The Status of Students Going Abroad for Advanced Study to Be Recognized

The Ministry of Education has set the "Methods for Handling Student Status and Achievements During a Period of Overseas Study." Besides unifying the various schools' rules for student status and credits while studying abroad, the "Methods" also will encourage the seeking of new knowledge.

Currently there are great numbers of international academic exchanges, exchange students, or joint research projects. However, each school has decided on a case-by-case basis whether or not to recognize such activities as continued study or to accept credits earned in such exchanges. Thus the MoE has passed the "Methods."

These methods are applicable to the following:

(1) Those who have studied (or done research) for credit at a college, technical college, or academy overseas with the approval of the department or section of the school in the R.O.C. to which the student belongs;

(2) Those sent abroad to study (or do research) for credit at a college, technical college, or academy after being selected by a government agency;

(3) Ph.D. candidates at key science and technology graduate schools approved by the MoE who go abroad to do research pursuant to completing their Ph.D. dissertations;

(4) Those who go abroad to observe or apprentice when this is necessary for the section, department, or graduate school in which they study;

(5) Students from all sections and departments related to maritime affairs who leave the country for related practical study;

(6) Those who go abroad to take part in international conferences or activities as representatives of their school, an interschool organization, or the country;

(7) Those who leave the country to participate in an international arts competition as a representative of the country;

(8) Those who leave the country for training or to participate after being selected as a member of a national athletic team.

For those intending to go abroad under categories (1), (2) or (3), they must apply for a leave of absence.

The MoE indicates that the time limits for students are stipulated as:

(1) For those who ask for leave of absence for personal reasons to go abroad: 1/3 of a semester;

(2) In principle, for those who ask for time off to go abroad for reasons related to their jobs or duties: 1/3 of a semester;

(3) For those who ask for a leave of absence, the time limit for the study period is the same as the time limit stipulated for the leave of absence;

(4) For those who go abroad for practical training, in principle the limit is one semester or one academic year.

For those whose time abroad affects registration or exams, they must have approval to do compensatory registration or exams after returning. Credits earned in related course work cannot exceed one third of the credits required for graduation in the courses/department/graduate school to which the student belongs. For credits which would allow students to pass out of the corresponding class at home, these can only be earned through schools approved by the MoE. Further, students going abroad should, after getting the approval of their school, report to the MoE for approval.

As for those students who are past January 1 of the year of their 16th birthday, but before December 31 of the year of their 35th birthday, but have not yet completed military service, they must have the approval of their school and of the MoE based on the "Stipulations for Men Nearing Age of Military Service to Apply to Leave the Country" or the "Methods for Handling Exit of the Country by Men in Military Service."