AN ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION-SYSTEMS EDUCATION NEEDS IN TAIWAN

Educational programmes in the information systems (IS) area should equ ip graduates with skills needed by employers. An assessment of the IS educational needs is critical to keep IS curricula relevant to the wor kplace. Two questionnaires were developed to assess 46 specific IS are as and skills, 10 university-industry collaboration activities, and tr aining requirements for IS graduates. Sixty-two information technology vendors and 202 information system employers in Taiwan participated i n two different surveys. Results indicate that both general and techni cal skills are important. Students need to improve their communication skills and understanding of business needs. Deficient technical areas are project management, systems analysis and design, telecommunicatio ns and database management. University-industry collaboration has to b e enhanced in the areas of conference participation, training programm es and consulting contracts.