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SDG 10 : Reduced Inequalities

Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
10.2 First-generation students
10.2.3 - Total number of students: 11694
10.2.1 - Total number of students starting degree courses: 3282
10.2.2 - Number of first-generation students starting degree courses: 1107

10.3 International Students from developing countries
10.3.1 - Total number of students: 11694
10.3.2 - Number of international students from developing countries: 10

10.4 Proportion of students with disabilities 10.4.1 - Total number of students: 11694 10.4.2 - Number of students with disabilities: 198

10.5 Proportion of employees with disabilities 10.5.1 - Total number of employees: 779 10.5.2 - Number of employees with disabilities: 43

10.6 Measures against discrimination
10.6.3 - Does your university have recruitment programmes to recruit students/employees from underrepresented groups? National Formosa University (NFU) firmly fulfills its University Social Responsibility by adopting concrete and systematic programs to recruit students and employees from underrepresented groups. In student recruitment, the university actively recruits disadvantaged students through up to at least three diverse admission channels, such as the Ministry of Education's "Vision Project" and "Disadvantaged Student Recruitment". These programs primarily target students from economically disadvantaged families, Indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities, and students from remote/outlying islands. Admission channels include "Youth Savings Account Group" and "Non-Traditional Educational Background Group" special selection pathways, moving beyond the sole criterion of traditional academic performance. NFU continuously reserves special additional quotas or guaranteed places for Indigenous students and students from outlying islands, and has a dedicated Indigenous Student Resource Center that actively organizes recruitment briefings and provides personalized counseling and consultation to local communities/tribes. To alleviate the financial burden on economically disadvantaged students, NFU provides not only tuition and fee waivers but also several financial aid and living stipends, such as the "Wings to Fly Program" (also known as the "Take-off Program" in some contexts, as seen in the source material), ensuring they can focus on their studies. These actions are institutionalized long-term, and supporting documentation—such as recruitment prospectuses, regulations, scholarship guidelines, and annual reports—is publicly available on the official university website, fulfilling the requirements for transparency and public accountability.
For employee recruitment, NFU adheres to national laws, including the "People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act" and the "Indigenous Peoples Employment Rights Protection Act," to ensure equal opportunities in the hiring of faculty and staff for specific groups. Specifically, in compliance with Article 38 of the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act, government agencies and public schools must employ individuals with the capacity to work who have disabilities at a ratio of no less than three percent (3%) of the total number of employees. NFU is committed to meeting this legally mandated quota for employees with disabilities and striving to provide fair employment opportunities and a friendly work environment. The Personnel Office ensures fairness and transparency in public recruitment processes and hires employees with disabilities and Indigenous employees according to statutory ratios. The supporting documentation inventory includes a list of the number of employees hired under the mandatory quota for individuals with disabilities and Indigenous peoples, demonstrating institutional execution results. Additionally, NFU has established a Faculty Grievance Committee and a Staff Grievance Committee as redress mechanisms for anti-discrimination policies. The composition of the Faculty Grievance Committee ensures gender diversity, requiring that the number of members of any single gender must constitute at least one-third of the total number of members, thus guaranteeing the fairness of deliberation. These planned actions and public evidence confirm that NFU has fully implemented programs to recruit from underrepresented groups.
10.6.5 - Does your university have a diversity and equity committee, office, or other entity that develops policies, programs, and training to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, human rights, and cultural understanding? NFU has established multiple entities to develop policies, programs, and training aimed at promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, human rights, and cultural understanding. The main core mechanisms include robust campus grievance and diversity/equity mechanisms, as well as the Gender Equality Education Committee as the key coordinating unit. The university's grievance mechanism comprises two major committees: the Faculty Grievance Committee and the Staff Grievance Committee. These serve as formal bodies for promoting diversity and equity policies, handling discrimination-related appeals, and safeguarding the rights of faculty and staff. The Faculty Grievance Committee is established in accordance with the Teacher Act and related guidelines, with its latest revision dated June 3, 2025. It consists of 15 