Eleven women awarded 2025 ASEAN–UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-21)

The scholarship seeks to reduce gender gaps in STEM education and careers across ASEAN and Timor-Leste, empowering future women leaders in the field.

The UK and ASEAN, through the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, announced the 2025 recipients of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships on 22 August 2025. Launched in 2024, this scholarship aims to address gender disparities in access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers across ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste and empower the next generation of women in STEM.

After a highly competitive selection process, which saw hundreds of students from across all ten ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste apply, ASEAN-UK SAGE is delighted to announce 11 outstanding women from eight countries will be travelling to the UK later this year to begin their master’s studies at either the University of Manchester or the University of Warwick. These talented individuals share a passion and vision to make a difference in their respective countries through STEM, a field where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

Each recipient will receive a fully funded opportunity to complete a master’s degree at the prestigious University of Warwick or the University of Manchester and will be travelling to the UK to take up their studies from September 2025. It is hoped that the scholars will go on to have successful careers in STEM, and to become inspirational role models to other women, as advocates and leaders in their field.

Scholarship Recipients (2025)

The 2025 recipients of ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships are:

Kimsrung Lov (Cambodia), Cyber Security Engineering, University of Warwick

Aulia Nugroho (Indonesia), Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, University of Manchester

Bianca Prasetya (Indonesia), Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, University of Manchester

Rana Adwinda (Indonesia), Health Data Science, University of Manchester

Najah Fareeha Binti Abd Rashid (Malaysia), Polymer Chemistry, University of Warwick

Thiri Yamin Hsu (Myanmar), Applied Artificial Intelligence, University of Warwick

Dannah Celine Gutierrez (the Philippines), Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, University of Manchester

Marie Eirene Fabon (the Philippines), Humanitarian Engineering, University of Warwick

Lim Su Wei (Singapore), Precision Medicine, University of Manchester

Tayida Phanich (Thailand), Clinical Biochemistry, University of Manchester

Trang Ngo (Viet Nam), Behavioural and Data Science, University of Warwick

These outstanding scholars were selected from a pool of high calibre applicants based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and their desire to make significant contributions to the STEM field in their home countries.

The scholarships have been developed by the British Council and are funded by the UK Government through the ASEAN–UK SAGE Programme.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, H. E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn said:

With the second cohort of scholarship recipients set to make their journey to the UK, this highlights the UK and ASEAN’s shared ongoing commitment to gender equality and female empowerment in STEM. By supporting girls and marginalised communities in accessing education and improving foundational learning, we aim to bridge the gender gap and foster a more inclusive and innovative future. ASEAN is pleased with the positive outcomes from the ASEAN – UK SAGE Programme, which aims to enhance collaboration and mutual benefits between the regions.

UK Development Director for Indonesia and ASEAN, Amanda McLoughlin said:

As a dedicated ASEAN Dialogue Partner, the UK is proud to support these exceptional women in STEM through the ASEAN-UK SAGE scholarships. Investing in women’s education is not just about equality. It’s about unlocking economic potential and driving inclusive development across ASEAN. Through this programme, we’re helping build the skills and leadership needed for a more prosperous and equitable region.

Summer Xia, Director Southeast Asia, British Council said:

We are thrilled to announce the second cohort of ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM scholars and can’t wait to see the impact they will make as they embark on their master’s studies in the UK. As a lead implementation partner of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, the British Council is proud to support these exceptional women on their academic journeys. We look forward to seeing how they will advance STEM in their communities and across the region in the years to come.

Our ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, as whole, is fostering integration of the ASEAN Member States by bridging the educational gap through collaboration with key decision-makers and players to improve foundational learning for girls, address out-of-school girls and marginalised groups, and tackle gender barriers to digital skills and employment.​

The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships programme affirms ASEAN’s commitment for gender equality and women’s empowerment and supports its objectives of creating opportunities for greater women’s participation in STEM fields. It also contributes to the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action 2022–2026 particularly in strengthening engagement between UK and ASEAN education institutions, staff, and students through scholarship initiatives.