TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Education hosted senior officials from Eswatini on Monday (July 28) to strengthen educational partnerships. Mabulala Maseko, Eswatini's Minister of Public Service, and Owen Sabelo Nxumalo, the country's Minister of Education & Training, met with Taiwanese counterparts. The discussions focused on expanding international education programs and talent exchange initiatives between the two nations.
Taiwan's education ministry described the visit as a chance for comprehensive talks on workforce development and vocational training programs. Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) highlighted Taiwan's dedication to tackling global technological challenges through enhanced vocational education and stronger industry partnerships. The minister also promoted Taiwan's scholarship programs, including the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship for international students.
Nxumalo praised Taiwan's vocational education system, particularly its strong connections to industry and emphasis on hands-on learning. The Eswatini minister offered to recommend qualified English teachers for Taiwan's elementary and secondary schools to strengthen educational cooperation. Currently, 609 students from Eswatini are pursuing studies in Taiwan, while two Taiwanese educators teach Mandarin in Eswatini.
Multiple Taiwanese universities have established formal academic partnerships with the University of Eswatini through signed exchange agreements. These institutions include Providence University (PU, 靜宜大學), Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU, 高雄醫學大學), Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU, 長榮大學), and National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST, 高雄科技大學). The agreements facilitate student and faculty exchanges between Taiwan and the southern African kingdom. ◼