The Chia Hsin Foundation held its annual scholarship awards ceremony at GALA DE CHINE in Xinzhuang on September 6, presenting the 67th CHF Education Scholarship, the 62nd CHF Athletics Scholarship, and the 5th CHF Impact Scholarship. Of 1,522 applicants, 503 students were selected to receive scholarships totaling NT$8.8 million. More than 300 scholarship recipients and family members attended the ceremony.
Since 2024, the Foundation has also assessed the carbon emissions generated by the event and continued to identify opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint, integrating sustainability into its annual celebration of student achievement.
Established in 1960, the Chia Hsin Foundation was Taiwan’s first privately funded scholarship foundation and has since supported more than 100,000 students. The CHF Education Scholarship has been awarded without interruption for more than six decades. In recent years, the Foundation has expanded its focus beyond financial assistance to broader talent development. In addition to supporting education in rural communities, it launched the CHF Impact Scholarship in 2022 to encourage young people to pursue sustainable development and innovative solutions, extending its mission from educational support to cultivating the next generation of sustainability talent.
Turning Limitations into Strength
This year’s ceremony centered on the theme “Turning Limitations into Strength.” Chia Hsin Foundation Chairman Jason K. L. Chang encouraged students to see constraints not as barriers, but as opportunities to move forward with greater creativity and courage.
“True strength does not come from being dealt a perfect hand, but from using wisdom and courage to make the most of the cards you have,” Chang said.
The ceremony featured Yang, Yu-Xing, Director of the Department of Social Affairs of the Keelung City Government, who shared her experience of living with the rare condition Miyoshi myopathy and dedicating herself to public service. Her message—that problems can become opportunities to create value—encouraged students to rethink how they respond to challenges.
Young musician Nelson Chiang also performed violin at the ceremony. A talented violinist and pianist, Chiang has continued to pursue advanced musical training despite the significant costs involved and limited family resources. With support from the Chia Hsin Foundation, he has been able to further develop his talent and achieve recognition in international competitions, demonstrating the resilience to turn constraints into opportunities.
Broadening Career Perspectives and Building Future-Ready Skills
Beyond scholarships, the Chia Hsin Foundation has expanded its development programs for scholarship recipients to help young people navigate challenges such as rapid advances in AI and the gap between academic learning and workplace needs.
Executive Director Ming-Shih Yin highlighted two areas of focus. The first is broadening career perspectives. Through partnerships with organizations across different industries—including Microsoft, Google, SinoPac Bank, Palais de Chine Hotel, and C MUSICAL—the Foundation gives scholarship recipients opportunities to visit workplaces, engage directly with experienced managers, and gain firsthand insights into different industries and career paths.
The second is strengthening practical communication skills. In partnership with the Epoch Foundation, the Foundation organizes mock interviews where experienced HR professionals provide one-on-one coaching. The program helps students strengthen interpersonal communication and adaptability—human capabilities that remain essential in an AI-driven workplace.
Through scholarships and ongoing development opportunities, the Chia Hsin Foundation aims to help young people face challenges with confidence, turn limitations into opportunities for growth, and build their own paths toward the future.
