A government-funded program accelerates professional development for students from South and Southeast Asia.
Tonee Villanueva’s dream to combine her passion for technology with her love of exploring new cultures came true when she was invited to take specialized courses at National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) from September 2023 to January 2024. “My experience in Taiwan broadened my perspective and gave me a more nuanced understanding of my university studies,” said the third-year materials engineering student at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Manila.
Villanueva’s journey was made possible by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) Elite Study Program (ESP), a New Southbound Policy (NSP) initiative designed to enhance mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. A key part of the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
ESP students in their respective national costumes perform at the closing ceremony in Taipei in January this year. (Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The presence of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, and Villanueva’s interest in semiconductors drew her to the program. “I knew Taiwan was the best place to study integrated circuits [IC] and their applications,” she said. “I felt so blessed to have the opportunity because studying abroad would have otherwise been out of my reach financially.” Her studies included courses on electronic materials, IC design and semiconductor device fabrication, alongside language lessons and a range of cultural activities. “The professors were outstanding, making sure to connect course content to real-world scenarios,” Villanueva said. “The practical skills I learned will increase my career options back home.”
Since its launch in 2022, the ESP has benefited 117 students from NSP countries. The five-month program offers insights into Taiwan’s strengths across five broad areas: climate change governance, public health, regional and cross-strait research, semiconductor technology, and sustainable agriculture. Participants also explore Taiwan’s diverse cultures, democratic way of life and role in maintaining regional peace and stability. The MOFA plans to expand the impact of the program by increasing the number of students and partner institutions, which currently include NTUT and Taipei Medical University (TMU) in the north, National Chung Hsing University in the central city of Taichung, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in the south and National Quemoy University in outlying Kinmen County.
Language lessons are on offer at NTUT for ESP students. (Courtesy of National Taipei University of Technology)
Dual Enrichment
According to Eric Fan (范政揆), dean of NTUT’s Office of International Affairs, courses on artificial intelligence (AI), big data, machine learning and IC design and manufacturing have proven incredibly popular among Southeast Asian students. “The booming semiconductor industry has sparked substantial interest in the field, which has in turn attracted a growing number of students to the ESP,” he said.
To meet the needs of such students, NTUT has considerably expanded its selection of semiconductor-related courses. In 2022 it established the Frontier Institute of Research for Science and Technology to cultivate more high-tech professionals and address skilled worker shortages through partnerships with industry experts, who provide input on curriculum development.
At the same time, the ESP benefits partner universities by increasing intercultural engagement on campus. “International higher education is a long-term trend that’s accelerated by government grants and scholarships like the ESP,” Fan said. “It exposes our students to different cultures and enhances communication skills, both of which are essential for success in today’s interconnected work environments.”
ESP students from Taipei Medical University visit Wanfang Hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Taipei. (Courtesy of Taipei Medical University)
TMU Executive Vice President Chang Shu-ying (張淑英) also highlighted the program’s benefits for a school’s visibility. “Positive experiences through the program foster goodwill among participants, who can promote our university when they return home,” she said. TMU has a student body of around 6,000, and of the roughly 600 international students pursuing postgraduate degrees, 80 percent are from NSP target countries. The university’s globally minded curriculum and connections with overseas institutions make it well suited to host the ESP. “Taiwan’s strengths extend beyond semiconductors, so it’s great to see the program covering fields like agriculture and medical care,” Chang added. “With our abundant resources and large health care network, we strive for exceptional outcomes for students and patients alike.”
In addition to its 11 colleges and 13 R&D centers, TMU operates Taipei Cancer Center, TMU Hospital, Taipei Neuroscience Institute and Wanfang Hospital in Taipei; Shuang Ho Hospital in New Taipei City; and Hsin Kuo Min Hospital in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City. Customized English-taught courses in wide-ranging subjects such as dentistry, medicine, nutrition and health information technology are coupled with practical learning experiences at TMU facilities for students focused on health care careers. The program also includes visits to medical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and simulation centers, as well as Chinese language courses and cultural exchange activities.
VR headset use is an engaging educational tool. (Courtesy of Taipei Medical University)
Regional Impact
TMU has helped further the academic, personal and professional development of ESP participants like Rianto Sulisto Dame from Indonesia, who studied advanced clinical nutrition, global health and public health policy through the program. “The ESP was a great opportunity to look at medicine from multiple angles,” he said, calling TMU’s approach well rounded and practical.
“The mentorship I got from the professors at TMU paired with hospital visits and company tours provided real-world insights and enhanced my understanding of nutritional science and health care operations,” Dame said. Inspired by his ESP experience, he is currently pursuing a master’s at TMU’s Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control. “My ultimate goal is to combine the knowledge and skills I’ve learned in Taiwan with advanced research methodologies to help address global health challenges and contribute to groundbreaking research in nutrition and medicine,” he said.
As Taiwan strives to build a more free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific, cultivating skilled professionals through impactful projects like the ESP is crucial. Not only does the NSP initiative accelerate participants’ academic and professional growth, it also strengthens international ties and highlights Taiwan’s commitment to joint regional advancement. “The program attracts top performers to Taiwan’s universities,” Chang said. “They then become a driving force promoting cooperation and exchange when they return to their home countries.”
Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw