Mara Suspends US Scholarships, Assisting 266 Affected Students

Mara Halts US Student Program: A New Chapter for Malaysian Scholars Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – In a significant development, the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), a Malaysian agency responsible for providing educational opportunities for Bumiputera students, has announced the suspension of its scholarship program for students pursuing higher education in the United States. This decision, effective immediately, impacts hundreds of students already enrolled in US institutions and those who had planned to study there. The move is attributed to recent changes in US policies and the overall political climate under President Donald Trump's administration, although Mara has not explicitly stated these as reasons. "At the Mara board level, we've had discussions to mitigate risks to our students already in preparatory colleges in the US," stated Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Chairman of Mara, in a recent interview. "We're working to facilitate a change of educational direction for these students, enabling them to pursue their studies in other countries that offer comparable programs." Mara is actively engaging with the 266 students affected by the suspension, assisting them in transitioning to alternative educational paths. The agency is exploring options in various countries, focusing on fields like computer science, engineering, and advanced technologies such as robotics and AI. The decision underscores the challenges faced by international students navigating fluctuating geopolitical landscapes and the importance of proactive measures to protect their educational prospects. While the abrupt change is undoubtedly disruptive, Mara's commitment to supporting its scholars in finding suitable alternatives provides a glimmer of hope for the future.