From Massachusetts Back to Malaysia
For Wei Han Lim, ASB Class of 2025, the MBA wasn’t a carefully plotted pivot. It was, in his own words, “a last-minute scramble.” Born and raised in Malaysia, Wei Han had spent 12 years in Massachusetts, completing his Bachelor’s at Tufts and his Master’s at MIT, both in chemical engineering, before working in process engineering and life sciences.
When visa hurdles disrupted his plans in the US, he stumbled upon Asia School of Business through none other than MIT’s own Assistant Dean of Admissions, who suggested the Malaysia-based sister school.
“At first, ASB was supposed to be a bridge back to MIT through the MSMS,” Wei Han admits. “But as I settled in, I realized being here made personal and professional sense. Looking back, I’m glad it worked out this way.”
Confidence, Community, and Epiphanies
When asked to sum up his Asia School of Business journey in three words, Wei Han doesn’t hesitate: community, vulnerability, epiphany.
“Coming in, my ego had taken a battering,” he reflects. “I lacked confidence. But ASB became a safe space to explore, try new things, and be supported by classmates and faculty alike. This is a place where everybody knows each other – it seemed like a waste to not lean into that.” He credits the Career Development Office and alumni network with helping him shape his personal brand in tackling sustainability challenges, while classmates provided both encouragement and “regular doses of friendly insults.”
Negotiation classes with Professor Alexander Eng also left a lasting mark: “Rejection therapy taught me the worst that can happen is hearing ‘no.’ That gave me the courage to ask for what I want and fight for the value that I deserve.”
Learning for Impact
Wei Han’s passion for sustainability found fertile ground at Asia School of Business. Taking electives with Professor Renato Lima de Oliveira and Dr. Pieter Stek deepened his understanding of the intersection between technology, business strategy, and policy in driving sustainable energy transitions.
His Capstone project at Gentari, where he worked on HR challenges with peers, was both unexpected and transformative. “It was out of my comfort zone but incredibly rewarding,” he recalls. “We fought each other all the time, built on a deep sense of trust and respect for each other, working towards a shared goal. We felt truly validated when we learned that our work continues to be used by our host company, nearly a year later. It was one of the best team experiences of my life.”
The MIT Connection and Beyond
The MIT collaboration was more than just an academic tie. It gave Wei Han a sense of continuity with his formative years in Cambridge. “Heading back for our MIT Immersion gave me closure in more ways than one,” he says. “My classmates finally understood where I came from, and I could reconcile my identity as a quasi-third culture kid.”
He has since leaned into both hats, serving as Secretary of the MIT Club of Malaysia while leading strategic finance research projects at ASB.
Lessons in Vulnerability and Growth
Perhaps the most profound experiences came not in classrooms but in Mindset Lab. “We learned to embrace vulnerability as we undertook personal growth mindset projects over the year,” Wei Han says. “We shared our final projects during a session in a week in which we were all focused on other projects, so it easily could have been something that we could have checked out of. But everyone came prepared to share how they had grown, and everyone was prepared to listen and support each other.”
Lasting Bonds and Chaotic Fun
Wei Han highlights the friendships and collaborations that extend beyond the MBA. Besides dinners with friends across KL and joining faculty and alums in board game nights, he recalls how he got roped into a band performance with President Joseph Cherian at ASB’s 10 Year Anniversary celebration – the day before his own graduation – with no rehearsal whatsoever. “Chaotic unhinged fun,” he laughs, citing Professor Melati Nungsari’s description of the day, remembering how he ended up singing backing vocals before an audience that included Nobel Laureate Robert Merton among many other distinguished VIPs.
A Gem for Future Students
Asked what advice he’d pass on, Wei Han is quick to reassure. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only one with impostor syndrome. Everyone’s dealing with their own version of it. Embrace that vulnerability, collaborate, and you’ll thrive.”
For someone who once thought Asia School of Business would just be a stepping stone, Wei Han has instead found an unexpected launchpad. One that combines rigorous learning, a vibrant community, and a renewed sense of purpose.
So what began as a detour became direction. A last-minute decision that gave him more than a degree. It also reintroduced him to himself.