Malaysians among UK-bound scholars to study STEM
A Malaysian scholar, Najah Fareeha Binti Abd Rashid, has been selected as one of the 11 recipients of the prestigious ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships for 2025. This fully funded scholarship allows scholars from ASEAN countries to pursue master’s degrees at the University of Manchester or the University of Warwick. Najah Fareeha will be studying polymer chemistry at Warwick.
The scholarships aim to reduce gender disparities in STEM education and careers across ASEAN nations and Timor-Leste by supporting women’s access to advanced education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students were selected through a highly competitive process based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and their commitment to making a positive impact in STEM fields in their home countries.
This initiative, funded by the UK government and implemented by the British Council, emphasises empowerment and creating role models for future generations of women in STEM. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn expressed optimism that bridging educational gaps and improving foundational learning for marginalised groups will foster a more inclusive and innovative regional future. UK officials reinforced that investing in women’s education unlocks economic potential and drives sustainable development.
This scholarship cohort, beginning their studies in September 2025, covers diverse STEM disciplines, including cybersecurity engineering, renewable energy, AI, precision medicine, and data science. Such global opportunities showcase growing collaborations between ASEAN and the UK to promote gender equality and innovation in STEM education.
