Taiwan/ROC-PIF Scholarship Funds

From the Forum Secretariat

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat yesterday received USD$181,429 from Taiwan for the implementation of scholarship awards for semester 2, 2006.

Taiwan’s Trade Representative in Suva, Fiji, Mr Sherman Kuo presented the funds to the Secretariat’s Deputy Secretary General, Iosefa Maiava.

The funds will be used to cover travel expenses for returning and new students, living/accommodation allowances and tuition fees for continuing students and advertising for 2007 awards. 2007 Scholarship awards are expected to be advertised regionally early next month and will close at the end of November 2006.

Currently, there are 23 students from Niue (2), Republic of Marshall Islands (2), Tuvalu (3), Samoa (2), Solomon Islands (9), Fiji (2), Kiribati (1) and Vanuatu (2) who are sponsored under the Scheme.

The programmes of study for 2006 cover undergraduate and post graduate courses in education, business administration, law, marine science, computer science / technology, accounting, information systems and physiotherapy.

Taiwan committed US$500,000 towards scholarships for 2006, with a total of US$355,733 being utilised for awards for the year. Taiwan/ROC had earlier released US$174,304 in February for the first semester.

Three North Malaita students who are currently benefiting from the Taiwan/ROC-PIF Scholarship; and are studying marine science, environmental science and marine affairs at the University of the South Pacific, are Mr Trevor Maeda, Mr Edward Danitofea and Mr William Fikutoa.

Source: Government Communications Unit