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NCKU IIMBA program - questions and answers
Following is a Q&A session I had with someone on messenger the other day. Might be useful to others. "Q:" is the question by a prospect student, and following that is my unofficial answer based on my limited knowledge as an NCKU student.
Q: How is the NCKU reputation in terms of acceptance in the Taiwan industry?
A: Generally, the business school has an excellent reputation in Taiwan. Maybe even number 1 when it comes to industry recruitment, but the IIMBA doesn't share the same reputation as the NCKU business school and the industry knows that.
Having graduated from IIMBA will probably help get a job in Taiwan, somewhat, but it will not guarantee it as with other business programs in NCKU. Connection with industry for IIMBA is still almost non-existent and there are no famous alumni. With that said, if you play your cards right - plenty of successful EMBA and AMBA students to mingle with, and the general NCKU reputation will help.
Q: What is the acceptance rate for IIMBA? is it difficult to get in?
A: Acceptance rate is ~50%, meaning that one in every two people who applies gets accepted. This probably has to do with the insane pressure from the Taiwanese government on Taiwanese universities to internationalize. This is expected to change in the upcoming years, but not drastically. The general acceptance average for the rest of NCKU, BTW, is 3%.
Q: Is IIMBA part of the business school? what actually is it?
A: It's the new international program in the business school. There are a few programs at the College of Management. The business administration program, the GIBS program, the EMBA the AMBA (all Chinese) the 1st, 3rd, and 4th enjoy a good reputation. GIBS and IIMBA still don't as much.
Q: How do you compare IIMBA to other MBA programs in NCKU?
A: IIMBA is facing many challenges as it's very new, so like everything new, not everything goes smoothly. But, they're working at it, with times things might work out.
Q: when did exactly the program start? I read some information that it was back in 2003.
A: Yeah. but back then it was very small. I'd say the "real" start, is 2005. The PhD program started in 2007. Most international programs in Taiwan are like that.
Q: How about university scholarships in NCKU?
A: In NCKU there are a few options. There is an additional scholarship for good students. Tuition is free, you get dorms for free, and some basic Chinese classes (3 hours a week) for free. The additional scholarship could be as high as 7000NT$ for a masters student and 15000NT$ for a PHD. But it's not guaranteed and is getting increasingly difficult to obtain.
Q : It seems the assistantship package is only 3500NT$ which seem hardly enough
A: I would suggest not taking up assistantship, but it's up to you. What they require you to do for 3500NT$ is WAY too much for this sum of money. You can try and use the same time to make much more money some other way. Most western students teach English (~600-700NT$/h). The work for assistantship is usually boring and not research related.
Good luck.
