TIS highlights success of alumni in awards ceremony

The International School of Macau (TIS) honored the achievements of former students at its annual alumni awards ceremony last night, inspiring the next generation of students.

Established in 2002, TIS has come a long way since its first batch of graduates left in 2009, and the school’s dedication to setting its students up for success has never wavered.

The current cohort of students have received an impressive 600+ university offers worldwide, including prestigious institutions like Columbia, UCL, University of Edinburgh, Parsons, Purdue, MUST, and the University of Hong Kong.

These remarkable results underscore TIS’ commitment to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their future endeavors.

The alumni awards ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions and successes of TIS alumni in various fields, including aviation, veterinary science, medicine, performing arts and motorsports.

Awards were given to three alumni, Daniel Figueiredo – class of 2012 (Aviation), Tiffany Ng – class of 2017 (Occupational Therapy), Joy Kuai – class of 2017 (Aviation). These individuals showcase TIS’ ability to foster diverse talents and the positive impact its graduates have on the world.

Before the celebration, the Times spoke to Lorne Schmidt, head of School to highlight the history, achievements and unique experiences offered to students who attend TIS.

TIS offers the Alberta educational framework and is also authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) to senior students. From grade 10 onwards, students must complete the Alberta High School Diploma, while the IB is optional.

“IB is well known in the university circles for its rigor,” said Schmidt.

Students have the flexibility to choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Alberta High School Diploma, but Schmidt said universities are well aware of the caliber of students they receive from TIS.

He highlighted the school’s unique approach to learning, which focuses on developing a conceptual understanding in the content that students study. This approach goes beyond mere information gathering, “as anyone can access information online.” Instead, TIS students learn “to apply and utilize the information” they gather, making them valuable assets to universities and future employers.

The school prioritizes skill development around the typical curriculum, preparing students better for university and their future careers.

“We incorporate a lot of STEAM projects within our curriculum, even in subjects that are not science or math or art, but social studies and language arts.”

Schmidt emphasized the importance of critical thinking as “being able to voice one’s opinion and being open-minded to different perspectives and viewpoints.”

The school’s focus on developing “essential skills” in its students prioritizes engagement in learning and building conceptual understanding rather than mere memorization.

In an effort to foster personal growth and development, educators at TIS encourage students to take risks and step out of their comfort zones.

This includes public speaking, such as “giving presentations, which is a valuable skill that can be honed through extracurricular activities like student council, volunteer work, and clubs like Model United Nations. The Duke of Edinburgh program also provides opportunities for students to expand their skill set and develop personally.”

By embracing risk-taking, students can build confidence and become well-rounded individuals, he said. Nadia Shaw