Filipino women will have a chance to have a scholarship in postgraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United Kingdom (UK).
This is based on a scholarship program the British Council recently launched.
The scholarship will give over 100 women from 20 countries in the Americas, South Asia and East Asia, including the Philippines, the opportunity to obtain their postgraduate degree in the UK to further develop their careers in science, a British Council news release said.
According to data from the UN Scientific Education and Cultural Organization (Unesco), fewer than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women and only 30 percent of female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.
Globally, the enrolment of female students in areas related to STEM is low, specifically for information and communications technology (3 percent), natural sciences, mathematics and statistics (5 percent), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 percent).
“We want to contribute to closing the gender gap in STEM and help advance the broader effort towards gender equality,” said British Council in the Philippines Country Director Pilar Aramayo-Prudencio.
“Our Women and Girls in STEM programmes around the world are designed with a lifecycle approach in mind—from inspiring young girls to stay in STEM to supporting women working in STEM fields to reach positions of leadership and to network with their peers in their region and in the UK,” Aramayo-Prudencio said.
The scholarship will cover tuition, monthly stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees.
It welcomes applications from women with dependants. It also has a provision for scholars who might need a short pre-sessional English course to achieve the language level needed for their studies.
Besides the Philippines, eligible countries in Southeast Asia are: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Women from the Philippines wishing to pursue studies in Energy Transition and Climate Change, Health and Life-Sciences and Agriculture are encouraged to apply.
“UK universities are globally recognised for research excellence. This is a fantastic opportunity for qualified and talented women from the Philippines to live and study in the UK,” Aramayo-Prudencio added..
“Successful candidates will not only enhance their careers in STEM; they will also be able to promote research and innovation in the Philippines, connect with researchers in the UK, and inspire the next generation of Filipino women in STEM,” she said.
All potential candidates must apply directly to the following universities: University of Glasgow, Liverpool John Moores University or University of Stirling.
Applications for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM are open until mid-March 2021.
For more information, visit www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem.