Starting next August, universities and vocational schools in Taiwan will start recruiting students from the mainland, who, however, will be subjected to a variety of restrictions due to national security reasons. While local schools are generally supportive of the policy, they have also expressed concerns that the related limitations are not defined clearly enough.

Domestic universities and vocational schools will start enrolling Chinese students this fall, and officials say that they are hopeful the development will help boost cross-strait student exchanges.

In accordance with Ministry of Education regulations, national universities will only be able to enroll Chinese graduate students while private universities will be able to recruit both undergraduate and graduate students.

School departments in the national security, classified information, and high technology fields will be restricted from enrolling Chinese students, and Chinese students will not be able to work in Taiwan or accept executive research positions.

In response to concerns about the different cultures and educational environments of cross-strait institutions, universities with experience working with exchange students say that the differences will provide positive stimulation for local students.

Meanwhile, the MOE has asked domestic schools to establish comprehensive guidance programs to help Chinese students adjust to their new surroundings.

In regards to the MOE's decision to only list restricted fields rather than departments, many schools are calling on the MOE to more clearly define the scope of what constitutes "national security."