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SDG 5 : Gender Equality

Gender Equality (SDG 5)
5.2 Proportion of first-generation female students
5.2.5 - Total number of students: 11694
5.2.3 - Total number of students starting degree courses: 3282
5.2.4 - Number of first-generation students starting degree courses: 1107
5.2.1 - Number of females starting degree courses: 746
5.2.2 - Number of first-generation females starting degree courses: 266

5.3 Student access measures
5.3.1 - Does your university systematically measure/track female application rates, admission rates, and completion rates? National Formosa University (NFU) systematically tracks student gender distribution through the Ministry of Education's "University and College Institutional Information Disclosure Platform" (UDB) and internal academic statistical systems. Current public data shows that the number of female undergraduate students is approximately 1,768 out of a total student population of about 7,524, with female students accounting for roughly 23.5%. The university publicly discloses student enrollment statistics by department and academic system each semester (e.g., "113-2 Day Division Student Headcount Statistics"), showing a higher proportion of female students in certain disciplines (such as management and design), with over 30% female representation in some departments. However, the university and the MOE platform currently lack complete gender-disaggregated data to substantiate the three indicators: "female application rates," "female admission rates," and "female completion rates". NFU plans to integrate gender analysis into admissions and graduation data to establish a more comprehensive gender equality tracking system, aiming to systematically measure and publicly disclose these quantified performance metrics in future academic years.
5.3.2 - Does your university have policies or programs to address barriers to access, admission, or participation for women? Policy Creation Year: 2004 Policy Review Year: 2020 National Formosa University has policies and programs to address potential barriers for women in access, admission, and participation, centered on the "NFU Guidelines for the Implementation of Gender Equality Education". This core policy aims to promote gender equality in access, admission, and participation, and prevent gender discrimination, particularly within the traditionally male-dominated technological university environment. The policy was created in 2004 and last reviewed in 2020. In admissions, the university ensures a non-gender-discriminatory principle for master's program screening and provides a student appeal mechanism for gender equality violations. To address safety concerns that might reduce female participation, the university has actively improved campus safety: in 2022, 5 high-risk areas were improved (costing NT$3.885 million), and 8 emergency call systems and cameras were added (costing NT$812,427). In 2023, fall protection nets were installed on 5 buildings (NT$2.339 million). Safety awareness campaigns reached 64 classes and 2,744 students in the 2023 academic year. The campus includes gender-friendly restrooms in at least 3 administrative spaces (Library 5F, Gymnasium 1F, Student Activity Center 3F). Furthermore, the "Guidelines for Maintaining the Educational Rights and Providing Assistance to Pregnant Students" provides flexibility in leave, grade assessment, and preserves admission status. The university managed 1 case of a pregnant student in the 2023-2024 academic year, providing specific support such as free parking permits and 20 consultations/coordinations. Educationally, the university offered 9 courses related to gender relations in the 113th academic year. Financial awards in 2024 for athletic competitions (NT$321,300) ensure fair allocation between men's and women's categories.
5.3.3 - Does your university provide programs to assist women's access to education (e.g., mentorship, scholarships, or other assistance)? National Formosa University provides programs to assist women's access to education, based on the "NFU Guidelines for the Implementation of Gender Equality Education" (last reviewed 2020). Mentorship/Guidance: The university established a "Student Pregnancy Incident Handling Group" and the "Guidelines for Maintaining the Educational Rights and Providing Assistance to Pregnant Students" (passed Dec 2024), along with a dedicated Pregnancy Care Hotline and mailbox. Scholarships/Subsidies: The "Wings to Fly Cultivation Program" provides targeted financial incentives and subsidies for academic support, vocational exploration, language, or certification courses to domestic female students (2-year junior college, 5-year junior college, 4-year technical college, 2-year technical college) who are pregnant, giving birth, or raising a child under the age of three. Other Support/Education (Quantified): 16 hours of gender equality courses were offered in 2024, with 428 students enrolled. 17 gender equality series activities were held, attracting 309 participants. All admissions brochures explicitly prohibit gender discrimination. These policies and quantified outcomes are publicly available.
5.3.4 - Does your university encourage female participation in underrepresented subject areas? National Formosa University actively encourages female participation in underrepresented Science and Technology (STEM) fields. The encouragement measures primarily involve aligning with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)'s "Special Project to Encourage Women to Engage in Science and Technology Research". Quantified Actions: The university formally issued a letter on November 13, 2023 (NFU Academic Letter No. 1120012837) to all colleges and departments inviting female researchers to apply. The program targets female researchers who have not executed an NSTC research project between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2024. The Research and Development Office coordinates the program through website announcements, emails, and departmental nominations. NFU publicly discloses the web announcement information for these encouragement efforts.

