Conn visited Zhang's high school, Chengdu Experimental Foreign Language School, during his visit to China, and was impressed by the students there.

Stepping in as the CEO of the Rhodes Trust in 2012, Conn is also a Rhodes scholar, who earned a first-class honors degree in philosophy, politics and economics while at Oxford.

Since then, he has been pushing the trust toward greater global expansion, including China, with a view to deepening the world scholarship experience and extending the scope of the fellowship.

"Our scholars receive more than just an academic experience. They also learn what it means to be a leader, why we serve others and how we develop our virtues of character," Conn says.

Nicknamed "the Nobel Prize for 23-year-olds", the Rhodes Scholarship attracts more than 12,000 applicants from over 60 countries and regions pursuing 100 scholarships every year.

"We were looking for a special kind of spark, energy, courage and authenticity," Conn says.

Although the selection process for the scholarships is very demanding, once the applicants are awarded the scholarship and a place at Oxford, they will enjoy a series of events when they enroll, including intergenerational forums, mentorships, retreats, talks and discussions on topics of community interest.

"Cecil Rhodes said that he hoped that the scholarship program would help reduce conflict around the world and increase global cooperation," Conn says.