PISAY SYSTEM WELCOMES TAIWAN STUDENT DELEGATES IN PH Clark, Pampanga
PISAY SYSTEM WELCOMES TAIWAN STUDENT DELEGATES IN PH
Clark, Pampanga – March 30, 2025 — Following the success of the Taiwan-Philippines High School Exchange Forum and Joint Learning Immersion Program held in November 2024, the Philippine Science High School System (DOST-PSHSS) warmly welcomed back their partner schools from Taiwan in a vibrant cultural and academic reception at the PSHS-Central Luzon Campus (CLC).
Held at the CLC Multi-purpose Gymnasium, the opening program featured a celebration of enduring partnerships between PSHSS and key Taiwanese institutions—Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls’ Senior High School, Taoyuan Municipal Wu-Ling Senior High School, and National Yilan Senior High School.
Director Tony Lee of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) delivered an inspirational message emphasizing Taiwan’s strong commitment to international educational exchange and people-to-people connections. He highlighted the importance of cultivating youth as future ambassadors of goodwill and cooperation. Supporting him was TECO Manage Jennifer Yeh, who also expressed appreciation for the strengthening ties between both nations’ academic communities.
Cultural performances colored the celebration, with the PSHS-CLC Chamber Singers and Sayarani Dance Club performing traditional Filipino songs and dances. In response, the Taiwanese delegation delighted the audience with a special dance presentation that symbolized friendship across borders.
DOST Undersecretary Maridon O. Sahagun and PSHSS Executive Director Dr. Ronnalee Orteza echoed similar sentiments in their speeches, emphasizing the role of international exchange programs in nurturing the next generation of scientists, leaders, and global citizens.
A major highlight of the event was the sharing of experiences by PSHS-CLC students who participated in the Taiwan immersion in November 2024. These scholars recounted their visits to Taiwanese campuses, immersive STEM classes, cultural workshops, and the impactful weekend homestays with local families. Their reflections revealed new perspectives on bilingual education, environmental sustainability, and Taiwan’s student-centered learning approaches.
Taiwanese students from Yilan Senior High School, Wu-Ling Senior High School, and Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School also shared their expectations and excitement for their Philippine immersion. They expressed enthusiasm about exploring Filipino culture, science programs, and forming lasting friendships with Pisay students. As part of their immersion, the Taiwanese students will be distributed across all 16 PSHS campuses nationwide, allowing them to experience first-hand the diversity of Filipino culture and the dynamic Pisay community in various regions.
The afternoon concluded with another lively performance from the Sayarani Dance Club and closing remarks delivered by Engr. Lorvi B. Pagorogon, Campus Director of PSHS-Bicol Region Campus, who emphasized the value of continued cross-cultural engagement. The Philippine Science High School System views this exchange not merely as a program but as a powerful platform for cultivating global awareness, mutual respect, and innovation in education between the Philippines and Taiwan.