The Foundation for Higher Education International Cooperation Taiwan (FICHET), is a consortium funded by donations from the Ministry of Education and its member colleges and universities. Established in 1994, FICHET formally began operations in early 1995. The Foundation currently includes 118 sponsoring institutions. FICHET seeks to raise global awareness of the excellent and unique higher education opportunities available in Taiwan, working with other Taiwan-based higher education organizations including the National Association of Universities and Colleges, the National Association of National Universities of Science and Technology, the Association for the Advancement of Private Colleges and Universities, and the Association for the Advancement of Private Colleges of Science and Technology.