Early Life
Zhang Bangxin, widely known as Tom Zhang, was born in 1981 (age 43-44). He graduated from Sichuan University in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Life Sciences. After graduation, he worked various part-time jobs, including tutoring, to support himself while pursuing a postgraduate program in the Life Science School of Peking University from 2002 to 2007. He later earned an EMBA from China Europe International Business School in 2009.
Rise to Success
Zhang's entrepreneurial journey began in 2003 when he co-founded TAL Education Group (formerly Xueersi Education). This was a pivotal moment, leading him to drop out of his PhD program to focus on the growing business. TAL Education Group provides after-school education and tutoring services for primary and secondary school students in China. The company went public on the NYSE in October 2010.
Key Business Strategies
TAL Education Group has focused on enrichment learning and content solutions. The company has expanded its services through online platforms, direct-sale stores, and distribution partners. In recent years, TAL has shifted towards non-academic tutoring and expanded into learning devices, offering more accessible learning content.
Philanthropy
In 2021, Zhang Bangxin donated 4.97 million RMB to the Sichuan University Education Foundation to establish the TAL Education Award at Sichuan University.