After a highly competitive selection process, Najah Fareeha Abd Rashid (pic) has been named one of 11 Asean-UK SAGE Women in STEM scholars from Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, who will begin their fully-funded master’s studies at either the University of Manchester or the University of Warwick this month.
The UK and Asean, through the Asean-UK SAGE Programme, announced the 2025 recipients of the Asean-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships on Aug 21.
Hundreds of students from across all 10 Asean countries and Timor-Leste applied for the scholarship, which will see Najah Fareeha studying polymer chemistry at the University of Warwick.
Her fellow scholars will be reading topics that range from cybersecurity engineering, renewable energy and clean technology, health data science and applied artificial intelligence, to humanitarian engineering, precision medicine, clinical biochemistry and behavioural and data science.
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 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field in their home countries.
They share a passion and vision to make a difference in their respective countries through STEM, a field where women have traditionally been underrepresented.
Launched last year, the scholarship aims to address gender disparities in access to STEM education and careers across Asean countries and Timor-Leste.
The scholarships were developed by the British Council and are funded by the UK government through the Asean–UK SAGE Programme.
Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn said by supporting girls and marginalised communities in accessing education and improving foundational learning, the scholarships aim to bridge the gender gap and foster a more inclusive and innovative future.
UK development director for Indonesia and Asean, Amanda McLoughlin, said 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 to build the skills and leadership needed for a more prosperous and equitable region,” she said.
British Council director (South-East Asia) Summer Xia said as a lead implementation partner of the Asean-UK SAGE programme, the council is looking forward to seeing how these scholars will advance STEM in their communities and across the region in the years to come.
For details on the Asean-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, visit britishcouncil.id/en/programmes/education/sage
