Introduction
2015 Taiwan Tech Trek Introduction
Ministry of Science and Technology, in cooperation with Academia Sinica, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Community Affairs Council, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Environmental Protection Administration, Youth Development Administration, Council of Agriculture, National Applied Research Laboratories, and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy is pleased to announce an exciting internship program, Taiwan Tech Trek 2015 for overseas Taiwanese youths interested in hands-on internship or research experiences in Taiwan. Opportunities will be available to interns at outstanding research institutes, famous science parks, national laboratories, universities, national museums, and high-tech companies.
This program is part of the Taiwan government’s overall effort to recruit new generations of overseas Taiwanese for the purpose of raising Taiwan’s overall competitiveness. This generation possesses the language abilities, professional expertise, and international savvy that are advantageous to Taiwan’s S&T industries and manpower needs. Building a strategic liaison with this generation can create an academic and social network between Taiwan’s industries and overseas Taiwanese youths, infuse fresh energy into Taiwan’s workforce, and ultimately increase international participation for Taiwan.
Taiwan’s advantages
Taiwan enjoys a vibrant economy and an excellent technological environment. As a major world player in manufacturing technology, Taiwan is one of the largest information hardware producers for semiconductors, optoelectronics, and information and communication products. Taiwan offers an excellent and dynamic environment for interns to gain hands-on experience.
Experience vibrant Taiwan
Apart from gaining valuable professional training, a summer in Taiwan provides an ideal opportunity for overseas Taiwanese to explore their roots, learn local culture, improve language skills, and even connect with relatives in Taiwan!
About the program
TTT 2015 is an eight-week program beginning late-June 2015. Around 230~280 youths of Taiwanese ancestry aged 18~30 will be recruited from various countries through a selective application process. Interns will participate in a six-day group orientation (2015/06/21-2015/06/26) and thereafter proceed to their designated internship positions throughout Taiwan for seven weeks of internship (2015/06/29-2015/08/15).
The orientation will take place from June 21st, 2015 to June 26th, 2015, and it is compulsory for all participants. If there are any schedule complications, please do not apply.
Every participant will be required to sign a letter of guarantee and confirmation back to the TTT Office via email to finalize the acceptance.
With the approval of host institutes, interns can apply for early commencement or extension of their internships. Interns, however, are responsible for the costs of extra days of their stay in Taiwan. Some hosts may provide interns with subsidies for their extension but it varies from different institutes. Interns shall initiate contact with their host institutes for the details in regard to extension and early commencement after getting accepted into the program. At the end of the program, interns will have to present the results of their work at the Academic Conference.
Two types of internships are available:
a. Individual internships: The TTT Program Office will arrange internship positions at various host institutes and companies in Taiwan based on participants’ choices.
b. Special group research projects: Interns will be teamed in groups of 4~8 people to conduct in-depth research into major issues in Taiwan such as future technology, Taiwan’s international participation, etc.
Two types of internships are available:
a. Individual internships: The TTT Program Office will arrange internship positions at various host institutes and companies in Taiwan based on participants’ choices.
b. Special group research projects: Interns will be teamed in groups of 4~8 people to conduct in-depth research into major issues in Taiwan such as future technology, Taiwan’s international participation, etc.
2015 APPLICATION AND ADMISSION GUIDELINES
Taiwan Tech Trek is currently seeking approximately 230~280 domestic and overseas Taiwanese youths to participate in its summer internship program. Qualified candidates should complete and submit their application no later than February 12th, 2015 (Taiwan time). Successful candidates will participate in a six-day orientation (2015/06/21-2015/06/26) followed by a seven-week subsidized internship at host institutes in Taiwan (2015/06/29-2015/08/13). At the end of the program, all participants must present the results of their work at the TTT 2015 Academic Conference on August 14th, 2015.
