2 Malaysians Accepted Into Harvard College's Class Of 2029
They will be joining the prestigious Ivy League institution this fall.
Cover image via Harvard Club of MalaysiaTwo Malaysian students have secured coveted spots at Harvard College, the undergraduate school of Harvard University, for the Class of 2029
The two students, Athena Siow from Kuala Lumpur and Namira Lee Tzu from Kuala Terengganu, were named in a statement shared with SAYS by the Harvard Club of Malaysia.
Athena, a Yayasan UEM scholar, completed her SPM at Kolej Yayasan Saad, while Namira, a PNB Global Scholar, completed her SPM at SMK Chung Hwa Wei Sin, Kuala Terengganu.
Athena and Namira stand out for their diverse achievements and commitment to social causes
Athena has been an active advocate for climate justice.
She represented Malaysia at the Conference of Youth at COP 2023 in Dubai, where she brought youth perspectives to global discussions. Closer to home, she led climate advocacy efforts by training 100 youth leaders through Girl Guide programmes, who then went on to educate over 13,000 students nationwide.
Beyond environmental activism, Athena is a nationally competitive chess player and now mentors younger players in Melaka, offering free training to underprivileged students.
She also volunteers as a teacher for lower secondary refugee students in her neighbourhood, showcasing her passion for education as a tool for empowerment.
Meanwhile, Namira is deeply committed to environmental conservation and education advocacy. Selected for the US-sponsored Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Programme, she spent three weeks in Illinois and Washington DC, an opportunity that was introduced to her by her secondary school teacher via an Instagram post.
Inspired by this experience, Namira successfully secured grants for two consecutive years — first to launch a turtle conservation project in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia, and later to expand the initiative to include students from a Chinese primary school located further inland, broadening access to environmental education.
She is also a committee member of the BASE Initiative, an organisation dedicated to providing resources for students aiming for higher education, a cause she champions given the limited institutional support available in her home state of Terengganu.
Image via Harvard Club of Malaysia
Harvard Club of Malaysia hopes more Malaysians will be inspired to apply
"We would like to congratulate both Athena and Namira on their admission to Harvard College.
"Their achievements reflect not only their exceptional talents but also their dedication to making a meaningful impact on society. We hope their stories will inspire more young Malaysians to pursue excellence and strive for opportunities beyond borders," said Nick Khaw, Head of Research and Co-Head of Private Markets at Khazanah Nasional.
Echoing this sentiment, Wan Nadiah, President of the Harvard Club of Malaysia, emphasised the importance of accessibility to top-tier education regardless of socio-economic background.
"Harvard continues to seek out students who demonstrate initiative, passion, and a commitment to making a difference. The increasing number of students from government schools and middle-income backgrounds being admitted is a testament to the growing accessibility of these opportunities," she said.
