Annual Taiwan Alumni Association (TAA) Meeting for UK Scholarship Recipients Takes Place in London

The Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK hosted the annual gathering of the Taiwan Alumni Association on Wednesday, June 13 at SOAS, University of London to bring together past and current recipients of a Taiwan Scholarship or a Huayu Enrichment Scholarship. More than twenty people attended.
The evening commenced with a welcome by Mr. Cheng Shyang-Yun, the Deputy Representative. He introduced himself and his colleagues and expressed his hope that the UK Taiwan Alumni Association’s network would grow and develop as ever-increasing numbers of scholarship students seek to maintain their links with Taiwan.
Mr Ken Yang, Deputy Director of the Political Affairs Division, then spoke about Taiwan’s economic situation and foreign affairs. Ms. Chen Ya-Hui, Deputy Director of the Administration Division, gave an outline of the Taiwan Fellowship programme and Taiwan’s participation in the Youth Mobility Scheme, and Mr. Wu Yen-Chang, Assistant Director of the Consular Division, explained the visa application process.
Ms. Rachel Tocknell a former Huayu Enrichment Scholarship recipient who has recently returned after studying Mandarin at National Chengchi University for six months then gave a presentation about her own experience of studying in Taiwan. Rachel offered plenty of practical advice and shared some of her favourite memories and photographs.
After the formal presentations, the attendees were invited to help themselves to the refreshments provided. The new scholarship recipients were able to meet their fellow recipients and chat with former recipients before departing for Taiwan. Taipei Representative Office staff members were on hand to answer any remaining questions, provide hand-outs, and talk with everyone about Taiwan.

Photo:Rachel Tocknell, talking about her experiences in Taiwan as a former Huayu Enrichment Scholarship winner.