Transforming Lives with a Scholarship Fund

I co-direct the Eric Lye Memorial Travelling Scholarship Fund together with my mum Joan Leung. It is a fund created in memory of my late father, Professor Eric Lye. He was a visionary architect, enthusiastic educator and a true Renaissance soul.

As Chair Professor and Dean of the HKU Faculty of Architecture, Professor Lye left a deep and lasting impression on generations of architects in Hong Kong and far beyond.

Beyond the accolades and the architectural legacy, Professor Lye belief in seeing the world. He understood, deeply and personally, how transformative travel can be. It shapes perspective, sharpens design instincts, and humbles you in the face of different cultures and lived environments.

Mission of the Fund

We wanted to remove the financial barriers to students wanting to travel abroad and enrich their architectural studies. The majority of our applicants have never left Hong Kong / Asia. So to experience another culture, landscape, and way of thinking is an immense opportunity that we believe should not be hindered.

Why It Matters

I recognise that I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have travelled widely — across Hong Kong, the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe — and I’ve felt the effects of that exposure in every aspect of my professional and personal growth. Running this scholarship fund feels like a small way to pay that forward.

Each year, we go through applications from Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students from HKU (University of Hong Kong). We interview, we debate, we reflect. The process is never easy, but it’s always inspiring. It’s grounding, too — a chance to stay close to the next wave of architectural thinkers, and to support them as they take bold, early steps into the world.

What I’ve Learnt So Far

• Curiosity and ambition is more powerful than credentials

• Travel doesn’t just broaden the mind — it clarifies purpose

• Giving someone a chance can shift the entire arc of their life

To everyone who has supported and donated towards this fund — a massive thank you.

To the students dreaming beyond borders: we see you, and we look forward to receiving your application!

Joan Leung and Annie Lye receiving donation certificate at the Venice Biennale Hong Kong Pavilion Opening ceremony, 2025.