Every year, Regent’s Now magazine celebrates the success and achievements of our students, who have been at the forefront of University life as editors of student newspapers, captains of sports teams and presidents of both the Student Union and the Oxford Union. The ‘Editing Oxford’ article (page 35) celebrated one of these brilliant students, Keng Yu Lai.

Keng Yu is reading for an undergraduate degree in English at Regent’s, and during her time so far at Oxford, she has served as Associate Editor for The Oxford Student, Senior Cultures Editor for The Oxford Blue and Fiction Editor for The Isis Magazine, as well as overseeing the publication of the termly creative arts magazine The Blueprint.

Keng Yu says that it’s been an honour to be Editor for The Isis and The Oxford Student: “It’s been a great privilege to be entrusted with the work of others and be given a chance to spotlight student voices.”

As Keng Yu has learned, the work of an Editor is exciting, surprising and fast-paced, full of opportunities to explore, learn and develop. The journey has been rewarding, especially learning about the skills of editing and curating and sharing multifaceted conversations with others who are equally passionate about learning and the arts.

When asked what she enjoyed most, Keng Yu struggled to narrow it down! She particularly appreciates the ability to indulge in some of her own interests. “Having been involved in the Culture section, I was able to review theatre productions, put together a creative arts magazine, engage with discussions about the arts and media and much more.” The opportunity to interact with other editors, writers and stakeholders has been another highlight: “There’s so much to learn from everyone! Often, I find myself thinking – ‘oh, now that’s interesting!’” Keng Yu even met some of her closest friends while editing for student papers – people she now can’t imagine University life without.

The Regent’s community has been “incredibly supportive” of Keng Yu’s journalistic pursuits. For example, Keng Yu remembers telling her Tutor and Director of Studies, Dr Lynn Robson, about receiving a press invitation to review an exhibition at the Tate Modern, Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind. Dr Robson was very encouraging: “I’m very lucky to have tutors who care for my work, both academic and non-academic, as well as for my personal wellbeing.” The entire College community have responded to Keng Yu’s content calls, including writing time-sensitive articles very speedily. Keng Yu says, “Having this support system is crucial. Their support has both motivated and enabled me to become a better editor – my heartfelt thanks to everyone!”

Working with the English Tutors at Regent’s has inspired Keng Yu and taught her many crucial skills that she applies in her journalistic work. “Learning about situating and grounding texts has drawn out new insights and also helps me consider patterns, concepts and trends in the wider context.” Meanwhile, tutorials have helped Keng Yu hone her research and creative writing skills, things that she knows will be invaluable in future pursuits.

We asked Keng Yu how she would sum up Regent’s in a few words: “Welcoming, encouraging, caring and kaleidoscopic.” One of her favourite things is just how ‘cozy’ Regent’s is: “There’s something so wonderful about going to Hall for a hot meal at the end of a long day, and seeing familiar faces.” And she could not forget our beloved College pet: “Oh, and catching sight of Truffle is always lovely, of course!”

Keng Yu would like to extend a BIG thank you to all Regent’s alumni for their generous and kind support: “It is with your generous support that students are able to access the resources they need – such as precious library books and career advice, as well as to pursue and explore our interests outside of academia.”

Aside from her work as an Editor, Keng Yu’s paper “Loss and community in Cyril Wong’s poetry”, which she presented at the Singapore Literature Conference, has recently been published.

You can read more stories like this one in the latest edition of our College magazine, Regent’s Now 2024.