Fewer than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women, and just 30 per cent of female students choose STEM-related fields in higher education, according to UNESCO. The British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarships programme is working to change that by breaking down barriers to education and creating new opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Since 2020, the programme – delivered in partnership with 21 leading UK universities – has supported over 430 women from South Asia, East Asia, the Americas, the Western Balkans, Central Asia, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, and Turkey. These scholars gain more than financial support: they are given mentorship, access to world-class research, global networking opportunities, and the confidence to lead.
In this edition, we highlight the stories of two exceptional scholars whose journeys show the transformative power of education, opportunity, and belief.
Heshika Hematilake Ekanayake – From Sri Lanka to the World Stage
Growing up in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Heshika’s love for science started young, sparked by her curiosity during her school years at Hillwood College. Encouraged by supportive parents and inspired by her natural curiosity, she pursued a degree in biotechnology, genetics and biochemistry at Bangalore University in India. Returning home, she began teaching biomedical sciences for undergraduates at a International College of Business and Technology affiliated with Cardiff Metropolitan University, while publishing academic papers and mentoring students. She also completed her first Master of Science in Experimental Biotechnology at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
But despite her academic success, she felt there were limits to how far she could grow. “Back home, I had strong theoretical knowledge, but opportunities to gain advanced, hands-on experience were limited,” she recalls. Determined to find a way forward, she spent late nights searching for opportunities online – and discovered the British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarship.
“I didn’t even know a programme like this existed. I applied thinking it was a long shot, but that decision changed my life.”
At the University of Manchester, where she pursued her second Master of Science in Clinical Biochemistry, she immersed herself in a year that she calls “life-changing.” The scholarship allowed her to gain cutting-edge skills in advanced lab techniques and bioimaging — skills that would later help her secure a PhD position. Her PhD is a joint programme with Oxford Brookes University and the University of Oxford. She also built a network of mentors and peers that opened doors she never imagined. “Dr Helen Joplin, my academic advisor, believed in me and helped me get my PhD placement. That mentorship was life-changing.”
She is also quick to highlight the role of Dan and Chris, International Officers at the International Office, Directorate for the Student Experience at the University of Manchester. “They were the first to let me know about my scholarship and coordinated everything from the beginning until graduation. They were super supportive and played a big part in making this scholarship possible,” she says.
The scholarship was not just an academic journey but a deeply personal one. Being the only Sri Lankan scholar in her cohort could have felt isolating, but Heshika used it as motivation to lead and grow. She embraced British culture, travelled across the UK and Europe, and found joy in simple routines – like visiting the Martin Harris Centre for Music to play piano between study sessions. She also built networks with well-known researchers and made friends around the world. “It gave me balance,” she says. “I learned to navigate a new culture, live independently and build confidence.”
Graduating with distinction in her MSc in Clinical Biochemistry remains one of her proudest achievements, but she says the programme’s true gift was belief: “The British Council isn’t just an organisation – it’s a bridge. They believed in me before I believed in myself. This scholarship didn’t just fund my education; it gave me the freedom to focus on learning, to grow as a scientist and to dream bigger.”
Today, she also teaches biology on Oxford University’s summer courses for students aged 18 to 24. As a PhD candidate rotating between labs at Oxford, Durham and Sheffield, and attending conferences across Europe, Heshika is advancing research in animal neurobiology and developmental biology while mentoring future scientists, especially women. She notes that many Sri Lankan STEM students hadn’t heard about this scholarship until she shared her story, and several have since applied with her support.
To future scholars, her message is clear: “Please don’t hesitate. You don’t have to be perfect – just passionate, curious and courageous enough to try. This scholarship can be your pillar to take off.”
Natalí Maza – Engineering Change in Colombia
For Natalí Maza, an engineer and IT consultant from Colombia, the Women in STEM Scholarship was an opportunity to merge her technical expertise with her passion for social impact. With over seven years of experience leading major tech projects for multinational firms, she was already a respected professional. But her parallel work — mentoring young women, running skills workshops for vulnerable communities, and advocating for greater diversity in STEM – made her want more than just a degree.
“I wanted a programme with purpose,” she says. “One that would help me grow but also empower me to empower others.”
That programme was the British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarship, which took her to Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in the UK for a master’s degree in engineering management. Almost immediately, Natalí embraced her role as a Women in STEM Ambassador, collaborating with ARU and the British Council to share her story through blogs, videos, and events. One of her first videos went viral within the scholar community, leading to an outpouring of messages from women around the world.
“Knowing that my story encouraged others to apply was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.”
Her scholarship also created opportunities she never dreamed possible. She attended prestigious summer schools in Switzerland and Austria, where she developed a social impact start-up idea she had been nurturing. These experiences provided not only advanced training in entrepreneurship and digital leadership but also access to an international network of mentors and peers. “I received feedback from global experts that helped me refine my idea – it was transformative,” she says.
Life in the UK wasn’t without its challenges. After years in the workforce, returning to full-time study demanded a steep adjustment. There were moments of homesickness, cultural adaptation, and even weather-related frustrations. But Natalí found balance by engaging in ARU’s wellbeing programmes, forming close friendships, and embracing British culture – from Friday pub nights to weekend trips to London’s museums and parks.
Graduating with distinction is a milestone she’s deeply proud of, but for Natalí, the scholarship’s true impact is in how it reshaped her identity.
“I’m not the same person I was before. I’m more confident, globally minded, and driven by purpose. I now see myself not just as an engineer, but as a leader and advocate for diversity in STEM.”
Today, she applies her strengthened leadership and project management skills to international tech projects, continues to mentor women in STEM, and is collaborating with the British Embassy in Colombia to bring her start-up to life. Her commitment to giving back remains at the heart of everything she does: “The scholarship gave me wings. Now, I want to help other women take flight.”
A Global Impact with Local Reach
From Kandy to Bogotá, these stories show how the Women in STEM Scholarships are transforming individual lives and entire communities. What begins as a year of study in the UK becomes so much more: the chance to build expertise, grow global networks, and return home with the confidence and vision to lead.
For the British Council, this programme is more than a scholarship fund — it is an investment in the power of women to shape the future of science, technology, and innovation. When women like Heshika and Natalí are given the tools and belief to succeed, they don’t just open doors for themselves – they open them for others, creating ripples of change that extend far beyond their own careers.
Natalí’s words are a rallying cry for the next generation to “be bold, be curious, and dream big. You belong in STEM – and the world is better when you show up.”
This is the impact of opportunity: a network of women, connected across borders and disciplines, rewriting what leadership in STEM looks like – and inspiring others to take flight.
