Just rewards

Dai Wei, a Peking University law student from Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has never been entitled to so much money in his life. The 15,000 yuan 2008 Jones Day International Legal Fellowship has helped relieve the financial burden on him and his retired parents struggling to pay his tuition fees and living expenses in Beijing.

"Several years ago, my parents were asked to take early retirement and at the same time I was accepted by Peking University law school where every term it costs 5,300 yuan for tuition," Dai says. "My parent could only afford half of it. Because of this, I had to apply for fellowships and work some part-time jobs. So I submitted my application as soon as I heard about the Jones Day fellowship."

Founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1893, Jones Day is a leading international law firm specializing in many areas. It has more than 2,000 lawyers working in over 30 offices around the world.

The Jones Day International Legal Fellowship, was established in Shanghai in 2001 and brought to Beijing in 2006.

Since 2001, Jones Day has awarded 87 fellowships to students from eight Shanghai universities and seven Beijing universities, with prize money totaling nearly 1.33 million yuan.

"This is the highest fellowship award as far as I know." Dai says, "In Peking University, there are several fellowships offered by big companies, such as Microsoft and Daimler AG. But the competition is fierce, especially for high-award fellowships."

Benz Scholarship, which is offered by German company Daimler AG, provides 4,500 yuan to each fellowship winner annually.

Another US law firm, O'Melveny, provides two special fellowships for 15,000 yuan each and eight outstanding fellowship winners for 7,000 yuan each annually at the university.

"But when I took the first test to qualify for the Jones Day's scholarship, I was astonished to find there were 120 candidates competing for 10 fellowships. And the test was not easy for an undergraduate student," Dai recalls.

Jones Day's awards are based on academic records, original thought, oral and written presentation skills in English and Chinese, as well as other attributes.

"We selected students who we believe will excel in their future careers and dedicate them to the legal profession in China," explains H John Kao, partner-in-charge of Jones Day's Beijing office.

"The tests are tough, but only when I completed all of them, I realized how many things I learned from it," says Dai. "At first I just considered it as a challenge, but at the end I found what I learned from Jones Day was far more than any money award. Every suggestion given by the lawyers during my tests became wealth which will benefit me for all my life." says Dai.

The law firm says it is delighted to be holding the eighth annual Jones Day International Legal Fellowship awards in China and is committed to doing its utmost to encourage legal education among Chinese students.

"I am extremely impressed by the quality of the students and confident that they will be an added value to the legal arena in China," says Kao.

Dai plans to participate in this year's national judicial examination and is looking forward to finding a job after graduation, specifically with his new benefactor.

"The fellowship tests left me with a great impression of Jones Day," he says. "I will probably apply to be a lawyer in the firm after my graduation."

Another fellowship award winner, Jason Cui from the China University of Political Science and Law says that the Jones Day Fellowship is a remarkable recognition for which he is truly grateful.

"We are considering providing more programs to our applicants, such as internship positions in our law firm and organizing free professional legal lectures," says Kao. "And we also welcome the fellowship winners to apply to enter our law firm after their graduation. They will have priority. But if they have a better opportunity by using our award, we are also gratified for them."

(China Daily 06/23/2008 page8)