80-year-old retired professor Chen Shannian and fellow professor wife She Yinghe of Southeast University have donated 1 million yuan – almost their entire life savings – to the Energy and Environment School of Southeast University to set up a joint-name scholarship. On Sept. 28, the couple brought their check to the university in person, the Yangtse Evening Post reported.

50 years ago, young teacher Chen Shannian of Southeast University received a secret mission — to participate in the design of China's first generation of nuclear submarine reactors. The mission was completed many years ago, yet remained confidential until last year, when his wife She Yinghe finally learnt what her husband was doing 50 years ago.

Setting up a scholarship is something Professor Chen Shannian has been wanting to do for a long time.

On the afternoon of Sept. 28, Chen Shannian and She Yinghe came to the University, signed the donation agreement to establish the "Chen Shannian and She Yinghe Nuclear Power Safety and Innovation Scholarship", which will be awarded to undergraduates and graduates of the Energy and Environment School who match academic and responsibility requirements.

One million yuan is not a small sum of money. Professor Chen said frankly that it has taken them many years to save up. "We don't care much about food and clothes, and we spend very little," Chen said. The couple still lives in the apartment assigned to them in 1967 by the university and the apartment has never been decorated. "We have insurance and our pension is enough for day-to-day spending. We hope the students can keep the good tradition of the university and work in a conscientious manner," said Chen.