The 2025 Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Graduation Farewell Party was held on Friday at the NTU Hospital International Convention Center. 

Foreign envoys in Taiwan, university faculty, and representatives from government ministries gathered to offer their heartfelt congratulations to graduates from around the world. The event not only recognized the students’ hard-earned achievements but also highlighted Taiwan as an educational hub where diverse cultures converge.

Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Yeh Ping Cheng (葉丙成) noted that nearly 1,000 students from around the world come to Taiwan annually through the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship programs to pursue degrees or study Mandarin. This study experience enhances professional skills and broadens global perspectives, Yeh said. 

He introduced the “Program of Career Counseling and Retention in Taiwan for International Students,” which provides a range of services — including internship matching, Mandarin language enhancement courses, workplace skills training, and employment workshops — to help foreign students better understand Taiwan’s job market and smoothly launch their professional careers. 

He also encouraged students to make use of the “Intense Program” for international students, launched in 2024-25, to continue their studies in Taiwan, further strengthening their professional capabilities and ties to the job market. Every two years, the MOE also presents Outstanding International Alumni Awards to recognize graduates who continue to shine globally. 

Yeh hoped graduates would maintain long-term connections with Taiwan, acting as the country’s best ambassadors abroad, as their achievements are a source of pride for the Taiwanese.

In the current academic year, a total of 912 Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship students from 82 countries are studying at 61 universities and colleges across Taiwan. The MOE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) annually host the Outstanding Achievement Awards for Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Graduates, recognizing students' exceptional contributions in community service, academics, and other fields.

This year, 20 outstanding students were selected, including 13 MOE Taiwan Scholarship recipients, 1 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship recipient, and 6 MOFA Taiwan Scholarship recipients. Two of the award-winning students were invited to share their Taiwan learning experiences and personal growth stories.

Lee Sher Ling from Malaysia, a Chemical Engineering student at National Taiwan University, shared that she initially felt uneasy about the unfamiliar environment in Taiwan. However, she gradually adapted and integrated into local life, from exploring night markets alone and riding a scooter for the first time to participating in friends’ Mid-Autumn Festival BBQ gatherings. These experiences allowed her to deeply appreciate Taiwan’s warmth and cultural charm.

She has also participated in international conferences, exchanging ideas with professionals from different fields, enriching her academic and personal network. For her, "home" is no longer limited to her birthplace. She has been deeply moved by the kindness and inclusiveness of Taiwan society.

Juan Jose Solorzano Monroy from Guatemala, an English major at National Taiwan Normal University, shared how studying in Taiwan completely changed the course of his life. Although his initial application was unsuccessful, he persevered and finally fulfilled his dream of coming to Taiwan. 

In the process of learning Chinese, he challenged himself to overcome language and cultural barriers, participating in local activities and community interactions. He said Taiwan not only gave him the courage to face the unknown but also became a new home where he could restart his life journey and continue pursuing his dreams.

The event also featured an exhibition of award-winning works from the 13th “Fabulous Taiwan! Photography and Short Film Contest,” in which Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship recipients express themselves artistically. Through their lenses, students captured the landscapes, cultural highlights, and everyday life of Taiwan, presenting the beauty and emotional connections they experienced during their time studying here, as well as their affection and appreciation for Taiwan.

Since the 2004-05 academic year, the MOE and MOFA have jointly established the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship programs, which have attracted outstanding students from over 80 countries. Some of these students return to their home countries to apply their learning, while others choose to stay and contribute to Taiwan, becoming vital bridges for cultural and educational exchanges between Taiwan and the world. 

The MOE said it would continue to deepen international cooperation and foster a friendly learning environment, attracting more talented international students to Taiwan, working together to create a diverse, open, and globally connected landscape for higher education.