标签： Haiti

The Taiwanese diplomatic mission in Port-au-Prince has unveiled two comprehensive scholarship programs for Haitian students seeking international education opportunities during the 2026 academic year. This initiative represents a significant expansion of educational cooperation between Taiwan and Haiti.

Prospective applicants can choose between the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship Program, available in both General Subjects and Public Health specializations, and the ICDF International Higher Education Scholarship Program. These initiatives cater to students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies, creating multiple pathways for academic advancement.

The General Subjects scholarship under the MOFA program offers Mandarin language instruction during the first year of study, accommodating students’ linguistic preferences. Conversely, the Public Health specialization and ICDF program deliver curriculum exclusively in English, eliminating language barriers for Haitian scholars.

A critical requirement mandates that candidates select only one scholarship program, with applications violating this policy facing automatic disqualification. The application window remains open until February 27, 2026, requiring physical submission at the Taiwanese Embassy in Haiti.

Comprehensive eligibility criteria and detailed application procedures have been published on the embassy’s official portal (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ht_fr/cat/20.html), with dedicated documentation available for each program. This transparency ensures applicants can make informed decisions regarding their academic future.

This educational partnership reinforces Taiwan’s commitment to fostering international academic exchange and supporting human capital development in Haiti through accessible higher education opportunities.

After three days of intensive deliberation from January 21-23, 2026, Haiti has embarked on an ambitious journey to completely transform its education sector. Augustin Antoine, the Minister of National Education, formally concluded the National Conference on the Refounding of the Haitian Education System with the adoption of a comprehensive 28-article declaration addressing the nation’s educational challenges.

The landmark conference brought together an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders including educators, school administrators, inspectors, academics, parents, students, union representatives, local authorities, diaspora members, and international cooperation partners. This diverse assembly committed to conducting a candid assessment of Haiti’s educational framework while maintaining a vision for meaningful change.

Minister Antoine contextualized the urgency of this initiative within Haiti’s severe socio-economic crisis, which has triggered massive population displacements and prolonged school closures. He highlighted the precarious conditions facing educators and the systematic deprivation of children’s fundamental right to education. “In some regions,” Antoine noted, “attending school constitutes an act of bravery, while teaching represents an act of resistance against overwhelming adversity.”

Despite these challenges, the Minister acknowledged the resilience demonstrated by thousands of teachers continuing their work, parents determined to secure education for their children, and youth pursuing better futures through learning. The reconstruction process, he emphasized, will require substantial time, consistent effort, significant resources, and most critically, sustained political will and collective national responsibility.

The Minister praised the conference’s outcome as a “sovereign act” and expressed optimism that these proceedings would establish a historic benchmark for Haiti’s national development, potentially serving as a turning point for educational renewal amid ongoing national struggles.

In a landmark advancement for Haitian higher education, the State University of Haiti (UEH) inaugurated its pioneering Master’s program in Public Policy Analysis with specialization in Economics and Finance (MAPPEF) on January 23, 2026. This strategically developed graduate program emerges as an institutional response to Haiti’s pressing governance challenges and represents a concerted effort to bolster national economic management capabilities.

Developed through intensive collaboration between UEH’s Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences (FDSE) and Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the two-year curriculum comprises four semesters of rigorous study. The program’s core mission centers on cultivating expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating socio-economic public policies—addressing what university leadership identifies as a critical barrier to national development.

UEH Rector Dieuseul Prédélus emphasized the program’s significance beyond conventional academic boundaries, characterizing it as a direct intervention in Haiti’s development emergency. ‘The absence of coherent and properly assessed public policies constitutes a fundamental impediment to Haiti’s progress,’ Prédélus stated, underscoring the program’s practical orientation.

Amid multidimensional national crises, MAPPEF aims to produce highly skilled professionals capable of converting political objectives into tangible outcomes that promote inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. Faculty Dean Jean Eugène Pierre-Louis highlighted the program’s role in countering brain drain by creating a talent reservoir for Haitian public administration.

Program graduates will be positioned for strategic roles within key governmental institutions including the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation, and the Bank of the Republic of Haiti, alongside opportunities in international organizations and consulting firms.

Academic coordinator Professor Luc Dieubénite Alexis detailed the program’s structure: 60 credits distributed across 14 specialized modules, complemented by two professional internships and a culminating thesis. The hybrid delivery format combines in-person and online instruction, employing innovative pedagogical approaches including flipped classrooms, case studies, and adult learning methodologies.

The initiative extends beyond national borders through prospective partnerships with the University of the French West Indies and the CEDIMES international research network, ensuring both global recognition and maintained academic excellence.

In a landmark ceremony at Port-au-Prince’s Karibe Hotel on January 25, 2026, Haiti’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs celebrated the graduation of 289 women from technical training programs historically dominated by male workers. The event marked the inaugural completion of the “Mylourie Sylfrard” initiative under the Socio-economic Integration Project, specifically designed to empower women through vocational education in non-traditional sectors.

The graduation ceremony gathered distinguished attendees including godmother of the promotion Ms. Raïna Forbin, ministry officials, diplomatic corps representatives, UN agency delegates, and leaders from civil society organizations and training centers. Minister of Women’s Affairs Pedrica Saint Jean emphasized the profound symbolism of the event, noting that these women had successfully completed rigorous training in fields including construction, electrical work, solar energy installation, and emerging technologies.

Minister Saint Jean articulated the government’s commitment to dismantling gender stereotypes and creating genuine equality of opportunity. She framed women’s economic empowerment as essential for achieving social justice, strengthening community resilience, and fostering social cohesion. The initiative aligns with Haiti’s 2014-2034 Equality Policy and contributes directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing inequality reduction and access to dignified employment.

The Minister acknowledged substantial governmental support, including personal backing from the Prime Minister, which has enabled the program’s expansion into additional departments across Haiti.

Ms. Shedelie Phanor, speaking on behalf of the graduating cohort, expressed profound gratitude to governmental authorities and project partners. She challenged her fellow graduates to demonstrate exceptional professionalism in their chosen fields, becoming inspirational references for other women seeking to overcome occupational gender barriers.

The ceremony culminated with the formal distribution of graduation certificates recognizing the beneficiaries’ educational achievements. Participants also received professional toolkits and financial grants specifically designed to facilitate their entry into the workforce and support the launch of income-generating activities.