Forbes China, the Chinese-language edition of Forbes, recently revealed its 30 Under 30 China list for 2023, showcasing 95 young individuals under the age of 30 from 9 different industries. Jiashi Yu, an alumna of the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter), earned a place on the list in the category of arts, science, and investment.
According to the announcement published on the official website of Forbes China, the listees of the 2023 list were vetted from aspects of influence, performance and innovation. The assessment puts emphasis on three key categories: industrial manufacturing, enterprise technology, and retail; sports, health, education, and social enterprises; and arts, science, and investment. The selection process engaged nearly 50 panel members, comprising distinguished entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, artists, university professors, and industry opinion leaders.
Jiashi Yu, currently an assistant professor in the Department of Architecture at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, began her academic journey as an undergraduate student majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering at JI, where she enrolled in 2011. Concurrently, during her undergraduate years, she delved into architecture studies at the University of Michigan in the United States. Her outstanding achievements during this period, including earning the prestigious Wallenberg Award and the Willeke Award for her graduation project, paved the way for her continued academic pursuits. She went on to obtain a master’s degree in architecture from the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London. After graduation, Jiashi Yu worked as an architect and project manager at renowned global architecture firms, including Bjarke Ingels Group, Henning Larsen, and Ply+.
Dedicated to architecture design, spatial design, and artistic creation, Jiashi Yu is the founder of Jess Yu Design and Whispers Design. Her contributions extend across various domains, from overseeing numerous architectural and interior design projects, including ventures into soft furnishings and product platforms like Zhihe Home. In the realm of artistic creation, her studio’s inclusion in the “Youth Talent Program” at the Suzhou Museum is noteworthy. They crafted a multimedia art scroll titled “Bright Chestnut: The Southern Inspection Tour of Emperor Qianlong in 2022,” spanning an impressive length of 55 meters, and exhibited it at the Suzhou Museum. Jiashi Yu’s individual works have been showcased in renowned art galleries both domestically and internationally, including Roca Gallery, ZiWu Gallery, UrbanCross Gallery, Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the Royal Academy of Arts.
Jiashi Yu (second from the left) receives appointment letter as an art education mentor for JI during its art and cultural festival.
Speaking of her Forbes achievement, Jiashi Yu conveyed profound appreciation for JI, emphasizing its role in offering her an international perspective and experience. She credited the institution with laying the foundation for her future studies and career, fostering a deep understanding of the significance of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural communication. Yu expressed the hope that more JI students would actively involve themselves in the intersection of culture, art, and science in the years to come.
