Building on the long-standing and steadfast friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay, Paraguayan Ambassador to Taiwan Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz and his wife visited Taiwan Tech on April 24 to engage in in-depth discussions with students from the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP) who are currently participating in exchange studies in Taiwan. In addition to reviewing the progress of bilateral higher education cooperation, the ambassadorial couple expressed concern for the students’ academic and daily lives in Taiwan. Through face-to-face interactions, they gained insights into the effectiveness of the exchange program and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening educational collaboration and talent cultivation between the two countries.
Paraguayan Ambassador to Taiwan Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz (front row, third from right) and Dr. Gisele Mousques de Filártiga (front row, fourth from right) visited Taiwan Tech on April 24 and held a discussion session with UPTP students currently studying in Taiwan.
Ambassador Filártiga noted that Taiwan is one of Paraguay’s most important allies. The two countries share a long diplomatic history and common values of democracy and freedom, while maintaining close cooperation in trade, education, culture, and social development. He emphasized that higher education is a key driver of national development. By cultivating professionals with strong expertise and global perspectives, countries can enhance their competitiveness, promote industrial upgrading, and foster social progress. He further pointed out that Taiwan is currently an important market for Paraguayan meat and agricultural products, and that bilateral trade relations remain stable, with strong complementarities and significant potential for deeper cooperation.
Ambassador Filártiga emphasized that higher education is a critical driver of national development. By nurturing talent with professional expertise and international perspectives, countries can strengthen competitiveness, promote industrial transformation, and advance social progress.
The discussion session was attended by 21 UPTP students, who enthusiastically shared insights into their hometown cultures and learning experiences. Their discussions covered academic coursework, research participation, and personal growth. Students expressed their determination not only to further develop their professional skills but also to apply the knowledge and experience gained in Taiwan to contribute to Paraguay’s future development.
Dr. Gisele Mousques de Filártiga, the ambassador’s wife, praised UPTP’s educational achievements and highlighted the university’s role as a key institution jointly established by Taiwan and Paraguay to cultivate talent in science and technology. She noted that UPTP has become a benchmark for enhancing the quality of higher education in Paraguay. She also commended the students for their commitment to bringing back the knowledge and experience acquired in Taiwan and transforming them into tangible contributions to Paraguay’s industrial and educational development.
Dr. Gisele Mousques de Filártiga emphasized that UPTP serves as an important platform for Taiwan and Paraguay to jointly cultivate science and technology professionals and plays a significant role in improving the quality of higher education in Paraguay.
The Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University is a flagship cooperative project jointly promoted by the governments of Taiwan and Paraguay, dedicated to training professionals in science, technology, and engineering. The university currently offers four academic programs: Civil and Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Computer Science and Information Engineering. Under its four-year degree structure, students are required to undertake a one-and-a-half-year exchange program at Taiwan Tech. Through this institutionalized exchange mechanism, students not only strengthen their professional competencies but also expand international connections among younger generations. Taiwan Tech further supports UPTP students by providing scholarships and living stipends, enabling them to focus on their studies while reducing the financial burden of overseas education.
A total of 21 UPTP students participated in the discussion session.
In addition, Taiwan Tech contributes to UPTP’s curriculum planning and dispatches faculty members to Paraguay to teach courses. Faculty from the departments of Civil and Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Management, and Computer Science and Information Engineering provide instructional support, integrating resources from both institutions to continuously enhance teaching quality and the learning environment. Through years of collaboration, the partnership has achieved substantial results. To date, 462 UPTP students have participated in exchange studies in Taiwan, gradually establishing a sustainable model for talent development.
Currently, 80 UPTP students are undertaking exchange studies at Taiwan Tech. Through this visit, Ambassador Filártiga and Dr. Mousques de Filártiga not only gained a deeper understanding of the program’s implementation and achievements but also witnessed the students’ continued growth in academic research and professional skills. Their visit further injected youthful energy and enthusiasm into the enduring friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay.
Student representatives enthusiastically shared their cultural backgrounds and learning experiences, discussing topics ranging from academic coursework to research participation.