The Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland on 17th August held Taiwan Scholarships Awarding ceremony for 26 Somaliland students. The recipients will embark on a journey to Taiwan to pursue their academic endeavors in a wide array of disciplines under Taiwan government scholarships.
Nearly 100 guests attended the Taiwan Scholarships Awarding Ceremony in Hargeisa, including Mr. Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Mr. Mohamed Hassan Saed, Chairman of Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
Today’s awarding ceremony is a pivotal event under the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship which symbolizes a mutually beneficial partnership, friendship, and cooperation established on 17th August 2020. Today coincides the date of the sixth anniversary of official establishment of the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship.
In July 2020, under the Trump Administration, the White House National Security Council openly acknowledged and praised the new born relationship. After 5 years, we are glad to see the Taiwan-Somaliland cooperation is a “TEMPLATE” in the Horn of Africa. And the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship upgrades to the strategic level after the signing of coast guard agreement, a security platform to work with the like-minded partners in Somaliland. Taiwan is glad to see more and more democratic like-minded partners endorsing the values of Taiwan-Somaliland relationship which can catalyze more international support for both nations.
Speaking at the event, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Somaliland Allen Chenhwa Lou said that Taiwan spares no efforts in contributing to human capital development in Somaliland. The scholarships program to not only builds a bridge between Taiwan and Somaliland but also reflects the deepening relationship.
“Over the years, almost one hundred and eighty Somaliland students have benefited from the Taiwan Scholarships. Many of them have returned home and become leaders in Somaliland’s government, business, academia, and beyond” Lou said.
Lou encouraged the recipients of the scholarships to embrace new cultures and language, and work hard to achieve the set goals while in Taiwan. The recipients after finishing their study are to bring back knowledge, know-how, and expertise learned in Taiwan to pave the way to better future for Somaliland.
Minister Adam in his remarks also highly praised the bilateral relationships between Somaliland and Taiwan coming in full swing based on shared values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights and mutually beneficial principle. He emphasized the contribution of Taiwan scholarships program to nurturing the new generation of talents with knowledge, skills, and capacity to shape a better future for Somaliland.
Minister Adam encouraged the recipients to represent Somaliland as an ambassador while in Taiwan to build bridges of friendship between Somaliland and Taiwan. He is hopeful that all the recipients will work hard and be determined to dedicate the knowledge, expertise and experience gained in Taiwan to make a difference for the development, progress and prosperity of Somaliland in foreseeable future.
