Four women, the winners of the British Council’s global Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholarships programme, from Malaysia, will be travelling to the UK in autumn 2021 to start their master’s degrees in STEM subjects.
The four Malaysian recipients of the scholarships are:
Debbie Ann Loh – MSc International Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University
Jaiswarry Sundaram – MSc Industrial Biotechnology at Liverpool John Moores University
Nurimanina Najwa Shahrin – MSc Aquatic Pathobiology at University of Stirling
Ilyana Hassya Azmannizam – MSc Earth Futures: Environments, Communities, Relationships at University of Glasgow
The British Council director for Malaysia Jazreel Goh says it supports the career development of women in science through these scholarships, which support closer educational collaboration and exchange between the UK and Malaysia.
‘We sincerely hope that it will prove to be a pivotal moment in the careers of these women and open doors to many opportunities in the future. We also believe these women will act as role models to the next generation of female scientists,’ says Jazreel Goh.
Across East Asia, 15 scholarships are being awarded to women from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Recipient Nurimanina Najwa Shahrin who will be studying Aquatic Pathobiology at the University of Stirling says: ‘Too many girls and women in Malaysia are held back by biases, social norms and expectations that are influenced by gender stereotypes. They are particularly under-represented in STEM education and careers. I want to motivate young girls, regardless of race or religion, to explore typically male-dominated fields.’
The post-graduate fully funded scholarship programme, launched globally by the British Council in partnership with 19 UK universities, is aimed at benefiting women from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Americas who aspire to access the UK’s renowned STEM courses but lack the financial resources. It has been awarded to women with a background in STEM, who could demonstrate their need for financial support and who wish to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM.
‘It is said that talent is everywhere, it only needs the opportunity. I’m very grateful to the British Council for opening this door for me. I hope to inspire and encourage more Malaysian girls and women to boldly pursue their ambition, passion and create impact through STEM,’ says Debbie Ann Loh who pursues a Master in International Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University.
