Malaysian students in the U.S. are to be honored with scholarships at a September celebration in New York featuring the nation’s prime minister, Najib Razak, and minister of education, Muhyiddin Yassin.
All 6,791 Malaysians studying at the graduate and undergraduate levels in the U.S. can nominate themselves or other students from their country to receive the Perdana Scholar awards, which will be doled out in 12 categories including academic excellence, publications, research, sports and many more.
At least one winner will be chosen in all 12 categories, but some will have multiple winners. The “field excellence” category for students who have received recognition from professional bodies in the U.S., has 17 available slots, for example.
The University of Georgia has eight Malaysian students currently enrolled, while the Georgia Institute of Technology hosts 22, Global Atlanta has learned.
A notice by the Malaysian government forwarded to the UGA international student email list said that the awards would not only be good for the students, but they would also bring recognition to the schools that host them.
Education Malaysia, the education arm of the Malaysian Embassy in Washington, could not immediately be reached to determine whether the awards come with a financial prize. The application deadline is July 30.
A breakdown of Malaysian students in the U.S. by the Institute of International Education shows that 69 percent are undergraduates, while 18.1 percent are studying at the graduate level, followed by 11.3 percent in optional practical training and 1.6 percent in other categories.
Malaysia was No. 21 among nations sending students to the U.S., just behind Thailand and just ahead of Colombia.
Learn more on the Perdana Awards or apply here.
Download the IIE’s fact sheet here.
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