31-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysian students' Ivy League dreams hit pause as US freezes visas
KUALA LUMPUR: The future of Malaysian A-level students bound for Ivy League universities on scholarships has been thrown into uncertainty following the Trump administration's decision to suspend student visa processing amid heightened social media vetting of international applicants.
UCSI College president and chief executive officer Associate Professor Dr Mabel Tan Hwee Joo, said many students were concerned about being caught up in the sweeping new policy, despite having no links to political discourse or criticism of US foreign policy.
"Some of our sponsors have already indicated that they are exploring alternatives with universities in the United Kingdom," she told the New Straits Times.
Nevertheless, she said UCSI had yet to receive any negative feedback from students since US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the suspension on May 28.
"For our upcoming batch of students, I personally don't believe they will be significantly affected, as they are still in the midst of applying to universities.
"Should visa applications be rejected, our placement unit is ready to assist by connecting students with partner universities in the UK, Australia, Singapore, and other countries.
"As for UCSI, we are not overly concerned. Shifts in US policy could, in fact, open new doors for Malaysia and other countries," she added.
