These Two Malaysians Just Made it to Harvard

Two bright young Malaysians, Athena Siow from Kuala Lumpur and Namira Lee Tzu from Kuala Terengganu, have secured places at Harvard College—the undergraduate school of Harvard University—for the Class of 2029.

Known for its ultra-competitive admissions, Harvard College attracts thousands of applicants each year, selecting only a tiny fraction. This year, both Athena and Namira stood out not only for their academic excellence but also for their strong commitment to social impact and environmental causes.

Athena, a Yayasan UEM scholar, completed her secondary education at Kolej Yayasan Saad and went on to pursue A-Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM. She plans to major in government with a data science focus. Beyond academics, she has been actively involved in advocacy and education. Her participation in the Conference of Youth at COP 2023 in Dubai reflects her interest in climate justice. She has also trained about 100 girls through Girl Guide programmes and continues to give back by coaching chess to young Melakans and volunteering at a refugee school near her home.

Namira, a PNB Global Scholar and alumna of SMK Chung Hwa Wei Sin, also completed her A-Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM. She intends to pursue a degree in environmental science and engineering. Passionate about conservation, she was selected for the prestigious US-sponsored Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Programme in Illinois and Washington DC. She later led a turtle conservation initiative involving secondary school students and the World Wildlife Fund, eventually expanding the programme to include students from a Chinese primary school. She secured funding for the project two years in a row, further demonstrating her leadership and dedication to environmental sustainability.

According to the Harvard Club of Malaysia, most Malaysian admissions to Harvard continue to come from government school backgrounds, with a growing number from middle-income families outside the Klang Valley. This year’s admits reflect that trend, highlighting the country’s growing pool of young talent committed to meaningful causes.

Malaysia currently has fewer than 15 alumni from Harvard College, making Athena and Namira’s admission a rare and notable achievement.