On Founder’s Day—10 October 2025—the YWIES Shanghai Lingang Campus was full of energy and excitement. Two remarkable alumnae, Ms Kay Shi Qi Tu (YCIS Shanghai, Class of 2012) and Ms Michel Mak (YCIS Hong Kong, Class of 2012) became members of the Yew Chung Yew Wah Alumni Hall of Fame. After participating in the awards ceremony, they engaged in an in-depth dialogue with YWIES Shanghai Lingang students.

Ms Kay Tu earned a Master's degree in Architecture from University College London, and now runs her own studio, TU by TU. She is a UK-registered architect, who believes that architecture and design should enrich human experiences, and integrate functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. She previously served as a Lead Architect at Zaha Hadid Architects, where she contributed to the delivery of large-scale, complex projects and continuously pushed the boundaries of architectural innovation.

Ms Michel Mak, graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong and later completed her LLM in International Arbitration at Queen Mary University of London. She undertook summer placements at several renowned international law firms and secured a trainee solicitor contract, laying a solid academic and professional foundation for her cross-disciplinary career shift. After transitioning into the media industry, she independently developed and hosted "Hong Kong New Perspectives" at Phoenix TV, Hong Kong Channel, focusing on technology and social issues. Through in-depth, profile interviews, she  established her personal style of "tech-forward, in-depth reporting."

The alumnae shared practical tips about managing time and maintaining focus in fast-paced studies and work

Ms Tu uses timers to resist distractions like smartphones: "For example, I set a reminder to pop up after 30 minutes on social media. Actually, for me, social media are not just tools for entertainment; they are also a way to gain knowledge. I watch many in-depth interviews and insightful content. But the key is to maintain your independent judgment—don't be easily swayed by watching a video.  You need to use your own independent judgement to discern what's valid—absorb  the good parts, and discard the rest."

Ms Mak suggested completing important tasks first: "My habit is to finish my work first. I do relaxing activities such as watching short videos after work, and allow myself only 15–30 minutes. If I feel distracted while working, I actively seek alternatives, such as going for a walk in the park. This gives my brain a real break, and increases efficiency in both studying and working. Looking into the distance and enjoying greenery is refreshing. Rewarding myself after completing tasks feels more fulfilling."

Ms Mak also shared her time-management tips for sticking to her plans: "I designate fixed 'focus periods' each day for specific tasks. For example, from noon to 3 p.m., I focus on one task without handling other matters. I even put my phone away. The essence of focus is setting aside chunks of time for what's important. Having one or two hours of deep immersion daily significantly enhances efficiency, and the sense of accomplishment from completing tasks fuels further motivation.  Moreover, it's crucial to prioritise. We have many things we need or want to do, but time is limited. Identify what truly matters and tackle things one by one, rather than trying to do everything at once."

For students about to embark on their university journeys, the alumnae offered advice based on their experiences.

Ms Tu emphasised that, "Leaving one’s family and living independently are the first lessons for every international student. You need to learn how to handle everything by yourself—from doing laundry and cooking, to remembering your keys when you go out, and arranging moves alone. These skills are essential for your future, and , no one can do them for you now. More importantly, maintain an open mind, actively integrate into the local culture, courageously step out of your comfort zone, and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. This experience will open up a broader world for you."

Ms Mak reminded the students to pay attention to the fundamental differences in the learning methods at the university and at secondary school: "Wherever you choose to study, universities do not have teachers constantly supervising you. Submitting assignments and preparing for exams are all for you to manage. Campus life is indeed rich and varied, but only by managing your time well,  will you be able find the balance between academics and life. Self-discipline is the most important skill for university life. You must learn to create your own schedule and stick to it."

Ms Tu brought her design philosophy to life with a compelling story: "A client once asked us to build a simple stage. The obvious approach would have been to design just that—a stage. But we asked one crucial question: 'Why?' Through conversations with community members, we discovered the stage wasn't just for performances. It was about connecting four separate villages, creating a gathering space that would bring them closer together."

She leaned forward, emphasising her point: "That deeper truth only emerged through genuine dialogue. This is what AI can never replace—the ability to understand the hopes and dreams behind the request, the cultural nuances, the unspoken human needs. Our most meaningful work always begins by listening to what isn't being said."

Earlier in the day, Mr Mullins noticed Ms Mak quietly walking the stage and familiarising herself with the space. This professional habit became a teaching moment about managing nerves.

When asked how she deals with sudden nervousness during live broadcasts, she shared a practical and insightful approach: "First, being nervous isn't a bad thing. A senior colleague once told me that feeling nervous shows you take your job seriously. My approach is to stay focused. When you're fully immersed in what you're doing, you forget about being nervous. Also, believe in your own abilities. Anything can happen during a live broadcast: lights might go out, the teleprompter could fail. No matter what happens, staying calm is paramount. Another secret: even if you feel nervous inside, project composure. In a way, it's a kind of 'performance'—you have to 'pretend to be calm' until you actually become calm."  

When asked about the meaning of success, both alumnae focused on a combination of personal values and social contributions.

Ms Mak said, “The definition of success is: first, doing work you love; and second, having a positive impact on society and the world—no matter how small. As long as you're making the world a better place, I think that would be success."

Ms Tu expressed a similar opinion: "For me, success has never been about exam scores or how prestigious your university is. It's about being satisfied with your own situation. I'm very satisfied that what I'm doing now is valuable, and I feel that I am  contributing to society. For me, that is success."

During the interactive session, the discussion took an unexpected turn when Jerry, an A2 student, asked about job markets in the Chinese mainland. His question about finding meaningful work sparked particularly thoughtful responses.

Ms Tu offered the following insights and advice: "Economic cycles come and go, but passion and preparation are always relevant. Don't wait until graduation to build your experience. For employment, internships are crucial—working in a company is completely different from studying at university. Take the advantage of your youth, to try various experiences, whether in large corporations or small teams, or even through a summer-school programme or a meaningful trip. These are all valuable experiences that build your 'life portfolio.' The insights and stories gained from these experiences will become your unique assets for future job searches."

Drawing on her experiences across industries, Ms Mak added, "Don't feel restricted to finding internships that are a ‘perfect match’ with your target field. The transferable skills I developed during my internships at law firms were also highly valued when I interviewed in the media industry. What's important is to accumulate skills through each practical experience that will stay with you for life."

As the discussion drew to a close, they were asked, “If you could go back to your secondary school days, what would you most want to tell your younger selves?" 

Ms Mak shared, “Don’t overthink things. I used to constantly agonised over every choice, like which subjects to pick. But I eventually realised that all that worrying just makes you miss out on the campus life you’re meant to be enjoying. This time in your life is likely among the most carefree and joyful you will experience. So, relax and embrace the experience."

Ms Tu’s response was powerful: "Be brave. Life isn't always happy and smooth; you will face big and small challenges, experience setbacks, even fall down. That's all normal. Don't expect every day to be joyful; that's unrealistic. What's important is having the courage to face anything. Where you fall, get up there. That's what I'd say to my secondary school self. Also, thank your past self, and hope that in the future you will be proud of who you are today."

The event concluded successfully in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere. The dialogue not only provided answers but helped the students to envision their future, as well as their development, and their responsibilities.