members, where faculty representatives must comprise no less than two-thirds of the total (i.e., at least 10 members), and the committee must ensure that the number of members of any single gender constitutes at least one-third of the total. Decisions of the committee require the consent of two-thirds or more of the attending members. The decision on an appeal must be made within three months of receiving the appeal application, with a possible extension of one time, up to a maximum of two months. The Staff Grievance Committee is stipulated with reference to the Civil Service Security Act, with its latest revision dated April 1, 2025. It consists of 9 members, and decisions require the consent of two-thirds or more of the attending members. The review period is generally 30 days from the receipt of the appeal application, extendable by ten days if necessary. The organizational rules, membership lists (e.g., Staff Grievance Committee list, 2024–2026 Faculty Grievance Committee list), and supporting documents for these formal committees are publicly disclosed on the official university website. Furthermore, NFU legally implements anti-discrimination measures, strictly adhering to Article 38 of the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act, ensuring the mandatory employment quota for individuals with disabilities is no less than three percent (3%) of the total number of employees, and provides a list of the number of employees hired under this quota for verification. These planned actions and public evidence confirm that NFU has fully implemented programs to recruit from underrepresented groups.
10.6.6 - Does your university have dedicated programs to support students and staff from underrepresented groups? National Formosa University (NFU) has established comprehensive and deeply integrated dedicated programs to provide mentoring, counseling, and peer support for students and employees from underrepresented groups. Through institutionalized commitments and the strategic framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project, NFU allocates funding to ensure systematic support for Indigenous students, students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and students from other culturally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. For students, NFU has at least three main dedicated units offering fixed-point services:
  • Indigenous Student Resource Center: Serves as the core hub, providing one-on-one tutoring, life counseling, cultural workshops, and assistance with applying for specialized subsidies to foster a sense of belonging.
  • Resource Classroom (managed by the Counseling Center): Specifically serves students with disabilities, offering confidential counseling, academic accommodation measures, learning aids, and individualized counseling support documented in records such as the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting records for students with disabilities.
  • Counseling Center: Provides professional consultation services for all students and establishes a peer support network through programs such as training "Student Counseling Volunteers" or "Care Ambassadors".
In terms of academic and financial support, NFU has established the "Wings to Fly Financial Aid and Counseling Mechanism" (also called "Take-off Program" in the source). This mechanism includes peer tutoring (e.g., the "Calculus Tutoring Program") and faculty academic guidance, and publicly lists diverse financial assistance options, such as tuition and fee waivers and living stipends, along with specific emergency relief fund guidelines for low-income students. Additionally, the Gender Equality Education Committee promotes a gender-friendly campus and provides consultation and support for students facing gender-related issues. For employees, NFU offers the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide confidential consultation services and runs strategy workshops on inclusive teaching methods through the Center for Teaching and Learning Development. All the aforementioned mechanisms for mentoring, counseling, and peer support are documented and publicly available through the official websites of the Student Affairs Office, Counseling Center, Indigenous Student Resource Center, and the annual reports of the Higher Education Sprout Project, ensuring transparency and accessibility of services. NFU has established a systemic and evidence-based support system, actively working to remove barriers for underrepresented groups.
10.6.8 - Does your university provide support services for individuals with disabilities? National Formosa University is firmly committed to providing comprehensive support services for individuals with disabilities, covering both students and employees. NFU has formal, institution-level documents supporting this policy, such as the "NFU Policy for Constructing a Barrier-Free and Inclusive Campus," with records of policy formulation and revisions (e.g., meeting minutes from the Committee in the 111th academic year, 2nd semester). For students, core services are provided by the "Resource Classroom" under the Student Affairs Office. All students with disabilities receive an "Individualized Support Plan (ISP/IEP)" tailored to their needs, in accordance with the Special Education Act. Key support services provided by the Resource Classroom include at least seven areas:
  1. Direct Individual and Academic Support: Such as providing Taiwanese Sign Language interpreters and notetaking/copying services.
