New partnership with Shanghai charity will help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to transform their career prospects and contribute to society.
University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor & Principal Professor Adam Tickell and YZL Foundation founder Mr Shenzhou Zhang.
The University of Birmingham and Shanghai YZL Foundation have signed an agreement to launch a major initiative that will help to nurture the next generation of young philanthropic leaders in China.
Leading for Good: Bridging China and the UK will see the partners working together to support talented students – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – to access transformative education and career development opportunities.
University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor & Principal Professor Adam Tickell and YZL Foundation founder Mr Shenzhou Zhang signed the agreement at a special ceremony in Shanghai.
As a global top 100 university, we are committed to opening doors for talented students from all backgrounds. This partnership with the Shanghai YZL Foundation strengthens our ability to support our students in China and the UK, helping them to access high-quality education and meaningful career opportunities that can shape their futures.
The programme will offer an annual fully funded postgraduate scholarship at the University of Birmingham for an outstanding student identified through the YZL Foundation’s network. Exclusive internship placements in China will enhance graduate employability and will be open to the University’s current students and recent graduates.
Students will have the opportunity to work in placements at a range of high-profile Chinese and international organisations across several sectors including non-profit organisations, internet technology, finance, cultural and creative industries, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Professor Adam Tickell said: “As a global top 100 university, we are committed to opening doors for talented students from all backgrounds. This partnership with the Shanghai YZL Foundation strengthens our ability to support our students in China and the UK, helping them to access high-quality education and meaningful career opportunities that can shape their futures.
"Our partnership reflects the University of Birmingham’s position as a global civic university, committed to creating opportunity and advancing social mobility, and delivering positive impact both locally and internationally. We want to ensure that our students, wherever they come from, succeed academically, thrive in their future careers, and make a difference in society.”
Leveraging the Foundation’s extensive network and combining it with the University of Birmingham’s academic excellence and global influence, we are confident that this collaboration will set a benchmark for public welfare partnerships in the sector, fostering youth leadership development, nurturing a spirit of social responsibility, and creating profound social value.
The Leading for Good initiative is inspired by the vision of Mr Shenshou Zhang, a distinguished Birmingham alumnus, who founded the Shanghai YZL Foundation in 2023 with a mission to improve educational access and career opportunities for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Under his leadership, the Foundation has earned national and municipal recognition for its role in fostering sustainable social mobility in China.
Mr Shenshou Zhang said: “We established Shanghai YZL Foundation with the aim of bringing together high-quality corporate resources and professional mentorship to broaden educational pathways and empower career growth for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"Leveraging the Foundation’s extensive network and combining it with the University of Birmingham’s academic excellence and global influence, we are confident that this collaboration will set a benchmark for public welfare partnerships in the sector, fostering youth leadership development, nurturing a spirit of social responsibility, and creating profound social value.”
The collaboration builds on the University of Birmingham’s long-standing commitment to supporting its international students and global alumni community, particularly in China. The University has developed a range of initiatives to support Chinese graduates as they begin their careers: including partnerships with employers, internships, and dedicated career services designed to improve employability and long-term success.
In addition to supporting individual students, the programme aims to strengthen ties between the UK and China by fostering collaboration in education, industry, and social responsibility. It will equip participants with the skills, experience, and perspective needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to address global challenges.
