Due to the intensifying trend of declining birth rates, the Hualien Private Dahan Institute of Technology, established 47 years ago, will officially close in August this year. Once boasting over 7,000 students during its peak, the school now has only about 100 remaining. The Ministry of Education announced plans to transfer these students to National Taipei University of Technology and Fo Guang University, while those unable to transfer will be offered off-campus classes.

The school's board announced a stop to recruitment and closure during a meeting last year, shocking 56 faculty members who learned of their impending unemployment and subsequently expressed their dissatisfaction to the Ministry of Education. President Lin Yuehui had previously stated in an open letter that the challenges of recruitment due to its rural location led to the boards decision. The ministry approved the halt of admissions starting from the 113th academic year and official closure in the 114th year.

The ministry noted that although Tzu Chi University is also located in Hualien, it was not included as a transfer option due to differences in course structure and teaching facilities. Special arrangements will be made for students remaining in Hualien to study at either the original campus or other suitable locations.

This closure is part of a broader trend, with other private universities such as Ming Dao University, Datong University of Technology, Eastern Design University, and Global University of Science and Technology also closing, all facing similar demographic and financial pressures.