In January 2024, Taiwan-owned world’s largest electronics manufacturer Foxconn, whose CEO received Padma Bhushan this year, signed a Mandarin-language education project MOU with four tertiary institutions in India, aiming to deepen industry-academia-government ties, increase employment prospects for Indian students, and respond to talent demand required for the company’s development in India.
The MOU was signed with Assam Don Bosco University, Shiv Nadar University, VEL TECH, and Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, with the support of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC).
Under the project, Foxconn will sponsor relevant subsidies for Mandarin teaching and learning. Moreover, the company will give priority consideration for employment opportunities to Mandarin learners of the above institutions.
Arentsungla Kichu, an alumna of Assam Don Bosco University, is the first Mandarin learner hired by Foxconn under this project. Kichu has started her Mandarin learning adventure in 2020 as soon as the Mandarin program was launched at ADBU with the arrival of Mandarin lecturer Ms. Kuei-Mi LI from Taiwan. In 2022, Kichu was awarded the Huayu (Mandarin) enrichment scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and spent six months studying Mandarin in Taiwan, having firsthand exposure to Taiwan’s language, culture, and lifestyle and was amazed by the experience.
With the recommendation of Ms. LI, Kichu received prompt interview invitation from Foxconn, and after multiple rounds of interviews and tests, she finally received the offer letter and will start a promising professional life with the company soon.
According to Kichu:
“I’m very thrilled to be working with Foxconn and intend to make a significant impact in the years to come. I believe that working for one of the world’s top company like Foxconn will help me expand my knowledge and skill set, which will be very beneficial for my future professional endeavors. The value of learning Mandarin and all of its advantages are evident. My ability to speak Mandarin has come in handy during the company’s interviews. I wouldn’t have received this job opportunity if it weren’t for the language. Mandarin proficiency can lead to a variety of career prospects.”
