TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Nearly 40,000 Vietnamese students were studying in Taiwan by the end of 2024, making them the largest group of international students in the country, Taiwan Representative to Vietnam Liu Shih-chung (劉世忠) said Monday.

This September, 26 universities across Taiwan will offer courses for the fall semester. They hope to enroll over 800 international students, including those from Vietnam, per CNA.

Liu highlighted the exceptional talent and potential of Vietnamese students, noting that Taiwan, a global leader in semiconductor technology, offers ample opportunities for students pursuing degrees in relevant fields. This aligns with the Vietnamese government’s push to develop its own semiconductor industry, creating strategic benefits for Taiwan and Vietnam.

Liu added that Vietnamese students studying in Taiwan gain access to a thriving job market and acquire skills that will contribute to the growth of Vietnam’s economy upon their return.

Vietnam’s Hanoi University of Science and Technology Vice President Huynh Dang Chin praised Taiwan as a strategic partner and an attractive study destination. He pointed to the country’s high teaching standards, dynamic learning environment, and robust collaboration between academia and industry as key factors that make it an ideal place for Vietnamese students.

Huynh also noted Vietnam's new specialized program provides development pathways for key industries, addressing its pressing need for highly skilled professionals. The growing number of Vietnamese students in Taiwan stands as a testament to the expanding cooperation between the two nations in education, Liu said.

Taiwan's specialized educational programs continue to attract more Vietnamese students, the Ministry of Education's Jywe Wen-yuh (覺文郁) noted. The International Industrial Talents Education Special Program (INTENSE), now in its second year, enrolled at least 80 Vietnamese students in its inaugural year.

INTENSE, running from 2024 to 2028, is designed to meet the demands of Taiwan’s growing high-tech industries. By combining resources from the government, industries, and educational institutions the program aims to recruit international students and develop a pool of skilled professionals, focusing on fields such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), semiconductors, and finance.

One key feature of the program is its comprehensive support system. It offers full scholarships and living expenses to participants, along with guaranteed employment opportunities in Taiwan after graduation. Recruitment teams have actively promoted the program at several universities in Vietnam.