Students mixing drinks, creating hairstyles, and performing Indonesian dance -- that was the scene at an expo sponsored by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) on December 5.
The students are all part of the “3+4 Vocational Education Program for Overseas Compatriot Students.” The program, which launched in 2014, brings overseas compatriot students to Taiwan using a school-industry cooperative study method. The “3+4” is a reference to seven years of vocational high school and college, plus internships at local companies.
So far, more than 2,000 students from seven Southeast Asian nations have participated in the program. Next year marks the seventh year of the program, and the first graduating class.
Friday’s expo showcased the students’ abilities; it was presented by the OCAC in conjunction with 26 schools that are hosting students in the program. The Asia Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce and NGOs also helped present the expo.
OCAC Minister Tung Chen-yuan says that 40% of the first graduating class of participants already have positions waiting for them when they graduate.
“I hope that today’s expo can show people all over Taiwan, especially people in industry, the successes [of the program], and the talents and skills of the students,” said Tung.