(Phnom Penh): The UK Government today announced the 2025 recipients of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships. 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 inspire 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, the UK is delighted to announce 11 outstanding women from 8 countries will be travelling to the UK later this year to begin their master’s studies. These talented individuals share a passion and vision to make a difference through STEM, a field where women are traditionally 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
- Rana Adwinda (Indonesia), MSc Health Data Science, University of Manchester
- Bianca Prasetya (Indonesia), MSc Renew Energy & Clean Tech, University of Manchester
- Aulia Nugroho (Indonesia), MSc Renew Energy & Clean Tech, University of Manchester
- Najah Fareeha Binti Abd Rashid (Malaysia), Polymer Chemistry, University of Warwick
- Thiri Yamin Hsu (Myanmar), Applied Artificial Intelligence, University of Warwick
- Marie Eirene Fabon (Philippines), Humanitarian Engineering, University of Warwick
- Dannah Celine Gutierrez (Philippines), MSc Renew Energy & Clean Tech, University of Manchester
- Lim Su Wei (Singapore), MSc Precision Medicine, University of Manchester
- Tayida Phanich (Thailand), MSc 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 ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme is the UK’s flagship education programme in Southeast Asia, aiming to improve foundational learning outcomes in basic literacy and numeracy, support girls and marginalised groups to access education, and to break down gender barriers to digital skills and employment, thus empowering young women to flourish to their full academic and social potential.
The scholarships have been developed by the British Council and are funded by the UK Government through the ASEAN–UK SAGE Programme.
Dominic Williams, British Ambassador to Cambodia said “Over the three years I have been in Cambodia, I have met brilliant women working in all fields. So I am delighted, though not surprised, that a Cambodian female scholar beat tough
competition to secure this prestigious scholarship. Despite the academic and intellectual brilliance of Cambodian women, too few are represented in STEM careers. So it is incredibly exciting that Ms Kimsrung Lov will bring back to Cambodia cutting-edge knowledge in Cyber Security Engineering. I have no doubt she will play a key role in developing and deepening this increasingly vital discipline in Cambodia.”
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.”
ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships were open to women from all ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) and Timor-Leste.
For more information on the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.id/en/programmes/education/sage
For media inquiries, please contact: Naomi.nunn@britishcouncil.org
For further information on the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, please contact: UniPrayuti.Prayuti@britishcouncil.org
Panisara.Paireepinath@britishcouncil.org
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