Educate Myanmar's Youth: Fund 3 Scholarships

Emergency appeal: Education funding for 14 refugee Masters students from Myanmar studying in Northeast India

The Institute of Chin Affairs Inc. (ICA) is a non-profit, 501 registered organisation founded in May 2021 by members of the Chin diaspora. ICA’s programmes include fundraising to support salaries for Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) teachers on the border with Myanmar, supporting the establishment of camp based schools for refugee children, as well as pioneering the Myanmar Refugee Fellowship Programme, formerly funded by the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Programme (DISP), under USAID. This programme supports 14 undocumented students from Myanmar to join Masters programmes in Northeast India, studying subjects including Business, English and Political Science. All students are members of Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement, leaving their jobs and previous studies to stand against the illegal junta takeover in February 2021. ICA has worked for 3 years to build trust with higher education institutions and state government departments to bring about this programme, which is the first scholarship programme for Myanmar refugees in the Northeast. However, due to the cancellation of the DISP programme under USAID, the vital funding for scholarships has been withdrawn.

In the last month, ICA has made some progress in our efforts to find funding to support the students in finishing their Masters degrees. With funding from Denmark-based donor Global Focus, ICA has received USD 11,592, which will help fund the students’ studies until September 2025. These funds were granted in acknowledgement of the extreme vulnerability of our students to losing their student status if lack of funds forced them to leave their university courses. While this is extremely helpful, ICA is still faced with a funding gap of USD 89,516 to allow the students to complete their degrees safely. 

Stories of impact 

Hlei, 35 years old: I and my family fled from Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar to Mizoram, India on 31 March 2021.This opportunity made my dream to pursue master degree came true that I was granted admission to the programme. Leaving all my family members in Chin state, I moved to the capital city in the Northeastern state, unsure of what I would find. Now, I’m about to finish two semesters of Master of Social Work which is relevant to my previous professional experience and which is I expect to be fruitful for my future career and to contribute to my community at the same time.          

With the help of ICA and DISP fund, my academic journey was going smooth for one year before the political and foreign aid policy changed imposed by President Trump. Unfortunately, my dreams to complete master degree was in vain when President Trump publicly announced that he blocked the DISP fund along with other humanitarian and related aids to foreign countries via USAID. More likely, my financial situation as a refugee family, is going to force me to stop my study. As a refugee who was stagnant in India without legal documents, I have no other opportunities to study if I can’t continue this remaining two semester to complete the academic requirements. 

Receiving the education funds would be one of the most valuable privileges in my life, as it represents a renewed opportunity to complete my master’s degree which is of course something I consider essential not only for my future professional career but also for my contribution to my community. As mentioned before pursuing graduate studies has long been my dreams, but my financial limitations have posed significant challenges. If I receive this funding, it would not only ease the financial burden but also bring back the golden opportunity to continue the academic journey that I have to stop.

Earning a master’s degree is an essential step in achieving my professional capacity. I expect that it will boost my knowledge, skills, and qualifications required to pursue a meaningful and impactful career. More importantly, I hope it will equip me to serve my community more effectively. I strongly believe that education is not only a path to individual success but also a powerful tool to uplift communities. 

Sui, 30: I have been living in a displacement camp with my parents for the past year due to conflict in my home town, Matupi, Chin State. Recently, I had the opportunity to apply for the Master’s program supported by a scholarship from the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Programme, funded by USAID. Determined to pursue this opportunity, I moved to the capital city of the Northeastern state to complete the application process. I have been pursuing my Master’s degree in the Northeast since July 2024, striving for academic excellence to build a strong foundation for my future. However, the cancellation of the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Programme has taken away the funding I relied upon to continue my studies. Without this support, I cannot pay for my tuition, as well as essential expenses such as living costs, healthcare, and transport. For Myanmar people escaping conflict and seeking refuge in the Northeast, opportunities for education and employment are nearly non-existent due to structural barriers. This scholarship was my only hope to complete my Master’s degree, and without it, there is no other viable path forward.