The UM-SJTU Joint Institute (JI) Parent Association was established when JI was founded in 2006, as a non-profit group spontaneously organized by JI volunteer parents. All JI parents are members of the Parent Association.

The JI Parent Association stands for the best interests of the students, their families and the society. The mission of the Parent Association is to provide support and connection among the parents and with JI, promote support of cooperation, and create a better and fairer environment for JI students.