Due to popular demand and the positive response from Filipino students taking up studies there, Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has decided to offer more slots in scholarship programs for students from the Philippines, The Manila Times reported.
The MOE said the initiative will give Filipinos improved opportunities to study the Mandarin language and experience Taiwan’s rich and vibrant culture.
Michael Peiyung Hsu, representative of Taiwan to the Philippines, said that he hopes more and more Filipinos will take the opportunity to study in Taiwan, emphasizing that Taiwan is the best location for Filipinos to purse higher studies due to the convenience that it presents.
There are three scholarship programs on offer by the MOE.
The Ministry of Education Scholarship offers a four-year scholarship for undergraduate studies, a two-year scholarship for a master’s program and a grant of up to four years for a doctoral degree. The MOE will shoulder tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses. Scholars will also receive a monthly stipend ranging from NTD15,000 to NTD20,000 (US$487 to US$650).
The Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship allows applicants to choose to pursue either two or three months of intensive Mandarin courses and will entitle students to a monthly stipend of NTD25,000.
The International Cooperation and Development Fund covers full tuition, living expenses, economy class airfare tickets and textbook costs, as well as a monthly stipend of NTD15,000 (NTD17,000 for those pursuing doctoral degrees).
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines will start accepting applications for the scholarship programs on February 1. Details of the different scholarship programs can be found in TECO’s website.