從國際經驗探討臺灣高等教育機構分類的制度困境與可行路徑

Institutional Dilemmas and Feasible Pathways for Classifying Higher Education Institutions in Taiwan: Insights from International Experience

盱衡國際，為避免大學辦學同質性過高，同時提高政府資源配置效率，大學分類定位與特色發展在各國至今仍是一個受到關注的議題。本研究旨在以美國和日本為參照對象，具體說明兩國大學分類的實踐經驗；另透過文件分析法，系統性地整理國內官方文件與正式出版品上刊載之大學校長受訪紀錄，藉此掌握臺灣高等教育機構分類政策推展的脈絡與阻礙。期能透過整合分類理論、大學治理模式及政策工具理論三個角度，建立更全面的分析架構，藉此釐清臺灣高等教育機構分類未能落實的關鍵因素，進而規劃未來可行路徑。最後根據研究發現提出以下建議：一、以國家人才培育需求為核心，建構具規範性的分類制度架構；二、重塑高等教育治理模式，建立兼具引導性與協調性的運作模式；三、整合運用各項政策工具，提供分類政策之制度支撐；四、轉化高等教育價值論述，強化多元發展之社會認知基礎。

Internationally, the classification, positioning, and differentiated development of universities remains a topic of considerable attention across countries, aimed at preventing excessive homogeneity among institutions and improving the efficiency of government resource allocation. This study draws on the United States and Japan as reference cases to illustrate their practical experiences with university classification systems. Through document analysis, it systematically reviews domestic official documents and interview records with university presidents to capture the context and obstacles surrounding the development of higher education classification policy in Taiwan. By integrating three analytical perspectives — classification theory, governance models, and policy instruments — the study constructs a more comprehensive analytical framework to identify the key factors behind the failure to implement higher education institution classification in Taiwan, and to propose feasible pathways forward. Based on the research findings, the following recommendations are put forth: (1) establish a normative classification framework centered on national talent cultivation needs; (2) reshape the higher education governance model to create an operational framework that is both directive and coordinative; (3) integrate a range of policy instruments to provide institutional support for the classification policy; and (4) transform the value discourse surrounding higher education to strengthen the social cognitive foundation for diverse development.