BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
TAIWAN has more than just kept its promise by increasing the number of Taiwan scholarships to 26 for this year.
In November last year, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen made a commitment that Taiwan will increase its scholarship awards to 18, however this year 26 Solomon Islanders have been awarded.
On Friday last week, Taiwan’s Embassy in Solomon Islands awarded the 26 recipients in a get-together at the Jinas restaurant which convened Education Permanent Secretary Franco Rodie and SINU Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Prem Rai.
Taiwan Ambassador His Exellency Roger Luo said this year the Republic of China (Taiwan) has increased its award to 26 for both Taiwan Scholarship and ICDF— International Cooperation and Development Fund.
“It’s a commitment that President Tsai Ing-wen made during her visit last November.”
He said lots of foreign students like to study in Taiwan because Taiwanese are friendly and moreover, Taiwan has very high quality higher education.
Luo encouraged Solomon Islands’ students to work hard and maintain connection with country’s Embassy in Taiwan and Taiwan Embassy in Honiara.
Luo during the short ceremony strongly encouraged Solomon Islands students to study hard purposely to return with new knowledge and skills to contribute for country’s development.
The scholars will left to Taiwan on August 27 and Deputy Counsellor Oliver Weng will accompanied them which is the first its kind an officer accompanied recipients to Taiwan.
Taiwan Scholarship is 18 and ICDF eight which is total up to 26 scholarship recipients for this round.
