Beyond the scholarship, a commitment to change

Pann Ei Thwel, a Parami University alumna, will pursue a master’s degree in Gender and Development Studies at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand, fully funded by a DAAD scholarship. Building on her undergraduate experience at Parami, she hopes to deepen her understanding of sustainable development and contribute to Myanmar’s future development.

At Parami, Pann Ei Thwel saw how equal treatment and access to education could create opportunities for students from different backgrounds. She valued a learning environment that assessed students’ ideas based on their perspectives and reasoning rather than their gender or socioeconomic status.

“This experience taught me how important it is for a society to treat different genders equally and bring opportunities for all,” she said.

Her interest in development grew during her undergraduate studies, particularly in the Education and Environment course. The course introduced her to the importance of locally grounded, sustainable approaches to development, helping her understand that meaningful progress must include local communities' voices.

“From the ‘Education and Environment’ course, I learned that development without the voices from local communities is neither just nor sustainable,” she explained. “That sparked my interest in studying more about development and being a part of bringing long-term sustainable development in Myanmar.”

For Pann Ei Thwel, pursuing a master’s degree at AIT represents more than an opportunity to continue her education. She sees it as a responsibility to strengthen her knowledge and experience so she can contribute more meaningfully to her country.

“I see the scholarship not just as an award for my skills and experiences but also as a responsibility I should carry beyond my studies: to be involved in the development process in Myanmar.”

The application process also reminded her of the importance of support and persistence. As she applied to AIT, she was still in her final year at Parami and had not yet received her academic transcript and degree certificate.

Two Parami professors also supported her DAAD scholarship application by writing recommendation letters.

For current Parami students considering graduate studies, Pann Ei Thwel encourages them to stay informed about available opportunities and continue developing practical skills.

“I would advise them first of all to consistently check the opportunities that are available to them. It can be from the emails sent out by the Parami team, or it can be from social media; be it Facebook or LinkedIn.”

She also emphasizes the value of building professional and language skills, including practical tools such as Excel, which can be useful in both the workplace and graduate studies.

As she prepares for the next stage of her academic journey, Pann Ei Thwel hopes to contribute to development that is inclusive, locally grounded, and sustainable. Her experience at Parami has helped her explore how a liberal arts education can inform her understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing her community.