Ambassador Hsiao with TechGirls Taiwan team
TechGirls is an international summer exchange program initiated by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Its purpose is to empower and inspire young women worldwide to pursue careers in science and technology. In 2022, Taiwan was selected to participate, receiving three fully-funded opportunities. This led to a surge in applications from Taiwanese high school girls. In 2023, three students from Taipei First Girls' High School, Kaohsiung American School, and Wu-ling Senior High School stood out amidst intense competition. From July 7th to August 1st, they came to the U.S. to engage in a dynamic four-week experiential program alongside 126 young women from 36 participating countries/regions and 15 American peers.
Launched in 2012, the program initially supported girls from the Middle East and North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen). It expanded in 2019 to include young women from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). In 2022, the program globally expanded to serve girls from six regions (Western Hemisphere, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia). So far, it has trained and guided 528 girls aged 15 to 17.
The three girls from Taiwan first attended an interactive technology and computer training camp at Virginia Tech, then proceeded to one of the following cities (Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, or Seattle) for community and career exploration. After completing training courses and cultural visits, on July 28th, Ambassador Hsiao met with the students at Twin Oaks Estate to encourage their active participation in international activities and inspire more young women to engage in the field of scientific research. Upon returning to Taiwan, the three girls will be guided by Professor Anita Hu from National Tsing-Hua University to carry out community projects, aiming to expand the impact of the TechGirls program and inspire more women to enter the field of scientific research.