Ministry of Education: "30+ University" Launch and 2025 Academic Year Achievement Exhibition

In response to demographic shifts and the needs of an aging society, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has officially upgraded and renamed the "Third Act University" pilot program to the "30+ University" program. This policy aims to break down age barriers in higher education by lowering the admission threshold from the original 55 years old to 30 years old and above, providing more adults with opportunities to return to campus for further education and career transition. The program is scheduled to officially launch and expand its recruitment scale in the 115th academic year (August 2026).

Experts note that lowering the enrollment age to 30 embodies the core value of "lifelong learning". While the previous "Third Act University" focused on self-actualization for retirees, the "30+ University" precisely addresses the career transition and psychosocial needs of those in their 30s and 40s. In an era of rapid digital transformation and demographic change, adult education is no longer merely "remedial" but "prospective". By introducing interdisciplinary courses such as AI technology and sustainable development, universities can help learners build dynamic competitiveness at different stages of life. Furthermore, a flexible credit certification system breaks traditional academic barriers, allowing "credit certificates" and "degree articulation" to run in parallel, effectively lowering the threshold for adults to enter higher education and creating a truly "borderless learning" environment.

Integrating Resources from 60 Universities: Diverse Interdisciplinary Courses Meeting Industry Needs

Currently, approximately 60 colleges and universities across Taiwan have applied to participate in this pilot program, demonstrating the high level of importance the higher education system places on adult lifelong learning. The curriculum design is centered on "interdisciplinary" and "practice-oriented" approaches, covering four major areas currently in high demand:

Artificial Intelligence & Digital Technology: Assisting adults in mastering AI application skills.
Sustainable Development: Aligning with global ESG and environmental sustainability trends.
Health Care & Management: Enhancing health literacy required for an aging society.
Social Innovation & Cultural Themes: Promoting social participation and intergenerational exchange.

Flexible Course Systems: Accumulating Credits Toward Formal Degrees

Taking into account the career and life planning of working professionals, "30+ University" adopts a highly flexible course mode, allowing students to select courses and accumulate credits based on their individual needs. After completing a credit program, students can obtain a credit certificate to prove their professional capabilities. If they further complete the credits required for a degree, they can also obtain a formal degree.

Borderless Learning, Infinite Future: Building an Intergenerational Learning Environment

The Ministry of Education stated that this program is not only an innovation in educational policy but also a key indicator of the transformation of higher education. By opening university resources to those aged 30 and above, the nation can effectively enhance the individual competitiveness of its citizens and establish a lifelong learning culture of "Borderless Learning, Infinite Future" in this rapidly changing knowledge era.

Our center will continue to update relevant supporting measures to assist partners who wish to return to campus in mastering the latest recruitment information, together opening the "second curve" of life.