2026 Penglai Scholarship Ceremony

May 19, 2026 -- The World Trade Institute welcomed a delegation from Taiwan for a high-level visit focused on international academic cooperation, scholarship development, and global trade leadership. Hosted at the World Trade Institute at the University of Bern, the program brought together representatives from the university, officials from Taipei and the Taiwan Mission to the WTO, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).

The delegation was received by Prof. Manfred Elsig, Managing Director of the WTI.. The visit included institutional presentations, remarks by participants, a scholarship donation ceremony, and guided tours of the WTI and the University of Bern campus.

During the program, Prof. Manfred Elsig presented the achievements and outlook of the Penglai Scholarship program, which was launched in 2021 in cooperation with Taiwan. The initiative awards two scholarships annually: one to a student from Taiwan and another to a student from a least- or low-income developing country. Since its founding, recipients have come from Taiwan, Ethiopia, Nepal, Lesotho, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.

Prof. Elsig also highlighted the broader mission of the Global Impact Association (GIA), which supports scholarships, student internships, and international events aimed at expanding access to global education and professional opportunities. Current scholarship recipients Li Cheng Chen and Thao Van Nguyen also participated in the ceremony.

“By building capacity where it's most needed, and we fully believe that empowering talent across the world is essential to enduring equal participation in a global multilateral trading system,” says Dr. Lin Chia-Lung, representing the government of Taiwan. Dr. Chia-Lung, emphasized that the WTI as a globally respected center for cultivating international trade talent and emphasized the importance of education, innovation, and economic diplomacy in foreign affairs. He noted that many WTI graduates now serve in leading international organizations, including the WTO, and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to supporting the 2026 Penglai Scholarships through a formal donation ceremony.

The visit concluded with a photo session, exchange of commemorative gifts, and discussions on future academic collaboration. Throughout the event, speakers underscored the shared commitment of the WTI, the University of Bern, and international partners to fostering dialogue on trade, developing the next generation of global trade leaders, and expanding educational access for students from diverse backgrounds.