To be a first-class department in a first-class university: perceived effects of a world-class initiative in two departments in a Taiwanese university

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate and compare the impact of pursuing top university status on the management and academic practices of two departments in a top-ranked institution in Taiwan. Qualitative interviews, official policy documents, website resources and relevant documents were the main sources of empirical data. Interview data were collected from 10 interviewees, the department heads and four full-time academics in both departments. This study found that departments and academics were required to plan and work in accordance with the university’s overall development plan and the two departments played different roles in contributing to various aspects of the university managers’ idea of what a world-class university is. This should be understood within the unique and complex academic tribes of different subject fields and the deeply rooted dimensions of Chinese culture in Taiwan.

KEYWORDS:

• Aim for the Top University Project (ATUP)
• World-Class Universities (WCUs)
• university ranking
• higher education
• Taiwan

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Lee Teng-hui Centre for Governmental Studies from The Featured Areas Research Centre Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan.