中華民國外交部

Government conveys sympathy and concern for Haitian students in Taiwan

Haiti, Taiwan’s diplomatic ally in the Caribbean, was struck by a devastating earthquake on January 13, Taipei Time. In order to express the government’s sympathy and concern, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) immediately launched the Emergency Mechanism for Disaster Prevention and Rescue, set up a task force to coordinate related relief matters, and located Haitian students in Taiwan.

To reassure Haitian students in Taiwan, MOFA has maintained close contact with them providing all necessary assistance; for instance, searching for their families in Haiti, coordinating with their schools to keep their scholarship while taking a leave back to Haiti, providing psychological counseling, among other measures. MOFA expressed deepest condolences and sympathies to Haitian students in Taiwan who have lost family, friends, or property.

Haitian pupils have actively participated in Taiwan’s relief efforts. Those at medical school will partake in the Taiwanroot Medical Peace Corp scheduled to depart on January 19 to Port-au-Prince to provide medical assistance.

According to MOFA statistics, there are 30 Haitian students currently receiving grants. 23 are recipients of the Taiwan Scholarship, and 7 under International Higher Education Scholarship Program of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF). They are spread around 13 universities in Taiwan, namely: National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Chengchi University, National Tsing Hua University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Chiao Tung University, National Central University, National Yang-Ming University, National Taiwan Ocean University, Ming Chuan University, Tamkang University, Taipei Medical University and Kaohsiung Medical University. The recipients of the Taiwan Scholarship are mainly studying for their Bachelors degrees and on Mandarin programs, whereas the recipients of the ICDF scholarship are for their Master’s or PhDs in international human resource development, international health, international marine science and resource management, international environment sustainable development, international medical management, and clinical medicine. (E)