On the morning of September 30, Director-General Jared Lin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Atlanta and Dr. Jim Purcell, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), jointly signed the “Taiwan–Alabama High-Tech Talent Scholarship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)”, establishing a new framework for high-tech talent development. Director-General Joyce Lee of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education, Ministry of Education had signed the MOU in advance, and the September 30 ceremony marked the completion of the trilateral signing process. Alabama State Representative Mike Shaw (R), Co-Chair of the Alabama House Taiwan Caucus, Representative Andy Whitt (R), Chair of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, along with other distinguished guests and members of the Taiwanese-American community, attended the ceremony as witnesses.
This initiative marks Taiwan’s first scholarship cooperation mechanism with a U.S. state government centered specifically on high-tech talent development. It represents a new stage in Taiwan–Alabama educational cooperation, expanding the partnership beyond trade, investment, and industrial exchanges into high-tech talent development, education, and innovation.
In his remarks, Director-General Lin emphasized that “technological leadership is no longer determined only by factories, investment, or capital.” Talent has become equally critical. “The future of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and advanced manufacturing will depend on whether we can educate, train, and connect the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers, and innovators.” He noted that the MOU is more than an education agreement; it represents a long-term investment by Taiwan and Alabama in people, innovation, and the shared economic future.
Under the cooperation program, beginning with the 2027 academic year, Taiwan is expected to provide five scholarships annually for students from Alabama to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees in Taiwan. Fields of study will focus on high-tech disciplines including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and hardware. The scholarships will provide support for tuition and living expenses. In addition to receiving professional and academic training, participating students will have the opportunity to gain Taiwan’s technology ecosystem firsthand and build professional and personal connections that can last throughout their careers.
Director-General Lin further noted that Taiwan and Alabama share strong interests in advanced manufacturing, technology, and economic development. Through this partnership, both sides will strengthen talent development and deepen connections between education and industry.
“When Alabama students study in Taiwan, they will not only bring knowledge back home. They will also bring networks, experience, and a deeper understanding of Taiwan. And in the years ahead, these young people may become the engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders who shaped the next chapter of Taiwan-Alabama cooperation.”
Dr. Jim Purcell, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, expressed appreciation to the teams on both sides for making the partnership possible. He also highlighted Taiwan’s leading position in high-tech industries and expressed hope that the signing would serve as a starting point for deeper cooperation in high-tech talent development and educational exchange, laying the foundation for a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership.
In recent years, Alabama has continued to expand its automotive, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors while actively developing its engineering and technical workforce. Taiwan, meanwhile, is a global hub for the semiconductor and information and communications technology industries. Through cooperation in talent development, Taiwan and Alabama can further strengthen the human-capital foundation of the high-tech supply chain and create new opportunities for future collaboration involving Taiwanese companies and Alabama in investment, research and development, advanced manufacturing, and technological innovation.
TECO in Atlanta noted that the restructuring of global supply chains, together with the rapid development of critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, has made workforce security increasingly inseparable from supply-chain security. For advanced manufacturing to continue expanding in the United States, investment and equipment alone are not sufficient; a strong pipeline of engineers, researchers, and skilled technical professionals is also essential. The establishment of this high-tech talent scholarship partnership between Taiwan and Alabama directly responds to this broader global trend.
TECO in Atlanta looks forward to building on the MOU by further expanding exchanges and cooperation among universities, research institutions, and industries in Taiwan and Alabama, making talent development a key pillar of the growing bilateral partnership.
Director-General Jared Lin of TECO in Atlanta (right) and Dr. Jim Purcell, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (center), jointly sign the Taiwan–Alabama High-Tech Talent Scholarship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Director-General Joyce (Yu-Jiuan) Lee of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education, Ministry of Education, signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). (Photo courtesy of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education, Ministry of Education)
Director-General Joyce (Yu-Jiuan) Lee of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education, Ministry of Education, holds up the signed agreement. (Photo courtesy of the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education, Ministry of Education)
Representatives from both sides pose for a group photo. From left to right: Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama State Superintendent of Education; Dr. Jim Purcell, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; Director-General Jared Lin of TECO in Atlanta; Representative Mike Shaw, Co-Chair of the Alabama House Taiwan Caucus; and Representative Andy Whitt, Chair of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee. (Photo courtesy of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education)
Group photo of all attendees. (Photo courtesy of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education)
