The Office of International Affairs at National Chung Cheng University (CCU) recently hosted two award ceremonies on June 3 to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its international students. The events included the 2025 Spring Semester International Student Scholarship Award Ceremony and the CCU Foreign Student Mandarin Speech Contest Award Ceremony. The ceremonies were attended by Dean of International Affairs Professor Der-Hwa Victoria Rau, Director Professor Kok yong Lee, and Assistant Professor Van Linh Nguyen, who joined faculty members and students in recognizing the recipients' accomplishments.

The first ceremony honored winners of the International Student Chinese Speech Contest, which attracted enthusiastic participation from students representing Vietnam, Indonesia, Italy, India, Eswatini, Thailand, Haiti, Russia, and other countries. After a highly competitive contest, awards were presented several categories. The Outstanding Award was presented to TRAN MY HOA (Master program in Financial Law). The Excellence Awards were awarded to VALLERIE RUBY WIJAYA (Bachelor program in Department of Information Management) and THAO PHUONG NGUYEN (International Master's Program in Global Finance). The Merit Awards were received by THIEU NGOC NGUYEN (PH.D. program in Department of Mechanical Engineering), EMILIANO SALVATORE BERETTA (Ph.D. Program in Science, Technology, Environment and Mathematics) and RASITA NAMUNAD (Internship student in Mechanical Engineering), and the Honorable Mention Awards were presented by SIWAKORN CHUENSIRI (Ph.D. program in Department of Mechanical Engineering), REGINA WYNONA WANGSA (International Master's Program in Global Finance), and THABISO SHADRACK MLOTSA (International Bachelor Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering). To further encourage students to embrace challenges and continue improving their Chinese proficiency, the organizers also introduced the Rising Star Award and Perseverance Award, recognizing participants who demonstrated exceptional potential, determination, and dedication throughout their language-learning journey. In addition to receiving certificates and prize money, the awardees gained valuable memories and confidence from the experience.

The scholarship award ceremony followed, recognizing students who excelled in academic research, coursework, and campus engagement. This semester’s awards combined the Outstanding Research Scholarship (ORS) for full-time international doctoral students and the Outstanding Performance Scholarship (OPS) for international students with exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements.

During the ceremony, student representatives from diverse academic backgrounds and countries shared their personal stories of studying in Taiwan. Speakers included ERGU YARED ABERA (Ph.D. Program in Computer Science and Information Engineering), POTHANA, MANIKANTA SWAMI (Ph.D. Program in Graduate Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry), PHAN QUOC THANG (Ph.D. Program in Department of Electrical Engineering), MUHAMMAD USAMA ZAFAR (Ph. D. Program in Department of Information Management), SHANMATHI SIVALINGAM (Master program in Department of Biomedical Sciences), OSCAR ALBERTO SANTANA (PhD in Educational Leadership and Management Development), NHU TRAN ANH NGUYEN (Master Program in Department of Foreign Languages and Literature). The students sincerely shared the challenges they faced and the personal growth they experienced while pursuing their studies in Taiwan. They also highlighted the significant role that scholarships have played in supporting their academic and research endeavors. Their stories reflected the perseverance, resilience, and dedication of CCU’s international students, while expressing heartfelt gratitude for the university’s guidance, opportunities, and resources. Their inspiring testimonials created a warm and touching atmosphere throughout the ceremony.

A total of 40 international students from 10 countries were recognized this semester, including recipients from Vietnam, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somaliland, Russia, Ethiopia, Belize, the United States, and Malaysia. Among them, 10 students received the ORS, while 30 students were awarded the OPS, reflecting the university’s continued success in fostering a vibrant and globally connected campus.

For some recipients, their connection with CCU began through participation in the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP), which later inspired them to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at the university. Others chose to continue their academic journey at CCU after completing earlier degrees, demonstrating their confidence in the university’s research environment and academic resources. One awardee will soon embark on an exchange program in the Czech Republic, extending the international learning experiences gained at CCU to a broader global stage.

In addition to tuition and accommodation support valued at approximately NT$64,000 per semester, ORS recipients receive a monthly stipend ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$40,000 for up to 12 months, supporting doctoral students with outstanding research achievements and strong academic potential. OPS recipients receive NT$5,000 per month for five months, recognizing excellence in academics, campus involvement, and service while encouraging continued personal and professional development.

Through these dual award ceremonies, CCU celebrated the achievements of its international students in academic excellence, campus engagement, and Chinese language learning, while highlighting its commitment to internationalization and cultural diversity. The events concluded on a warm and uplifting note, honoring students’ accomplishments and inspiring them to continue pursuing their dreams and future success.