Zach Du Chao Named NYU Shanghai Global Philanthropy Mentor

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Zach Du Chao has been appointed as a NYU Shanghai Global Philanthropy Mentor. Mr. Du is the first individual to assume this role. This recognition as a mentor is in acknowledgement of his continued support of the University through creating and expanding philanthropic initiatives for NYU Shanghai students. He brings a rich experience working with a variety of non-profit organizations, including serving as a member of the UNICEF international council.

 

Philanthropy is a key dimension of becoming a responsible global citizen, and NYU Shanghai works to provide various opportunities for students to participate in philanthropic programs. Among these opportunities are the Dean’s Service Corps, which focuses on service learning, the I AM LIMITLESS conference, which encourages students to research social impact organizations, and experiential learning trips, which introduces students to international and cultural non-profit organizations.

 

These diverse experiences allow for students to garner a deeper understanding of how philanthropy can create impact both locally and globally. Mr. Du has been a key partner in this work at NYU Shanghai. During the acknowledgement ceremony, Jeffery Lehman, Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai noted that Mr. Du is “a man who holds deep commitments in the realm of social responsibility, [and] he believes that all of humanity has an ethical duty to promote a better world in which people live justly and in harmony with one another.” 

 

 

 

Expanding on the importance of serving our communities, Chancellor Tong Shijun noted that through his commitment to social impact philanthropy, Mr. Du has served as a role model for NYU Shanghai students by “leading by serving and serving by leading.” He continued that “NYU Shanghai shoulders this important mission of serving society. The school guides students to not only to invest in themselves, but also to contribute to their communities, which allows them to lead a fulfilling life.” This renewed focus will encourage the students to engage more intentionally with philanthropic experiential learning.

 

 

Upon accepting this honor, Mr. Du thanked the leadership and the department heads for their dedication to social impact and service learning, and the recognition of his efforts to increase participation in philanthropic activities at NYU Shanghai. “Receiving this honor has encouraged me to deepen my commitment to higher education. Next year, NYU Shanghai will have its 10th anniversary, and 2022 is also the 50th anniversary of the first Sino-U.S Joint Communiqué, and it is not lost on me that this university has played a pivotal role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding between these two countries.”