The story behind The Yellow Circle publication

How Parami University’s first student-led magazine turned classroom ideas into a powerful community archive.

After months of writing, editing, design, and collaboration, Parami University’s first student-led publication—The Yellow Circle—has officially arrived!

Named after Parami’s symbol for students striving to reach their full potential, this inaugural issue features 14 personal narratives, academic essays, and creative works exploring identity and memory, learning and growth, and critical inquiry into complex social issues

How it all began

At Parami, students learn to think and write critically from day one. Across various courses, they regularly produce narrative essays, policy briefs, data-driven reports, and creative writing.

Over time, a question emerged: What if there were a dedicated space where this work could live beyond the classroom?

Seeking ways to help students share their work with broader audiences, academic advisors Alex and Navya began exploring publishing opportunities within the GHEA21 network. That initial conversation sparked an even bigger idea: a fully student-led publication.

“As academic advisors, part of our role is empowering students to tell their stories. The publication is a tangible way for students to share these stories and passions with a wider community.”— Lia, Academic Advisor

Behind the scenes: The collaborative process

Transforming an idea into a finished magazine required months of teamwork. Student editors, layout designers, outreach teams, and writers collaborated closely through every draft, revision, and visual design iteration.

The journey kicked off with student recruitment. Chue, student leader of the outreach team, reflects on that early phase: “It was both rewarding and challenging to make sure we reached as many students as possible. Through promotional materials and brainstorming sessions, our efforts paid off with incredible interest from contributors.”

Once submissions rolled in, drafts moved through a rigorous editorial process. Pieces were revised multiple times, demanding patience and deep collaboration. For student editor Moe, this was the highlight of the experience: “Helping my fellow students tell their stories was the most memorable part of being an editor. I learned the importance of collaboration, patience, and curiosity.”

Simultaneously, the design team focused on the visual flow—selecting typography, organizing layouts, and giving each piece its own rhythm within the collection. Celine from the design team shares: “From brainstorming the layout plan to selecting font designs, we were dedicated to synchronizing the voice of Parami students. Seeing these puzzle pieces come together into The Yellow Circle was deeply rewarding.”

What is inside the first issue 

At its core, this first issue is more than a collection of essays and poems—it is an archive of how students navigate their place in the world.

The collection examines the sociopolitical, cultural, and environmental landscape of Myanmar and Southeast Asia, tackling crucial topics such as women’s leadership and civic engagement, authoritarian governance and youth exploitation, and environmental and climate challenges.

Student author Hsu Wuut Hmone shares what drove her to write her piece, “Background”: “Writing my personal story allowed me to look back at the difficult steps of my journey and realize that no matter how far I go, I will always stay grounded in where I began.”

Chief Editors Naing and Myat captured the core philosophy behind the project: “Our aim was not perfecting each page, but crafting an authentic archive that explores the tensions between the identities students project and the systems they navigate.”

Faculty advisor Dr. Will Buckingham echoed this pride in the final product: “The contributions here never shy away from the fact that the world is complicated. But they also reflect a commitment to the idea that human agency matters—that we are capable, together, of giving shape to our collective futures.”

What’s next

For many contributors, working on The Yellow Circle was their first experience with a full publishing cycle. They learned how to give and receive constructive feedback, refine ideas without losing their unique voice, and build a culture of shared knowledge creation.

Faculty advisor Dr. Dale Mineshima-Lowe sees this launch as a launchpad for future creators. Her advice to future writers is simple:

“Take the leap. We sometimes wait, worrying that our work is ‘not good enough.’ But we don't know until we try.”

As this inaugural issue reaches readers, The Yellow Circle marks the beginning of a lasting tradition in student publishing at Parami University.

Editorial & Production team

The first issue of The Yellow Circle was made possible through the collaborative efforts of students and advisors across several departments:

• Editing Team: Naing Min Khant (Class of 2026), Myat Moe Kywe (Class of 2026), Aye Thiri Phyo (Class of 2027), Moe Hnin Oo (Class of 2028), and Lu Htoi (Class of 2028).

• Marketing & Outreach Team: Cung Lian Thang (Class of 2028) and Chue Myat Noe (Class of 2028).

• Design Team: Wai Moe (Class of 2026), Celine (Class of 2028), and San San Maw (Class of 2026).

• Publication Advisors: Lia Sokol, Alexandra Dingle, Navya Mohan, and Cleo Pollinger.

• Faculty Advisors: Dr. Dale Mineshima-Lowe and Dr. Will Buckingham.

  
  

Read the first issue

Ready to dive into the stories? Click here to read the first issue of The Yellow Circle.