23th April 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Time flies and this is the mid of my second semester here. I just finished my mid term exam and my seminar will be in the mid of May. We were asked to provide our opinion and view during our stay in Taiwan. It might be included in the student get-together agenda to improve the programme which will be held in May or June. They are really nice. This is what i wrote for Jessica and Linda:
To Whom It May Concern:
Thank you very much for the effort in improving the programme. It is a great pleasure giving me the opportunity to provide some of my opinions here.
To survive in Taiwan, it would not be a problem for a Malaysian coming from a multiracial country, we are familiar with the culture, language, food and living style in Taiwan . However for the oversea scholars coming from “non-Chinese” country, it would be a problem for them to survive in the beginning. However, these problems such as language, food, and life styles could be overcome later.
I am so glad that my English proficiency test for TOEFL or IELTS is waived during my admission. Frankly speaking, taking such test including GRE really cost a lot for a student in Malaysia . We have to “invest” a big sum of money (compare to our financial status) for these tests unless we are very sure for wanted to proceed in this career path, otherwise it would be wasted. Once we are accepted, we need more money for the flight tickets and to cover the living expenses here.
The curriculum of the programme provides good training to equip us well for our future career path in scientific research. That’s why most of the applicants are applying especially TIGP provides basic coursework and lab rotation for us to determine our niche area. Inevitably, the stipends provided might be one of the reasons applying for TIGP, however most of us including me, was unaware of the tax issues. I just got to know that we need to pay tax for our stipends during the orientation, perhaps I was not aware or it was not clearly stated during the application time.
Actually for studying in Taiwan , the financial support is the key factor for a student to survive well. As most of the graduate students (I am taking the situation of most of the Malaysian students as example, however it should be more or less the same for students from elsewhere), they are not pay well during their graduate study. In order to earn more, most of us have to look for part time jobs in order to save more money for our graduate studies. We are trying not to get the financial support from our family, and most of us still need to send some money back to our home country to our parents, not to say to those who are married and having a family. This is actually deterring people from applying for the programme as we are trying to save more money during our study here. Moreover, we still need to pay for our own tuition fee. As far as we concern, most of the scholarships are not requiring the scholars to pay for their own tuition fees during the tenure of the scholarship. Scholars will be receiving full support for tuition, stipend and travel.
Listed are scholarships offered by some institutions and bodies for your reference:
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/EN/Education/2007/scholarship02_2007.htm
http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/eng/student/admissions/admission/application.html
http://www.bangla2000.com/Education/Study_Abroad/Scholarships/Japan/scholarships-Japan.html
http://www.daad.de/deutschland/foerderung/hinweise/00461.en.html#headline_0_7
http://www.uni-koeln.de/bio-graduateschool/fellow/fellow.html
http://web.mit.edu/sma/students/programmes/cpe.htm
It might be too much if asking for a round travel ticket from home country and arrival allowances, however, at least the stipend we are receiving should be tax-free and tuition fees should be waived during the tenure of the scholarship.
The facilities provided in the TIGP Student Dormitory are perfect and upon satisfactory, in fact is too cozy for me. All the rules and regulations are necessary and meant for making the dormitory an organised one, however overnight guests should be allowed since all visitors have to be registered anyway. One kitchen alone is not enough for all the residents. The rental for the dormitory is reasonable compare to the living standard in Taipei City .
All the personels in TIGP especially those in IMB are very helpful and friendly. I felt warm and appreciate for all the concern, advice, assistance and friendship given by the P.I.s and assistants. It would not be possible for me to survive well in Taiwan without you. A special thank to TIGP-MCB programme assistants Jessica Shih and Linda Chen for being so capable making the programme an organised one and getting the first stipend for us to pay for the tuition fee before the dateline. Thank you very much to all of you.
Have a nice day!
Yours sincerely,
Pak-Guan Teoh
TIGP-MCB
FYI, the stipends we received have to be deducted 6% every month for tax as a foreigner. Since we have not reside in Taiwan for more than 183 days, so we have to be deducted 20% from our stipends every month until we have stayed for more than 183 days. The extra deducted 14% for tax can be claimed back (after staying for more than 183 days) upon application on the next year during tax filing. And since the 183 day is counted according to calendar, so no money can be taken back so for our first 3 months (October to December). We have to be deducted 20% from the stipends for the next calendar year until 183 days, which is around 6 months (January to June). So, altogether 20% is deducted for 9 months in which 14% of the 6 months taxed can be claimed back in the next year. If you want to work in Taiwan, better come before end of June so that the tax you paid can be claimed back.
Hopefully this will help the future TIGP-MCB students. So any comment or suggestion? ;p
Labels: Institite of Molecular Biology, MCB, Tax, Teoh Pak Guan, TIGP
posted by teopag @ 3:03 AM,
4 Comments:
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At 7:50 AM,
DNA said...
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i think u really spend time writing that review/feedback. its a good feedback, hope they will take serious consideration to change some rules (if they work like malaysian then no differences also. LOL.) anyway, good luck to u for the seminar. enjoy life in taiwan!
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At 11:55 PM,
Unknown said...
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i strongly agree with you as stipend shouldn't be taxed. it is unfair for a student. I can't go to study if there's insufficient of money. this will make the study more stressful. Even back home in M'sia, no government tax imposed on the stipend and scholarship. furthermore, it is tuition waived.The admin and BOD of TIGP need to work out something..
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At 11:59 PM,
Unknown said...
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I really appreciate you for the information provided.This information shall really make people to think before joining.Most of PhD programmes in various countries provide lot of financial benefits to its students but i dnt know why TIGP with such a good fame & faculty has such rigid rules.I think all you students should bring this matter to the notice of officials & get the problem solved.I hope the institute will take this matter seriously & provide students suitable financial assistance right from the beginning.All the best for your seminar & good luck
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At 1:18 AM,
teopag said...
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hi dna, khoo and pramod, thank you for the comments. hopefully they will solve this problems soon. as a graduate student, money is really important to reduce our tension and stress during the study, things should be worked out to attract more good students coming over. :) take care and see you!
