A Taiwan Can Help Free the Future digital upskilling partnership was delivered Aug. 17 in Poltava, central Ukraine, by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and computer multinational Acer Inc.

Comprising three schools, the partnership involves the provision of laptops, smart interactive teaching devices, and science, technology, engineering and math-based robot kits. The first, featuring the moda, Acer and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was implemented earlier this year at Lyceum Grono in the Western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

The partnership is expected to benefit more than 2,000 teachers and students in Poltava. According to the moda, Taiwan is on the front line in resisting authoritarian expansionism and stands with Ukraine in defending shared values such as freedom, democracy and human rights.

Digital Minister Audrey Tang said: “Science and technology can build better tomorrows for all, and political factors must not stand in the way of borderless collaboration.”

During a visit to Lithuania in January, Tang announced the moda’s participation in a school and kindergarten reconstruction program for Ukraine overseen by Lithuania’s Ministry of the Economy and Innovation. 

The partnership ceremony was held Aug. 17 in Poltava. School officials sincerely thanked Taiwan for assisting in the creation of a digital learning environment providing educational opportunities for young students, as well as bridging the gap in educational resources. 

According to the moda, the partnership is based on humanitarian considerations and further demonstrates the success of the “Taiwan Can Help Free the Future” philosophy.

The partnership ceremony generated large-scale media attention in Ukraine. It was attended by VIPs such as members of the Ukrainian parliament Mykola Kniazhytskyi and Oleksandr Merezhko; Poltava Oblast Chairperson Oleksander Bilenky; Poltava City Deputy Mayors Valeriy Parkhomenko and Ihor Petrichenko; and Metropolitan Fedir of Poltava and Kremenchuk.

Participants and representatives of event organizers and nongovernmental organizations Alliance of Development, All-Ukrainian Democratic Forum and Nova Poltava expressed heartfelt thanks for Taiwan’s backing and unwavering belief in Ukraine’s ability to overcome all challenges.