44 Haitian scholarship recipients received their certificate of achievement during a ceremony held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Montana Hotel, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
There are 44 Haitian scholarship recipients who will be flying to Taiwan in the coming days to continue their studies for the 2026-2027 academic year, after a lengthy selection process. The ceremony took place in the presence of government representatives and their loved ones.
During the ceremony, Taiwan’s ambassador, Cheng-hao HU, praised the seven-decade-long cooperation between Haiti and Taiwan and reminded that since 2004, 300 students have benefited from Taiwan’s government scholarship program.
“The scholarships are a starting point, not an end in themselves. I hope you remain humble and approach each step of your journey with care. May this scholarship give you the wings to realize your dreams and enable you to go even further,” said Cheng-hao HU, addressing the scholarship recipients.Further on, the ambassador encouraged the scholarship recipients not to forget to “contribute to the development of your homeland and Haitian society,” no matter the fields in which they excel.
For his part, Axène Joseph, Director of the Prime Minister’s Office and representative of the head of government at this ceremony, said that it “reflects confidence in Haitian youth and in their ability to contribute to the transformation of our country through knowledge and skills.”
Mr. Joseph told the recipients that this scholarship represents both an opportunity and “a responsibility.” He urged them to make the most of their stay in Taiwan and to equip themselves to contribute to the country’s development. “Come back with more than just degrees; come back with skills, ideas, innovations, and the willingness to serve your country […]” stressed Axène Joseph.Mitcheyda Gachette, the representative of the scholarship recipients, has made this opportunity a mission. “We’re not just leaving to build our own future, but we’re also setting out to return to Haiti to reinvest the skills we’ve gained for the youth of the future,” she promised.
Ms. Gachette also promised to show the Taiwanese people “the best side of Haitian youth” through discipline, respect for values, and academic achievements.
“We will be ambassadors of the culture, resilience, and hope of the Haitian nation,” said Mitcheyda Gachette, emphasizing that they will help strengthen the ties between the two peoples.To young Haitians, she encouraged them to be persistent and to believe in their dreams. “The current circumstances of our country are certainly difficult, but they do not define your destiny. Keep learning, working, training, and believing in yourself. Every effort you make today prepares the victories of tomorrow. Education remains one of the greatest tools to make a life, a family, and a nation prosperous,” she advised them.
For this academic year, 41 of the scholarship recipients received the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship Program from the Taiwanese government, and the other four received the Taiwan ICDF Higher Education Scholarship Program from ICDF, the international cooperation agency of the Taiwanese government.The first program is open to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, in general disciplines or in public health. Students admitted in general subjects will, if they wish, have the option to take Mandarin courses starting from their first year.
The second program offers courses taught in English, also open to all three levels of study: undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral.
