The pandemic has hit the bottom lines of struggling schools reliant on foreign students. Yet Taiwan’s ability to contain the coronavirus is also making it a more attractive place to study. Taiwan has long had a surplus of universities, the legacy of well-intentioned if myopic education reforms in the 1990s. The island nation is home…
Every year, tens of thousands of Taiwanese leave to pursue degree programs in the U.S. and elsewhere, but the pandemic is forcing them to make a tough choice this year: go ahead with their original plan, take courses online, or defer their studies altogether. Whether to stay in Taiwan where the COVID-19 pandemic has been…
The severe spread of COVID-19 across the U.S. this spring brought the return to Taiwan of high-level Taiwanese- and Chinese-American talent from Silicon Valley. They are now helping build a similar environment for innovation on the island. The group of 40-something Taiwanese-American tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists that refers to itself as the Taiwan Mafia…
The special visa program for high-level foreign professionals has become all the more appealing in light of Taiwan’s deft handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet bureaucratic obstacles could deter potential applicants. Taiwan’s effective management of the coronavirus has brought a marked increase in international awareness of the country. One indication of that recognition has been…
The pandemic has grounded Taiwan’s new carrier for the time being, but its long-term prospects still look promising STARLUX Airlines had the misfortune of launching its business amid the worst pandemic in a century. The new Taiwanese carrier began flying on January 23, the first day of the 2020 Lunar New Year holiday and the…
As Taiwan looks for ways to revitalize its international tourism industry once the coronavirus pandemic eases, part of the effort may be to implement what is known as a Destination Management Organization (DMO) program. The Travel and Tourism Committee section of AmCham Taipei’s 2020 Taiwan White Paper applauded the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s plans to implement…
The domestic travel boom is a double-edged sword, boosting tourism revenue but straining limited resources. There’s a first time for everything, like booking a table for one at a pizza restaurant. I did so recently at the insistence of Tsao Yu-lin, owner of the Blueshine B&B on Taiwan’s Matsu islands, even ordering the pie in…
Taiwan’s tourism sector needs to start planning now for how it will deal with the post-COVID-19 environment. My older brother Seth, despite repeated invitations, has yet to make it to Taiwan and has never expressed more than occasional fraternal interest in the country and culture that’s been the cornerstone of his younger brother’s life. But…
Taiwan’s technical strengths will also benefit its economic recovery. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan was already investing heavily in advanced manufacturing and networking technologies. It’s recent success in containing the spread of COVID-19 at home puts it in good standing to become a leader in a variety of next-generation platforms that can be employed…
The battle against hepatitis has largely been won, but rising fatty liver incidence has worrisome implications. Mr. Lee and his wife have always been in fairly good health. Now well into their 60s, they still run a small tailor shop near Dongmen Market in Taipei. Both are slender and have never been overweight. To the…
