Taiwanese Speaker's 'University Useless?' Remark Sparks Outrage

Changhua County Speaker Xie Dianlin has ignited a firestorm of criticism after questioning the utility of university education for high school students in the face of Taiwan's declining birth rate. A video clip of Xie posing the question at a "Youth Forum" went viral, drawing sharp rebukes online.

During a radio interview on July 30, Xie clarified his stance, emphasizing that his aim was to prompt students to consider what they should learn in university. He highlighted Taiwan's demographic shift, noting that the number of births has plummeted from 400,000 annually when he was born to just 80,000 today. This drastic decline, he argued, will lead to an oversupply of universities and a shortage of students.

Xie insisted that his intention was not to devalue higher education but to encourage students to develop "problem-solving abilities." He revealed that he poses the same question every year at the forum. When the host, Wang Chien-chiu, suggested that online critics were trying to foster resentment towards the wealthy and that Xie was being attacked for his privileged background, Xie quipped that Foxconn founder Terry Gou had a better start in life. The host was momentarily lost for words.

Xie concluded by reiterating that the students' thoughts on "what to learn in university" are more important than his provocative question. The exchange underscores a broader societal debate in Taiwan about the future of higher education and its relevance in a rapidly changing demographic landscape.