This year, the Immigration Agency organized the Empowerment and Scholarship Program for New Residents and their children, with a total of 7,298 recipients. The program covers 6,458 outstanding and financially disadvantaged scholarship recipients, 689 recipients of new resident certification bonuses, 9 Presidential Education Award winners, and 142 recipients of special talent rewards.
The Immigration Agency noted that these recipients not only excel in academics but also show outstanding performance in sports, music, arts, dance, and technical fields. Notably, Ms. Wu Pei-wen from Vietnam and Ms. Li Anna from Indonesia stood out by earning Class A and Single-level certifications, respectively, in the Ministry of Labor's technician skill assessment test. They received rewards of NT$50,000 and NT$3,000, respectively.
Ms. Wu Pei-wen recalled that when she first arrived in Taiwan in 2008, she started as a part-time worker in a hot pot restaurant and did odd jobs at construction sites, gradually learning ironwork, sheet metal, and welding techniques. Under the guidance of a mentor, she mastered argon welding technology through continuous practice, eventually obtaining her Class A certification. She currently works at CSC, specializing in furnace tube welding. Despite the challenging environment, she continues to push her limits, aspiring for more breakthroughs in the future.
Ms. Wu Pei-Wen, who has obtained the Class A Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding Technician Certificate, is engaged in furnace tube welding work. (Photo / Retrieved from the Immigration Agency website)
Ms. Li Anna has been in Taiwan for over 20 years, raising three children on her own. Originally employed in a food processing factory, she learned about the demand and income benefits of home care workers during the pandemic, prompting her to switch careers to long-term care services. After completing training, she secured stable employment with improved income, allowing her to balance family and work, significantly enhancing her quality of life.
The Immigration Agency reported that, according to the 2023 survey on the living needs of new residents, the certification rate for new residents has increased from 6.1% in 2018 to 8.7%, demonstrating their commitment to pursuing professional skills and self-improvement. This scholarship program not only encourages new residents to continue learning but also helps them better integrate into Taiwanese society and realize their self-worth.
The complete list of award recipients is available on the Immigration Agency's Global Information Network: Immigration Agency Award List.
