Honoring visionaries who made a difference

Her Youwei Library hosts about 300 activities a year for students in Sanmen, including reading classes and a workshop on critical thinking. Crucially, the events are free.

Students and young people have responded enthusiastically.

"Usually we have 30-40 people participating in an activity," Zhang says.

The library offers immersive experiences for students and others to enjoy reading, communication, and it gives them opportunities to find a contributing role in society, she explains.

Zhang says the seeds of philanthropy were planted in her when she engaged in various activities with NGOs, including Bookstart and Oxfam.

"I learned how to do volunteer service, how to motivate people," she says.

Her knowledge also helped her deal with library development and management.

Zhang is one of the more than 1,200 applicants from over 100 countries applying for the Alumni Awards this year.

All candidates came from approximately 120 institutes of higher learning in the UK, covering law and finance to artificial intelligence and sustainable development. Most of them have used what they've learned in the UK to bring positive changes to their community, sector and country.

Matt Burney, director of the British Council in China, says: "One of the ways we can strengthen people-to-people ties is education exchange. These awards really recognize the importance of education exchange between people in the UK and China.