Overseas Study Program Expanded

Taipei, July 18 CNA The government is planning to expand an overseas study program for its employees, as part of efforts to enhance the quality and international competitiveness of civil servants, Central Personnel Administration CPA Minister Chen Ching-hsiou said Saturday.

The plan will involve increasing overseas study opportunities for civil servants and extending the duration of study, Chen said.At present, 70 to 80 intermediate-level civil servants a year are being sent to the United Kingdom, the United States or Singapore for short term study programs that run from three to six months, CPA officials said.

The CPA is seeking to increase the number of openings next year to over 100, including those for long term study programs, they said.According to Chen, there was once a system under which civil servants were allowed to study abroad for one to two years, but it has been suspended for more than 10 years.

Premier Liu Chao hsiuan recently announced that a national conference will be held in September to discuss issues related to improving the quality and competitiveness of civil servants, as this is one of the government's priorities.