5.4 Proportion of senior female academics
5.4.4 - Total number of employees: 779
5.4.3 - Total number of academic staff: 365
5.4.1 - Number of senior academic staff: 143
5.4.2 - Number of senior female academic staff: 17

5.5 Proportion of women receiving degrees
5.5.1 - Total number of graduates: 2686
5.5.1.4 - Graduates in STEM, Medicine, and Humanities fields: 2686
5.5.1.1 - Graduates in STEM fields: 1910
5.5.1.2 - Graduates in Medicine fields: 0
5.5.1.3 - Graduates in Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences fields: 776
5.5.2.4 - Female graduates in STEM, Medicine, and Humanities fields: 642
5.5.2.1 - Female graduates in STEM fields: 197
5.5.2.2 - Female graduates in Medicine fields: 0
5.5.2.3 - Female graduates in Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences fields: 445

5.6 Women's progress measures
5.6.1 - Does your university have a policy against discrimination against women? Policy Creation Year: 2003 Policy Review Year: 2024 National Formosa University (NFU) has a clear policy against discrimination against women, rooted in the "NFU Regulations for the Prevention and Handling of Campus Gender Incidents," first formulated in 2003. The policy prohibits discrimination based on gender, gender characteristics, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The policy was last formally reviewed in 2024 and further revised in 2025. The Gender Equality Education Committee holds regular meetings (nearly five times in the 2023 academic year). The university provided 16 hours of gender equality courses. Promotional activities included 5 gender equality lectures, 1 arts exhibition (210 participants), and 5 dormitory-based gender workshops (277 participants).
5.6.2 - Does your university have a policy against discrimination against transgender people? Policy Creation Year: 2004 Policy Review Year: 2020 National Formosa University has an explicit policy against discrimination against transgender people, prohibiting discrimination based on "gender, gender characteristics, gender identity, or sexual orientation". The policy was created in 2004 and reviewed/revised in 2020. Three gender-friendly restrooms have been established (Library 5F, Gymnasium 1F, Activity Center 3F). The Counseling Center provided support to 17 individuals regarding gender issues in 2024, with 6 students specifically related to gender identity. Eight sessions of a diverse gender small group were held, with 68 participants. In the 113th academic year, 9 courses were offered (e.g., "Gender Relations"), reaching 570 students.
5.6.3 - Does your university have childcare policies to support women's participation (e.g., maternity leave)? Policy Creation Year: 2004 Policy Review Year: 2020 NFU adheres to national laws to establish comprehensive childcare policies supporting women's participation, first established in 2004 and reviewed annually since 2020. Staff/Faculty Support: Provides 8 weeks of maternity leave (full pay after 6 months of service). Offers 5 days to 4 weeks of miscarriage leave. Provides 7 days of paid prenatal check-up leave. Male employees get 7 days of paternity leave. Student Support (Parenting): The "Guidelines for Maintaining the Educational Rights and Providing Assistance to Pregnant Students" (passed Dec 2024) guarantees flexible leave and non-counting of leaves toward total leave limits. Facilities: A breastfeeding room is available on the 6th floor of the Administration Building.
5.6.4 - Does your university provide childcare facilities for students (e.g., nurseries)? National Formosa University provides support facilities and collaborative mechanisms for student parents. The support framework was established in 2004 and is reviewed annually since 2020. A breastfeeding room is located on the 6th floor of the Administration Building. NFU also maintains cooperation agreements with local nurseries and childcare resource units.
5.6.5 - Does your university provide childcare facilities for employees? Policy Creation Year: 2004 Policy Review Year: 2020 NFU provides childcare support facilities for faculty and staff. One breastfeeding room is available on the 6th floor of the Administration Building. Collaboration with nearby nurseries and local social welfare resources has been established. The policy was created in 2004 and reviewed in 2020.
5.6.6 - Does your university have a mentorship program for women (with at least 10% female student participation)? Policy Creation Year: 2023 Policy Review Year: 2024 National Formosa University has a female mentorship program focused on the "Talent Development Support Program to Encourage Female Participation in Technology and Engineering Fields". The policy was created in 2023 and reviewed in 2024. NFU reports that the proportion of female students participating in STEM-related learning and graduating has continuously exceeded 10%. The Gender Equality Education Committee has 19 members, of whom 11 (58%) are female.
5.6.7 - Does your university measure/track the likelihood of women completing, graduating, or leaving at any stage? Policy Creation Year: 2021 Policy Review Year: 2024 NFU implements an annual gender-disaggregated tracking system for student enrollment status, created in 2021 and reviewed in 2024. Total graduates: 2,686. In STEM fields (1,910 graduates), 197 were female, resulting in a completion rate of approximately 10.31%. In non-STEM fields (776 graduates), 445 were female, resulting in a completion rate of approximately 57.3%.
5.6.8 - Does your university have a policy to protect women against discrimination in education or employment? Policy Creation Year: 2021 Policy Review Year: 2024 NFU has a policy to protect women against discrimination in education or employment, based on the Gender Equality Education Act and the Gender Equality in Employment Act. Policy created in 2021 and reviewed in 2024. The Gender Equality Education Committee has 19 members, with 11 (58%) female members, exceeding the required minimum. In 2024, 10 female employees were hired (out of 14 total), and 2 female employees were promoted (out of 2 total). 16 hours of gender equality courses were offered in the 113th academic year.
5.6.9 - Does your university have childcare policies to support women's participation and ensure non-birthing parents can access childcare facilities? Policy Creation Year: 2017 Policy Review Year: 2025 NFU has comprehensive childcare support policies to support women's participation and ensure non-birthing parents can access childcare facilities. The policy ensures support for both women's participation and access for non-birthing parents (including fathers, co-guardians, and primary caregivers). Staff/Faculty Support: Provides paternity leave (7 days), childcare leave, breastfeeding spaces, and flexible work arrangements. Student Support: Established a "Pregnancy Student Counseling Resource Area" and the "Guidelines for Maintaining the Educational Rights and Providing Assistance to Pregnant Students". The policy was created in 2017 (based on the establishment of the resource area) and is scheduled for review in 2025.