The UK government has recently announced the recipients of the inaugural ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, a program designed to promote gender equality in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste. Launched earlier this year as part of the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (SAGE) Programme, this scholarship initiative aims to address the existing gender disparities in STEM education and careers within ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants from all ten ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, the UK is proud to introduce the first cohort of 10 exceptional women who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to making a difference in the STEM field. These scholars will have the opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree at either the University of Warwick or Imperial College London, two prestigious institutions in the UK renowned for their excellence in STEM education.
The UK government hopes that these scholars will not only excel in their chosen fields of study but also serve as inspirational role models for other women aspiring to pursue careers in STEM. With women currently accounting for only 29.2% of the global STEM workforce, initiatives like the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships are crucial in empowering women to access and thrive in STEM-related fields, where they have traditionally been underrepresented.
The recipients of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships for 2024 are as follows:
1. Chou I, Heng (Cambodia) – MSc Analytical Sciences and Instrumentation, University of Warwick
2. Alvi, Nava (Indonesia) – MSc Environmental Technology, Imperial College London
3. Ng, Charlene (Malaysia) – MSc Computer Science, University of Warwick
4. Thet, Win Nandar (Myanmar) – MSc Humanitarian Engineering with Sustainability, University of Warwick
5. Onglao, Maria Andrea Kristina (the Philippines) – MSc Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning, Imperial College London
6. Mohd Rafiq, Nafisah (Singapore) – MSc Environmental Technology, Imperial College London
7. Yoswaris, Punnapa (Thailand) – MSc Climate Change, Management and Finance, Imperial College London
8. Lam, Ngoc Ngan (Vietnam) – MSc Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, University of Warwick
9. Nguyen, Ha Phuong Thao (Vietnam) – MSc Engineering Business Management, University of Warwick
10. Guterres de Sa Benevides, Dirce Maria Jose (Timor-Leste) – MSc Engineering Business Management, University of Warwick
These scholars were selected based on their academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to making significant contributions to the STEM field. The UK government believes that investing in the education and empowerment of women in STEM will not only benefit the individual scholars but also contribute to a more diverse and innovative future for the region.
The ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, which encompasses the Women in STEM Scholarships, is a flagship education initiative aimed at improving foundational learning outcomes, promoting gender equality, and empowering young women to reach their full potential. Supported by the British Council and funded by the UK government through the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, this initiative aligns with the shared commitment of the UK and ASEAN to advancing gender equality and female empowerment in STEM.
H. E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, emphasized the importance of programs like the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships in bridging the gender gap and fostering a more inclusive and innovative future. By supporting girls and marginalized communities in accessing education and enhancing foundational learning, the program aims to empower young women to excel in STEM fields and become leaders and advocates for gender equality in the region.
H. E. Sarah Tiffin, Ambassador of the UK to ASEAN, reiterated the UK’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in the ASEAN region through the SAGE program. She expressed excitement for the new scholars and their potential to shape the future of STEM in ASEAN after completing their studies at world-class universities in the UK.
Summer Xia, Director Southeast Asia at the British Council, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the scholarship recipients and their dedication to the advancement of STEM disciplines. As the lead implementation partner of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, the British Council is honored to support these outstanding scholars on their educational journey and believes that their success stories will inspire many more women and girls to pursue careers in STEM.
The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships are open to women from all ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste, with a focus on breaking down gender barriers in STEM education and employment. These scholarships contribute to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action 2022–2026 by strengthening collaboration and mutual benefits between UK and ASEAN education institutions through scholarship initiatives.
In conclusion, the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships represent a significant step towards achieving gender equality and female empowerment in STEM fields across the ASEAN region and Timor-Leste. By investing in the education and development of women in STEM, the UK government and its partners aim to create a more inclusive and innovative future where women have equal opportunities to excel and lead in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.