On the evening of 2 May 2025, more than 20 alumni from YCIS Beijing, YCIS Shanghai, YCIS Qingdao, YCIS Chongqing, and YWIES Yantai gathered at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul for a memorable reunion. This exclusive event was co-hosted by Dr Betty Chan Po-king, CEO and School Supervisor of Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network, and Dr Lydia L.S. Chan, Deputy CEO of the Yew Chung Education Foundation.

At the beginning of the event, Ms Josephine Lo, Head of Creative Arts Division, and Head of Institutional Advancement Office of YCYW, gave a welcoming speech. This was followed by an introduction of Ms Grace Kim, a former staff member of YWIES Yantai and the mother of a graduate of the school. She has now reconnected with YCYW as the representative of its alumni office in the Republic of Korea. Beloved by the Korean alumni community, Ms Kim will engage with alumni in the Republic of Korea to promote lifelong connections with their alma mater.

During the event, Dr Betty Chan Po-king proudly highlighted the growth of the YCYW global alumni network, mentioning successful alumni gatherings in New York City, Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles, London, and Seoul. She emphasised that the Seoul alumni network is one of the most vibrant overseas communities, upholding YCYW traditions while also exploring innovative ways to stay connected. Dr Lydia Chan shared updates on the latest developments within the YCYW Education Network, including the recent launch of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) and the Master of Education programme at YCCECE. This expansion signifies YCYW’s development into a comprehensive educational network that now spans from early childhood education to postgraduate studies. The alumni at the event enthusiastically applauded this achievement.

A highlight of the evening was the roundtable discussion, in which all the alumni recounted their personal and professional experiences. Although the alumni are in different stages of their lives and careers, they all share a unifying identity as YCYW alumni. A particularly touching moment occurred as Mr Max Sun, an alumnus of YWIES Yantai, expressed his affectionate support for his alma mater by wearing his old school uniform at the event.

Ms Haerim Jang, an alumna of YCIS Beijing, gave an especially heartwarming presentation. She shared her cherished childhood memories of the school, and expressed her surprise and gratitude for being able to reconnect with her former primary school teacher, Ms Jessica Sun, who is now the Chinese Co-Principal at YCIS Beijing. To convey her heartfelt appreciation, Ms Jang had carefully prepared an exquisite Korean gift and a handwritten thank-you letter for Ms Sun.

Throughout the evening, the alumni reunited with old friends, reminisced about their experiences at YCYW, and expanded their professional networks. Even when the event had to end, alumni lingered to bid farewell to Dr Betty Chan Po-king and to one another, while eagerly anticipating future reunions.

The Seoul alumni gathering not only strengthened the bonds within our YCYW community, but also embodied the spirit of lifelong support and global connection that defines our network. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming even more alumni to future events.