Wei Hsien Lee MSc

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

Having spent most of my education and career in Singapore, I chose to study in the UK as I wanted a different experience. The University of Edinburgh stood out for its strong reputation, excellent faculty, and the unique opportunity to live and study in a historic and inspiring city known for its Gothic architecture and beautiful natural landscapes.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

I was particularly drawn to the programme's interdisciplinary nature and practical approach, which provided numerous opportunities to engage with industry practitioners beyond the classroom, and offered exposure to the growing field of carbon markets and sustainable finance.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

Following eight years with the Singapore government working on international trade and enterprise development, I moved into the private sector and joined a leading Chinese B2B e-commerce group in 2018 to support its expansion in Singapore.

During the pandemic, our work on supply chain resilience and humanitarian efforts led me to develop a newfound interest in technology and sustainability.

This led me into the water-tech sector, where I took on various roles to deepen my understanding of technology and sustainability. It also marked the beginning of my transition from international trade into the sustainability space. Keen to deepen my knowledge, I undertook the MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment programme.

Shortly after graduating, I joined the IUCN Asia regional office in Bangkok, as the regional lead for private sector engagement and sustainable finance.

The MSc gave me the confidence to join an international organisation working at the forefront of nature conservation.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

Through the programme, I gained a much deeper understanding of climate change, sustainable finance and investment, and how financial markets and the private sector can contribute to addressing environmental challenges. I was also exposed to a wide range of perspectives from academics, industry practitioners and my classmates, many of whom were working professionals from diverse backgrounds.

These insights and perspectives have been particularly relevant to my current role at IUCN, where I work with a wide range of stakeholders at the climate-nature nexus.

Masters of Change

What notable changes has your degree enabled you to make in your professional or personal life?

The MSc gave me the knowledge and confidence to pivot into sustainable finance and environmental sustainability, and to join an international organisation working at the forefront of global efforts to advance nature conservation and sustainable development through science, policy and action.

On a personal level, this journey also gave me the opportunity to move to Bangkok, a major UN hub in Asia-Pacific and a vibrant city rich in food, culture and travel opportunities. I also formed lasting friendships through the programme and remain connected with many of my classmates, both personally and professionally.

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

I am most proud of helping to bring the conservation and finance communities closer together. A good example is my work on the Southeast Asia and the Pacific Forests Investment and Technical Partners (SEAP FIT) Coalition, a regional initiative that brings together governments, financial institutions, investors, businesses, and conservation organisations to help mobilise finance for primary forests. Through this, I have helped build a platform where stakeholders with different approaches to forest conservation, can exchange ideas and explore practical ways to develop high-integrity investment-ready and forest positive projects.

Although there is still a long way to go in mobilising finance at the scale needed to protect and restore nature, I am proud to help bridge the gap between conservation priorities and investor needs, turning ambition into practical action.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

The Business School gave me the tools and opportunities to develop my entrepreneurial thinking, as well as my networking and teamwork skills. For example, the climate change consulting project was a valuable learning experience that prepared me to tackle real-world challenges, and the Edinburgh Award in Global Employability helped me further develop my enterprising behaviour.

We also had the chance to participate in external opportunities such as the Kellogg Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge. Along with my team, we conceptualised a start-up impact fund aimed at empowering smallholder farmers through sustainable agricultural technologies and innovative financing.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

Three key skills that I still rely on today are thinking outside the box, collaborative teamwork, and the role of negotiation in decision-making and conflict resolution. These have shaped how I work with others - bringing together different perspectives, developing ideas collaboratively, and turning sustainability challenges into practical solutions.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

One of my best moments was the Carbon Trading Simulation Challenge. It deepened my understanding of how carbon markets work in an engaging way, and also tested our ability to make strategic decisions and develop effective trading strategies that achieved emissions abatement objectives.

What one piece of advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

Take advantage of the opportunities to try new experiences and learn new things. And don't forget to make the most of the social side - have fun and build friendships as these will last well beyond your one year on the programme.