Latest news with #CardiffSixthFormCollege
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chinese Harvard graduate's speech sparks conservative controversy
[Source] A Chinese Harvard graduate's commencement speech calling for 'shared humanity' has ignited debate online as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to restrict Chinese student visas. What she said Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, 25, became the first Chinese woman student to speak at a Harvard graduation ceremony on May 29, delivering her nearly seven-minute address titled 'Our Humanity.' Originally from Qingdao, China, she earned a full scholarship to study at Cardiff Sixth Form College in Wales before attending Duke University and completing her Master's in Public Administration in International Development at Harvard Kennedy School. Jiang emphasized global unity in her speech, telling fellow graduates, 'If we still believe in a shared future, let us not forget: those we label as enemies — they, too, are human. In seeing their humanity, we find our own.' Trending on NextShark: She drew from her experiences with classmates from 34 nations, describing how the countries she 'knew only as colorful shapes on a map turned into real people — with laughter, dreams and the perseverance to survive the long winter in Cambridge.' Reactions Jiang's speech largely drew criticism on X, with conservative users accusing her of having Communist Party connections. One popular account followed by Elon Musk and some of President Donald Trump's children alleged that she represented 'a CCP-funded and monitored NGO' and was 'parroting Xi Jinping's diplomatic rhetoric about a 'shared future for mankind.'' Trending on NextShark: Chinese netizens appeared more divided. Some praised Jiang's message, with one RedNote user writing that her ability to 'stand on an international stage and speak the heart of Chinese students has moved me to tears.' Others questioned whether her elite background represented typical Chinese students. Why this matters Jiang's address came at a critical moment as the Trump administration had just revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification — blocking the university from enrolling international students — and announced plans to 'aggressively revoke' visas for Chinese students 'with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' With roughly 30% of Harvard's students being international and about 2,000 coming from China, the policy affects over 277,000 Chinese students nationwide. Trending on NextShark: International students contributed over $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, with Chinese students making up 16% of all graduate STEM students nationwide. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. ! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Wales Online
Couple deny defrauding top Welsh school out of millions of pounds
Couple deny defrauding top Welsh school out of millions of pounds Nadeem Sarwar and Nadeem Sarwar are accused of using money from the school to buy and renovate a property in a leafy Cardiff suburb Nadeem Sarwar, 49, pictured, and Yasmin Sarwar, 43, have been charged with multiple theft and fraud offences against Cardiff Sixth Form College (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) A husband and wife have denied defrauding Britain's top school for A-level results out of more than £5million from its charity fund. Yasmin Sarwar, 43, and husband Nadeem Sarwar, 49, have been charged with multiple theft and fraud offences against Cardiff Sixth Form College. Yasmin Sarwar became head of the college's charity and it rose to rank above illustrious Rugby and Marlborough schools with pupils travelling all over world to take top A-levels. Cardiff Court Court heard the couple allegedly used over £496,000 from the school to buy a property in a leafy suburb of the Welsh capital while also using more funds for refurnishing. They are also accused of transferring hundreds of thousands of pounds into different bank accounts and possessing criminal property relating to £4,100,000 of student fees between 2012 and 2016. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . At the time they were charged police said a probe into the college had been jointly carried out with the Charity Commission. Yasmin Sarwar, of Cyncoed, Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to fraud, two counts of theft, two counts of fraudulent trading, possessing criminal property and three counts of transferring criminal property. Nadeem Sarwar, of Pentwyn, Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to fraud, three counts of theft and five counts of possessing criminal property. Ragu Sivapalan, 40, from Penylan, Cardiff denied false accounting between 2013 and 2016. Article continues below Judge Tracey Lloyd Clarke set a trial date for September 1 next year. Nadeem Sarwar pictured leaving court (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Mother-of-one Yasmin Sarwar moved from Malaysia to Britain to study for her own A-levels when she was just 17. At the time her school was named the best in Britain for A-level results, she said: "I am a mother to the students. "I want to make a difference in their lives and them to then make a difference in other people's lives. "To create that difference in someone else's life you need to create that trust - and say I am here for you because I care." Article continues below After graduating with a Biochemistry degree from Cardiff University Sarwar started posting fliers offering her tutoring services for science classes to A-levels. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Tiger mum' accused of defrauding Britain's top A-level private school out of £5m appears in court
