Scholarships for women in STEM fields.

Scholarships from both the ASEAN-UK SAGE (ASEAN-UK SAGE) program and the British Council program offer a significant number of places for women in STEM fields.

The two programs offer a total of 95 scholarships for applicants from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, and Europe, commencing master's programs this fall. Financial support covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, visa fees, and health insurance. The application deadline is April 30th, and varies by university.

This is the first time a STEM scholarship for women under the ASEAN-UK SAGE program has been launched, through the UK Mission to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat. The scholarship aims to address the gender gap in employment and digital skills in ASEAN countries and Timor Leste.

Ambassador Iain Frew of the United Kingdom to Vietnam stated that with the launch of the ASEAN-UK SAGE STEM Scholarship for Women, the UK aims to highlight the immense potential of women and girls in education .

"Through this initiative, we hope not only to support access to education but also to nurture a generation of pioneers who will inspire those around them," Frew shared.

This scholarship is open to eligible applicants who are citizens of ASEAN member countries or Timor Leste. Eleven successful applicants from this region will receive a full scholarship for one year to complete a Master's degree at the University of Warwick.

Globally, efforts are being made to promote gender balance in the STEM workforce. Photo: British Council — Globally, efforts are being made to promote gender balance in the STEM workforce. Photo: *British Council*

Meanwhile, this year marks the fourth year that the British Council has partnered with UK universities to implement the Women in STEM Scholarship program for women. The program offers many attractive benefits, promoting educational and employment opportunities for women, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers, and contributing their voices to STEM-related fields.

This year, with this scholarship, Vietnamese students can apply for courses at the University of Bristol. Previously, many Vietnamese students had the opportunity to obtain prestigious degrees from universities in the United Kingdom and develop their scientific careers.

As one of the recipients of the STEM Scholarship for Women in the 2023-2024 academic year, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung (Master of Data Science, Middlesex University) shared that in the scholarship essay, applicants should clearly convey their passion for STEM and their commitment to developing a career in this field.

"Emphasize the achievements, experiences, or challenges that have significantly impacted you in your career path. Don't hesitate to seek guidance from teachers, mentors, and friends. They can offer valuable input," Nhung advised.

Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science at Middlesex University, UK. Photo: Provided by the subject. — Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science at Middlesex University, UK. Photo: *Provided by the subject* .

As society innovates and technology advances, STEM jobs are also growing. Encouraging students to access and research these fields is a crucial need, especially for women.

According to UNESCO data, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women, and only 30% of female students choose STEM-related fields at the university level. Female enrollment rates globally are particularly low in information and communication technology (3%), natural sciences, mathematics and statistics (5%), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (8%).

In ASEAN countries, girls often outperform boys in mathematics and science at the primary and secondary school levels. The gender gap begins to emerge in STEM education at the university level, with only 19.3% of women holding a bachelor's degree in a STEM field compared to 39.8% of men. According to a 2022 United Nations report, women are involved in only 20% of jobs in this field globally. Numerous other studies also highlight disparities in scientific publications, income, and career advancement opportunities for women in this field.

That is also why training and recruiting women for STEM fields is increasingly encouraged. This contributes to boosting science and finance, increasing diversity in the workforce, and bringing about diversity of perspectives and ideas.

Nhat Le

Readers can find more information about STEM scholarship programs for women here.

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