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III Continuing Education Measures
- Applicable Subjects:
- The TWSE or GTSM listed company shall make plans and arrangements for the persons on the list of elected directors (including independent directors) and supervisors for each term, and if there is any change to the list of directors and supervisors, shall make corresponding additions, deletions, and adjustments to the plans and arrangements.
- “Newly appointed” directors and supervisors in these Directions means those serving for the first time as a director or supervisor of a TWSE or GTSM listed company.
- “Re-appointed” directors and supervisors in these Directions means those serving another term as a director or supervisor of a TWSE or GTSM listed company.
- Temporal continuity or continuous appointment at the same TWSE or GTSM listed company across terms of service is not required for a determination of being “re-appointed” under the preceding paragraph. However, if the company at which the appointed person previously served becomes TWSE or GTSM listed only after the person has completed his or her term of service has been dismissed for any reason, that term may not be deemed as a first term.
- Continuing Education Hours:
Continuing professional education (CPE) hours for directors and supervisors of TWSE or GTSM listed companies are as follows:
- It is advisable for a newly appointed person to complete a minimum of 12 CPE hours in the year the person is appointed, and a minimum of 3 hours per year in each following year.
- It is advisable for a re-appointed person to complete a minimum of 3 CPE hours per year during the term of appointment.
- CPE hours shall be calculated on a progressive basis, counting, in principle, from 1 January to 31 December for the given year. In the event of peculiar circumstances or where cross-year calculation is necessitated by the curriculum design, the reasons shall be stated together with the disclosure of the status of continuing education required under Point III, paragraph 5.
- Continuing Education Scope: To assist each director and supervisor in gaining, through continuing education, the abilities under all subparagraphs of Article 20, paragraph 3, and Article 43 of the Principles, it is advisable for a TWSE or GTSM listed company to consider topics extending beyond the scope of the professional expertise of the directors and supervisors, and to select courses encompassing corporate governance related topics such as finance, risk management, business, commerce, legal affairs, accounting, and corporate social responsibility, or courses relating to internal control systems or liability for financial reports.
- Continuing Education System:
A TWSE or GTSM listed company shall, in principle, turn to the following institutions when arranging continuing education for directors and supervisors:
- Professional training institutions such as the Securities and Futures Institute, ROC, Accounting Research and Development Foundation in Taiwan, Institute of Internal Auditors, ROC, Taiwan Development & Research Academia of Economic & Technology, Computer Audit Association, Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance, Taiwan Corporate Governance Association.
- Lectures, seminars, symposiums, and educational courses organized by the following institutions (whether as the host or a co-host) and in line with the Continuing Education Scope under Point III, paragraph 3.
- The regulatory authority in charge of a relevant industry, the competent authority, the TWSE, GTSM, Taiwan Depository and Clearing Corporation, and other institutions recognized by the TWSE or GTSM.
- Taiwan Securities Association, CPA Associations, and Bar Associations.
- Seminars, symposiums, and internal training sessions organized by the TWSE or GTSM listed company or its affiliated enterprises, and in line with the Continuing Education Scope under Point III, paragraph 3, provided that the hours thereof that may be recognized for continuing education are limited to one-third of the minimum CPE hours that a person is advised to complete per year under these Directions.
- Special lectures, seminars, and symposiums organized by international organizations such as OECD or by major securities markets around the world, attended by directors or supervisors, where the topic is in line with the Continuing Education Scope under Point III, paragraph 3.
- When a TWSE or GTSM listed company engages a foreign national to serve as a director or supervisor, the company shall, in addition to having a clear understanding of the substantive content of the person’s continuing education undertaken abroad, provide a translation in English or the foreign national's native language of Taiwan’s major laws and regulations related to economics, securities, TWSE or GTSM listing, and relevant industries for reference.
- Continuing Education Arrangements and Information Disclosure:
- A TWSE or GTSM listed company shall have an understanding of the educational background, work experience, and professional expertise of all of its directors and supervisors, and make appropriate arrangements for the times and contents of continuing education for each person, taking into consideration the company’s main operational focus and main directions of business development.
- The directors and supervisors of a TWSE or GTSM listed company shall regularly file with the company documentary proof of their continuing education. The TWSE or GTSM listed company shall regularly review the status of the continuing education of its directors and supervisors.
- A TWSE or GTSM listed company shall disclose in its prospectuses, annual reports, on the Market Observation Post System, and on the company website information on the continuing education status of its directors and supervisors pursuant to the Regulations Governing Information to be Published in Public Offering and Issuance Prospectuses, Regulations Governing Information to be Published in Annual Reports of Public Companies, and Corporate Governance Best-Practice Principles for TWSE or GTSM Listed Companies.
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