The idea goes back to the noted Sung dynasty scholar Fan Chung-yen (989-1052). Fan grew up in poverty, and upon retirement as a high-ranking official he set up a charitable estate to support future poor scholars in his clan.

That was nearly a thousand years ago. These days the times are different, but the spirit is still the same: There's a "study field" on Taiwan today.

It's located in the north of the island, in Kuanhsi Township, Hsinchu County, an area noted for the beauty of its scenery, and it covers 1,300 hectares.

Study fields in ancient times were usually supported by a family clan, and the one in Kuanhsi is also connected to a powerful family--the Lin's of Panchiao.

The Lin family came to Taiwan from Changchou, Fukien Province, during the 18th century. Lin P'ing-hou, the first head of the family on Taiwan, made a fortune in trade and acquired vast land holdings. His descendants have nearly all carried on the family tradition, becoming eminent figures in business and commerce. Lin Ming-ch'eng, a seventh-generation descendant who is chairman of the board of Evergreen Department Store, regularly figures among the nation's top ten taxpayers each year.

Lin P'ing-hou was an active philanthropist. Emulating Fan Chung-yen, he purchased seven study fields to support poor scholars in Tamsui and in his hometown.

Not content to be overshadowed by his illustrious forebear was Lin Hsiung-cheng, a sixth-generation descendant born in Taipei in 1887. A revolutionary in his youth and possessed all his life of a strong sense of public-spiritedness, he engaged in numerous philanthropic activities, including the founding of a society to support Taiwan students with their education. After his death, his widow and family decided to set up the Lin Hsiung-cheng Study Field Foundation in hopes of fulfilling his cherished desire to benefit society by cultivating talented individuals.

The Study Field Foundation was established in 1948. The scholarships were directed at first toward high school and college students with high grades. In 1956 they were limited to college and university students, and they were extended to doctoral candidates in 1981. The scholarship amounts have increased regularly over the years, from NT$720 per semester in 1950 to NT$5,000 at present. Master's degree candidates currently receive NT$20,000 a year and doctoral candidates NT$150,000.

This January 6th marked the fortieth anniversary of the foundation's founding. During this time it has distributed scholarships to more than 2,200 students, among which fourteen have received Ph.D. degrees and 29 have earned master's degrees. James C. Y. Soong, deputy secretary general of the Kuomintang; Wei Yung, chairman of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission; and Vincent Siew, director general of the Board of Foreign Trade, all once received scholarships.

Besides increasing the amount of its scholarships over the years, the foundation has also been able to support various cultural activities, including the construction of a Sun Yat-sen Hall in San Jose, California. "Credit for these achievements must go to the foundation's strong operating ability," indicates a member of the Ministry of Education's Scholarship Management Commission.

Most scholarships provided by private foundations in the country at present are based on interest from investments and bank deposits. In contrast, the Study Field Foundation's scholarships come from profits from that piece of land in Kuanhsi.

All of those 1,300 hectares, except for a portion operated directly by Lin Ming-ch'eng's Ta-yung Hsing-yeh Co., have been rented out to 200-some households for farming or devoted to forestry and lumbering, and profits have been reinvested in stocks and real estate to increase them further.

As the foundation's assets increase, the ways in which they are employed is constantly being re-examined. During the 1950's and 60's, when life on Taiwan was less prosperous, the scholarships truly did fulfill their function of enabling poor scholars to continue their studies, but now, when most parents can afford the cost of a college education, the NT$10,000 a year represents no more to most students than extra spending money. "Maybe we should cut back the number of recipients and raise the amounts," Lin Ming-ch'eng says. "We could also cooperate with reputable academic institutions overseas in supporting a certain number of scholars each year to go abroad for advanced study."

If this should come about, then that piece of land in Kuanhsi, besides producing M.A.'s, M.S.'s, and Ph.D.'s, may also turn out some scholars of international fame and standing.

[Picture Caption]

This is the "study field" in Kuanhsi Township. Some areas have been opened to recreation.

Tenant farmers grow mushrooms on the hillsides.

Li Ming-ch'eng, chairman of the board of Evergreen Department Store, is vice-chairman of the Study Field Foundation. The picture on the wall shows his parents, Lin Chi-hui and Lin Hsiung-cheng.

The grounds of former President Chiang Kai-shek's tomb in Tz'u Hu were donated by the Lin's of Panchiao. (photo by Ch'en Ming-cheng)

Tenant farmers grow mushrooms on the hillsides.

Li Ming-ch'eng, chairman of the board of Evergreen Department Store, is vice-chairman of the Study Field Foundation. The picture on the wall shows his parents, Lin Chi-hui and Lin Hsiung-cheng.

The grounds of former President Chiang Kai-shek's tomb in Tz'u Hu were donated by the Lin's of Panchiao. （photo by Ch'en Ming-cheng）