  2. Peer Support System (Study Buddies): Operating under the Implementation Guidelines for the Study Buddy Counseling Program for Students with Disabilities.
  3. Professional Academic Tutoring.
  4. Borrowing Learning Aids: The Resource Classroom maintains an aid library, offering equipment like text-to-speech software.
  5. Reasonable Adjustments for Special Examinations: Such as extended time or separate testing rooms.
  6. Career Transition Counseling: Actively expanding internship and employment opportunities.
  7. Learning Strategy and Stress Management Workshops.
Service outcomes are compiled in the "112th Academic Year Resource Classroom Service Outcome Report". For employees, support services are primarily provided by the Personnel Office and guaranteed through the "NFU 114th Academic Year Employee Assistance Program Implementation Plan" (EAP). Specific services include procedures for applying for job redesign/reasonable accommodations, support for employees to participate in on-the-job training/skill enhancement courses, and mental health counseling and support through the EAP. Furthermore, the General Affairs Office is responsible for hardware facility improvements, having installed barrier-free ramps and disabled parking spaces to ensure a friendly work environment. NFU's core evidence of "program existence" (e.g., policy documents, study buddy program guidelines, EAP plan, Resource Classroom organizational chart) meets the "provision of evidence" requirement. Finally, NFU publicly discloses all relevant support policies and service items (e.g., the "Service Items" section on the Resource Classroom website and Personnel Office website).
10.6.9 - Does your university provide accessible pathways for people with disabilities? National Formosa University provides comprehensive quantified evidence supporting the provision of accessible pathways for people with disabilities. The university continuously improves barrier-free facilities according to the principles of universal design and maintains a publicly accessible barrier-free campus map, which details the locations of accessible pathways, elevators, and restrooms. The 2025 Employee Assistance Program explicitly notes the presence of barrier-free ramps and disabled parking spaces available for all employees. NFU's support policy for individuals with disabilities is overseen by the School-level Special Education Promotion Committee (which meets regularly). Policy sources include the "Special Education Development Plan (2021–2025)" and the "Guidelines for Counseling Students with Disabilities," which were revised in 2022. The dedicated Resource Classroom provides core support, tailoring services to individuals and developing Individualized Support Plans (ISP) for students. NFU provides both "mentoring" and "other targeted services":
  • Mentoring Programs: The university implements a tutor system campus-wide, where tutors receive training and collaborate with the Resource Classroom to implement the ISP; this system constitutes a campus-wide mentoring program. Additionally, a peer counseling program offers academic and social assistance.
  • Targeted Services: Academic accommodations include extended examination time, providing sign language interpretation services, and arranging laboratory assistants for practical courses. For employees, the 2025 EAP outlines the process for applying and implementing job redesign/reasonable accommodation.
Evidence of all programs is publicly available through the Resource Classroom website, and annual service outcome reports are produced (e.g., the 2023 Academic Year outcome report has been completed).
10.6.11 - Does your university have an anti-bullying policy? Policy Creation Year: 2005 Policy Review Year: 2021 Yes, National Formosa University (NFU) has an anti-harassment policy that explicitly covers anti-bullying. The core regulation is the NFU Regulations for the Prevention and Handling of Campus Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, or Sexual Bullying. This regulation, formulated in accordance with Taiwan's Gender Equality Education Act, clearly defines three categories of behavior: sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual bullying (referring to acts of denigration, attack, or threat through language, physical action, or other violence), ensuring that all forms of discrimination and harassment based on gender characteristics, gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender identity are intolerable. The policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors entering the campus. The policy creation year was 2005, and the most recent policy review/revision approval year was 2021. NFU's anti-harassment prevention system is governed by the Gender Equality Education Committee, which provides a clear and confidential complaint and investigation mechanism. Furthermore, the university regularly conducts gender equality education and awareness activities for faculty, staff, and students through mandatory courses for freshmen and new employees, focusing on prevention strategies. In addition to campus sexual bullying, NFU also provides "Resources and Assistance for Preventing and Handling Illegal Workplace Infringement" to safeguard the safety of faculty and staff in the work environment. All related regulations and complaint procedures are publicly disclosed for public access in accordance with the law.