Latest news with #AsianWave
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NY scraps race-based STEM program after Asians claim discrimination
State education officials have scrapped New York's race-based admissions policy for advanced STEM classes for middle- and high-school students after a lawsuit by Asian parents, The Post has learned. The state-funded Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) admits 11,000 seventh- to 12th-grade students a year for classes at 56 participating colleges and medical schools statewide, with a related College Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). The pre-college enrichment program aims to 'increase the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students prepared to enter college and improve their participation rate' in math, science, tech and health fields, according to its website. Advertisement 3 Yiatin Chu, a co-founder of the Asian Wave alliance, praised the decision by New York state education officials to scrap a race-based admissions policy for advanced STEM classes. James Messerschmidt But while black, Hispanic and Native American students could apply regardless of family wealth, Asian and white schoolkids needed to meet certain income criteria — indicating they are economically challenged — or be excluded. A federal lawsuit filed in January accused New York of engaging in blatant discrimination against Asian and white students under the program. Advertisement 'Progress!' crowed Yiatin Chu — a co-founder of the Asian Wave alliance who said her daughter was one of the students discriminated against because of the race-based policy — to The Post. Chu said her then-seventh-grade daughter was 'able and ready' to apply for admission to the summer 2024 STEP program at New York University but couldn't 'because her race makes her ineligible. 'It was unfair and racist for my daughter to be subjected to a low-income requirement just because she is Asian when her black and Hispanic classmates weren't,' Chu said Sunday. 'I'm glad that my lawsuit instigated revisiting these decades long, race-based standards.' Another Asian parent said her daughter was enrolled in 11th grade abd had an overall grade-point average above 80 in math, science, and English but was 'unable to complete an application for admission' to CUNY's Baruch College 'because she was required to satisfy a family income threshold. Advertisement 3 Chu said her daughter wasn't able to apply for the summer 2024 STEP program because of her race. 'I instead paid thousands of dollars to enroll her in an alternative summer science program,' said the parent, who asked not to be identified. A top state education official, noting the still-pending litigation over the program, has already urged directors and administrators of STEP and CSTEP to stop using race or 'historically underrepresented minority status' to determine admissions and instead use only family income as admission criteria. 'As many of you are aware, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is currently engaged in active litigation concerning the eligibility criteria for participation in the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP),' wrote Anael Alston, the education department's assistant commissioner of the Office of Access, said in a July 8 memo to directors and administrators. Advertisement 'The litigation challenges certain aspects of our longstanding eligibility guidelines related to student race and ethnicity,' Alston said. 'While NYSED remains committed to defending the STEP and CSTEP programs and their historic mission to increase access and opportunity for historically underrepresented students in the scientific, technical, and health-related professions, we recognize the need to provide clarity and support to the field during this period of legal uncertainty.' The new guidance from Alston said 'effective immediately and until further notice, STEP and CSTEP grantees may determine student eligibility without regard to historically underrepresented minority status, race, or ethnicity.' 'Instead, grantees are encouraged to base eligibility decisions solely on indicators of economic disadvantage, in alignment with applicable state and federal guidelines,' Alston wrote. 'Recruitment, selection, and enrollment of new students may proceed using economic-based eligibility criteria only. Collection or use of race, ethnicity, or minority status data is not required for eligibility.' But Alston also appeared to defend the mandatory race-based admission policy she just eliminated. 'NYSED will continue to vigorously defend the mission and intent of STEP and CSTEP in court,' the official said. Advertisement The lawyers for the opposing Asian parents said state officials capitulated because they know the race-based policy is illegal. But the parents' reps complained that state officials still left wiggle room to continue discriminating against students by using words such as 'may' and 'encouraged.' 3 A federal lawsuit filed in January accused New York of engaging in blatant discrimination against Asian and white students under the program. Andrew Schwartz / 'The state of New York has raised the white flag of surrender in our lawsuit, but not high enough,' said William Jacobson, founder of Advertisement 'Word games are not acceptable,' Jacobson said. 'The state must do away with the racially discriminatory eligibility requirements completely and permanently, or we will ask the court to order it.' Erin Wilcox, a senior lawyer at Pacific Legal Foundation, said, 'The state should be requiring all schools to stop this illegal discrimination immediately, not giving them the option to continue.' In 1985, New York lawmakers passed legislation aimed at boosting interest in STEM and healthcare among low-income and underrepresented minority students. But racial-preference programs — aimed at correcting historic injustices or underrepresentation of blacks and other minorities — have come under the microscope after the US Supreme Court last year struck down college affirmative action programs aimed at boosting minority representation as discriminatory.
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Shila finds balance in stardom, family life
UNLIKE many local artistes, Shila Amzah found the past Ramadan to be a period of tranquil reflection, affording her the perfect opportunity to observe the holy month and cherish time with her family. She says that her husband, Ubaidillah Zulkefli, whom she married in 2013, often remarks that she's the antithesis of most other artistes, who are typically inundated with shoots during Ramadan. Shila, whose real name is Nurshahila Amir Amzah, notes that her busiest period tends to be in the weeks leading up to the Chinese Lunar New Year. This is a natural consequence of Shila's established presence in the Chinese-speaking market, particularly in China, a connection forged after her participation in the Shanghai-based reality show 'Asian Wave' in 2012. The 35-year-old artiste's unique appearance has resonated with audiences there, setting her apart from the prevailing norms. Recently, Shila graced the stage at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, and earlier last month, she was a featured performer at Wang Leehom's 'The Free Show' event. Shila expressed her delight at performing the song 'Forever Love' as a duet with the 48-year-old Taiwanese-American superstar. Describing the opportunity as a dream realised, Shila sees the experience as proof that no aspiration is unattainable. "Growing up, he was one of my idols," shares Shila, who also performed the song during the preliminary round of 'Asian Wave'. Shila's musical journey began at the tender age of 9, and she eventually released her debut album a year after her 'Asian Wave' victory. Her experience and exposure on the show not only cemented her status but also earned her a six-year recording contract with Shanghai Media Group, prompting her extended stay in China. "I'm comfortable with my following there, and, I travel there monthly for work commitments," says Shila, who is the daughter of famous 1980s singer Datuk Amir Amzah Salleh a.k.a. ND Lala. When asked about the possibility of relocating to China, Shila explains, "I lived there for eight years previously, but now, with two children, my trips are limited to around two weeks at a time." "My eldest child has special needs, which makes prolonged separation from my family challenging. Frequent schedule adjustments can be disruptive for him," she elaborates. Shila expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to spend Ramadan and the festive season with her family, particularly as her youngest child, born last May, approaches significant milestones. "I wouldn't want to miss her first words or her first steps," she says. She seems to have the best of both worlds, having built strong fan bases in Malaysia and China. So, for her Malaysian fans, Shila is currently working on her next Malay album with Nova Music. "It's been quite some time since my last Malay album," Shila acknowledges. "As this year marks my 25th anniversary as a recording artiste, it feels like the perfect time to release this album." Shila reveals that the album, her second self-titled release after her 2013 debut, will feature more than 10 songs, with the first single expected next month and the full album to follow in June or July. With the album's release on the horizon, Shila hints at the possibility of a concert to commemorate her silver jubilee in the music industry. "Stay tuned for an announcement," she says excitedly.
