Taiwanese cultural exchange summer programme starts

Now in its third year of operation, the Taiwan Youth Ambassador summer camp got underway with its opening ceremony, held yesterday, July 16, at the Methodist Church Hall.{{more}}

The summer programme will see six volunteers from Taiwan participating in cultural exchanges, ranging from dance lessons to art and design to chopstick use tutoring, with students from the SVG Community College.

Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie praised the organizers for continually implementing the summer programme which “has allowed both nations to grow and develop over time”.

McKie described the relationship between between Taiwan and SVG as “excellent”, and pointed out that Taiwanese input has spread throughout every local sector.

He also explained that the summer programme, which allows Taiwanese volunteers to experience almost every aspect of local culture, assists in enhancing our local cultural image – which will inevitably raise SVG’s international profile.

Deputy director at the SVG Community College Nigel Scott extolled the benefits of the summer exchange programme and urged participants to make the most of the opportunity by forming “life-long friendships”.

In brief remarks, Weber V.B Shih, ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), expressed heart-felt thanks to the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the SVG Community College, and various other individuals for helping the summer programme to be a success year after year.

Leader of the Taiwanese youth ambassador team Dr Su-Ying Hsu presented the SVG Community College with six Asus laptops, then introduced the youth ambassadors, who are all students at the Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology.

Gordon Shallow, president of the SVG-Taiwan Alumni, also gave brief welcoming remarks.

The summer programme will run until Friday, July 27, culminating in a closing ceremony with an exhibition of what the Taiwanese and Vincentian participants have learnt.