News and Press
True North Education Launches its Headquarter in Hong Kong: Building a New Engine for Elite Education in Asia to Cultivate International Leaders
Hong Kong — 9 December, 2025 — True North Education, Asia’s influential education consulting organization for Ivy League and UK universities, has officially launched its headquarters in Hong Kong, providing education consultancy services for students. Samuel Sze Ming Chan, Bob Fan and Edward Lee are appointed as the Managing Partners of True North Education.
True North Education is dedicated to connecting Asia with the world’s top universities in the U.K. and the U.S., by creating an international education hub that integrates admissions strategies, research training, talent development, and industry resources, assisting Hong Kong in cultivating globally competitive future leaders.
True North Education was founded by Korean-American brothers Samuel Hwang and Danny Hwang, graduates of MIT and West Point. They, along with team members Bob Fan and Edward Lee, have successfully expanded True North networks in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and London. In 2020, the team founded True North International School in Hanoi, Vietnam. Over the years, 95% of its students gained admission into their target institutions including Ivy League, Oxbridge, and top 30 U.S. universities.
As the Hong Kong government is determined to build an international education hub and promote the Talent Admission Programme, connecting with global universities, attracting scholars back to Hong Kong, and facilitating cross-border educational cooperation to establish a sustainable, intergenerational talent pool in the city, it is the right time for True North Education to seize the opportunities presented by this population policy, given our strong strategic collaborations across various regions, including Asia, the UK, the US, and beyond.
Christina Gaw, Managing Principal of True North Education and Managing Principal, Global Head of Capital Markets at Gaw Capital Partners, shared at the launch event, “Education is one of the fields with the highest social returns in long-term investments. Since 2018, Gaw Capital has become a strategic investor and long-term partner of True North Education, positioning itself ahead of the curve in the structural transformation of the Asian education market. Education is not just about knowledge transmission; it’s about intergenerational value extension. We believe that capital should drive education forward and transform Hong Kong into a fertile ground for talent cultivation.”
She noted that with the rising demand for high quality education among Asian families, the accelerating integration of an international and dynamic education, and the emergence of “Education 3.0” driven by advanced technology, educational investment has shifted from traditional school operations to a holistic talent development and admissions ecosystem. From the establishment of True North School in Hanoi, Vietnam, to the creation of an education network across Asia, True North Education has become a vital bridge linking Asian students with prestigious global institutions.
Bob Fan and Edward Lee, Managing Partners, True North Education, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to admissions: “Getting good grades is not enough. While many Asian students focus intensely on grades and exam scores, top global universities, such as those in the Ivy League, are looking for holistic student profiles. They want to understand ‘who you are’ alongside your academic achievements. Having a personal narrative is crucial during the admissions process, and it’s often lacking among Asian students.”
They further expressed that “Advancing the government’s “Hong Kong International Education Hub Initiative”, True North Education is committed to integrating education and technology to position Hong Kong as a model city for educational innovation in Asia, linking international education networks to cultivate future elites and leaders poised for the global stage. Hong Kong students possess immense potential. By combining global perspectives with research-oriented learning strategies, we can position Hong Kong as a base for cultivating world-class elites such as those from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions.”
About True North Education
True North Education was founded by Korean-American brothers Samuel and Danny Hwang, supported by strategic investment from Gaw Capital. Core team members come from renowned Asian education consulting firms including Britannia StudyLink, Crimson Education, EIC, and New Pathway, with over 15 years of experience in top-tier education and talent cultivation in the U.K. and U.S.
True North Education combines admissions consulting, research mentorship programs, leadership training, and personal development guidance, helping students achieve successful admissions to Ivy League, Oxbridge, and top 30 U.S. universities, with an overall acceptance rate of 95%. The organization continuously cultivates future leaders with a global perspective and innovative capabilities. They have also established True North International School in Hanoi, Vietnam, creating an extensive education network across Asia. It also provides comprehensive educational services ranging from primary to university level, including academic support, research projects, personalized admissions strategies, and leadership development programs to assist students in self-exploration, building strengths, and finding their own “True North.”