Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow (fourth from the left), Hsu Chia-ching, Minister of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (sixth from right), Lin You-chang, Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party (fifth from left) and Legislator Lee Kuen-cheng (fifth from right) attend the event to offer their congratulations.
The Taiwan-Philippines Educational Development Foundation (TPEDF) held its 4th and 5th board of directors inauguration ceremony on Jan. 12, 2025 at Century Seafood Restaurant.
Re-elected chairman Su Kuo-fang, president of Song Yue Construction, emphasized the foundation’s dedication to providing airfare sponsorships to financially disadvantaged Filipino-Chinese students pursuing technical and vocational education in Taiwan.
Representative Chow underscored the significance of the OCAC’s “3+4 Vocational Education Program” and the “4-Year Overseas Youth Vocational Training Program (OYVTP).”
These programs offer students the flexibility to either pursue employment opportunities in Taiwan or return to the Philippines to contribute to the local economy.
He acknowledged the substantial increase in applications, with over 2,000 Fil-Chi students applying last year, and 792 selected – a threefold jump from the previous year. Chow also expressed gratitude to the TPEDF for alleviating the financial burden of airfare costs for these aspiring students.
Minister Hsu commended the foundation for assisting over 200 students in 2023 and announced plans for collaborative initiatives to enhance Mandarin proficiency through workshops. These workshops aim to assist students in their academic and cultural acclimatization in Taiwan.
Founded in November 2019, the TPEDF has successfully navigated various challenges, including a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its resurgence, the Foundation has facilitated higher education opportunities in Taiwan for approximately 1,400 Fil-Chi students.
Executive director Allan Lin outlined the foundation’s core mission: preserving traditional culture, inspiring Fil-Chi youth to pursue higher education in Taiwan, fostering grassroots diplomacy between the two nations, and cultivating a pool of qualified Mandarin teachers to support the long-term growth of overseas compatriot schools.
The Taiwan-Philippines Educational Development Foundation continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening educational and cultural exchange between the two countries.
