The role of the state has always been a salient feature of higher education governance in Confucian societies. This is despite that their modern higher education systems have been built upon Western experiences. This article examines the role of the state in invigorating universities in Taiwan in their quest for world-class status. It interrogates…

This study aimed to investigate and compare the impact of pursuing top university status on the management and academic practices of two departments in a top-ranked institution in Taiwan. Qualitative interviews, official policy documents, website resources and relevant documents were the main sources of empirical data. Interview data were…