TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — University and vocational school recruitment fairs were held simultaneously in Taipei and Kaohsiung over the weekend as Taiwan’s university admission season officially began.

With Taiwan’s declining student population, many private universities sought to attract incoming freshmen by offering scholarships, while institutions from Hong Kong and Macau also participated to recruit top Taiwanese students, per CNA.

The events coincided with the release of General Scholastic Ability Test results. The Taipei fair was held at National Taiwan University’s gymnasium, while the Kaohsiung event took place at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Zuoying Store.

Many private universities set up large booths with faculty and students promoting their programs. In contrast, public universities maintained a more understated presence.

Shih Hsin University featured a green screen studio where alumni working as TV anchors and news presenters engaged with attendees. The university’s mascot, the "Shih Hsin Tiger," and its cheerleading team also made appearances.

To counter declining enrollment, some universities offered generous scholarships. Tamkang University is providing a one-time NT$200,000 (US$6,300) scholarship for students with outstanding academic performance.

Chinese Culture University is covering tuition and miscellaneous fees for freshmen in its bachelor’s program. Students who score above average in four subjects qualify for free tuition in their first academic year, and those ranking in the top 20% of their class can continue receiving the benefit.

Several Hong Kong and Macau institutions also attended, including the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Education University of Hong Kong, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, and Macau University of Science and Technology.