Taiwan Donates to ITVET, Belize City

After the Special Joint Sitting of the House of Representative and Senate this morning, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned to Belize City for a brief visit of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Center. The strong diplomatic bond that has been forged between both nations was built on bilateral cooperation and financial assistance in different sectors such as education. A portion of Taiwan’s financial assistance has greatly benefited the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Center and today a grant proposal was officially approved for the renovation of ITVET’s library and research center. A small ceremony was held this afternoon where education ministers from both nations addressed the gathering.

Yeh Jiunn-rong

Yeh Jiunn-rong, Minister of Education, Taiwan

“When it comes to education, there are two concepts. Number one is opportunity, opportunity for all poor or privileged. They all get equal opportunity through education. And now Taiwan and Belize share the same idea. That is equal opportunity for education. We also believe that education can turn someone, an indicial, around. Can turn a family around and can also turn a country around. We Taiwan have done that and also a forward looking region and ambition to achieve this goal. Number two; education is about empowerment. We also believe that everyone already h as it potential it already here but we just need something to empower people.”

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Belize

“As I said quite often when we are in setting with other countries, partnership with other countries and we receive gifts from other countries, the best mark of friendship between you and the country is when that country gives you a gift that keeps on giving and can never be taken back. Pardon my bias but I believe absolutely that the best such gift are the contribution to education.”

President Tsai leaves Belize on Saturday en-route to Paraguay.