In an exciting achievement for Malaysia, four outstanding young people—Bryan Lim, Elisa See, Victor Ngow, and Thamini Vijeyasingam—have earned spots in the Harvard College class of 2028.
Coming from various parts of the country—Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Selangor—these talented individuals have succeeded in a tough admissions process, highlighting Malaysia’s excellence on the world academic platform.
Harvard’s prestige and selection process
Harvard College, known for its top-notch academics and strict selection standards, chose these Malaysians from a pool of applicants from 94 countries. The fact that 15.4% of the 1,937 admitted students are international highlights Harvard’s global appeal and welcoming atmosphere, reported The Star.
The journey to Harvard was no cakewalk. With a whopping 54,008 applications, the acceptance rate was only 3.59%. This shows how tough the competition was and the high quality of applicants aiming for a spot in this prestigious school.
The class of 2028: Profiles of Malaysian scholars
Each of the four Malaysians has a different academic background and a strong passion for their chosen fields. Bryan Lim, who graduated from Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur, is interested in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics.
Victor Ngow, who finished his SPM at SMK Damansara Utama, Selangor, wants to address environmental issues through Environmental Science and Public Policy or Environmental Engineering.
Elisa See, who attended Marlborough College Malaysia in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, dreams of studying Government (Political Science) and Economics or Computer Science. On the other hand, Thamini Vijeyasingam, who went to ELC International School in Sungai Buloh, is interested in Economics and Philosophy.
Reflections from a Harvard alumni interviewer
Reflecting on the admissions process, Harvard alumni interviewer Wan Nadiah Wan Mohd Abdullah Yaakob stressed that the university seeks students who show not just academic excellence, but also a deep commitment to their passions. Wan Nadiah explained, “They have the intellectual curiosity and inner motivation to become the catalysts for the people and organisations around them to do more and do better.”
The President of the Harvard Club of Malaysia echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in the achievements of these young Malaysians.
“Every year, it has been our privilege to listen and learn how these talented young Malaysians have contributed to those around them in big and small ways,” said the President.
