AdminA young Malaysian scientist, Najah Fareeha Binti Abd Rashid, has been selected as one of only 11 outstanding women across ASEAN to receive the 2025 ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarship, a recognition that will see her pursue advanced studies in the United Kingdom.
Najah, who will be taking up a master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry at the University of Warwick this September, was chosen after a highly competitive selection process involving hundreds of applicants from all ten ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. The scholarship, now in its second year, aims to close gender gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields while empowering future leaders in the region.
Najah’s selection stands as a proud moment for Malaysia, where women in STEM still face systemic barriers despite their increasing presence in higher education. Her focus on Polymer Chemistry is seen as timely, with applications ranging from sustainable materials to medical innovations.
A regional push for gender equality
The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, jointly developed by the British Council and funded by the UK Government, reflect ongoing efforts to support women who have historically been underrepresented in scientific fields.
The scholarship programme forms part of the wider ASEAN-UK SAGE initiative, which promotes education access and gender equality across Southeast Asia.
“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,” said Secretary-General of ASEAN, H. E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. “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.”
UK Development Director for Indonesia and ASEAN, Amanda McLoughlin, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the economic and social dividends of investing in women’s education. “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,” she said.
Building future role models
The British Council, which leads the implementation of the programme, underscored the importance of creating pathways for women to succeed in fields that are crucial to regional growth.
“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,” said Summer Xia, Director Southeast Asia, British Council. “We look forward to seeing how they will advance STEM in their communities and across the region in the years to come.”
The 2025 recipients come from eight ASEAN nations and cover diverse disciplines, including cyber security engineering, renewable energy, clinical biochemistry, applied artificial intelligence, and humanitarian engineering. Najah will be the sole Malaysian in this year’s cohort, positioning her as an ambassador for the nation in advancing female participation in STEM.
As Najah prepares to begin her academic journey in Warwick, she carries not just her personal aspirations but also the hopes of many young Malaysians who see in her a role model for breaking barriers in science.
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