KUALA LUMPUR - 20 Malaysian scholars will head to the United Kingdom in September to pursue postgraduate studies under the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, with this year’s cohort seeing a notable increase in recipients from East Malaysia and universities outside London.

Five scholars from East Malaysia — three from Sarawak and two from Sabah — make up 25 per cent of the current cohort, up from three last year and representing the highest proportion of recipients from the region in recent years, as said by the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur on August 21.

Meanwhile, the number of Malaysian Chevening scholars choosing universities in Scotland has risen from three in 2025 to eight this year, accounting for 40 per cent of the cohort and reflecting growing interest in higher education opportunities beyond London.

Acting Deputy British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ruzina Hasan hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars.

“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 said.

She said the UK-Malaysia education partnership remained one of the strongest and most enduring pillars of the bilateral relationship, built on decades of academic collaboration and people-to-people links.

The Chevening Award is the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded and administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The programme is also supported by Malaysian corporate partners YTL Foundation, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Yayasan Khazanah and CIMB Foundation, while British universities provide additional funding.

The scholars will pursue a diverse range of postgraduate programmes at leading UK universities, covering fields including war and psychiatry, infection and immunity, international relations, sustainable development, applied theatre studies, cybersecurity and machine learning.

Daniella Lupi Balan, a Sarawakian scholar who will study International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, said her motivation was shaped by witnessing development from both professional and community perspectives.

“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,” she said.

She said she hoped to apply the knowledge gained in Edinburgh to support inclusive and sustainable development in Sarawak, particularly as the state advances its green economy transition.

Adilah Aidit, who will pursue an MSc in Infection and Immunity at University College London, said her experience as a Family Medicine Specialist had strengthened her commitment to improving healthcare for vulnerable communities.

“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,” she said.

She said she hoped to bring knowledge from the UK back to Malaysia to strengthen healthcare services, reduce stigma and contribute to national health policies.

Dr Muhammad Farhan Nordin, who will pursue an MSc in War and Psychiatry at King’s College London, said his interest in military and disaster psychiatry stemmed from his experience responding to the Ranau earthquake, as well as his work as a reserve army officer and psychiatry lecturer.

“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,” he said.

He said he aimed to strengthen Malaysia’s preparedness and resilience through research, guideline development, community outreach and training for frontline personnel.

Prashanthini Sunderan, the second Malaysian recipient of the Chevening ASEAN Scholarship, will study an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge.

She said her nearly two decades of experience in the energy sector had shaped her commitment to a practical and inclusive transition towards a lower-carbon future.

“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,” she said.

She said she hoped to apply the knowledge gained at Cambridge to Malaysia’s energy transition, particularly in helping organisations decarbonise hard-to-abate industries through energy efficiency, cleaner technologies and better use of existing infrastructure.

Malaysia is the second-largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN, with more than 2,000 Chevening alumni in the country.

The UK government has also reiterated that it welcomes international students.

Malaysians seeking a Chevening scholarship to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK for the 2027/28 academic year can submit their applications before the October 6 deadline. Further information can be found at www.chevening.org/malaysia.