Thirty five Malaysian scholars have been awarded the prestigious Chevening scholarship to pursue their postgraduate studies in the UK for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
This year’s Chevening cohort from Malaysia comprises of 34 scholars who will be pursuing one-year Master’s programmes across the UK, alongside one Chevening Fellow affiliated with the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
Among the 35 scholars, Davina Devarajan has been selected as the first Malaysian recipient of the Chevening ASEAN Scholarship. Launched last year, the Chevening ASEAN Scholarship Programme offers an additional scholarship slot to each ASEAN country and includes a specially curated experience for scholars- such as participation in the ASEAN Chevening Conference- highlighting the UK’s commitment to deepening educational ties across the region.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ajay Sharma CMG, hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars today. He said;
The UK–Malaysia education partnership stands as one of the most enduring and impactful pillars of our bilateral relationship. For decades, Malaysian students have chosen the UK as their destination for world-class education, drawn by its academic excellence and strong emphasis on research as well as innovation. Through the Chevening Scholarship Programme, the UK Government is proud to support Malaysia’s brightest minds- not only by offering access to top-tier universities, but also by providing a rich cultural experience that fosters global perspectives and lifelong connections.
The Chevening award is the UK Government’s global scholarship programme that is funded and administered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This is complemented by generous sponsorships from Malaysian corporate partners namely CIMB Foundation, Yayasan Khazanah, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, YTL Foundation, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad and PETRONAS. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.
The current batch of scholars will be heading to the UK as early as September this year to pursue a wide range of postgraduate programmes at top UK universities, including subjects such as Criminal Justice, Sustainable Energy Futures, Applied Clinical Psychology, Social Anthropology and Anthropology of Global Futures and Sustainability.
Scholar Davina Devarajan who will be attending University College London to study MSc Environment and Sustainable Development said;
I’m excited to meet people from around the world, exchange ideas, and build friendships that will inspire new ways of thinking about climate solutions for Malaysia and ASEAN. My Master’s at UCL will equip me to champion people-centered environmental policies, ensuring that vulnerable communities are protected in our region’s transition to a low-carbon future. This Chevening experience will help me return better prepared to drive inclusive solutions that link climate action with human rights across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Alexander Jong Jiun Wei who will be attending Imperial College London to study MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering said;
Chevening scholarship offers world-class education and prestigious network that will accelerate my growth and contribution to the digital transformation for sustainable intelligent manufacturing to meet diverse customer needs. I look forward to the cutting-edge facilities and research resources that enable innovative sustainable manufacturing ideas to be translated into practical solutions.
Faizin Nasrin Binti Md Rejab who will be attending University of Edinburgh to study LLM International Economic Law said;
I chose the University of Edinburgh for its world-class expertise in international economic law and its focus on the intersection of trade, development, and human rights. This programme will strengthen my ability to analyse global legal frameworks and adapt them to Malaysia’s context. I hope to bring home insights that support inclusive policy reforms, strengthen legal protections, and contribute to building a more resilient and equitable economy, while advancing Malaysia’s capacity to shape and uphold the rule of law internationally.
Malaysia is the second largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN and there are already over 2,000 members of the Chevening alumni in Malaysia.
The UK government has recently reiterated that the UK welcomes international students. Malaysians who wish to get a scholarship to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK can apply now until applications close on 7 October 2025. More information is available on www.chevening.org/malaysia.
