KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 39 Malaysians have received Chevening scholarships to pursue their postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom (UK) for the 2022-2023 academic year.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay said the applications for the prestigious scholarship hit a record high this year, reflecting a "growing appetite" among Malaysians to further their studies in the UK.
"We received 748 applications for the 2022-2023 academic year compared to 620 applications in the previous year.
"I am pleased to announce that the UK is awarding 39 Chevening scholarships to Malaysia this year.
"For this year, we also have five Chevening recipients from Sabah and two recipients from Sarawak.
"The scholars will pursue a wide range of postgraduate programmes at top UK universities, including subjects such as trauma science, filmmaking as well as conservation and international wildlife trade," he said, at a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars today.
Established in 1983, the Chevening scholarships programme is the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations.
Russell Rohny, 26, from Tambunan, Sabah, received the Chevening scholarship this year to pursue a Global Mental Health and Society course at the University of Edinburgh.
Russell, who has Iban, Murut and Dusun heritage, said his postgraduate studies would help him formulate sustainable approaches to tackle mental health challenges among the multi-ethnic communities in Sabah.
Another recipient, Charina Pria Sivayogam, who will be pursuing Conservation and International Wildlife Trade course at the University of Kent, said she wants to explore innovative ways to counter wildlife crime and protect Malaysia's natural heritage.
Malaysia is currently the second largest recipient of Chevening scholarships in the Asean region, with over 1,700 members of the Chevening alumni in Malaysia.
Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 Chevening scholarship cycle until Nov 1.
For more information, log on to www.chevening.org/malaysia