20 Malaysian scholars awarded prestigious UK Chevening scholarships
The British High Commission hosted a pre-departure reception for 20 Malaysian scholars who will be heading to the UK to pursue their postgraduate studies under the prestigious Chevening scholarship.
2026 / 27 Malaysian Chevening Scholars
The British High Commission hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for 20 Malaysian scholars who will be heading to the UK to pursue their postgraduate studies under the prestigious Chevening scholarship.
The current Chevening cohort saw an increase in the number of scholars from East Malaysia, from three last year to five this year - out of which three are from Sarawak and two from Sabah. This reflects the highest proportion of recipients from East Malaysia in recent years (25% of the current cohort). Meanwhile the number of Chevening scholars from Malaysia choosing a university in Scotland has also increased from three in 2025 to eight this year (40% of the current cohort), showing an increasing interest in universities outside London.
Acting Deputy British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ruzina Hasan, hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars. She said:
Through Chevening, we invest in people with the talent, ambition and purpose to make a difference in their communities and beyond. We are proud to support Malaysia’s emerging leaders by providing access to the UK’s world-class universities, alongside a rich cultural experience that broadens perspectives and builds lifelong connections. We look forward to seeing this new cohort build on that legacy.
She also said:
The UK–Malaysia education partnership remains one of the strongest and most enduring pillars of our bilateral relationship, built on decades of academic collaboration and people-to-people links.
The Chevening Award is the UK government’s global scholarship programme that is funded and administered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This is complemented by generous sponsorships from Malaysian corporate partners namely YTL Foundation, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Yayasan Khazanah and CIMB Foundation. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.
Scholars reflect on their goals and aspirations
The current batch of scholars will be heading to the UK in September this year to pursue a wide range of postgraduate programmes at top UK universities, including subjects such as war and psychiatry, infection and immunity, applied theatre studies and cybersecurity and machine Learning.
Daniella Lupi Balan, a scholar from Sarawak who will be attending University of Edinburgh to study MPhil in MSc in International Relations said:
My motivation comes from seeing development from both sides: through my work in Sarawak’s development ecosystem and as a member of the Kayan community in Belaga, which was affected by the Bakun Dam resettlement. These experiences showed me how development can create opportunities but also widen socio-economic gaps when communities are underrepresented. Returning to Sarawak, I aim to apply the knowledge gained at the University of Edinburgh to support inclusive and sustainable development, particularly as the state advances its green economy transition. Supported by a special study leave arrangement from my employer, I see this opportunity as an amanah to bring valuable insights home, strengthen international partnerships and contribute meaningfully to Sarawak’s future development.
Scholar Adilah Binti Aidit who will be attending University College London to study MSc in Infection and Immunity said:
As a Family Medicine Specialist, I have seen the impact of infectious diseases on vulnerable communities, particularly people living with HIV who continue to face stigma and barriers to care. My work in HIV care, community outreach and national guideline development strengthened my commitment to more inclusive, evidence-based healthcare. Through my studies at UCL, I hope to learn from the UK’s expertise in infectious diseases, public health and multidisciplinary care, and bring this knowledge back to Malaysia to strengthen services, reduce stigma and inform national health policies. I also hope to foster lasting UK-Malaysia collaborations that translate shared knowledge into meaningful public health outcomes.
Dr Muhammad Farhan Nordin who will be attending King’s College London to study MSc in War and Psychiatry said:
My drive for military and disaster psychiatry comes from my experience responding to the Ranau earthquake and later serving as a reserve army officer and psychiatry lecturer. Soldiers and first responders are the shield during crises, making their psychological resilience as critical as physical readiness and modern equipment. With knowledge from King’s College London and networks through Chevening and Yayasan Khazanah, I aim to strengthen Malaysia’s preparedness and resilience through collaborative research, guideline development, community outreach, and training for frontline personnel.
Prashanthini Sunderan who is the second Malaysian recipient of Chevening ASEAN Scholarship will be attending University of Cambridge to study MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development said:
My passion for sustainable development stems from nearly two decades in the energy sector, where I witnessed both the vital role of energy in economic growth and the challenges of transitioning to a lower-carbon future. I am committed to making this transition practical and inclusive by balancing energy security, economic development and environmental responsibility. At Cambridge, I hope to strengthen my ability to address engineering challenges through a systems perspective that integrates technology, policy, economics and social considerations. I aim to apply these insights to Malaysia’s energy transition, helping organisations decarbonise hard-to-abate industries through energy efficiency, cleaner technologies and better use of existing infrastructure, turning sustainability ambitions into practical solutions.
Malaysia is the second largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN and there are already over 2,000 members of the Chevening alumni in Malaysia.
The UK government has recently reiterated that the UK welcomes international students. Malaysians who wish to get a scholarship to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK for academic year 2027/28 can apply NOW before the deadline of 6 October 2026. More information is available on www.chevening.org/malaysia.