Two Malaysian students accepted into prestigious US military service academies

KUALA LUMPUR - Two Malaysian cadets have been granted admission to renowned United States (US) service academies, where they will pursue their education and receive training to become future officers in the Malaysian military.

Ummi Annur Syahmina Sohaini and Muhammad Faidh Izzuddin Mat Sahari, who recently completed their foundation programmes at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), were selected for this prestigious opportunity.

A send-off ceremony took place at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate their appointments and acceptances into the American service academies.

Ummi will enroll in the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado while Faidh will attend the US Military Academy at West Point in New York.

American Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian D. McFeeters, congratulated the cadets, stating, "These cadets represent our shared future, prosperity, and security. I have faith that Ummi and Faidh will continue to pave the way for other aspiring leaders."

Commandant of the Military Training Academy (ALK), Major General Datuk Haji Saadon Hasnan, who participated in the event, highlighted the importance of the longstanding ties between the service academies of both nations, emphasising their role in fostering people-to-people connections and promoting future interoperability.

Ummi who is from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan completed her foundation programme in Engineering Technology, and she is currently in her first year studying Operation Research and Data Science with an overall CGPA of 3.7.

Ummi is fluent in German and passed a German international language test in 2021 and she is passionate about sports, being captain of the rugby touch team and playing cricket.

Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Faidh developed a keen interest in the military through his father's stories.

He attended an in-residence programme at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Faidh, a student leader, athlete, and innovator, speaks French and achieved success in the French DELF exam with an overall CGPA of 3.2.

The selection of Ummi and Faidh followed a comprehensive evaluation of their leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic achievements.

Ambassador McFeeters also extended congratulations to two recent graduates from US service academies, Cadet Grace Sian from the US Naval Academy and Midshipman Muhammad Aniq Hilman Haslimi from the US Air Force Academy.