UK supports stronger women’s representation in STEM ecosystem

The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur hosted the ‘Leading the Future’: Women and Girls in Science Forum to celebrate women scientists.

The forum was hosted on 30 March 2026 to celebrate women scientists and to reflect on the persistent structural barriers that limit women’s progression into leadership and decision-making roles in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

In his welcome remarks, H.E. Ajay Sharma CMG, British High Commissioner to Malaysia reaffirmed the UK’s support for a more inclusive STEM ecosystem in Malaysia. He said:

We are committed to ensuring inclusivity and strong women’s representation across all engagements and projects, thereby supporting a more inclusive and geographically diverse STEM ecosystem in Malaysia, one that values women’s leadership, lived experiences, and contributions across regions and career stages.

The forum continued with opening remarks by Dato’ Ts Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkaras, Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation Malaysia followed by keynote address by Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi FRS, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and also Malaysia’s first elected Fellow of the UK’s Royal Society.

The event which included several sharing sessions and a panel discussion, was attended by approximately 110 participants including government officials, academics and researchers, senior science leaders, STEM teachers, and science communicators and entrepreneurs.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-supports-stronger-womens-representation-in-stem-ecosystem