Shining a New Light of Hope — NIA Encourages New Immigrant Children to Step onto the Global Stage
- Date：
- Source：Immigration Counseling Section
- Hit：32
- Updated date：2025-07-04
:::
To encourage new immigrants and their children to pursue education and diversified development, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) implemented the “The 2024 Academic Year Empowerment and Scholarship (Incentive) Program for New Immigrants and Their Children.” This year, a total of 7,590 recipients were awarded scholarships and grants totaling NT$35.89 million. To expand support for outstanding and economically disadvantaged elementary school students from new immigrant families, the number of recommended recipients was increased by 300 compared to last year’s 7,290 awardees. The awards include academic excellence and financial aid scholarships, certification awards for new immigrants, the Presidential Education Award, and special talent awards.According to the NIA, among the recipients of the Special Talent Award, many excel not only academically but also in fields such as art, sports, and vocational skills, earning broad recognition. Notably, some achieved excellent results in the WorldSkills Competition (Graphic Design Technology) and the World Youth Weightlifting Championships, showcasing the remarkable abilities of new immigrant children and the success of the agency’s multifaceted incentive programs.One awardee, Liao Chien-Kai, born to a Vietnamese new immigrant family in a small rural village in Xiluo, Yunlin, grew up in a single-parent household after his parents’ divorce. His father passed away in a tragic traffic accident when he was in elementary school, and he was raised by his illiterate grandmother. Pursuing his passion, he chose to attend a high school far from home, developing a strong sense of discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. With his silver medal in the National Skills Competition, he was admitted to National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. After qualifying as a national representative, he took a temporary leave to train in both Taichung and Taipei, combining mock exams with hands-on industry projects. His dedication earned him top honors in the 47th WorldSkills Competition (Graphic Design Technology). Liao is now preparing for the Ministry of Education’s Scholarship Program for Overseas Study in Arts and Design (SPOSAD), determined to further refine his professional and language skills, gain overseas exchange experience, and bring Taiwan’s design creativity to the world.Another recipient, Huang Yi-Chen, a student at University of Taipei and the daughter of an Indonesian new immigrant, lives with her father, who is battling cancer, and her elderly grandmother in her 90s. These family circumstances taught her early about responsibility and independence, shaping her determination as an athlete. She began weightlifting in junior high and faced a major setback when her performance plateaued, leading to self-doubt and thoughts of quitting. Through guidance from her coach and her own persistence, she ultimately won the gold medal in the women’s 49kg category at the 2023 World Youth Weightlifting Championships. Huang aspires to represent Taiwan in the Asian Cup, World Cup, and ultimately the Olympic Games, showcasing the strength and resilience of Taiwanese weightlifters. Since its inception, the Empowerment and Scholarship (Incentive) Program for New Immigrants and Their Children has helped countless talented young people from immigrant families shine on national and international stages. The NIA will continue promoting diverse incentive and empowerment initiatives to nurture outstanding talent and make multiculturalism a driving force for Taiwan’s engagement with the world.