University Merger Debate Heats Up in Taiwan: Students Weigh In on Sun Yat-sen and Kaohsiung National Universities

Student Opinions Divided on Proposed Merger, With Significant Opposition from National Sun Yat-sen University.

The potential merger of National Sun Yat-sen University and National University of Kaohsiung is currently a hot topic of discussion in Taiwan. Student governments from both universities recently conducted surveys to gauge support for the merger, explore preferred university names, and identify student concerns. The results, released today, reveal stark differences in student sentiment regarding the proposed union.

The survey data shows a significant divergence in opinion between the two institutions. At National Sun Yat-sen University, nearly 77% of the 940 respondents expressed opposition or strong opposition to the merger. In stark contrast, over 86% of students at National University of Kaohsiung support the merger. Both student governments are urging university administrations to take student voices seriously and prioritize the welfare of the student body when considering the merger plans.

The survey findings also highlight a clear preference among students for the post-merger university name. Over 90% of respondents from both universities indicated that "National Sun Yat-sen University" would be their preferred choice for the combined institution.