The British Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, David Wallace hosted a reception on 12 February 2026 to welcome back the 2024/25 cohort of Malaysian scholars.
At the reception, Mr Wallace said
The UK is proud of its world class universities, a deep tradition of academic and research excellence. I am pleased to see top Malaysian scholars choosing UK education, and returning to Malaysia with new skills, knowledge, and global networks that will enable them to make meaningful contributions in Malaysia.
The returning scholars have graduated in disciplines such as Governance, Development and Public Policy, Legal and Constitutional Studies, Autism Studies, and Sustainable Resources, among many others. They have all expressed gratitude, noting that the Chevening experience has helped transform and enrich their lives.
Scholar Dr Ardif Damiri, who graduated in Global Health Policy from the University of Edinburgh, said
Experiencing the UK’s inclusive infrastructure was a lightbulb moment. Seamless wheelchair access on buses and walkable cities that live up to the Framework of Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality (AAAQ). Abundant, accessible green spaces showed me that mobility and nature are rights, not privileges; proving that urban design is a moral choice. This shifted my perspective and shaped my growth in advocacy and empathy. It taught me that achieving societal success means integrating and valuing our underserved populations ensuring no one is left behind.
Scholar Suzanne Ling, who pursued Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS, University of London, said
My Chevening year strengthened my policy, research, and advocacy skills while expanding my global network in the area of Migration. Returning to Malaysia, I now apply these skills at PichaEats and through volunteering with a parliamentary select committee to advance refugees’ basic rights in Malaysia.
Scholar Reyshma Selva, who graduated in Human Computer Interaction from the University of St Andrews, said
Beyond the classroom, my year in the UK was a transformative personal journey that strengthened my confidence, independence, and global outlook. Living and studying alongside people from diverse cultures challenged me to listen deeply, communicate clearly, and engage with differing perspectives with empathy. These experiences have shaped how I collaborate and lead. Today, I continue to draw inspiration and guidance from the Chevening network, valuing it as a source of mentorship and cross-border collaboration. By leveraging these connections, I am committed to translating international best practices into meaningful contributions within Malaysia’s digital landscape, driving inclusive and people-centred innovation.
The Chevening award is the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded and administered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. This is complemented by generous sponsorships from Malaysian corporate partners, including Yayasan Khazanah, CIMB Foundation, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, and Petronas. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.
The Chevening Scholarship Programme in Malaysia started in 1983. Malaysia is currently the second largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN and the 31 returning scholars are now part of the 2,000-strong Chevening alumni in Malaysia.
