British High Commissioner Ailsa Terry Welcomes Home Malaysian Chevening Scholars
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Ailsa Terry CMG, hosted a reception today to welcome home the 2022/23 cohort of scholars who have returned after completing their studies in the United Kingdom. The event was a celebration of their academic achievements and a testament to the strong educational ties between the UK and Malaysia.
During the reception, Terry congratulated the returning scholars and highlighted the significance of the Chevening programme in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UK and Malaysia. She remarked, “Chevening is a great example of the UK’s continuous commitment to supporting future leaders of Malaysia with a world-class education. This also allows both the UK and Malaysia a chance to strengthen our people-to-people connection through education.”
The Chevening Award is the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded and administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The programme is complemented by generous sponsorships by Malaysian corporate partners, including Yayasan Khazanah, CIMB Foundation, and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Prof. Jarlath Ronayne expressed pride in supporting the Chevening Scholarship since 2018 and commended the caliber of the recipients. He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to nurturing talent and future leaders.
Intan Zalila of Yayasan Hasanah reflected on the partnership with Chevening Scholarship and highlighted its role in providing opportunities for Malaysians to be part of a global community of learners and leaders.
The reception also showcased the diverse academic backgrounds of the returning scholars, with graduates from disciplines such as Digital Journalism, Risk and Disaster Science, Carbon Management, and Clinical Immunology. The scholars attended prestigious institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, and the London School of Economics.
Among the returning scholars, Justice Khor, who obtained a Masters in Filmmaking (Screen Documentary) from Goldsmiths, University of London, shared her experience of exploring the UK film industry and the inspiration she found from diverse storytelling.
Viviantie Sarjuni, who attended the University of Strathclyde to obtain a Masters in Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, expressed her newfound insights into the UK ecosystem’s support for social innovation and entrepreneurship.
It is worth noting that Malaysia is the second-largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN, and the 38 returning scholars are now part of the 2,000-strong Chevening Alumni in Malaysia.
The Chevening Scholarship programme has played a significant role in fostering academic collaboration and cultivating future leaders, further enhancing the strong ties between the UK and Malaysia.
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