About 15 scholarships are being offered by the International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF) Taiwan for graduated degree programmes at various universities in Taiwan.

According to reports reaching the Daily Observer, the scholarships range from masters programme in tropical agriculture, international master's programme in business administration, information systems and application, clinical medicine, marine sciences and resource management, as well as PhD programmes. The scholarships are intended to help development citizens of Taiwan's friendly countries actualize their potential to contribute effectively to sustainable development.

The reports indicate that interested applicants in the civil service can collect and submit forms from the Personnel Management Office (PMO), while members of the public can liaise with the University of The Gambia.

The reports added that these two institutions will then forward the application forms to the Taiwanese Embassy, which will later arrange for interviews. The deadline for submissions is on April 18.
 
"However, the deadline for the submission of applications for the National Tsing Hua University is on March 14 and for National Cheng Kung University is on April 9".

"Prospective applicants should include in their applications, diploma certificates and transcripts, health examination certificates, evidence of English proficiency, and other supporting documents. Except for the ICDF application form, potential candidates have to download entrance application forms from the universities' websites. Details, such as universities website information, can be asked at the PMO or UTG.

The Taiwanese Embassy in Banjul confirmed that successful applicants will receive air tickets to Taiwan, a full tuition fee, monthly allowances, among other incentives.

Under its human resource training programme, the Taiwan-ICDF assists its friendly countries to achieve sustainable development, and education is one of the crucial mechanisms in training workforces in developing countries.

Last year, the institution awarded about 14 scholarships to Gambians, who are now pursuing their programmes in reputable universities in the Asian-Pacific Island