With the economy emerging from a year-long recession, Taiwan's nominal unemployment rate fell 0.28 percentage points in April to 5.39 percent, marking the biggest month-on-month decline since October 1994, according to statistics released Monday. The total number of employed persons also increased to 10.41 million in April, an 18-month high that almost matched the peak level achieved before the 2008-2009 global financial crisis hit. On Monday, the Ministry of Education floated a 'four plus one' initiative that will allow universities to open one-year intensive courses for bachelor's degree holders to gain professional expertise that will enhance their employability. The plan, however, drew mixed reaction. The following are excerpts from the local media coverage of the topic: United Daily News: Although Taiwan's jobless rate has declined for eight months, its April figure remained higher than Hong Kong's 4.4 percent, South Korea's 3.7 percent and Singapore's 2.2 percent. With the advent of the commencement season, the unemployment rate may rise again in the coming months. Premier Wu Den-yih has directed relevant agencies to step up efforts to help find job opportunities for new college graduates. At an Executive Yuan employment promotion news conference on Monday, Deputy Education Minister Lin Tsung-ming said an estimated 150,000 new university graduates enter the job market each year. To meet technology companies' manpower demand and help humanities graduates acquire professional knowledge and skills, Lin said, the ministry plans to launch a program in September to cater to such needs. According to the plan, both new and old university graduates can apply to attend the program, which will focus on technology, including semiconductor-related knowledge and technologies. The study program will span three semesters in one year, Lin said, adding that those who complete all required courses will be conferred a bachelor's degree in the technology field. (May 25, 2010). China Times: Lin said local universities can decide on their own the threshold for admission to the 'four plus one, double degree' program and the number of applicants to be accepted. Under the program, Lin said, local universities or colleges will join forces with government-run vocational training centers and private corporations in designing courses and internship projects to meet practical demand. If the project is indeed launched in September, those who graduate this June will become the first group of beneficiaries, Lin said, noting that the program will also help reduce the impact on the job market of an influx of new graduates. As the project defies current regulations that require four years of study to qualify for a bachelor's degree, some university officials and educators questioned its appropriateness. Several activists even accused the government of attempting to lower the unemployment rate at the expense of the existing academic system. (May 25, 2010). Liberty Times: As Premier Wu has said on many occasions that he will step down from the premiership if the jobless rate does not fall below 5 percent by the end of this year, the executive branch has launched an all-out campaign to reduce unemployment. Among others, the Ministry of Education has come up with a controversial 'four plus one' program that some worry will undermine Taiwan's academic accreditation system. A Youth Labor Union-95 spokesman said the program is just designed to help manipulate the unemployment figure by retaining young people on campus. If local companies indeed need skilled employees, the spokesman said, they should invest more in talent cultivation instead of passing such costs to the government and students. (May 25, 2010) 