48 Belizeans Awarded Scholarships to Study in Taiwan
A large group of enthusiastic students are getting ready to travel to Taiwan to take on scholarships. Over the weekend, they participated in an orientation programme hosted by the Taiwanese Embassy. The areas of studies range from medicine to engineering. This year, Taiwan has awarded the largest group of scholarships. Here is News Five’s Hipolito Novelo with a report.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
Forty-eight Belizeans have been awarded scholarships to further their education in the Republic of China (Taiwan). Thirty-three received Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund scholarships while the remaining fifteen were granted the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship. The scholarship recipients on Saturday were hosted by the Twainese Embassy and Belize Taiwan Alumni Society for an orientation.
Remus Li-Kou Chen
Remus Li-Kou Chen, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize
“As we say education is the cornerstone to growth. Our scholarship recipients today will be receiving quality education in Taiwan and return to Belize with abundant or expertise to dedicate themselves as the positive driving force for the jewel of the Caribbean.”
According to Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize Remus Li-Kou Chen this year marks the highest number of Belizean scholarship recipients since 2002. Four of the students have successfully applied to pursue a four-year medical degree. Twenty-nine recipients will attend English-taught undergraduate, graduate or PhD programmes.
Scholarship Recipient
“The question should not be why Taiwan. Instead it should be why not Taiwan. Advance education and innovative technology are a no brainer but keep in mind a new culture with different people who are our bothers from another mother country. This I know will make Taiwan a home away from home, a home I hope to flourish in and fulfill my dreams in becoming an energy engineering looking forward to a sustainable Belize which generates one hundred percent of its own electricity without jeopardizing any of its pristine natural resources.”
Each students, as part of their scholarship, will receive a round trip economy class ticket, accommodation, tuition fees, credit fees, insurance, textbook costs, and a monthly allowance of up to nine hundred and fifty U.S. dollars depending on the subject and degree pursued. Around four hundred and eleven Belizeans have been offered the scholarships to study in Taiwan to date. Education Minister Patrick Faber says that the programme strengthens the tie between both countries.
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“This scholarship that you receive whether you are ICDF or MOFA is gift to the government and e people of Belize. Are you hearing me? It is not a personal gift and so it is expected that once you receive your education that it is that you will come back and you will contributed to Belize’s development. I saw that without reservation because I know the heart of the Taiwanese people when they make such an offering and it is because the number of students who don’t return is fast increasing which is not necessarily a bad thing ambassador. As we engage bilaterally with countries especially those who give us scholarship offerings we are reminded that in fact those gifts are gifts to the government and people of Belize.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
