The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) granted 76 scholarships to Paraguayan youth who will pursue undergraduate, graduate, and Mandarin language programs in the Asian country. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday with the presence of Taiwanese Ambassador Iván Yueh-Jung Lee and officials from the Paraguayan government.
Of the total beneficiaries, 51 will pursue undergraduate studies, 15 will undertake graduate programs, and 10 will study Mandarin. Additionally, two scholarships were granted for a Master's in Police Sciences. The students will depart for Taiwan on August 26, with classes scheduled to begin on September 1.
Ambassador Lee emphasized that the scholarships represent an investment in Paraguay's future and encouraged the youth to make the most of the academic and cultural experience. "I hope that upon returning, you bring not only your diploma. I hope you return with new knowledge, lifelong friendships, and a firm desire to contribute to your country's future," he stated.
The scholarships are distributed across four categories: 51 through the MOFA program (Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs), 13 through the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), 10 Huayu scholarships for Mandarin study, and two for a Master's in Police Sciences.
Since 1991, the Taiwanese government has granted 894 scholarships to Paraguayan students, primarily in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Educational cooperation is one of the pillars of the bilateral relationship, which will mark 70 years in 2027.
Among the scholarship recipients is Ingrid Sena Netto from Villa Elisa, the first Paraguayan woman to benefit in the field of Public Health. She will pursue a four-year undergraduate degree in Taiwan and plans to return to Paraguay to apply the knowledge acquired. "It is a great pride because it is a goal I have been pursuing for a long time," she declared.
Another beneficiary is César Rodríguez from Luque, who will study Ocean Engineering at National Taiwan University. "I want to bring more advanced knowledge that can serve Paraguay's development," he stated.
Deputy Minister of Worship of the Ministry of Education and Sciences, Adolfo Vallejos, represented the Paraguayan government and highlighted that training the youth constitutes a strategic bet for national development. "The training of our youth is not simply the training of a few individuals; it is the training of Paraguay's future," he said.