▎Global Outlook

The National Taiwan University System (NTUS), renowned for academic excellence, has taken a significant step forward by establishing the NTUS International High School Alliance. This strategic initiative aims to attract, foster, and retain exceptional students from high schools worldwide. The signing ceremony, led by Prof. Wen-Chang Chen, President of NTU, and Chairman of NTUS, Prof. Shih-Torng Ding, Executive Vice President of NTU and CEO of NTUS, and Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan, Vice President for International Affairs of NTU, marked the alliance’s formal inauguration. Thirteen prestigious Chinese independent high schools in Malaysia were the first to join this alliance.

In May, representatives from the thirteen Malaysian high schools—including Chong Haw Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur, Tsun Jin High School, Kuen Cheng High School, Hin Hua High School, Pin Hwa High School, Chung Ling Private High School, Pay Fong High School, Kluang Chong Hwa High School, Foon Yew High School, Foon Yew High School-Kulai, Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, Catholic High School Sibu, and Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School—assembled with the representatives from NTUS at the campus of Hin Hua High School in Kelang, Selangor, Malaysia to celebrate the signing of a Collaboration and Exchange Agreement.

President Chen highlighted the university system’s efforts to promote the Scholarship for Top and Outstanding Overseas Chinese Students to Study in Taiwan, a collaboration between the Overseas Community Affairs Council and Taiwanese universities. As part of this initiative, NTUS aims to facilitate exchanges between principals and organize short-term programs for teachers and students from the alliance schools to visit Taiwan. The objective is to provide firsthand experience of the system’s academic excellence. To attract more talented students from Malaysia, NTU has expanded the number of available scholarship opportunities. High school-nominated students who meet the qualifications will receive priority admission, full tuition waivers, and monthly stipends of NTD 8,000.

Ms. Chu-Lien Yen, Minister of TECO in Malaysia, acknowledged the deep, longstanding educational ties between Malaysia and Taiwan. More than 12,000 Malaysian students have chosen to pursue higher education in Taiwan, a testament to their confidence in Taiwanese universities. With NTUS’s three universities representing the best comprehensive, educational, and technical universities in Taiwan, along with the generous scholarships and various opportunities, such as internships, work-study programs, and exchanges, Taiwan is undeniably the top destination for Malaysian students seeking an exceptional university education.

The ceremony was graced by a number of distinguished guests, including Datuk Tan Yew Sing, Acting Chairman of the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Tang Yong Chew, President of the Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia, and Mr. Choo Yan Tiee, President of the Alumni Association of National Taiwan University, Malaysia. Each guest expressed optimism in the bright future of Taiwanese-Malaysian higher education collaboration and the tremendous prospects created by the new scholarships.