To make online education available for everyone, basic infrastructure such as internet connectivity and regular electricity are crucial. Students face difficulties studying online from home due to many factors, such as poor internet connection, irregular electricity supply, and lack of family support. To make its online undergraduate programs accessible, Parami University has partnered with US-based Parami Liberal Arts and Sciences Fund, Inc., which provides room and board support for those students without online access and who need a space to study.
Compared to students in other countries such as Thailand and Kenya, Parami students in Myanmar face prolonged electricity outages and a poor internet connection, which is challenging for online learning. Hkawn Nu Mai, whose hometown is in the northernmost region in Myanmar where access to infrastructure is poor outside of the region's capital, explained her experience, "In my hometown, I couldn't join classes and study coursework due to the bad internet connection and electricity cut-off. When I told Parami's team about my difficulties, they assigned me to this learning hub [in Mandalay]. Parami offers shelter, internet, and electricity without charges, so it is a great place for us to study with full facilities."
Parami undergraduate program, Class of 2026, features 57 students from Myanmar, Thailand, and Kenya. Students can receive residential support at learning hubs or use computer and internet facilities at learning facilities located across Myanmar and Thailand, operated through partnerships with community educational institutions and supporters. Parami now provides two learning hubs in Mandalay and Taunggyi, Myanmar, and two learning facilities in Yangon, Myanmar and Chiang Mai, Thailand. In addition, three of our students in Kenya are supported through a learning hub provided by Bard College.
Nyan Htet Htay Win, also living at Mandalay Learning Hub, shared, "I couldn't focus on my study at my house in Pakokku due to many difficulties such as electricity and poor internet connection. I live in the Parami Learning Hub in Mandalay, which is a great place because I can focus on my studies." He continued that “whenever we have any kind of problem, we can contact the learning hub coordinator or directly with the Parami team, and they take action immediately."
The Parami student support team has recently traveled to meet with undergraduate students now at learning hubs in the first fall semester. The team organized in-person activities to enhance student collaboration, networking, and engagement while studying at Parami University. For the upcoming academic year, Parami is looking forward to expanding more learning hubs and facilities in different places for incoming undergraduate students.