By Belize Live News Staff: UDP Senator and former Minister of Education Patrick Faber is calling on the Government of Belize to address what he describes as a growing brain drain crisis caused by students who receive Taiwanese scholarships but never return home.
Faber, speaking in the Senate, said he fully appreciates the generosity of Taiwan in offering Belizeans opportunities to study abroad, but he expressed concern that too many recipients are choosing to remain in Taiwan after graduation.
“The problem I had while I was Minister of Education – and I’m assuming my colleagues will agree – is that we need to press for greater understanding that our students who go to Taiwan return to this nation. It is not an individual gift; it’s meant to benefit our country,” Faber stated.
Faber urged the Senate to support a national push for a solution that ensures Belizeans come back and contribute to development after benefiting from higher education abroad.
Leader of Government Business Eamon Courtenay echoed Faber’s sentiments, noting that the government has engaged Taiwanese officials about the issue.
“Senator Faber is right to say these scholarships are scholarships given to Belize, not directly to Taiwan-bound individuals. We told the government of Taiwan that it is counterproductive to our development when our students stay. We need to reduce the number who remain in Taiwan after completing their degree,” Courtenay explained.
He added that the problem is compounded by incentives Taiwan provides—job opportunities, work permits, and residency pathways—that make it easy for graduates to stay. Courtenay said the GOB is committed to maintaining strong bilateral ties with Taiwan while also protecting Belize’s long-term interests by ensuring scholarship recipients return to build the nation.
