Roshini, a Master’s student in Computer Science and graduate of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Bioinformatics program, has made the nation proud by being selected for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship Spring 2025, a prestigious and highly competitive leadership program under the theme Society and Governance, hosted by Syracuse University, New York.
Her selection places her among a select group of young changemakers in Southeast Asia. With an acceptance rate of just 2%, the YSEALI Academic Fellowship, initiated by the U.S. Department of State, brings together outstanding individuals aged 18-25 from ASEAN countries for an immersive academic and cultural exchange in the United States. Participants are fully sponsored to study key areas such as civic engagement, governance, environmental challenges, and social innovation at top American Institutions.
Championing Youth and Governance on Global Stage
During her time at Syracuse University, Roshini was part of the Institute on Society and Governance, where she explored the complex dynamics between governments and civil society. The curriculum offered deep insights into issues like the rule of law, civil liberties, access to justice, anti-corruption strategies, and public transparency.
“As someone deeply passionate about youth empowerment, policy literacy, and sustainable development, YSEALI gave me the tools, perspectives, and network I need to scale up my impact back home. It wasn’t just a learning journey, it was a life-changing experience, both intellectually and personally”.
The program also included study tours across the U.S, from Niagara Falls to New York City and Washington, D.C., where Roshini and her peers engaged with local civic institutions, witnessed public administration in action, and connected with American and ASEAN leaders. The fellowship concluded with an official graduation ceremony in the U.S. capital.
Roshini is not a stranger to leadership and community work. She is the founder of NomNomNetworks, a youth-driven initiative committed to tackling food security and promoting sustainable consumption in Malaysia. Her work reflects a deep dedication to grassroots advocacy and systemic change.
She is also a Fellow Perdana under the Perdana Fellows Program, A Youth representative in Dewan Muda Johor, A Malaysian delegate to the Malaysia-Korea Youth Exchange Program, A featured speaker on Astro AWANI (where she discussed HIV awareness among university students, A guest on the KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports) podcast, speaking about youth mental health.
Roshini extends her heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, YSEALI, and Syracuse University for the opportunity, and to UTM for its steadfast support throughout her academic and leadership journey.
Looking ahead, she plans to share her experience with fellow students and mentor future UTM applicants to the YSEALI Fellowship. Her journey stands as a beacon of what young Malaysian leaders can achieve on the global stage when given the opportunity and support to grow.
Sources: UTM’s News Hub
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