The Council of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced today the unanimous approval of the appointment of Dr Eden Y Woon, JP as the University’s first Vice-President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) starting this November.
The VPIA is the University’s chief relations and development officer. Working in partnership with the senior leadership team and the Council, the VPIA shall be charged with advancing the University’s long term strategic relations with various stakeholders-including alumni-and organizations in Hong Kong, and also in Mainland China and globally, and developing strategies to broaden the base of support for the University, and to generate greater levels of giving.
Dr Marvin Cheung, Chairman of the HKUST Council remarked, “As the University enters its third decade, we are extremely delighted to have Dr Woon join the leadership team. Acquainted with many business leaders and public officials in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, Dr Woon will provide strategic oversight and coordination in charting the course of the University’s development by building a vibrant base of global support to achieve higher goals as a world class university. We are glad that Dr Woon has chosen to return home to Hong Kong to our University.”
Prof Tony F Chan, President of the HKUST added, “The University is most fortunate to be able to attract an accomplished and successful leader who is well-positioned to help advance the University’s causes in the eyes of the public and donors. Dr Woon has a unique background that combines a stint in academia, substantial exposure to the global, Mainland China and Hong Kong scenes, as well as a proven record in international relations, public policy, business development, and corporate affairs.”
Dr Eden Woon has been with the Li & Fung Group since 2007 and based in Shanghai. Currently he is the Managing Director of Li & Fung Group’s China Corporate Office. From 2007 to 2009, Dr Woon was the Managing Director-China of Toys LiFung Ltd, responsible for developing the Toys”R”Us business in Mainland China.
From 2006 to 2007, Dr Woon was a Vice-President of Starbucks Coffee Company, also based in Shanghai-responsible for government affairs, public relations and corporate social responsibility for Greater China.
Dr Woon was the CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business organization in Hong Kong, from 1997 to 2006. During this time, he served as a member of a number of HK Government advisory groups such as the Hong Kong Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong Hospital Authority and the Commission on Strategic Development of Hong Kong.
Dr Woon spent his childhood in Hong Kong and moved with his family to the US when he was in high school. Dr Woon served in the US Air Force until 1993 when he retired as a Colonel. During that period, he taught for 6 years as Associate Professor of Mathematics at the US Air Force Academy and was assigned to the US Embassy in Beijing for 2 years from 1983 to 1985. From 1985 to 1994, he worked on China Policy for the US Government, acting as China advisor to the US Secretary of Defense from 1989 to 1994 when he left the US Government. He was the Executive Director of the Seattle-based Washington State China Relations Council from 1994 to 1997, at which time he returned to Hong Kong.
Dr Woon received his BA degree from the University of Iowa, and his MA and MS degrees and PhD degree, all in Mathematics, from the University of Washington in Seattle.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Ross Lai
Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928
Email: rosslai@ust.hk
Donna Wong
Tel: 2358 6317
Email: donnaw@ust.hk
