On September 26, 2024, the 2024 Private Universities and Colleges of Technology Forum was organized by the Association of Private Universities and Colleges of Technology in collaboration with Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Education. This forum aims to foster discussion on important matters concerning the advancement of private schools. Participants are expected to share their experiences and enhance their understanding, ultimately reaching a consensus to promote the sustainable growth of private schools.

Tzu-Hsiang Ko, President of LHU and Chairman of the Association of Private Universities and Colleges of Technology, conveyed his appreciation to the Ministry of Education for supporting vocational education during his opening remarks at the forum. Seventy principals, vice-principals, secretaries-general, and senior administrators participated in this forum, uniting 50 domestic private technical and vocational schools. The event focused on exchanging ideas and discussing various topics, including promoting generative AI technology, talent development, and strategies to address the declining birthrate.

President Ko highlighted that the operation and development of private vocational institutions have faced growing difficulties, as evidenced by the exit of 12 private vocational schools from the market since 2014. As Chairman of the Association of Private Universities and Colleges of Technology, he met with Minister Ying-Yao Cheng at the start of last month to address the ongoing challenges private educational institutions face. The challenges encompass the rise in electricity fees, the added personnel costs for 2025 corresponding to salary adjustments for military and public servants, the prompt halt of recruitment following the approval of department closures, and the reevaluation of the ratio of contract-based teachers for hiring purposes. Chairman Ko conveyed his appreciation to the Minister of Education on behalf of the association, who promptly committed his support.

Yu-Hui Yang, the Director of the Department of Technological and Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education, attended the forum and urged the participating institutions, highlighting the essential role of vocational education in the nation's economic development. The Department of Technological and Vocational Education collaborates with vocational institutions nationwide to address enrollment challenges, particularly considering the effects of declining birth rates on student recruitment within the higher education system. Moreover, vocational education should consistently pursue innovation and engage in collaborative efforts across institutions to enhance resource sharing, thereby accelerating the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge and fostering international talent mobility to ensure effective talent development. This forum concentrated on four key topics: "Enhancing the Development and Sustainable Management of Private Vocational Schools," "Responding to the Impact of Declining Birth Rates on Private Vocational Schools," "Promoting Generative AI Technology in Vocational Schools," and "Strategies and Applications for Sustainable Smart Campus Development." The aim is to improve the talent development framework within the nation's industries by promoting innovative thinking and responsive strategies in managing private vocational schools and vocational education through forum exchanges.