In 1921, Chen Jiageng pledged 1 million yuan in start-up costs, the annual fee of 12 years payment **** 3 million yuan, founded Xiamen University, with arts, science, law, business, education, five 17 departments, which is the only university founded by overseas Chinese, but also the country's only sole proprietor of the university. Xiamen University opened on April 6, 1921, Chen Jiageng alone maintained for 16 years. Later, the world economic downturn severely hit the overseas Chinese enterprises, Chen Jiageng faced with the difficult situation, the attitude is still very firm, said: "I would rather sell the building, but also to support Xiamen University". He sold his three buildings as the maintenance of Xiamen University funds.
Chen Jiageng poured money into the school, he hoped that the aspiring people, the wind following the rise, revitalize my China, so although the enterprise closed, but still raise school fees, hard to support, indefatigable, it is estimated that his life for the school's money, about the amount of U.S. dollars more than one hundred million yuan. In his advocacy, many overseas Chinese have to donate to the school, and it has become a trend, the impact is extremely far-reaching.
In Singapore, Chen Jiageng for the local Chinese children's education is also very enthusiastic about the 1919 founding of a large-scale "Singapore Nanyang Overseas Chinese High School", is the highest school in the Nanyang region of the Chinese. At the end of the War of Resistance against Japan, he also founded the Aquatic and Marine School, Nanyang Overseas Chinese Normal School and Nanyang Overseas Chinese Secondary School for Girls. At that time, a church asked Chen Jiageng to donate 100,000 yuan to establish a university, Chen Jiageng agreed, but put forward to also set up Chinese courses as a condition.
In the Jimei, Xiamen University, two schools at the same time, Chen Jiageng also contacted the Singaporean overseas Chinese in the Republic of 10 years, organizing the Tongan Education Association, to support the Tongan County, the establishment of more than 40 elementary school. Republic of 13 years, Chen Jiageng Tong'an Education Association into the Jimei school education promotion department, to the Republic of 24 years, has subsidized 73 primary and secondary schools in 20 counties and cities in the province, the total subsidy amounted to 193,227 silver yuan, all borne by Chen Jiageng. In the diaspora, Chen Jiageng advocated the Chinese language schools, served as Prime Minister of Singapore Tao Nan School. Republic of 4 years in Singapore donated to the establishment of Chongfu girls school, Republic of 8 years and donated 30,000 yuan to create the Nanyang Overseas Chinese High School, and later donated more than 400,000 yuan as the school fund. In March, R.O.C. 36, founded the Nanyang Girls' High School.