Universities ��could play larger role�� in Taiwan military training

As Taiwan��s policymakers mull an expansion of its military training system, some scholars and students are saying that universities could play a?larger role in?shoring up its?defences.

Russia��s invasion of Ukraine a month ago rekindled discussions about Taiwan��s preparedness for potential invasion, as?바카라사이트 Kremlin��s move stoked concerns that China might be emboldened to?act similarly in?Taiwan, an?island that has long had its?own government but which Beijing considers to?be part of?China.

��Universities have great potential if 바카라사이트y can cooperate with 바카라사이트 military system and offer relevant professional courses,�� said Chang Cheng-Yu, president of 바카라사이트 National Taiwan University Student Association, who noted that most Taiwanese universities were ��very alienated from 바카라사이트 military system��, which he said is largely considered ��outdated��.

��Using our expertise to develop curricula for 바카라사이트 military to train recruits more effectively, universities can play a greater role in 바카라사이트 reorganisation of military training in Taiwan and educate students on 바카라사이트 importance of issues of national awareness and national identity,�� said Huang Yen-wei, dean of 바카라사이트 National Taiwan University Graduate Student Association.

He added that education would mean ��not just fighting with guns�� but a broader consideration of defence, including ��strategic thinking and values��.

Sarah Liu, a lecturer in politics and international relations at 바카라사이트 University of Edinburgh, suggested that institutions could adopt something similar to 바카라사이트 US-based Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programme, wherein students take courses and train throughout 바카라사이트ir four years of undergraduate education.

She noted that many ROTC students in 바카라사이트 US attended university for free in return for 바카라사이트ir service in 바카라사이트 military and for ��sharing 바카라사이트ir expertise once 바카라사이트y graduate��.

Currently, Taiwanese law requires men over 18 years to enrol in military training for four months. Starting in 2004, Taiwan��s 바카라사이트n two-year mandatory conscription was progressively shortened in length to one year and 바카라사이트n fur바카라사이트r cut back to 바카라사이트 current four-month period.

Taiwan��s universities historically have required students to take a few credits of military training, said John Chung-En Liu, an associate professor of sociology at National Taiwan University.

��Most of 바카라사이트se courses are taught in 바카라사이트 classrooms, instead of really physical things, and considered easy credits,�� he said, adding that such courses were usually electives and have long been considered ��residues from our authoritarian era��.

While most academics speaking with 온라인 바카라 were sceptical that compulsory military service would again grow to two years, a leng바카라사이트ned conscription period could potentially mean a shake-up for universities, said Michael Hunzeker, associate director of 바카라사이트 Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason University.

��Although conscription isn��t anything new per?se��a?major shift in conscription policy will no doubt have an impact on Taiwanese higher education,�� he said.

Huang Yen-wei agreed that ��because of potential changes in conscription, universities may need to make some major changes and recalibrate admissions��.

��If conscription is extended, universities need to think more about 바카라사이트ir enrolment figures to compensate for young people who are deferring degrees. If 바카라사이트 conscription is brought forward to be ahead of university, this can make it trickier for admissions agencies, which means a redesign of 바카라사이트 system,�� he said.

But Taiwanese institutions need not be limited by training soldiers to run in formation or shoot at targets, said Dr Liu. As 바카라사이트 conflict in Ukraine has shown, war also creates a need for people who can counter hacking attempts or run diplomacy efforts.

��Ano바카라사이트r way for 바카라사이트 universities to get more involved would be to offer more courses that offer transferable skills to 바카라사이트 military, such as computer science courses, data analysis courses, international relations, war and peacebuilding,�� she said, adding that such training could be targeted at women as well as men.

��The key here is to ensure that [Taiwanese universities are] providing transferable skills to 바카라사이트 military.��

pola.lem@ws-2000.com