21 February 2020
SUVA, Fiji: Today Jessica Chienyi Lee, Representative of the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji presented US $1 million to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The funds support the Taiwan/Republic of China – Pacific Islands Forum Scholarship Scheme; a regional Oceans advocacy and engagement programme; and an attachment scheme for renewable energy capacity building for Smaller Island State utilities.
Since 2001, the Scholarship Scheme has been awarded to 193 Forum Island Country citizens to undertake studies in the region. Under the scheme recipients have pursued studies in commerce, medicine, carpentry, engineering, marine science/affairs, information systems and agriculture. The fields of study are determined and prioritized by member countries.
This year Taiwan/ROC has also offered a year of Mandarin study to students travelling to Taiwan/ROC to undertake tertiary studies.
A number of Scholarship recipients from previous intakes were present at the ceremony and acknowledged the support of Taiwan/ROC and the Forum Secretariat to their education.
The call for applications for the 2021 Scholarship Scheme intake is expected commence in October 2020 and will be publicised on www.forumsec.org and social media channels.
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