Job Discussion Forums

[leon.r]

Hi, I would most appreciate it if anyone has any experience of obtaining the work permits, ARC etc in Taiwan, when having a degree from the UK's Open University. I asked the Taiwanese office here in London, but they just pointed me to a page over how to get your degree notarised. Further to that I couldn't get any more out of them...
Thanks people,
Leon

[markholmes]

As far as I know distance degrees are not recognised, so your degree would likely not qualify.

[steve_c]

[markholmes]

I stand corrected. Here is the direct link to the owrd document.
http://www.edu.tw/files/site_content/B0003/英國大學更新檔2_1.doc

[7168Riyadh]

Good answer steve_c.

leon.r: this issue is both simple and complex. The OU is an accredited university in Taiwan, which means its degrees are recognised for most teaching jobs. However, an advanced degree earned wholly via distance learning is not a valid qualification to teach at a univeristy in Taiwan. Your MA must have included a one-third face-to-face element. OU degree certificates do not state that they have been earned by distance though, and it is quite possible you could be offered a university teaching job on the basis of the certificate. But after you are hired, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will check the degree out, and most likely reject the appointment if you don't meet their standard--they have the power to do this. All this was true up Sept.2007 when I tried to get a job with my OU MA in applied lingusitics. The story gets a little complex though. The MOE ruling--based on a US standard I believe--is actually in conflict with Taiwan's WTO obligations that stipulate that Taiwan must reciprocate recognition of degrees. The British Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan were on the case last time I contacted them. Meanwhile, when I called the MOE back in 2007 an embarassed staffer (Ms. Lin, tel. 02 23566051) told me the rule stood, but that it could be discussed. No idea what the situation is now, but a fair guess is that nothing has changed. I gave up on it, but not without firing off letters to the minister of education, the BTCO and other interested parties. So, if you just want a job in a language school or similar, no problem. If you invested time an effort in earning an MA and want to teach at a university in Taiwan, hector the authorities and write to the BTCO. If enough people complain, things will change, if they haven't done already.

[steve_c]

@Markholmes: Thanks for providing the direct link.

@7186Riyadh: I was hesitant to post what I did, because I myself had heard that distance degrees were not accepted. Thanks for providing more complete information, along with your personal experience.

[leon.r]

thanks guys, this really is great news! I must admit when i saw the first post i was feeling pretty deflated; this, as i was expecting something like that, so now extremely pleased to see the OU on that list! It does sound a shame about university placement, as this would appeal to me also, but as you say, time may hopefully change this. Once again, thanks a mill, very much appreciated, Leon.

[forest1979]

7168Riyadh - Is the distance learning vs face to face classes not 2 thirds but 1 third? I thought the rule was 66% of the course had to be done by sit down classes.

Maybe I'm wrong.

[7168Riyadh]

Haha. Well, that's so typical of Taiwan--no one really knows anything, all facts are muddied, everyone's experience and information is a little different...so yeah, you might be wrong, or you might be right. Maybe the MOE changed the ratio to spite me! I don't really care anymore. Even when I was arguing the point two years ago, I was on my way out--just trying to help the next generation, many of whom will be studying via distance learning:)

[pjhendrick]

On the topic of universities with online classes, I tried applying at Kojen but received this reply by email: