The universities in Taiwan, in carrying out their missions of research, teaching, and public service, have made significant advances in improving the quality of their faculties. Both public and private universities have undertaken a variety of faculty development activities to help their faculties grow professionally and to remain vital. The major activities, often based on western models, have emphasized research needs, and in format are most often sabbatical leaves and grants to support either research or advanced graduate study. The universities' efforts in faculty development, with the support and encouragement of the Ministry of Education and the National Science Council, have helped the higher education system not only to improve educational services, but also to help better the nation's economic position and the quality of life for the Chinese people. (Author)