The 2025 New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program wrapped up Jan. 12 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people connections with NSP target countries.
Last year’s program, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enabled 105 participants to gain insight into Taiwan’s freedom and its democratic way of life during their five-month stay in the country. The closing ceremony was attended by officials from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Speaking at the event, Vice Foreign Minister Ger Bau-shuan said that the program was launched by the MOFA in cooperation with Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology and National Quemoy University in 2022, with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and National Chung Hsing University taking part in 2023. He thanked the institutions for supporting the government’s NSP+ program in the cultivation of next-generation talents.
Ger encouraged students to become friends of Taiwan, and thanked Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines for releasing official statements stressing the importance of cross-strait peace and stability. Taiwan is committed to working with like-minded partners to safeguard peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, he added.
Five students who received the Minister’s Award said during the ceremony that the program demonstrates Taiwan’s emphasis on higher education. They added that they have enjoyed living in Taiwan for its societal emphasis on freedom, equal rights for health care and respect for human rights.
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with Australia, New Zealand, six South Asian countries and the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states. The ministry will further promote the NSP+ to deepen cooperation with Southeastern and southern Asian countries to create a prosperous Indo-Pacific, the MOFA said. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
Last year’s program, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enabled 105 participants to gain insight into Taiwan’s freedom and its democratic way of life during their five-month stay in the country. The closing ceremony was attended by officials from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Speaking at the event, Vice Foreign Minister Ger Bau-shuan said that the program was launched by the MOFA in cooperation with Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology and National Quemoy University in 2022, with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and National Chung Hsing University taking part in 2023. He thanked the institutions for supporting the government’s NSP+ program in the cultivation of next-generation talents.
Ger encouraged students to become friends of Taiwan, and thanked Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines for releasing official statements stressing the importance of cross-strait peace and stability. Taiwan is committed to working with like-minded partners to safeguard peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, he added.
Five students who received the Minister’s Award said during the ceremony that the program demonstrates Taiwan’s emphasis on higher education. They added that they have enjoyed living in Taiwan for its societal emphasis on freedom, equal rights for health care and respect for human rights.
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with Australia, New Zealand, six South Asian countries and the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states. The ministry will further promote the NSP+ to deepen cooperation with Southeastern and southern Asian countries to create a prosperous Indo-Pacific, the MOFA said. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News
