Eleven women from eight ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste have been awarded fully funded scholarships to pursue master’s degrees in STEM fields at the University of Manchester or the University of Warwick starting September 2025.
This initiative, part of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, aims to reduce gender disparities in STEM education and careers, empowering future women leaders in the region.
Empowering Women in STEM
The UK and ASEAN are taking significant steps toward gender equality in STEM through the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme.
By awarding scholarships to 11 women from diverse backgrounds, this initiative not only supports educational advancement but also strengthens international collaboration. The programme covers tuition, living expenses, travel, visa, and health costs for master’s degrees at prestigious UK universities.
Fields of study include Cyber Security, Renewable Energy, Health Data Science, Polymer Chemistry, AI, Precision Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry, and Behavioural Data Science.
These areas are crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change and public health crises. The scholarships are funded by the UK Government via the ASEAN–UK SAGE Programme and implemented by the British Council.
Opportunities for Growth
- Scholarships cover all expenses including tuition fees and living costs.
- The programme supports gender equality by empowering women in underrepresented fields.
- It enhances cultural diversity on UK campuses and workplaces.
- The initiative fosters international collaboration between UK and ASEAN countries.
- It positions the UK as a leading destination for higher education.
A Broader View
This scholarship programme highlights the UK’s commitment to fostering global STEM talent and gender equality.
It benefits UK businesses by providing access to a diverse talent pipeline while promoting cultural diversity on campuses. For families in ASEAN countries, it empowers women who will return as leaders in their communities.
Quotes
“With the second cohort of scholarship recipients set to make their journey to the UK,” said H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
“This highlights our shared ongoing commitment to gender equality and female empowerment in STEM.”
Amanda McLoughlin, UK Development Director for Indonesia and ASEAN stated:
“Investing in women’s education is not just about equality; it’s about unlocking economic potential across ASEAN.”
“We are thrilled to announce these scholars,” expressed Summer Xia from the British Council. “We look forward to seeing how they will advance STEM across their communities.”
Additional Reading
Food for Thought
This initiative could catalyze greater gender balance and innovation across both regions if managed well. However, challenges remain such as ensuring scholars’ successful integration into careers post-graduation.
Sustained funding is crucial for expanding opportunities further while preventing brain drain that might limit regional benefits.
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Sources: UK Government, British Council, UK Mission to ASEAN, and University of Manchester.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