A husband and wife have appeared in court accused of defrauding Britain's top school for A-level results out of more than £5million from its charity fund. Yasmin Sarwar, 43, from Cyncoed, opened Cardiff Sixth Form College in 2004 and claims to have 'helped over 800 students' gain admission into some of the UK's most illustrious universities. But there were said to have been irregularities in the school's finances between 2012 and 2016 - leading South Wales Police to launch an official investigation. It led to the self-confessed 'Tiger Mum' and her husband Nadeem Sarwar, 49, being charged with multiple theft and fraud offences against the school. Ms Sarwar became head of the college's charity - and it rose to rank above illustrious Rugby and Marlborough schools with pupils travelling all over world to take top A-levels. Cardiff Court Court heard the couple allegedly used over £496,000 from the school to buy a property in a leafy suburb of the Welsh capital while also using more funds for refurnishing. They are also accused of transferring hundreds of thousands of pounds into different bank accounts and possessing criminal property relating to £4,100,000 of student fees between 2012 and 2016. At the time they were charged, police said a probe into the college had been jointly carried out with the Charity Commission. Ragu Sivapalan, 40, from Penylan, Cardiff denied false accounting between 2013 and 2016. Ms Sarwar, of Cyncoed, Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to fraud, two counts of theft, two counts of fraudulent trading, possessing criminal property and three counts of transferring criminal property. Mr Sarwar, of Pentwyn, Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to fraud, three counts of theft and five counts of possessing criminal property. A third person - Ragu Sivapalan, 40, from Penylan, Cardiff - denied false accounting between 2013 and 2016. Judge Tracey Lloyd Clarke set a trial date for September 1 next year. Mother-of-one Ms Sarwar moved from Malaysia to Britain to study for her own A-levels when she was just 17. At the time her school was named the best in Britain for A-level results, she said: 'I am a mother to the students. 'I want to make a difference in their lives and them to then make a difference in other people's lives. 'To create that difference in someone else's life you need to create that trust - and say I am here for you because I care.' After graduating with a Biochemistry degree from Cardiff University Mrs Sarwar started posting fliers offering her tutoring services for science classes to A-levels. Ten years later she launched what would go on to be the UK's top performing fee-paying school where 95 per cent of pupils achieved A-A* in their A-levels last year. She later said parents see her as a 'mother figure' and 'somebody they can trust with their children'. Cardiff Sixth Form College has more than 300 students on its register and attracts children from all around the world, including Albania and China. Fees at the school were £15,000 per year for day pupils while international boarding students can pay up to £26,000 each year. A South Wales Police spokesperson said: 'Cardiff Sixth Form College has since changed hands. 'Since the sale of the College the charity changed its name to Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust - 1123262 and is now operating as a grant making charity.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Three accused over £5m fraud at ‘Britain's brainiest school'
Two men and a woman have appeared in court in connection with a £5 million fraud at a sixth form college which was once dubbed 'Britain's brainiest school'. The three face a series of charges in connection with suspected financial irregularities at Cardiff Sixth Form College between 2012 and 2016. Yasmin Anjum Sarwar, 43, from Cyncoed, Cardiff, Nadeem Sarwar, 48, from Pentwyn, Cardiff and Ragu Sivapalan, 39, from Penylan, Cardiff appeared before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Both Mr and Mrs Sarwar denied nine separate fraud and theft offences worth more than £5 million. Sivapalan pleaded not guilty to false accounting between 2013 and 2016. Magistrate Wayne Mortimer sent the case to Cardiff Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing. He said: 'The case between the three parties will be adjourned until May 6 at Cardiff Crown Court at 9am in the morning.' All three were released on bail, with a condition that Mr and Mrs Sarwar must not contact each other. The college, a fee-paying school for 16 to 18-year-olds, regularly records some of the highest A-level results in the country. In 2016, it was the subject of the BBC documentary Britain's Brainiest School. The college has changed ownership since the alleged fraud, with the charity that previously oversaw it now called the Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust, which operates as a grant making charity. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- The Independent
Three people deny multimillion-pound fraud at Welsh sixth form college
Three people have pleaded not guilty in connection with a multimillion-pound fraud at a leading Welsh sixth form college. Two men and a woman face a series of charges in connection with suspected financial irregularities at Cardiff Sixth Form College between 2012 and 2016. Yasmin Anjum Sarwar, 43, from Cyncoed, Cardiff, Nadeem Sarwar, 48, from Pentwyn, Cardiff and Ragu Sivapalan, 39, from Penylan, Cardiff appeared before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Both Mr and Mrs Sarwar denied nine separate fraud and theft offences worth more than £5 million. Sivapalan pleaded not guilty to false accounting between 2013 and 2016. Wayne Mortimer, the head magistrate, sent the case to Cardiff Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing. He said: 'The case between the three parties will be adjourned until May 6 at Cardiff Crown Court at 9am in the morning.' All three were released on bail, with a condition that Mr and Mrs Sarwar must not contact each other. The college, a fee-paying school for 16 to 18-year-olds, regularly records some of the highest A-level results in the country. In 2016, it was the subject of the BBC documentary Britain's Brainiest School. The college has changed ownership since the alleged fraud, with the charity that previously oversaw it now called the Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust, which operates as a grant making charity.
