Chiayi Candidate Tsai Yi-yu Pledges NT$10 Billion for Education to Cultivate Tech Talent

Tsai Yi-yu, a legislative member and candidate for Chiayi County Magistrate, has announced a significant education policy initiative, pledging to invest NT$10 billion over four years to foster talent development. This plan is strategically designed to support Chiayi's transformation from an agricultural county into a technological hub, particularly in light of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) upcoming relocation to the area.

The proposed budget increase aims to comprehensively enhance educational quality and campus infrastructure. A core component of Tsai's vision is the expansion of bilingual education. He proposes allocating funds to establish bilingual classrooms, integrate smart blackboards, and implement AI-powered English learning systems. The goal is to ensure all students have equal access to resources, equipping them with the foreign language skills necessary to compete on the international stage.

Furthermore, Tsai emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting local languages. He advocates for encouraging the use of Taiwanese Hokkien in daily interactions and supporting schools that wish to implement such programs. The policy also respects the linguistic diversity of indigenous groups, such as the Tsou people, aligning with the National Languages Development Act.

In higher education, Tsai has collaborated with National Chung Cheng University to establish Taiwan's first Silicon Photonics College. This initiative directly supports the government's 'Silicon Photonics National Team' policy. The college will focus on the optical transmission crucial for TSMC's advanced packaging technologies, integrating disciplines like materials science, optics, and electrical engineering. Located near the Chiayi High-Speed Rail station, the college aims to create a robust industry-academia platform, providing local youth with direct pathways to employment in the burgeoning tech sector.