The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines organized the 2023 Taiwan Scholarship Awards Ceremony, honoring exceptional Filipino scholars. This initiative aligns with the “New Southbound Policy,” fostering collaboration between Taiwan and its neighboring countries. The Republic of China’s Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Taiwan International Development and Cooperation Fund (ICDF) have once again chosen outstanding Filipino students to receive scholarships for pursuing education in Taiwan.
This year, the MOE awarded scholarships to 18 students, 45 students were granted the Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship for Mandarin studies, and seven students received the Taiwan ICDF scholarship.
The event took place on July 28 celebrating the accomplishments of 70 scholarship recipients. During the ceremony, Representative Wallace Chow extended his heartfelt congratulations to the scholars for their exceptional achievements. He encouraged them to not only excel in their studies but also to share the opportunities available in Taiwan with their peers. Representative Chow also emphasized the potential for future collaborations between leading Philippine universities and institutions in Taiwan, particularly in the fields of electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors. He encouraged attendees to explore the professional opportunities that Taiwan offers in these domains.
Several of the scholars shared their motivations for selecting Taiwan as their study destination. ICDF scholar Lindsey Yu expressed that her decision to pursue a master’s degree in Taiwan was influenced by the country’s robust democracy and freedom of speech. She aspires to apply the lessons learned at National Tsing Hua University to help her homeland achieve similar success.
MOE scholar Karen Yu stated that Taiwan’s reputation for being exceptionally accommodating to foreign students drew her to pursue a master’s degree at the National Chengchi University. She emphasized that Taiwan’s proximity to the Philippines creates a welcoming environment that feels like a second home. Yu eagerly anticipates immersing herself in the city and engaging with fellow students to gain insights into Taiwanese culture.
Meanwhile, Rubielyn Causapin, who had previously lived in Taiwan to study Mandarin, described her profound affinity for the country’s culture, culinary delights, people, history, and picturesque landscapes. This year, she is excited to return to Taiwan to continue her Mandarin studies through the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship. She looks forward to exploring the vibrant Dadong Night Market in Tainan to savor the diverse array of Taiwanese culinary offerings.
TECO in the Philippines extends warm wishes to this year’s scholars for a rewarding stay in Taiwan and remains committed to attracting more Filipino students to pursue their education in Taiwan’s enriching academic environment.