Eleven Women from across ASEAN Announced as Recipients of the 2025 ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships

The UK and ASEAN, through the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, announced the 2025  recipients of the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships on 21 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. This  includes two (2) scholarship recipients from the Philippines, Dannah Celine Gutierrez 

and Marie Eirene Fabon, who will be studying Renewable Energy and Clean Technology at  the University of Manchester and Humanitarian Engineering at the University of Warwick,  respectively.  

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 full list of 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.  

(Quote 1: 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.” 

(Quote 2: 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.” 

(Quote 3: 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.