A. Candidate Qualification
1. Foreign interns (for overseas Taiwanese applicants):
(a) Must be of Taiwanese descent
(b) Must not have received any formal education in Taiwan beyond elementary school (including American school or any other foreign schools in Taiwan)
(c) Must have completed at least the first two years of university/college education in a foreign country before 2015/06/21
(d) Must not have previously accepted full-time employment in Taiwan (internships are not considered full-time employment)
(e) Must be between ages 18~30 (birth date between 1985/08/15 and 1997/06/21 inclusive)
(f) Must be able to communicate in one of the following languages: English, Mandarin, or Taiwanese
2. Domestic interns:
(a) Must have participated in MOST (former NSC) College Student Research Project from 2010~2014. [2010~2014 科技部（前國科會）大專學生專題研究計畫]
(b) Must be between ages 18~30 (birth date between 1985/08/15 and 1997/06/21 inclusive)
(c) Must possess excellent English speaking and writing skills, and meet one of the following minimum requirements: high-intermediate level of listening and reading on GEPT, 61 on TOEFL iBT, a 5.5 on IELTS, or 600 on TOEIC
B. Types of Internships
1. Individual internships (available to foreign interns only): The TTT Program Office has arranged individual internship positions at various host institutes all across Taiwan, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies. Early commencement or extension of internship is available with the approval of assigned host institute. Interns are required to initiate contact with their hosts for the details if they would like to start earlier or extend their internships. MOST, however, does not provide extra subsidies for their extra stay in Taiwan.
2. Special Group Research Projects (available to foreign and domestic interns, job code: 4xxx.xx): Special Group Research Projects are designed for in-depth research into major issues in Taiwan, such as future technology, Taiwan’s international participation, etc. Each group project will consist of foreign interns teamed with domestic interns in groups of 4~8 people.
C. Restriction for Foreign Non-students
To avoid complications with work permits and labor regulations, there will be a restriction on the type of internships available to foreign non-students. If you are not a Taiwanese national, and you are not a student, you may only apply for government agencies from the list of individual internships.
D. Application Process
All foreign and domestic candidates must complete and submit an online application form, statement of purpose, and the following required documents between January 16th, 2015 and February 12th, 2015 (Taiwan time). All applications and documentations must be submitted through our online application system. Incomplete and late applications will not be processed.
Required documents:
1. Identification document: Foreign interns please submit a clear copy of your passport data page (showing name, passport number, expiration date); if you do not have a passport, please submit another photo ID such as a national ID card or driver’s license. Domestic interns please submit front and back copies of your ROC ID card.
2. Full and latest copy of an academic transcript. (from the first semester to the current one.)
3. Current resume.
4. For students: Clear, front and back copies of a current student ID.
5. A clear photo within 3 months. (don’t upload a group photo.)
6. Optional: copies of any awards, achievements, academic certificates, letters of recommendation, a copy of English language proficiency (required for domestic candidates), or a copy of Chinese language proficiency (for foreign candidates); please combine all files into ONE file to upload.
E. Review Process
Foreign applications will be assigned to the applicant’s nearest ROC embassy, consulate, or representative office for initial screening; domestic applications will be assigned to the TTT Program Office in Taipei. All qualified applications will then be forwarded to host institutes for a review process. Based on applicants’ qualifications, job skill requirements, and other review factors, the host institutes will decide which applicants they wish to accept. All decisions made by the hosts are final. In addition, to enable more overseas Taiwanese youths to experience Taiwan and its culture, applicants who have never participated in TTT are the priority in the host institutes’ selection process.
Each applicant may select up to three internships in order of preference (first choice, second choice, etc). A candidate who has been simultaneously selected by two or more host institutes will be assigned to the institute of his/her highest preference. For instance, if a candidate has been accepted by her first-choice and third-choice institutes, she will be assigned to the first-choice institute. Applicants shall also indicate in the application forms if they have first to third-degree relatives working in their selected host institutes to prevent a conflict of interest.
To provide fair opportunity to new participants, the proportion of returning TTT participants will not exceed one-third of all interns accepted into the program. Successful candidates will be notified by April 1st, 2015, and candidates must confirm acceptance by April 15th, 2015 (Taiwan time). Alternate (waitlisted) candidates will be selected and notified by April 28th, 2015 if deemed necessary.
2015 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
A. Academic Conference and Award Night Banquet
At the end of the summer program, participants are required to present their work or research accomplishments either individually or in groups at the TTT Academic Conference. Each intern/group must prepare and submit an abstract/introduction of their presentation to TTT Program Office by July 24th, 2015. The conference will be held on August 14th, 2015 during the day, followed by the Award Night Banquet in the evening of August 15th, 2015. Awards will be conferred to the best three presentations by each field. It is also compulsory for all interns to attend the Academic Conference and Award Night Banquet. More details regarding Academic Conference and Award Night Banquet will be announced later.
B. Certificate of Achievement
At the end of the program, MOST will issue each participant with a certificate of achievement for their completion of the internship. Interns may not receive their certificate of achievement under the following circumstances:
Taking leaves for more than 10 (inclusive) days.
Failing to attend the Academic Conference.
