President Tsai visits Belize's ITVET and witnesses computer donation ceremony
President Tsai Ing-wen visited Belize's Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) and witnessed a donation ceremony for ASUS computers on the afternoon of August 17 local time (early morning of August 18 Taipei time).
Soon after her arrival, President Tsai was briefed on ITVET's overall technical and vocational training capabilities. ITVET head Mr. Dean Tillet then gave her a tour of the institute's facilities.
The donation ceremony began with a prayer ceremony, followed by remarks from Taiwan's Minister of Education Yeh Jiunn-rong (葉俊榮). In his remarks, Minister Yeh thanked President Tsai for putting such a high value on education, and making it one of the important focal points for cooperation with Belize.
Minister Yeh then said that that day's donation was not just about computers, but also reflected Taiwan's commitment and beliefs. He said that there are two important elements to education. The first, he said, is opportunity—everyone should enjoy equal educational opportunities so they can turn their lives around. The second element is empowerment—education gives power, the power to acquire knowledge, skills, and the right attitude.
Minister Yeh then said that the donated computers came from Taiwan's award-winning ASUSTek Computer Inc., and the Ministry of Education was honored to partner with ASUSTek to enhance education in Belize. At President Tsai's address at the National Assembly of Belize that morning, he said, she emphasized the importance of education and technical and vocational training once again, and that strengthening students' skills and knowledge is something the whole world should be doing.
President Tsai then witnessed Minister Yeh, on behalf of the Taiwan government, donate ASUS computers, which ITVET head Mr. Dean Tillet accepted on behalf of Belize.
Belize Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Patrick Faber, and Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維), Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), and Ambassador to Belize Charles K.Y. Liu (劉克裕) were also in attendance.