KUALA LUMPUR: Forty-five Malaysians are set to pursue their postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom as recipients of the British Government’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship for the 2018/2019 academic session.
The recipients will pursue Master’s programmes at top UK universities in areas such as public policy, human rights and law, media and education, economics, science and engineering.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell in a pre-departure briefing and reception for the recipients hosted today, said Malaysia’s growing appetite for higher education in the UK was reflected in the increase in Chevening Scholarship applications.
“We received 754 applications for the 2018/19 academic session compared to 701 applications received last year.
“For the 2019/2020 session, we are expecting to receive up to 800 applications.”
She said Malaysia received one of the highest number of Chevening Scholarships per capita in the world.
“Three scholarships have been awarded to individuals who will be studying climate change/sustainable development and the environment — essential subjects for the future wellbeing of our world.”
There are about 19,000 Malaysians studying in the UK and another 79,000 students studying for a UK qualification in Malaysia.
One of the Chevening Scholarship recipients is New Straits Times (NST) journalist Tharanya Arumugam who will pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Bristol beginning Sept 24.
Tharanya joined the NST as an intern in November 2012 and subsequently as a cadet journalist with the NST Newsdesk in July 2013.
Throughout her career as a journalist, she has bagged numerous awards, among them the National Press Club 2014 Young Journalist of the Year; Malaysian Press Institute A. Samad Ismail Young Journalist 2015; MPI Best News Report 2015; Health Ministry Media Awards (English Newspaper Category) 2015 and 2017; and Malaysian Health Promotion Board 2017 Blue Ribbon Print Media Award.
Tharanya said she believed that she could apply the knowledge and skills gained as a Chevening scholar and an International Relations student, in become a better journalist and achieve higher standards of journalism in her organisation.
“Chevening offers me a platform to enhance my knowledge, leadership and social skills, in the furtherance of my career as a journalist and in achieving my ultimate goal of working with the United Nations.
“With enhanced knowledge and by asking probing questions, I hope to be the agent for change that will inspire interviewees to look for answers, thereby pushing the boundaries in terms of public expectations.
“I would also love to learn and experience the country’s (UK) fascinating history, rich culture and broaden my network, besides successfully completing my postgraduate course.
“I would like to thank my family for being my pillar of support and to the New Straits Times for their guidance and encouragement.”
Also selected was TV3 business journalist Priyatharisiny Vasu who will pursue a Master’s degree in International Journalism at Cardiff University.
The Chevening Scholarship award is the UK government’s global scholarship programme offered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
On top of the British government’s funding, corporate partners, which include BAE Systems, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, the Prudence Foundation (community investment arm of Prudential), HSBC, Yayasan Khazanah and British universities, also provide funding for the programme.
The High Commission is receiving applications until Nov 6, for those wanting to study in the UK for the 2019/20 academic year under the Chevening Scholarships programme.
Visit www.chevening.org/malaysia for details.