Receiving the score of 5 or below at the Academic Conference, with 10 being the highest score.
Receiving the score below 70 from the review of host institutes, with 100 being the highest score.
C. Online Survey
After completion of the summer program each participant will be required to complete an online survey describing their Taiwan experience, via TTT website by August 31st, 2015. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from future programs in MOST. Instructions will be announced later.
2015 SUBSIDY, INSURANCE, and OTHERS
A. Living subsidy:
During the six-day orientation, food and lodging will be provided for all interns. After orientation, MOST will provide each participant with a subsidy of NT$600 per calendar day for the seven-week internship phase of the program (2015/06/27-2015/08/15, NT$30,000 in total). If an intern misses work, NT$600 will be deducted per work day or NT$75 per hour absent according to the Subsidy Chart.
B. Transportation subsidy (only available for foreign interns):
MOST will provide each foreign intern with a subsidy of NT$10,000 for their travel to Taiwan. Interns may receive the transportation subsidy on 2015/7/20, Taiwan time.
C. Insurance coverage:
The TTT Program Office will provide limited accidental insurance for the duration of the internship, but we strongly suggest that all interns purchase travel insurance, including medical and accidental insurance, at their respective places of residence prior to attending the program. (Please check with your insurance company if your current policy covers illnesses and accidents in Taiwan.) You are responsible for your own health conditions during the Orientation and internship. The sponsors will not be liable to pay any medical expenses incurred by interns.
D. Accommodations and Transportation:
The TTT Program Office will provide food, lodging, and transportation during orientation.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation for the remainder of the summer during 2015/06/26-2015/08/15. Thus, applicants should also consider their own accommodations and transportation arrangement while choosing their institutes. If the intern’s institute provides the housing, he/she will need to fill in a housing application form and email the form back to TTT Program Office to finalize the housing; further details will be included in the confirmation letters.
The TTT Program Office may provide assistance in finding housing at local hostels or host dormitories (if available), but participants are advised to stay with friends or relatives in Taiwan.
E. Advisory on Military Service:
1. Taiwanese males: Please be advised that male Taiwanese citizens of eligible age are subject to military conscription. If you are male, between ages 18 and 40 (inclusive), carrying a Taiwan passport, and not currently enrolled in school, you may be obligated to perform military service in Taiwan.
2. Foreign males of Taiwanese descent: Males of Taiwanese descent, between ages 18 and 40 (inclusive), and carrying foreign passports are not advised to stay in Taiwan for more than four months. If you participate in this program and decide to arrive earlier or leave later than the scheduled program dates, the total length of your stay in Taiwan should not exceed four months to avoid conscription problems.
representative office, or with the Ministry of the Interior.
F. Visa:
1. Foreign nationals are responsible for applying their own visas before arrival in Taiwan. Participants are responsible for their own ground and transportation expenses should they arrive earlier or leave later than the scheduled program dates.
2. For TTT participants who are required to apply for a visa, they will now have the additional choice
of a 90-day visa. If you wish to apply for a 90-day visa, please put "attending Taiwan Tech Trek [TTT] 2015 program (科技部2015科技台灣探索候鳥計畫學員)" as your purpose of visit. The application time will be after all visa offices receive our official candidate list (around mid-May). Applications will not be processed before the official candidate list being sent to the visa offices. It is suggested that you call at your local visa office first to see if they have received the candidate list from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before applying. Interns do not need to apply for a visa if they intend to enter Taiwan with their Taiwanese passport.
3. It is suggested that you contact your nearest ROC embassy or consulate or representative office, for the detailed information of “the countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 90 days.”
4. MOST and TTT Office are not in charge of issuing or extending visas. If any who needs to extend the visa after they arrive in Taiwan, please contact TTT Office for the proof letter of participation first, and then contact Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Immigration Agency for the further procedures.
2. Participants must notify the TTT Program Office immediately in the case of illness as well as important personal matters. Excessive tardiness or unapproved absence will result in termination of the last subsidy payment and disqualification from future programs in MOST.
3. Interns who fail to attend the Academic Conference may result in not receiving their certificates of achievement.
E. Dress code
1. Participants may wear casual clothing for orientation week. Flip-flops are not allowed.
2. Participants should demonstrate professional behavior at work by dressing in casual business attire, or as appropriate for their particular work environment. Flip-flops, slippers, and shorts are usually not permitted.
3. Participants are encouraged to dress in casual business attire for the Academic Conference and Award Night Banquet.
