Two young Filipinas are among the 11 outstanding women selected for the 2025 ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, a program designed to empower future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Dannah Celine Gutierrez and Marie Eirene Fabon will pursue their master’s studies in the UK later this year—Gutierrez in Renewable Energy and Clean Technology at the University of Manchester, and Fabon in Humanitarian Engineering at the University of Warwick.
The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, launched in 2024 under the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (SAGE) Programme, seek to address gender disparities in STEM education and careers across ASEAN and Timor-Leste.
From hundreds of applicants, 11 scholars from eight ASEAN countries were chosen this year for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and vision to drive change in their home countries.
The full list of 2025 recipients includes:
- Cambodia: Kimsrung Lov (Cyber Security Engineering, Warwick)
- Indonesia: Aulia Nugroho and Bianca Prasetya (Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, Manchester), Rana Adwinda (Health Data Science, Manchester)
- Malaysia: Najah Fareeha Binti Abd Rashid (Polymer Chemistry, Warwick)
- Myanmar: Thiri Yamin Hsu (Applied Artificial Intelligence, Warwick)
- Singapore: Lim Su Wei (Precision Medicine, Manchester)
- Thailand: Tayida Phanich (Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester)
- Vietnam: Trang Ngo (Behavioural and Data Science, Warwick)
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn said: “This highlights the UK and ASEAN’s shared ongoing commitment to gender equality and female empowerment in STEM. By supporting girls and marginalized communities in accessing education and improving foundational learning, we aim to bridge the gender gap and foster a more inclusive and innovative future.”
UK Development Director for Indonesia and ASEAN, Amanda McLoughlin, added: “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.”
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.”
Funded by the UK Government and implemented by the British Council, the scholarships not only advance women’s participation in STEM but also strengthen ASEAN-UK collaboration in education under the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action 2022–2026.
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
