Taiwan Scholarship Program Welcomes the World to Study in Taiwan

To welcome the new academic year, the "2023-24 Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Recipients Orientation and Welcome Party" was held in grand fashion on November 10th at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation. The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and diplomats from various countries collectively welcomed new recipients of Taiwan Scholarships and Huayu Enrichment Scholarships who are in Taiwan for study. This year, over 1,000 students from more than 80 countries have been awarded scholarships to pursue education in Taiwan. This welcome reception attracted nearly 600 scholarship recipients to join. In addition to help the new students become familiar with the scholarship-related regulations, the orientation also assisted these students in understanding student life in Taiwan and integrating into the diverse society and culture of Taiwan.

Dr. Lin Ming-yu, Deputy Minister of Education expressed his delight over so many outstanding students around the world come to Taiwan for their studies. He encouraged the scholarship recipients not only to take their studies diligently but also, in their free time, explore the customs and culture of Taiwan, as well as experience the warmth of the Taiwanese people. Deputy Minister Lin also pointed out the various measures were implemented by the Taiwan government in recent years to encourage foreign students to work in Taiwan after graduation. He expressed his hope that those scholarship recipients will choose to remain in Taiwan for work after completing their studies. Additionally, the Ministry of Education established the "Taiwan Alumni Database" in 2018 to maintain ongoing contact and interaction with alumni who have studied in Taiwan. Deputy Minister Lin encouraged the students to join the database in order to stay connected with Taiwan. In conclusion, he asked the new scholarship recipients to share their wonderful experiences of studying in Taiwan with younger students in their home countries, passing on their study experiences in Taiwan.

This year, two students were invited to share their experiences of studying in Taiwan. Lim Thou Chun, a master's student from Malaysia at National Taipei University of the Arts, is a recipient of the Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship. Asia Natalia Gilharry, from Belize and currently enrolled in the undergraduate program at Tamkang University, is a recipient of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarship. They shared their respective insights and experiences about studying in Taiwan.

Lim Thou Chun is pursuing advanced studies in the Graduate Institute of Arts and Humanities Education at National Taipei University of the Arts (NTUA). During his studies in Taiwan, he has represented NTUA in an academic exchange with Tokyo University of the Arts. Through actively participating in international forums and conferences, he has accumulated a wealth of international exchange experiences. Lim has also been involved in various nations’ art and dance festivals, assisted the international curators at the Taipei Arts Festival, and even took part in the renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's "Nine Songs" nationwide tour in Taiwan. He encouraged the new students embarking on their learning journey in Taiwan, urging them to not only experience the cultural charm of Taiwan and broaden their international perspectives but also to bravely pursue their dreams.

Hailing from Belize, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, Asia Natalia Gilharry is a recipient of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarship and is currently studying in the English-instructed bachelor's program in Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University. Reflecting on her initial experiences, she described facing numerous challenges in adapting to life due to the language difference. However, after a year of studying and making friends in Taiwan, she gradually adjusted to life on the island. Asia courageously tried diverse new activities, including a journey around the island, during which she was deeply touched by Taiwan's unique warmth and hospitality. Now, through dance and participation in various events, Asia introduces Belizean culture to the people of Taiwan. For her, Taiwan has become a second home!

To encourage foreigners to pursue academic degrees or study Mandarin in Taiwan, in 2004, the Ministry of Education established both the Taiwan Scholarship and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship. The aim of these scholarships is for outstanding foreign students to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan's academic environment and cultural atmosphere during their studies and to become cultural ambassadors between Taiwan and their respective countries. Moreover, the Ministry of Education also hopes that these talented individuals will choose to stay in Taiwan after graduation, contribute their knowledge, and embark on another chapter of life in Taiwan.

發布單位：國際及兩岸教育司
聯絡人：黃瑋婷
電話：(02)7736-6716
電子信箱：wthuang@mail.moe.gov.tw