2024 New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program Graduation

During the Closing Ceremony, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Chia-Lung Lin, presented the Minister’s Award to Phoebe Ashley Chua Ongchan, a student from the Philippines, in recognition of her outstanding performance.

Since its launch in 2022, the NSPESP has nurtured 221 young talents from 12 New Southbound countries, strengthening Taiwan’s role as a hub for regional talent development. Taipei Medical University (TMU) has been a key contributor to this initiative, playing an instrumental role in expanding the program’s reach and impact. TMU’s Executive Vice President, Luisa Shu-Ying Chang, highlighted that over the years, the student body has grown from 15 to 20, while the number of participating countries has expanded from 7 to 9, reflecting TMU’s commitment to fostering regional academic collaboration and talent cultivation.

This year, TMU hosted 20 students from 9 New Southbound countries—Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, India, Cambodia, and Nepal. The five-month academic program focused on key medical fields through 10 thematic courses, a three-month academic internship, and collaborative research with TMU faculty members, researchers, and students. These activities promoted academic exchange and fostered long-term professional relationships between Taiwan and New Southbound countries.

Students participated in a variety of academic and cultural activities, including medical facility visits, research projects, and intensive Mandarin language courses. During the Final Presentation, students presented their academic internship reports before a panel of faculty mentors. In addition to academic learning, students engaged in cultural exploration through visits to historical sites and hands-on activities showcasing Taiwan’s cultural heritage.

To share their experiences, students documented their experiences on social media. Phoebe Ashley Chua Ongchan, an occupational therapy student, expressed her appreciation for the warmth and camaraderie she experienced during the program, describing it as akin to being part of a big family. She hopes to have the opportunity to futher her learning at TMU. Another student, Duc Minh CAP from Vietnam, decided to further his studies in Taiwan. He has been accepted into TMU’s Ph.D. programs in the College of Nutrition and the College of Public Health, solidifying his commitment to advancing his academic career in Taiwan.

As part of TMU’s Healthcare System, which includes seven affiliated hospitals, students benefited from comprehensive academic and research support. International students now make up 10% of TMU’s graduate programs, reflecting the university’s commitment to fostering a globally connected academic environment. By integrating medical education with real-world applications, TMU continues to solidify its position as a leader in international collaboration and talent cultivation.

TMU remains dedicated to incubate international collaboration through initiatives like the NSPESP. The university looks forward to welcoming future cohorts and further strengthening academic and professional partnerships with New Southbound countries.