The Examination Yuan held the second meeting of its 13th term today. At the meeting, the MOEX made a presentation on international credential recognition and professional exchanges. One attending Minister without Portfolio suggested the agency closely follow the perceptions and performance of foreign candidates who sit technical and professional examinations, and that further efforts be made to keep foreign students at colleges and universities informed about the exams. Examination Yuan President Huang commented that the importance of exam reliability cannot be overemphasized, as these exams certify that candidates possess the knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice. He continued that through international and cross-discipline recognition and the employment of certified professionals in the public sector, the value of certification could be maintained and extended. According to Huang, exam authorities must also collaborate closely with schools, hiring agencies, and supervisory agencies as well as labor unions and professional societies.

Under Article 20 of the Professional and Technical Personnel Examinations Act, foreign candidates may register to take professional and technical personnel examinations unless otherwise provided by regulations governing a particular professional practice. Currently, up to 80 professional and technical exams are open to foreign candidates who meet eligibility requirements. Each year approximately 1,100 foreigners hailing mostly from Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macau take these exams, making up 0.5% of all exam takers. Foreign candidates may choose to answer exam questions in English, and those holding a foreign license may have a flexible examination arranged on the basis of equality and reciprocity if a mutual recognition agreement has been reached by and between both countries and the qualification has been recognized by the ROC authority overseeing the particular profession.

Taiwan cannot cut itself from the international community or the international exchanges that require both the involvement of government, society, professional groups, and the general public and collaboration across different government agencies. In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand have already signed bilateral agreements to mutually recognize professional qualifications for architects and engineers, and the MOEX will continue working with other government agencies overseeing professional practices and professional societies to promote international professional recognition and further advance international exchanges of talented individuals.