In 2002, the Academia Sinica, one of Taiwan's top research institutes, collaborated with national universities to launch the Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP) in a bid to open up graduate education to international students. About 100 PhD students from 15 countries, including India, Canada, Malaysia and Sweden, are working in eight different programmes, ranging from molecular biophysics and cell biology to nanotechnology.

The TIGP has become an alternative for many Asian students, including myself, who have had difficulty entering the United States owing to visa restrictions since 11 September 2001. But this is not the only reason. Taiwan, in recent years, has been investing in biotechnology and genomic-medicine research with state-of-the-art facilities. These growing sectors demand researchers at all levels.

With the growth of this new student population, TIGP students last year founded the Graduate Student Association to augment academic and cultural activities and to voice students' concerns. Among the activities it plans are launching a graduate magazine, organizing international workshops, establishing a recruitment centre, and hosting career fairs.

The association has also been advocating on behalf of international students in an education system not accustomed to students who don't speak Chinese. Classes are taught in English, but inability to communicate outside the classroom can lead to feelings of isolation. For example, announcements and notices are available only in Chinese, making foreigners over-dependent on local personnel. My early days at the academy were overwhelming at times, mostly because of my inexperience in a non-English setting.

Some faculty members have recognized the problem and conduct lab meetings in English. This decision was met with hesitation by some Taiwanese students. But it became exciting as they started talking freely in English and everyone enjoyed being part of the discussion. Progress rests on the willingness of the local students and advisers to internationalize their labs.

These issues also arise in many other non-English-speaking nations with foreign graduate students. The Academia Sinica has demonstrated a commitment to dealing with them. That, along with the programme and the excellent infrastructure, I believe makes Taiwan an attractive destination for research.