Teisovinuo Pienyü and Vimenuo Lhoungu from Nagaland have received the 2024 Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and will go to Taiwan for a study trip of 3 months and 9 months respectively.
Kuei-Mi LI, teacher incharge of Taiwan Education Center at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, has informed that her students started their Mandarin learning journey in January 2024. In March 2024, they appeared for a standardized Mandarin Proficiency Test –TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language), and received their certificate of Band Novice level from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, which made them qualified candidates for the Scholarship, LI said.
The Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship is provided by the Taiwan Government to Indian learners every year with the aim to boost mutual understanding and interactions between the two countries.
The scholarship awardees will receive a monthly stipend of 25,000 NTD (approximate Rs. 65,447) for their stay in Taiwan. Pienyü and Lhoungu were among four learners from ADBU’s Mandarin class to receive the prestigious scholarship in 2024.
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Reflecting on her Mandarin learning journey, Teisovinuo Pienyü said that she was grateful that her friend Lhoungu, ADBU alumna, made her aware that “Mandarin opens up a whole new world of possibilities. From connecting with people across Taiwan, China, and beyond, learning Mandarin offers a gateway to endless opportunities. Whether it’s for career advancement, personal growth, or simply enriching my life with new experiences.”
Pienyü shared that the learning experience in the Mandarin classes were quite positive and commended their language teacher for promoting an educational as well as fun and enriching environment in the classroom, boosting the confidence of the students in using Mandarin in real-life situations.
“Additionally, as we explore the language, our teacher often shares interesting insights about Taiwanese culture, traditions, and customs, giving us a deeper appreciation for the language and its context,” Pienyü said.
The scholarship awardee further explained that her Mandarin proficiency has already proven beneficial as she has secured a job with a Hong Kong-based company.
“For me, the past few months of learning Mandarin have been transformative. Passing the TOCFL exam and securing a job with a Hong Kong-based company have shown me the immense potential that lies in mastering this language. I believe there’s a whole world of possibilities waiting for me if I continue to learn and explore,” Teisovinuo Pienyü said.
