The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) on Tuesday approved the naturalization of seven foreign professionals in various fields, including Belgian composer Thomas Foguenne who has won two Golden Bell Awards for music.
A total of 245 foreign professionals have been granted Republic of China (Taiwan) citizenship since the government amended the Nationality Act in December 2016, the ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
According to the amended Nationality Act, the seven individuals were eligible to receive Taiwanese citizenship without renouncing their original nationality.
Foguenne is a full member of Sabam, the Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers. He has written music for more than 80 videos and films since 2011, according to the statement.
He was nominated for three Golden Bell Awards for best sound in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and won the award in 2016 and in 2018.
Another of those granted Taiwanese citizenship was a Vietnamese surnamed Tr?n (?), who specializes in advanced technologies including nanotechnology, energy conservation, and artificial intelligence.
She has had 20 of her papers published in the Science Citation Index, a quarterly journal that publishes papers and articles in all fields of research.
Tran has also published four books, and her outstanding research ability has helped Taiwan improve its professional technologies, according to the statement.
The seven naturalized foreign nationals also included a Spanish man specializing in teaching Chinese to Spanish translations as well as corporate ethics and international economics.
After being naturalized and obtaining ROC citizenship, these professionals will have the right to engage in political participation and benefit from various social welfare programs, the ministry said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel