On 15 May, Dr. Liu Qing, Assistant Dean of Studies and Assistant Professor at Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE), and Ms. Shannon Shang, Director of Education and Executive Principal at Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Hong Kong, were invited by the Hong Kong Talent Engage Office to speak at the thematic seminar "Career Strategies – Early Childhood Education Sector and Career Planning for Teachers in Hong Kong." The session offered aspiring education professionals valuable insights into the field and practical career guidance.

During the seminar, Dr. Liu provided a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s early childhood education (ECE) policies and service systems for children aged 0 to 6. She elaborated on the structure of ECE services and the professional training pathways required to become a registered kindergarten teacher in Hong Kong. Drawing from YCCECE’s experience, she introduced the college’s diverse offerings, including the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education, Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, and the Certificate in Kindergarten Principalship. Starting next academic year, the College will offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) and Master of Education (MEd) programmes.

Graduates could obtain all four professional qualifications required to be an early childhood educator in Hong Kong. She also highlighted than under the unique Yew Chung Yew Wah Teachers of Tomorrow Scheme, students in their Final Year can apply to work at YCIS in Hong Kong or at one of its sister schools/kindergartens in Mainland China, whether YCIS, Yew Wah International Education Schools (YWIES), or Yew Wah International Education Kindergartens (YWIEK).

Ms. Shang focused on the current landscape of the K-12 international education sector in Hong Kong. Reflecting on her professional journey within the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network, she shared key factors in teacher development along with practical cases and reflections. She emphasized that the rapid development of international education has driven interdisciplinary integration and raised expectations for educators.

Ms. Shang encouraged teachers to maintain passion, take initiative, and commit to lifelong learning—adopting global best practices and refining teaching through student feedback and self-reflection. She also stressed the importance of teamwork, urging educators to engage in inter-class and cross-disciplinary collaboration for shared professional growth. Finally, she shared YCYW Education Network’s forward-looking practices in shaping the future of education.

The seminar concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where the speakers addressed practical concerns about recruitment criteria in international schools, internship opportunities, teacher training, and promotion pathways. The lecture was rich in content and practical in guidance, receiving highly positive feedback from attendees.