Alumnus Chooi Je Qin (Jay) Named Rhodes Scholar for Malaysia

Jay is among three international students — representing Malaysia, Mainland China, and South Africa — to earn this prestigious distinction, joining nine total Rhodes Scholarships won by Harvard students in 2025.

Jay, a senior in Pforzheimer House at Harvard University, is a joint Computer Science and Mathematics major who is also pursuing a master’s degree in statistics at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He serves as a leader on Harvard’s Artificial Intelligence Safety Student Team, working to reduce the risks posed by advanced AI systems.

Looking ahead to Oxford, Jay will undertake a three-year Ph.D. in Computer Science, where he plans to continue his work on AI safety, collaborating with the UK’s AI Security Institute. “We’re doing things that are actually pushing the frontier in safety,” he said, reflecting on the groundbreaking nature of his research.

Jay expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity, especially given the small number of scholars selected from Malaysia. “I’m full of gratitude that they put this trust into me and gave me this responsibility, and I want to execute this responsibility well,” he said.

This remarkable achievement highlights not only Jay’s academic excellence and leadership but also the global impact of KTJ alumni. We are incredibly proud to see him continue to represent the School with distinction on the world stage.

See more of Jay's journey:

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