Introduction
Give yourself the opportunity to transform your future and realize your dreams.
The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) established the Overseas Youth Vocational Training Program (OYVTP) in 1963 to provide overseas compatriot youth with high-quality professional and technical education in Taiwan. Through Taiwan’s well-established technical and vocational education system, the program aims to equip students with practical skills and professional competencies, enabling them to enhance their employability, pursue entrepreneurship, and achieve personal and career development.
Over the past six decades, the OYVTP has cultivated more than 20,000 professionals across a wide range of industries. Many distinguished alumni have made outstanding contributions worldwide, and the program has been highly recognized by overseas compatriot graduates for its strong emphasis on practical training and career-oriented education.
Evolution of the OYVTP
Building on its solid foundation, the OCAC restructured the OYVTP into a two-year associate degree program in 2022. In response to evolving industry demands and students’ diverse career pathways, the OCAC further introduced the four-year Industry–Academia Collaboration OYVTP Bachelor’s Program in 2023.
Through this program, students may obtain a bachelor’s degree upon graduation. In addition, graduates are eligible to apply for employment in Taiwan through the Points-Based System (Scoring Criteria) for Foreign and Overseas Chinese Students or via the mid-level technical manpower pathway, thereby gaining valuable international work experience and professional growth opportunities. Graduates may choose to return to their home countries for employment, pursue further studies in Taiwan, or apply to remain and work in Taiwan in accordance with relevant regulations.
The program is designed for overseas compatriot students who have completed senior high school or possess equivalent academic qualifications. Academic fields include manufacturing, construction, agriculture, e-commerce, and service industries. Emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the curriculum integrates industry-based training to ensure that students acquire job-ready professional competencies during their studies.
Advantages and Key Features of the OYVTP
(1) Generous Scholarships for Outstanding Students
To support overseas compatriot students in pursuing their studies in Taiwan, the OCAC has introduced a range of generous scholarship schemes since the 2023 academic year. These include a Freshman Admission Scholarship and a Merit-Based Outstanding Overseas Compatriot Student Scholarship, each valued at NT$100,000 per academic year, for a total of NT$200,000 over two academic years.
In addition, the OCAC has expanded its Outstanding Academic Performance Scholarship, awarding NT$6,000 per academic year to students with excellent academic results. Upon graduation, the Minister’s Award for Outstanding Graduating Overseas Compatriot Students is presented to top-performing graduates, with a prize of NT$50,000 per recipient.
Furthermore, in collaboration with host institutions, the OCAC encourages tuition and miscellaneous fee reductions and provides an Admission Tuition Scholarship of NT$40,000 for the first academic year, allowing students to pursue their studies with peace of mind.
(2) Comprehensive Counseling and Student Support Services
The OCAC is committed to providing comprehensive care and support to overseas compatriot students throughout their studies in Taiwan. Support measures include airport pick-up services for new students, work-study and living subsidies (NT$2,500 per student per month), overseas compatriot health insurance subsidies, as well as emergency relief and assistance.
Through these holistic support services, the OCAC aims to help students adapt smoothly to life in Taiwan, maintain academic stability, and achieve balanced personal development.
(3) Integrated Training and Employment Pathways
The OYVTP places strong emphasis on linking education with employment. In addition to guiding overseas compatriot graduates in applying for employment in Taiwan through the Points-Based System and the mid-level technical talent channel, the OCAC actively facilitates job matching through dedicated employment fairs and industry collaboration platforms.
For graduates interested in entrepreneurship, financial support is available through the Overseas Credit Guarantee Fund (Taiwan), providing access to business startup loans and further enhancing post-graduation career options.
(4) High-Tech Talent Training Bases and Industry–University Collaboration
Aligned with Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy and industrial development strategies, the OCAC has established High-Tech Talent Training Bases through cross-sector collaboration among industry, government, and academia. In partnership with science and technology universities in Taiwan, these initiatives promote industry–university cooperation, resource sharing, and talent cultivation.
Through this collaborative framework, the OYVTP strengthens high-tech workforce development and fosters sustainable human resource exchange between Taiwan and New Southbound countries.
