Outperforming hundreds of others, five Vietnamese female students have been awarded full scholarships to study in the UK.

According to the British Council, five Vietnamese female students have been awarded full scholarships in STEM ( science , technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields to study at top UK universities starting in September.

Ngoc Ngan (left) and Phuong Thao will be studying in the UK starting in September, pursuing interdisciplinary doctoral studies in biology and engineering business management, respectively. They are also the first two Vietnamese scholars in the ASEAN-UK SAGE STEM scholarship program for women, which was launched in February.

British Council

Specifically, Lam Ngoc Ngan (Can Tho City, former student of Can Tho University) and Nguyen Ha Phuong Thao (Lam Dong province, former student of Hanoi University of Science) received STEM scholarships for women from the ASEAN-UK Girls' Education Advancement Program (ASEAN-UK SAGE) to pursue a Master's degree at Warwick University; Nguyen Vu Tuong Linh (Ho Chi Minh City, former student of the Foreign Trade University, Ho Chi Minh City campus), Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Hung Yen, former student of the Diplomatic Academy), and Truong Ngoc Mai (Thai Nguyen, former student of Hanoi Pedagogical University) received STEM scholarships for women from the British Council to pursue a Master's degree at Bristol University. According to the British Council, both scholarship programs aim to address gender disparities in access to education in STEM fields. In total, across ASEAN and Timor-Leste (11 countries), there are 24 full scholarships, 12 for each program. After screening hundreds of applications, Vietnam secured five scholarships, an achievement considered "outstanding." "These talented individuals all share a passion and vision for making a difference through STEM, a field where women are often underrepresented. Women make up only 29.2% of the global STEM workforce, although they represent almost half of the non-STEM workforce, according to data from the World Economic Forum," the British Council stated. The British Council also announced that applications for the ASEAN-UK SAGE and British Council STEM scholarship program for women will resume in January 2025. Sarah Tiffin, the British Ambassador to ASEAN, noted that as a dialogue partner of ASEAN, the UK is committed to supporting education for girls in the ASEAN region through the SAGE program, ensuring access to quality education for all girls. According to Ms. Tiffin, the talent and dedication of Vietnamese scholars are an inspiration to many other women in the region and around the world.

Criteria for STEM scholarships for women under the ASEAN-UK SAGE program.

SCREENSHOT

Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam, agrees with this view. According to Ms. McGowan, the scholarships aim to empower women, create role models, and reinforce positive attitudes towards STEM education for women and girls. "I believe the success stories and future roles of Vietnamese scholars will inspire even more women and girls to achieve success in STEM careers," the director said. According to information from the universities, the two scholarships include tuition fees, living allowance, round-trip airfare, travel expenses, international English certificate exam fees, visa application fees, and health insurance. To apply, candidates need to meet several criteria such as: having been accepted into the designated universities, having completed a bachelor's degree, demonstrating the ability to contribute to the country in the future, returning to Vietnam for at least two years after the scholarship program ends, and committing to actively participate in STEM fields.

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

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vuot-hang-tram-nguoi-5-nu-sinh-viet-nam-nhan-hoc-bong-toan-phan-du-hoc-anh-185240815125742806.htm