Not so many years ago, people in the Republic of China were expressing concern over the "brain drain" of talented college graduates who went to the United States or Japan to pursue advanced studies and never returned. Now, the trend has changed. More and more graduates are returning with their skills to develop the motherland.

Dr. Li Tsung-cheng is a case in point. He had been in the United States for more than 20 years before returning to Taiwan to start a business with the National Youth Commission. Dr. Li, who obtained his doctorate in molecular chemistry at the State University of New York, is an expert in waste water treatment, and has won 14 patents in the U.S. and other countries. At the time he was in the U.S., Dr. Li cherished the hope that some day he would be able to contribute his expertise to his country. His chance came when he returned to Taiwan in 1977 to take part in the National Development Seminar. He learned from the National Youth Com mission that he was eligible for a loan if he decided to set up a plant in the Youth Industrial District in Taoyuan in northern Taiwan. He would also be able to receive management guidance from the Industrial Development Bureau.

By 1979, Dr. Li had opened a plant to produce material used in waste water treatment, and at the same time set up a consultant company in Taipei staffed by one or two experienced engineers. He said: "We are all proud of our contribution to the upgrading of our country's industry."

To take care of the needs of returning students, the Government set up a special service center in 1971. It was incorporated into the National Youth Commission in 1971, and by the end of 1980 had helped 5,399 students and scholars to find work in Taiwan.

The service center of the National Youth Commission (NYC) makes a survey of job openings every year, and compiles its findings into a booklet for circulation among Chinese students abroad. The openings are also reported in the over seas edition of the Central Daily News.

All students who have gone abroad are eligible for assistance in finding jobs, provided they have obtained master's or doctorate degrees. All they have to do is to register with the designated government organizations abroad four months before their return. After receiving the applications, the National Youth Commission recommends them to related organizations for employment. The whole procedure takes about a month.

On their return, some are employed immediately, while others may have to wait for a short period. To enable them earn their living in the interim, the government has established 50 fellowships for applicants to engage in research before their formal employment. During this period, they can familiarize themselves with the environment in Taiwan, and thereby make the proper choice of job.

The commission also offers travel allowances to returning students and scholars for which they can apply if they have received no travel subsidies from other organizations, and if they are prepared to work in Taiwan for at least a year. Their spouses and children are also eligible for allowances.

For students and scholars who want to start a business in Taiwan, the National Youth Commission serves as a bridge and catalyst. Common problems are shortage of capital, difficulties in finding sites for plants, and inability to complete the complicated formalities.

As far as capital is concerned, if a business plan is approved, the applicant is eligible to apply for a fixed interest business loan from the banks with a maximum amount of NT$4.9 million (about US$136,000). The period of the loan is five years, and repayments start from the second year.

If the business comes under the category of technology-intensive industry, the proprietor is also eligible for more loans from other fiscal agencies. If the plan is approved by the designated agencies, the proprietor may receive a loan amounting to 49 percent of the total capitalization.

The government has opened up industrial parks where investors can establish their plants, located in Hsinchu, Taoyuan and Taichung. The factory buildings, land and equipment can be mortgaged for 70 percent of their total value.

Since 1974, the National Youth Commission has been preparing a personnel file of Chinese scholars abroad for reference by government agencies in the selection of lecturers and researchers.

As a result of the strenuous efforts of the commission, more than 700 scholars return to work in Taiwan every year. Of the 728 who returned between July 1, 1980 and June 30, 1981, 83 held doctors' degrees, 556 masters' degrees and 89 were research workers. Seventy-five located jobs by them selves, 55 are waiting for employment, while all the others were employed with the help of the National Youth Commission. In percentage terms, 26.2 are teaching in colleges and universities, 33.9 are working with government agencies, 10.3 are serving in state enterprises, 25.9 have been recruited by private enterprise, and 5.8 are working in research institutes.

The service center of the Nation al Youth Commission also offers such services as collecting materials, purchasing commodities on a consignment basis, publishing a news letter and preparing reading and audio-visual materials for children of Chinese scholars abroad.

The center is manned by return ed students who are enthusiastic and know the value of their work.

Lien Chan, director of the National Youth Commission, said: "There is no organization like ours anywhere else in the world, so we have no pattern to follow in our work. What we are doing here is something like starting a business."

Lien, a native of Tainan, obtained his doctoral degree in political science from the University of Chicago. Before assuming his present post, he was dean of the department of political science at the prestigious National Taiwan University, and ambassador to El Salvador.

The articulate 45-years-old director of the commission said: "Our job is too big and extensive. There is no end to it. But every one of us can feel satisfaction from doing what we have done."

The commission comes directly under the Executive Yuan, the highest administrative branch of government in the Republic of China. It is composed of 15 members with the Premier serving as its chairman. The members are appointed by the Premier from among the deputy chiefs of various government agencies.

The commission also provides service to students who have graduated within Taiwan. Two of those to benefit are Yao Chia-wang and Lai Chih-chien, both graduates of the Taiwan Provincial College of Marine and Oceanic Technology. They decided to organize an aquatic feed company when they discovered the hobby of raising tropical fish was growing among the people of Taiwan.

They worked out a plan for approval and obtained a loan of NT$600,000 with the help of the National Youth Commission. This was enough to start the Haifeng Marine Feed Corp., which had be come an NT$10 million a year business within a year.

In the last 13 years, more than 2,000 enterprising young people have received business loans through the help of the National Youth Com mission, and the total amount has exceeded NT$300 million. Total capitalization of the firms reached NT$1.7 billion.

[Picture Caption]

The National Youth Commission is in charge of helping young people to land jobs, start a business and assisting Chinese scholars abroad to return and work in the motherland. Lien Chang, director of the Commission, has pledged that his organization will provide maximum service to them. Right: A map of the Youth Industrial District established by the Commission for solving the difficulties in acquiring factory sites encountered by young industrialists.

Left: The administrative center of the Youth Industrial District. Right: Standard factory buildings established in the Industrial District.

Right: A map of the Youth Industrial District established by the Commission for solving the difficulties in acquiring factory sites encountered by young industrialists.

The administrative center of the Youth Industrial District.

Standard factory buildings established in the Industrial District.