Sunshine Mentorship Program Overview

Launched in 2007, the Sunshine Mentorship Program is a flagship public welfare project co-hosted by the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Shanghai Ethnic Solidarity and Progress Federation, and Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Over the past 19 years, it has developed from simple financial aid into a comprehensive mentorship system supporting ethnic minority students from universities across Shanghai. 

The program serves two core goals: providing financial support to help students pursue and complete their studies, and arranging professional mentors to offer career and life guidance. Beyond material assistance, it fosters gratitude and a sense of social responsibility, encouraging participants to give back to society and hometowns, and promoting ethnic unity and harmony. 

The 19th Session: Building Connections, Inspiring Growth 

The launching event for the 19th session was held at Jianghai Hall of the Shanghai CPPCC on June 5, 2026. Tian Xinmin, Special Advisor to the Dean of Antai College and Vice President of the Shanghai Ethnic Solidarity and Progress Federation, and Xu Mei, Executive Deputy Director of the CPPCC Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee, attended the mentor-student meet-and-greet. 

"This program has never been one-way charity," Tian Xinmin stated in his speech. "It is a shared journey of mutual growth. The perseverance and sincerity of ethnic minority students inspire every mentor, just as mentors guide the students forward." 

A total of 22 ethnic minority students from 22 Shanghai-based universities joined this session, paired with 14 professional mentors and 11 mentor assistants. The students major in diverse fields including law, clinical medicine, network engineering, finance, music education, geological engineering and environmental engineering. 

Voices of the Next Generation 

During the meet-and-greet, students shared their learning experiences, career plans and aspirations. Some engineering students aim to devote themselves to major infrastructure projects in western China; medical students hope to build telemedicine links for remote border areas; education majors plan to return to grassroots communities to teach; and student veterans are ready to excel at grassroots posts with the perseverance forged in military service. 

Mukaidesi Abudul Aini, a five-year clinical medicine student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, spoke on behalf of all participants. He shared his experience in interdisciplinary learning and discipline competitions, and expressed sincere gratitude to the program and mentors. "I will pass on this kindness and repay my hometown and society with my knowledge," he promised. 

Signing Ceremony and Closing Remarks 

The official signing ceremony was presided over by Min Weixing, Director of the CPPCC Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee. Wang Weiren, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai CPPCC, delivered the closing speech. He noted that after 19 years of development, the program has grown into a nationally recognized model for ethnic unity and public welfare, supporting hundreds of ethnic minority students and strengthening exchanges among all ethnic groups. 

The event also included the presentation of thank-you letters to donors and appointment certificates to mentors and mentor assistants. Zheng Lijun, a mentor who has participated in the program for eight years, shared her insights on mutual growth and called on young students to carry forward the spirit of public welfare. 

Interactive Workshop for Teachers and Students 

In the afternoon, a mentor-student integration workshop was organized by the EMBA Talent Association of Antai College. Centering on the themes of "Being Together, Sharing Aspirations and Creating the Future", the interactive sessions helped break the ice and deepen mutual understanding. The event opened with the program’s theme song Where There Are Dreams, There Is Sunshine, performed by a student from the 18th session. 

Participants took part in card-sharing, story-telling and Collective Art Creation. The collective painting, themed on ethnic unity and shared dreams, fully embodied the spirit of joint growth. Xu Mei concluded the workshop by encouraging students to integrate personal development with national rejuvenation and strive to become talents dedicated to ethnic unity and social progress. 

Antai’s Commitment to Social Impact 

The Sunshine Mentorship Program fully reflects Antai College’s commitment to academic excellence, inclusive education and social responsibility. By connecting outstanding professionals with ethnic minority students and advocating mutual learning, the program has become an exemplary cross-cultural mentorship initiative in China’s higher education sector. 

As the 19th session launches, the program continues to prioritize talent development and support ethnic minority students in achieving long-term success.