“I saw the need to transition from my on-the-ground medical and project experience to strategic health administration and system leadership.” – Kyaw Za

Before receiving his Australia Awards Scholarship, Kyaw Za dedicated over five years to humanitarian and community-based health programs in Myanmar. Working with organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and World Vision International, he managed mobile clinics for Cyclone Giri victims, coordinated emergency health responses, and developed maternal and child health strategies for vulnerable populations in remote and conflict-affected areas. These experiences exposed him to critical gaps in health service delivery and motivated him to seek advanced knowledge to strengthen public health systems.

In 2017, Kyaw Za graduated with a Master of Health Administration from Curtin University. “The opportunity to learn from Australia’s well-integrated, data-driven health systems was invaluable,” he recalls. His studies equipped him with strategic, financial, and management skills essential for leading large-scale health and humanitarian programs. Beyond academics, he built global networks and served as a Postgraduate Mentor for the Curtin Student Guild, while joining the Australian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).

“The scholarship profoundly shaped my career direction, moving me from technical health services to high-level administration and leadership,” says Kyaw Za.

Following his studies, Kyaw Za developed Myanmar’s Human Resource for Health (HRH) Information System while serving as Technical Advisor for Jhpiego. This system laid the foundation for evidence-based workforce planning within the national health system. Later, at UNFPA, he led efforts to integrate risk-informed humanitarian preparedness into annual planning cycles, ensuring rapid access to essential health commodities during crises. “Instead of only reacting to emergencies, we focused on proactive management and system readiness,” he explains.

Today, as Program Management Senior Officer at UNOPS, he manages complex humanitarian funds and provides technical support to local organisations delivering life-saving assistance in disaster-affected and disaster-prone areas. His work emphasises locally led humanitarian assistance and resilience across multiple sectors, and consistently embeds Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) in all interventions.

Alumnus Kyaw Za engaging with communities during a field visit.

His contributions have had a tangible impact: improving supply chain efficiency for emergency reproductive health kits, supporting gender-based violence prevention in emergencies, and strengthening resilience among vulnerable communities.

“Through Australia Awards I gained the skills and knowledge to help strengthen public health systems in Myanmar. It means that even in times of crisis, health systems remain responsive and inclusive,” says Kyaw Za.

Through his vision and unwavering dedication, Kyaw Za is driving health equity and strengthening humanitarian systems in Myanmar – demonstrating how education and international collaboration can transform lives and communities.