UK Education Garden
About Us
UK Education Garden was founded and registered in the UK in September 2017 and later registered in Hong Kong in January 2020. UK Education Garden is an education consultancy company offering one-stop education consulting services to international students as well as care and support to their families.
Over the last five years, UK Education Garden has expanded to cover many areas of education soncultancy services including assistance in application to UK schools/universities, guardianship, tutoring, career advisory with intership services and educational courses - a one-stop all-around education support services to international students. Our next five-year-plan is to contiue maintaining and improving our professional services to the highest standards as possible as well as reaching out those in other countries including Malaysia, Kazakhstani and France and Germany and others.
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Our Story
The story of UK Education Garden started back in 2009 when Melissa, the founder of UK Education Garden, had a strong passion for education that leaded her to study for a master's degree in education at the University of Cambridge.
With a keen interest in child psychology and career advisory, Melissa has done a research on how students joining school in the middle of the term, especially those with different family backgrounds, adapted to the new school environment. She looked at the difficulties that they experienced and what schools and parents could do to make it easier.
One of the songs that always echoed with Melissa in helping children grow was Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston, and the lyrics went:
"I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be"
Meet The Team
Melisss Lee
Founder & Executive Director
MEd (Cantab), BEd (CUHK)
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Melissa Lee is the founder of UK Education Garden, which offers excellent careers advice to international students. A dynamic and approachable individual with active listening and strong problem-solving skills, she helps students with their careers and academic development. Melissa grew up in Hong Kong where the pursuit of excellence in education is inherent in the culture. It was therefore instilled in her to be passionate about lifelong learning. She is an educator and mentor with over ten years' experience working in Hong Kong and Cambridge. Being aware of, and adaptable to, the cultural sensitivities of working with international clients, Melissa is able to work with senior members of various institutions. She is an outstanding communicator and appreciates how to maintain professional confidentiality.
Please click here to see Founders' Words
Dr. Irene Lau
Co-Founder & Executive Director
EMBA , MPhil (Cantab)
Dr. Irene Lau is a seasoned educator with extensive international experience. She has been active in advocating sustainability and governance across government, business, NGOs and academia, with her prior engagement in both the public and private sectors, including time as Senior Consultant of New York State Trade and Investment Representative Office (China and Hong Kong) promoting trade and investment; Deputy Director of Executive Education in the Business School of the University of Hong Kong fostering global education; and Senior Director of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce shaping the business policy agenda. Dr. Lau is passionate about driving social-economic improvements in society. She was bestowed the “Albert Schweitzer Medal of Honour in Humanity” in 2018 for enhancing social inclusion; received “The President’s Call to Service Award” in 2012, signed by President Obama in recognition of her community service which had led to the strengthening of the Nation; and the “World Outstanding Chinese Award” in 2008, for being a champion in providing educational opportunities for the underprivileged. She holds professional qualifications as a Chartered Governance Professional (CGP), a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (FCIS), a Fellow of The International Institute of Management (FIIM) and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors (FHKIoD). Her postgraduate study was obtained from the University of Cambridge with research focus on sustainability and performance. She was the Ambassador of the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.
Michelle Wang
Care & Operations Manager
MPhil(Cantab), Bsc (University of Leeds)
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Having graduated with MPhil in Computer Science from Queens' College, Cambridge University, and Bsc in Mathematics with Management Studies from Leeds University, Michelle started her career as an auditor in Ernst &Young in Shanghai, China. She then took a career break to raise three children back in Cambridge in the UK, the eldest two are now in one of the best independent schools in Cambridge after she tutored them for the 7+ entrance exam. Michelle has over ten years of experience in assisting international students in applying for top UK independent schools and universities using her in-depth knowledge of UK education system. She is also their guardian giving continuous care and support to help them settle well into life and study in the UK. Michelle is also a mentor for her students providing guidance, motivation, emotional support that help them define and reach their goals. Knowing her students thriving in their studies and confident about their future, Michelle feels proud of their achievements and rewarded that she can have a positive impact on a young people's growing journey. In 2016, Michelle set up her own education advisory business providing end-to-end secondary school application to university placement services. Furthermore, she also established an exclusive partnership with one of Cambridgeshire best independent schools for their summer school programme, bringing classes of pupils from China to experience independent school life in the UK. As a former international student and now a mother of three, Michelle understands the expectations as well as concerns that both parents and students from overseas may have. She will continue providing the best possible advice to those who wish to come to study in the UK to fulfil whatever dreams they may have. Michelle has always believed that education can change people's perspective towards life. Her passion will be a great mentor that can guide and motivate young people to achieve their ambitions and make a real difference to their future, a healthier and promising future.
Dr. James Chu
Business Strategy & Financial Consultant
Phd, Bsc(University of Birmingham)
James received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in electronic engineering from The University of Birmingham. Since graduation, James has been working in the field of investments with several reputable firms including HSBC and American Express in UK. His roles often required good mathematical and analytical skills in making business decisions. As a keen educator, James has kept teaching Business, Mathematics and Physical Sciences to people of different ages over the years. His teaching experience ranges from helping top primary school students on Mathematics to adults studying for degrees at higher education and professional qualifications. James has been recognised as an excellent trainer by clients and students with his approach in linking concepts in textbooks to real-life situations.