officials said that no disadvantaged students came to apply, so we had to reduce the number of disadvantaged students?
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Taipei City Government will be under public pressure to explain the reasons for policy changes and consider reinstating or adjusting quota allocations for economically disadvantaged students
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Does the Taipei City Government have a specific publicity plan to let disadvantaged families know about this subsidy?
- What are the specific number of U.S. students who have received quotas and what are the application qualifications?
- After the city government reduced the number of places for disadvantaged students, did it evaluate the impact on disadvantaged students' opportunities to study abroad?
