Taiwan scholarships offer more than just an education – Jack

In promoting the 2016 Taiwanese scholarship programmes, representatives of the Embassy of Taiwan and Vincentians who studied in Taiwan visited colleges on Tuesday and Wednesday to let students know of the opportunities open to them.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is offering two scholarship programmes — the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship and the TaiwanICDF Scholarship to outstanding Vincentians{{more}} to pursue studies in Taiwan commencing 2016 academic year.

Jamali Jack, president of the Taiwanese Scholar Alumni Association, speaking to students of the Division of Technical and Vocational Education on Tuesday, said that what Taiwan is offering is the experience, plus an education.

Jack, who is currently the Digital Marketing officer at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, said the benefits derived would surpass the money given.

“After studying for six years in Taiwan, I do not owe a single soul one single cent,” Jack said.

He pursued studies in journalism and mass communication, along with one year of advertising and another year studying Mandarin Chinese.

Speaking of the additional benefits that could be derived from a Taiwanese education, Jack described Taiwan as an “international hub,” where scholarship recipients would have the opportunity to communicate with more than half of the planet.

According to Jack, Taiwan is extremely safe and a few years ago, Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, was named the second safest city in the world.

“I won’t say there’s no crime, because the truth is there’s no country in this world where there is no crime, but Taiwan is extremely safe,” he added.

He said the transportation system is very timely and reliable. “With your smart phone right now, you can go and find out when is the next bus going to stop at just about any of the thousands, literally thousands, of bus stops anywhere in Taiwan,” he said, adding that the taxis are also very cheap.

Jack said that the cuisine in Taiwan is vast, with many international fast food restaurants.

Taiwanese Ambassador Baushuan Ger, who also spoke, told the students that there are over 200 degree programmes available in English and that scholarships are open to countries who have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

During a Q&A session with the students, Ger and Jack said the final decision on which students are awarded scholarships is made in Taiwan and the decision is based on academic performance.

Persons applying for a non-degree Mandarin Language Enrichment Programme (LEP) will be granted a maximum of one year’s scholarship, which is only applicable to MOFA Taiwan Scholarship.

Upon completion of LEP, the recipient must study for a degree programme, during which it must be continuous, with no breaks and cannot exceed a total of five years.

Degrees offered are the Undergraduate’s Programme (four years), the Master’s Programme (two years) and the Doctoral Programme (four years).

Applicants for the TaiwanICDF Scholarships are to submit their documents to the Taiwanese embassy by March 18 and applicants for the MOFA Scholarship are to submit their documents by March 31.

St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of China and Taiwan have had diplomatic relations for over 25 years. More information on the scholarships offered can be found at http://www.taiwanembassy.org/VC/mp.asp?mp=727