Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE) today (6 March 2025) officially introduced its new President, Professor Kerry Lee, to the media, sharing the College’s recent achievements and future development plans. Professor Lee has been serving as the President and Chair Professor of Child Development at YCCECE since November 2024, becoming the third president since the College’s upgrade from Yew Chung Community College in 2018.

Driving Innovation and Internationalization in Early Childhood Education

Professor Kerry Lee brings extensive academic and leadership experience in the field of early childhood education. Prior to joining YCCECE, he served as the Director of the Centre for Education and Development Science and Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). His career also includes significant roles at the National Institute of Education in Singapore and Bond University in Australia. Professor Lee holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney and a Ph.D. from Macquarie University. He is recognized as one of the top 2% most-cited scientists globally, specializing in cognitive developmental psychology.

At the media reception, Professor Lee expressed that he was drawn to YCCECE by its unique educational pedagogy — the Yew Chung Approach to Early Childhood Education. YCCECE is Hong Kong’s first and only higher education institution dedicated to early childhood education (ECE) as a multidisciplinary field, building on the 90-year history and tradition of the Yew Chung Education Foundation (YCEF). This unique and leading positioning has given a distinct edge for the College to expand its academic development, research, and community outreach in different respects, including but not limited to offer accredited Learning Programmes at QF Level 6, thereby extending the College’s ‘Through Train’ provision of Pre-service and In-service professional training from Diploma to Postgraduate levels.

New Postgraduate Programmes and Programmes beyond Early Childhood Education

YCCECE has made significant progress in programme innovation and accreditation. It has successfully achieved institutional accreditation for operating Postgraduate programmes at Qualifications Framework (QF) Level 6 with the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) last year. Early this year, YCCECE officially rolled out the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) and Master of Education (MEd) programmes. Its PGDE(ECE) programme is the only one in Hong Kong awarding with 4 professional licences and enabling graduates to be licensed Special Child Care Workers.

As part of its strategic plan, the College is actively preparing for PhD programmes to further elevate its academic standing and a diversified curriculum with new undergraduate programmes in various disciplines.

Professor Lee stated, “Leveraging the expertise of its faculty, the College is preparing new programmes in social sciences, including child development and psychology and beyond. It addresses the growing demand for professionals in child development and psychology due to increasing awareness of mental health issues and the importance of early childhood education. Graduates can pursue careers in counseling, education, social work, and healthcare, which are in high demand.”

The College is also planning to offer Chinese stream courses to support Chinese-speaking students. The Master of Education 2025 fall intake will offer two language streams, Chinese and English.  Besides, there is plan to offer the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care in Chinese.

YCCECE’s Global Recruitment Success: Multiculturalism and International Academic Exchange

The College’s global recruitment strategy has been highly successful, making it the self-financing higher education institution in Hong Kong with the largest early childhood education faculty and student body. It is renowned for its multicultural integration, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. Professor Lee noted, “The College will launch new scholarship programs tailored for ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, offering comprehensive benefits that include tuition coverage, accommodation, and a monthly stipend to support educational and living expenses. The College has already initiated discussions with several consulates to promote these scholarship opportunities.”

In the 2023/24 academic year, the College enrolled close to 300 students from 13 different countries or regions, with 43% being non-Chinese-speaking students and 36% eligible for government grants and loans. This diverse student body enriches the College’s academic atmosphere and provides valuable opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, which attracts international students from abroad.

Looking ahead, Professor Lee emphasized that YCCECE will remain committed to nurturing professional early childhood education talent, driving academic innovation, and making significant contributions to early childhood education in Hong Kong and internationally. He stressed that the College will adopt a student-centered approach, providing high-quality education and training, and laying a solid foundation for students’ future career development through diversified programmes and a global perspective.