YTL Foundation and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad have come on board as the latest corporate partners for the Chevening Scholarship programme in Malaysia. This announcement was made at the Chevening 40th Anniversary Reception held recently in Kuala Lumpur.
This event was attended by Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland who was visiting Kuala Lumpur. It brought together Chevening alumni across generations to celebrate four decades of success and impact of Malaysian Chevening scholars who have made significant contributions in various fields, from healthcare and legal to science and the arts.
YTL Foundation will offer 1 Chevening scholarship in several fields, including construction and project management for the upcoming 2025/26 academic year.
Meanwhile, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad will offer 1 scholarship for 3 years in a finance, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) or sustainability related course.
In welcoming YTL Foundation and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad as corporate partners, David Wallace, Acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia said:
This new chapter will allow us to boost the number of scholarship awards that we offer, enabling more Malaysia’s future leaders to experience a world-class education in the UK. In turn, it will help increase the impact of the Chevening programme.
Dato’ Yeoh Soo Min, Trustee of YTL Foundation said:
Since 1997, the YTL Foundation has been committed to expanding access to education for all Malaysians. We believe in providing equitable opportunities for quality education and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Our foundation aims to cultivate capable, value-driven leaders who positively impact society. We are proud to further our mission through this partnership with Chevening. Together, we aspire to empower dynamic individuals to enhance their skills and contribute to shaping Malaysia’s future, driving the nation toward greater achievements.
Roni Abdulwahab, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bank Pembagunan Malaysia Berhad, said:
At Bank Pembangunan, we believe education is one of the most impactful investments in Malaysia’s future. Our partnership with Chevening provides talented Malaysians the chance to gain global insights and leadership skills that will help shape the nation’s progress. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to nurturing future leaders who, we hope, will contribute to a more sustainable Malaysia.
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 sponsorship from Malaysian corporate partners namely CIMB Foundation, Yayasan Khazanah, PETRONAS, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, and now includes YTL Foundation and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.
In September 2024, 32 Malaysian scholars travelled to the UK to pursue their Masters under the Chevening Scholarship Programme.
In addition to the existing number of Chevening scholarship awards, the UK government has now launched a Chevening ASEAN Scholarship Programme. Every ASEAN member country and Timor-Leste will receive one additional Chevening scholarship award for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
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.
