KUALA LUMPUR: Tharanya Arumugam, a journalist with the New Straits Times, has been awarded the Khazanah-Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Merdeka Scholarship.
This global scholarship from Yayasan Khazanah will enable Tharanya, NST's Digital Editor, to pursue her Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.
"I am deeply thankful to the University of Oxford for considering me for the Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka Scholarship," said Tharanya, after attending the Yayasan Khazanah Awards Day Ceremony 2024 at the Royale Chulan Damansara on Monday.
"This opportunity is more than just a personal milestone for me. It's a crucial step towards my goal of influencing policy, especially at the intersection of governance and media. I aim to focus on digital, climate, and health policy – areas that are becoming increasingly important in shaping our world.
"I'm excited to bring back fresh insights that can help us develop forward-thinking initiatives. I owe my success to my parents' unwavering support and the encouragement of my well-wishers, who have been my greatest source of strength.
"A heartfelt thank you to Yayasan Khazanah for recognising my dream and giving me the opportunity to pursue it," she added.
NST Group Editor Farrah Naz Karim emphasised the company's commitment to promoting lifelong learning and supporting the development of journalists throughout their careers.
"Many of our journalists have participated in prestigious fellowships and training programmes, and we will continue to provide them with such opportunities."
Tharanya credited her time at NST with shaping her into the journalist she is today.
"At NST, I found not just a platform, but a community that nurtured my passion for impactful storytelling. The mentorship and collaborative environment allowed me to push the boundaries of what journalism can achieve, particularly in influencing policy and advocating for change.
"I have been fortunate to have had supportive and encouraging bosses who believed in my potential and pushed me to keep raising the bar."
The Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka Scholarships are awarded to Malaysian students who demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership skills, and a commitment to contributing to Malaysia's future needs.
This year, Tharanya was one of five recipients, alongside Rabeah Adawiyah Abdul Razak (DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics), Audrey Au Yong (DPhil in Surgical Sciences), Lim Meng Lip (DPhil in Engineering Sciences), and Muhamad Danial Nashri Zaidi (Master of Science in Pharmacology).
Tharanya holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of South Australia.
She began her career with the New Straits Times in July 2013 as a news desk journalist, specialising in public health, climate, and science, reporting on a diverse range of issues, including mental health, tobacco control, Covid-19, and wildlife conservation.
She has also covered major national and international events, including the MH370 and MH17 tragedies, the 1MDB scandal, and state, and general elections.
Her accolades include the National Press Club Young Journalist of the Year award, the Malaysian Press Institute Best News Report award, and the A. Samad Ismail Young Journalist Award.
As Digital Editor, she has driven NST's digital-first initiatives.
Before this, she was awarded the Chevening Scholarship by the UK government to pursue an MSc in International Relations at the University of Bristol.
She has also represented NST at conferences and programmes in Dubai, Turkey, Thailand, and Cambodia.
She is also a United Nations Reham al-Farra Journalism Fellow, and was recently awarded a scholarship from the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners 2024, in Italy.
In March, the Indian High Commission in Malaysia recognised Tharanya's achievements in journalism, along with seven other women from various fields, in conjunction with International Women's Day.