Shuping Scholarship

The Shuping Scholarship scheme is one of the oldest Privately Funded Scholarship scheme in China.

It was founded in 1939 in war tom Shanghai, China, by Mr. J L Koo to give continuous financial assistance to underprivileged secondary school students of good academic standard, who otherwise could not continue with their education.

Mr. Koo was at the time, aged 30, a Chinese Manager in the "EWO Hong", better known as Jardine, Matheson & Company. The idea came to him when, as a manager, he was recruiting young apprentice workers for the EWO Press and Packing Company. Well over 100 secondary students, in their early teens, applied for four vacancies of this lowly paid, menial job. Many of them had excellent school reports, but had to give up education to seek work to support their family.

He founded the scholarship scheme and named it the "Shuping Scholarship For Secondary School Students", in memory of his father Koo Shuping, who died of Acute Kidney Disease at the young age of 42. In his dying moment, Shuping instructed his only son J L that he should work hard and honest to earn his living, and to remember that "what is gained from the society should be returned to the society". These words became also the motto of the Scholarship for all the Students to adhere to.

Scholarships are awarded, after examination, to successful candidates, coming from poor families, to cover their full tuition fee, continuously until graduation. Further support was also given to those who went on to University Studies.

A Library and Activity Centre, run by the students, was established for the scholars to study and indulge in extracurricular activities and interests. Free medical consultation and treatment were also provided. Students were encouraged to volunteer for charitable social works.

From 1939 to 1949, 1100 were benefited by this scheme. Many of them have gone on to become leaders in China, and Overseas, covering a wide spectrum of careers and professions.

In 1986, after the Cultural Revolution, with the approval and support of the Government, the Shuping Scholarship scheme was restarted in secondary schools in Shanghai, then in Beijing and Huzhou, the native place of Mr. J.L Koo. Mr. Koo died, aged 89, in February 1998, by then the scholarship scheme had extended to 33 secondary schools and 24 tertiary institutions. The total number of awardees had expanded from 1100 in the 1940s to well over 5000 in late 1990s. It is administrated by two main students associations, one in Shanghai and one in Beijing. Many of the new generation of Scholars have won national and international awards and prizes.

The quality of the Scholars received recognition by the Jardine Foundation and since 1996 two Shuping Scholars have been awarded Jardine Foundation Scholarships for undergraduate study at the prestigious Oxbridge Colleges; and a further two, through the Jardine connection, entered Oxford from the support other funds, one of which was the C C Lee foundation. All of them graduated with exemplary distinction.

The Shuping Scholarship Foundation (Hong Kong) was formed by Mr. J L Koo in 1995 as a Charity Trust Deed for the continued support of the Scholarship works in China. The founding Trustees were Mr. J L KOO, Mr. Philip Wong and Dr. George Koo. The same varied Trust Deed was rectified by the Hong Kong Government in 1997. The Shuping Scholarship Foundation Executive Committee was form in 1996 to manage, coordinate, and allocate the funding of the many activities of the scheme. The committee consist of elected members of the Koo family and representatives from the two associations.

The Shuping Scholarship Works consist of:

● The award of scholarships to selected students of excellence in designated secondary schools and tertiary institutions

● The scholarship is continuous, if academic standard is maintained

● Additional financial awards to students of proven hardship

● Strong emphasis is placed on moral and ethical standard, adhering to Shuping's Motto of “what is gained from the society, should be returned to the society"

● Social and Educational meetings for the scholars

● Annual summer camps

● Yearly course of emergency medical aid

● Regular Newsletters to all Scholars and Friends of Shuping.