Wei-Loon Leong, a double alumnus of UB, has returned to Buffalo from China eight years after his graduation to be the universitys first director of international alumni relations.

Leong brings with him expertise in international education marketing, project management and business development, and has a global perspective that he says will help him deal with the many different experiences, cultures and values that prevail among 230,000 UB graduates from more than 130 countries.

A native of Malaysia, he earned a BS in electrical engineering from UB in 2003, and an MBA in 2005 from the UB School of Management. Since his graduation, he has helped the expansion of an American manufacturing operation to China and held management positions at a major international school in Beijing, where the market is quite competitive and dynamic.

During that time, he served in a voluntary capacity for the UB Office of International Education as its China liaison for student recruitment and alumni development.

Leong will report to Nancy Wells, vice president for development and alumni relations. In his new position, he will work to strengthen relationships between UB and its overseas alumni constituencies in support of the universitys recruitment, development, research and teaching efforts.

His experience and notable skill will permit him to make vital contributions to our work in all of these areas and we are delighted to have him, Wells says.

Stephen Dunnett, vice provost for international education, also praises Leongs unique skill set. Wei Loon also has extensive experience in Asia, where most of our international alumni live; familiarity with the UB Alumni Association; and is well prepared to advance our alumni and development efforts overseas.

Leong says the job is just what he hoped for.

After eight years working in Beijing, my wife, Xiaoli, and I were looking for a place to settle down and raise a family, he says.

Like many professionals living in Beijing, we lived in a high-rise apartment for many years. Buffalo has a very different environment, but one we were seeking. There are many comfortable homes with lawns, yards with lots of kids running around outside. It reminds me of how I grew up, and that is very appealing, he says.

Originally posted here:
Malaysian alum to lead international alumni relations