Taiwan Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland has awarded scholarships to 26 Somaliland students.
At a ceremony in the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, the head of the Taiwan mission in Somaliland Ambassador Allen Lou said this was part of the partnership between the two national.
Abdirahman Abdallahi Ismail Saylici, Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland and other high-ranking Somaliland officials, Honourable Saed Mire Giire, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ministers, Honourable MPs, Members of the diplomatic corps, university presidents, professors, parents attended the event and witnessed the milestone of education cooperation between Taiwan and Somaliland.
The ceremony came on the 2nd anniversary since Taiwan established it’s Representative Office in Hargeisa.
The Taiwan envoy said the partnership and cooperation between the two countries has grown from strength to strength in many domains.
He said Taiwan is pleased to have implemented numerous technical projects in fields that are fundamental to national development, such as democratic development, agriculture, healthcare, ICT, energy, mineral and business. Taiwan stands with Somaliland and seeks to further strengthen cordial ties for benefitting our peoples.
“Education is the foundation for national development,” said the envoy.
He added: ” There is a Somaliland saying that “Without knowledge there is no light. South Africa President Nelson Mandela also said that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Taiwan is proud to help Somaliland to foster human-capital development and Somaliland young talents “building dreams through education”.
The beneficiaries of the scholarships will study Health Care Administration, Tropical Agriculture, ICT, Environment Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Education, E-learning, Human Resource Development, Economics, and International Relations in Taiwan.
The Taiwan ambassador said it is encouraged the awardees to cherish this hard-earned opportunity and make great contributions to Somaliland after finishing studies in Taiwan. This is the testimony of “Taiwan Model” of cooperation.

“We are delighted to see there are five female Taiwan Scholarships awardees in 2022. As the African proverb says “If you educate a man, you educate an individual; but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (a nation).” The five Somaliland female awardees are especially encouraged to equip with big wings because “the sky is their limit”.
In a statement the embassy said peace and stability are the fundamental elements for cooperation and development.
The growth in cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan comes at a time that China is still conducting the military drills around Taiwan waters which is provocative actions to challenge the international order and disrupted peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.
“Taiwan, as a responsible member of international community, will continue to defend together with the democratic partners the common values such as peace and stability as well as deliver its commitments to Somaliland in the agreed fields in such a challenging time,” said ambassador Lou.
He added: “Taiwan firmly believes that “Weapons cannot increase human welfare, but PEACE does, EDUCATION also does”. People says “A friend in need is a friend indeed”, Taiwan appreciates and looks forward to Somaliland continued supports in this regard.
He said that in the face of the global expansion of authoritarianism, democratic partners must strengthen their cooperation and supports.
“It’s great encouraging for Abdirahman Abdallahi Ismail Saylic, Vice President of Somaliland to echo what Taiwan stands for and emphasize that “Anyone who might be a treat to Taiwan in any way, Somaliland will stand with Taiwan” and ask China to let every country to choose their way of life and respect their political rights.”