EduAsiaNews, Taipei — Taiwan is once again opening a golden opportunity for international students who wish to deepen their command of Mandarin while experiencing academic life firsthand in one of Asia’s most innovative nations. The Ministry of Education (MOE) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has officially launched the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) program, aimed at encouraging international students to study the Mandarin language in Taiwan.
This program is far more than a financial aid package, it is an increasingly strategic instrument of educational diplomacy, set against the backdrop of Taiwan’s growing appeal as a global study destination.
The primary objective of this program, as affirmed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, is to encourage international students to learn Mandarin, provide them with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture and society, and strengthen mutual understanding and interaction between Taiwan and the international community.
Through this scholarship, Taiwan continues to build cultural and intellectual bridges with the world. The Ministry of Education of Taiwan provides a fixed monthly allowance of NT$28,000 — approximately US$900 — with flexible study duration options ranging from two months in the summer, to three, six, nine, or twelve months commencing in September 2026 through August 2027. The application period runs from February 1 to March 31, 2026.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education emphasizes that the program is open to foreign nationals who are at least 18 years of age, have completed secondary education or previously attended a higher education institution, possess a strong academic record, and demonstrate good conduct. Scholarship recipients may study at any accredited Mandarin training center at universities or colleges across Taiwan. This openness creates opportunities for Indonesian students from diverse backgrounds, including those with no prior knowledge of Mandarin whatsoever.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) has stated that applicants holding a TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) certificate will receive priority consideration during the selection process. For applicants applying for programs of six months or longer, a virtual interview will be conducted as part of the selection procedure, and preliminary results will be announced by the end of May 2026. (**)
(Sources: Ministry of Education Taiwan (MOE), Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), British Association for Chinese Studies (BACS), January–March 2026)
