By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Island Times) — Eighteen Palauan students graduated from universities across Taiwan in May and June, marking a significant achievement for the island nation’s scholars. Among them, 12 earned bachelor’s degrees, five obtained master’s degrees, and one student completed a medical degree.
The Palauan graduates are:
- Master’s Degrees: Jodi Jones (Agriculture), Kayoko Ellis (International Studies), Warang Polloi (International Business Administration), Ewing Rudimch (International Business Administration), and Erikson Moses (International Business Administration).
- Medical Degree: Byron Silil
- Bachelor’s Degrees: Kersten Dismas (Computer Science and Information Technology), Taldil Gibbons (Civil Engineering), Kerdeu Wing (Journalism and Mass Communication), Bright Ngirarois, Dilklumech David, and Yolsau Victor (International Business and Trade), Amaya Ngirkelau and Ta-eena Mesa (Diplomacy and International Studies), Rayden Smau (Information Technology and Management), Stahler Swenny and Tabesul Panuelo (Travel and Tourism), and Kerrick Remoket (Mechanical Engineering).
Many of the students who completed their bachelor’s degrees expressed interest in staying in Taiwan to pursue master’s programs. Meanwhile, several master’s graduates said they plan to return to Palau to contribute to the workforce. Most of the students studied under the Taiwan government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) scholarship, which generally requires recipients to return to their home countries after graduation.
As of the last semester, 55 Palauan students were enrolled in various Taiwan universities. This included 13 in Mandarin language programs, seven freshmen, six sophomores, eight juniors, 14 seniors, five master’s students, and two Ph.D. candidates.
Taiwan’s MOFA recently announced a key policy change: starting this fall semester, scholarship recipients will no longer be required to complete a mandatory one-year Mandarin language program before starting their academic coursework. This adjustment is expected to streamline the academic path for future international students, including Palauans.