History
1. Founding of the Scholarship in Shanghai:
In the late 1930s, amidst the tragic, War Torn years of Japanese Invasion, as Manager of the EWO Press and Packing Factory, Mr. Koo tried to recruit 5 apprentice workers. He was flooded with 200 application, many of these were from teen age secondary students with excellent school records, who, because of financial reasons, had to give up school for work to support the family. He was very moved, and recalling the motto his father left him, that of "Return to the Society what you have gained from the society", he resolutely founded the "Shuping Scholarships" in 1939, in remembrance of his father. The applicants must be from poor families and with good academic standing. 600 students sat for the first scholarship entrance examination, and 300 were awarded with full tuition fee, and thereafter renewed yearly until graduation if the scholar can maintain their good record at school. Further support was also given to those who went on the University Studies.
In addition, a library was established for the scholars as a study-cum-activity centre, which apart from providing books for reading also included science laboratories. Free lessons in Shorthand/Typing; in Sowing; in Nursing; in Martial arts were made available. In addition Scholars were given free haircut, free medical care and free glasses. The "Library" was run and administered by the Scholars themselves on a voluntary basis. They ran a cost cutting stationary cooperative, and also published a regular newsletter for internal communication and dialogue. Free vacation trips were arranged for volunteer workers during the school holidays to relieve their stress from study and hard work.
2. The First ten years 1939 - 1949
During the first ten years, 1100 students were awarded the scholarships. Mr. Koo treated them as family members. His house was always open to the scholars for informal gatherings and fellowship. The students were encouraged to do meaningful voluntary work for charity as character building. Thus, apart from their duties at the Library, many of them also took active part in the running of other charity projects that Mr. Koo established during this period. The first is the new Home for Refugee Children, which was built by fund raised through Peking Opera Performances arranged and produced by Mr. Koo with the generous help from his many Famous Opera Stars f the time. This was soon after the war, and the streets of Shanghai were flooded with homeless refugee children who, without proper care would fall prey to crime and violence in the city. The then existing refugee camps were shoddy, dilapidated shelters, that does not provided any rehabilitation or education to these children. The brand New home not only upgraded their accommodation but also provided moral and vocational education to turn them into future useful citizens. It was a social success. The Shuping Scholars made regular visits to the Home and assisted in the activities of the Home. The second was the Emergency Medical Fund. In 1945, after the war was won, inflation was astronomical. Although there were 80 hospitals in Shanghai, they all required payments before admission, especially in emergency cases. This made it very difficult especially for the poor with no ready cash. For those with emergency, lives were often lost through lack of money and delay in getting it. Mr. Koo persuaded a group of his close like minded friends to join him in setting up a substantial fund to combat this problem. Any emergency patient requiring hospitalization, who had immediate financial difficulty would call on the fund, which, after appropriate but prompt screening, will front the expense to allow the patient to receive prompt treatment. Afterwards, those who could pay but could not get the cash ready in time, would return to thank the benefactors and repay the money paid on their behalf. This work required a lot of administrative help, visiting the patients in the hospitals, check their progress, visit the patient's family, manage the accounts, compile monthly report to the directors, and taking charge of payments. For this Mr. Koo turned to the Scholars. To his great delight and comfort, he was overwhelmed with volunteers. As all of the Scholars were from poor families, they were particularly understanding towards the patients in need and their plight. Over a span of two years over 700 patients were recipients of this medical aid program. By exposing the scholars to voluntary charitable works, they, through these experiences, became part of the society. All of the 1100 scholars would later on become pillars in the building and modernization of China.
3. Resumption of the Scholarships (1986 - )
In 1982, Mr. Koo was invited to visit China after the overthrow of the Gang of Four. He was able to meet up with some of the past Scholars both in Shanghai and Beijing. Over the next year or so, over 200 past students were contacted, and over the many follow up trips he was thrilled to meet most of them. Joyful reunions lightened every one's heart. He was proud to learn that many of the early scholars, have made great contribution to the rebuilding of China, holding important positions in the Government, as Party Secretaries, Naval officers, Departmental heads, School Principals, Director of hospitals, Architects, engineers, professors. All were pillars of the Society and living out the Spirit of Shu Ping Motto “Return to the Society what you have gained from it"
In 1986 with the support of the Central and City Government as well as the Past Scholars, he decided to revive the Shu Ping Scholarships, starting first in Shanghai schools, followed by schools in Beijing and then Huzhou, Mr. Koo's native city. By 2000, the accumulated number of Shu ping Scholars reached near 6000 in all and increasing by the year.
Apart from the scholarship award, recipients, as was in the days of inception in the 1940s, are encouraged to foster the ideal of service to fellow scholars, to friends and to the community. 2.4 Present Scope and Activities
As at May 2004, the scholarship scheme gives out over 700 awards yearly to 37 secondary schools and 24 tertiary institutions. Besides the selection, approval an giving out the awards additional monetary awards are open to application for students with financial difficulty or family hardship. The latter is the integral part of the founding principle of this scholarship, that of helping the poor and the disadvantaged.
Monetary award is only part of the aim, many extracurricular activities (see 7 'activities of the scholars", are arranged every year to further moral and physical education to motivate students to be better citizens and future leaders in the community and in the country.
All these programs and activities are planned, administered, coordinated, and executed by the two main Scholarship Alumni Associations, composed of voluntary board members elected by the Scholars: The Shanghai Alumni Association for South China Area and the Beijing Alumni Association for the North. Regular newsletters are published by the two Association to inform scholars of events and to be used as a platform for air.
4. The Shu Ping（Sob Bing) Scholarship Foundation
In 1995, at the age of 86, Mr. Koo donated 10 million HK Dollars to the Shanghai Education Development Foundation headed by Vice Mayor Ms Xhia Li Xheun, on trust. The annual incremental income is earmarked for the continuation of the Scholarships. In the same year the Shu Ping Foundation Executive Committee was formed by Mr. Koo and representative members of the two Alumni Association, he being its first Chairman. The Committee was to discuss and decide on all matter pertaining to the audit of accounts; allocation, supervision and direction of foundation funds for the operation and furtherance of the Scholarships.
After his death, his son George was elected as Chairman. The Committee meets at least once a year, and subcommittee meetings are held whenever needed. The day-to-day administration and activities of the scheme are carried out by the relevant Association Boards. The early Shu Ping tradition of self-reliance—students administered by the students—has continued to this day.
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