YCYW expands student pathways amid global education shift

Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network (YCYW), headquartered in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with schools in China, the United States and the United Kingdom, will continue to invest in science- and technology-related programs to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an era of rapid change, said its senior executives.

As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape education and the future workplace, Esther Chan, deputy chief executive officer of YCYW, highlighted the group's partnerships with leading institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Oxford, to strengthen its science and innovation curriculum.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the network's annual Founder's Day in Beijing last week, Chan stressed that through these collaborations and enhanced initiatives in AI and technology education, students are encouraged to not only master digital tools but also think critically about their use and apply them creatively to solve real-world problems in an ethical and responsible manner.

YCYW will also strengthen cultural learning through new initiatives with the National Library of China in Beijing, helping students appreciate the richness and diversity of global cultures and deepen their understanding of world heritage.

"From literature and music to visual arts and intercultural exchanges, the programs aim to inspire students to recognize that creativity and empathy are essential companions to knowledge and innovation," she added.

As China has emphasized that education, science and technology, and talent development are fundamental pillars for building a modern socialist country, YCYW has responded by refining its curriculum and teaching methods to cultivate internationally minded, multi-disciplinary talent suited to the needs of the new era.

Xu Tao, regional executive principal of YCIS Beijing and YWIES Beijing Yizhuang, two schools owned by YCYW, said the group's Careers and University Guidance Office, or CUGO, will expand student pathways through internships, job shadowing, global exchanges and course articulation agreements.

With students' education choices becoming increasingly diverse and international student visa policies evolving, Xu said many students are now considering destinations beyond the US, UK and Australia — such as Japan, Singapore and Italy.

"Our CUGO will closely monitor trends for studying abroad and make targeted strategic adjustments," she said, adding that the office has also introduced additional language and application support services to assist students in achieving diverse tertiary education options while continually optimizing YCYW's comprehensive career and university guidance services.

Established in Hong Kong in 1932, YCYW now operates in eight Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and established campuses in Silicon Valley in the US and Somerset in the UK. The network serves more than 12,000 students and educators each year, offering programs that integrate international and Chinese educational practices.