Before receiving her Australia Awards Scholarship, Nay Chi had already built a strong foundation in the health and development sector, working with non-governmental organisations. Inspired by her mentors and driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of gender issues, she pursued her studies in Australia, where she gained valuable insights into rights-based approaches, project management, and policy advocacy.

“I wanted to experience a different education system, to see how gender and health are approached in other contexts, and bring back best practices to apply in my organisation and community,” she reflected.

Upon returning to Myanmar, Nay Chi resumed her role at MSI Reproductive Choices – Myanmar, where she has led several impactful projects aimed at improving women’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and ending violence against women and girls. Working closely with partners, she has strengthened the capacity of medical staff and raised awareness about these important matters. Her efforts have supported national-level initiatives focused on advancing gender equality and building more inclusive health systems.

“Women’s empowerment was a core part of my studies, and I was able to apply that knowledge directly advocating for women’s access to healthcare and their right to make informed decisions about their bodies and lives.”

In recent years, Nay Chi has been leading the Women and Girls First Programme, which delivers comprehensive services, including psychosocial support, legal aid, and reproductive healthcare, to women, girls, and internally displaced persons across Myanmar. Her leadership has ensured that these services are inclusive, reaching people with disabilities (PWDs), sex workers, and other vulnerable groups. “Inclusion isn’t just a policy—it’s a commitment. We work to ensure no one is left behind, especially those who are often overlooked,” Nay Chi shares.

Recognising the importance of disability inclusion, Nay Chi has spearheaded efforts to make sexual and reproductive health education accessible to PWDs and other minority groups. Through targeted awareness sessions, capacity-building for field staff, and the formation of self-help groups, her team has created safe spaces for PWDs to share experiences and access vital services.

“We wanted to make sure PWDs are not left behind. With the new funding, we could provide tailored support—from awareness sessions to transportation and medical referrals.”

With dedicated funding, Nay Chi and her team have implemented targeted initiatives to support PWDs through:

• Monthly awareness sessions on SRHR services and gender-based violence prevention tailored to diverse needs
• Coverage of transportation cost for PWDs and their guardians
• Medical assistance and referrals
• The formation of self-help groups to foster peer support and amplify voices

An awareness session held to inform and engage the local community.

A key part of Nay Chi’s leadership has been empowering her female team members. Her participation in the Women in Executive Leadership Development (WELD) short course, supported by Australia Awards Myanmar, inspired her to adopt innovative approaches in her programs and to mentor her team into leadership roles, enhancing the quality and reach of field activities.

“After the short course, I realised the importance of building my team’s capacity—not just in technical areas but also in leadership and management. This way, they can better support our beneficiaries.”

Her team members have since upgraded their skills in planning, budgeting, reporting, and inclusive outreach. Former field assistants now serve as project assistants, introducing creative methods and approaches to make awareness sessions more engaging and accessible.

“Our field team became more creative. During awareness sessions, they used games and visual activities to make sharing more inclusive and fun.”

Nay Chi’s participation in the WELD short course further expanded her regional network. She continues to collaborate with fellow alumni, including those working in special education, sharing insights and exploring ways to support children with special needs through SRHR education.

“Connecting with fellow Myanmar alumni and other ASEAN participants and hearing from inspiring speakers helped me think differently and find new ways to lead. It reminded me that we’re not alone in this work. We learn from each other, and that shared knowledge helps us grow stronger.”

Nay Chi Linn participated in the 2024 WELD Short Course, engaging with fellow scholarship alumni and building connections across ASEAN.

Despite the challenges, Nay Chi remains committed to inclusive development and continues to make a meaningful impact through community-based and humanitarian-focused initiatives.

“Even beyond the funding, we are committed to continuing awareness sessions and linking PWDs to essential health services. We continue to listen to their voices and support their future plans to ensure sustainability.”

Nay Chi’s journey highlights the power of education to inspire local leaders who drive meaningful change in their own contexts. Through her dedication, she is not only improving lives but also inspiring others to lead with compassion and purpose.

“Working in these parts of Myanmar opened my eyes, not just to the needs of the communities, but also to the challenges faced by frontline healthcare workers,” he shares.

Motivated by a desire to bridge gaps in health knowledge and access, Hein earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney, supported by an Australia Awards Scholarship. His academic journey was shaped by rigorous critical thinking, exposure to global health systems, and meaningful connections with international peers and professors. A highlight from his studies was the mentorship he received from his research supervisor, with whom he continues to collaborate on research initiatives. His focus on health economics and health promotion equipped him with the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to both the Australian and Myanmar health sectors.

Myanmar Hein Kyaw attending his graduation ceremony at the University of Sydney.

Hein’s journey in Australia was marked by active engagement in university life and community service, making his student experience vibrant and memorable.

“Studying in Australia wasn’t just about academics, it was about living fully, connecting deeply, and growing in ways I never imagined,” he reflects.

He embraced every opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally, through active participation in extracurricular and volunteer activities. He actively volunteered at the university orientation events, supported fellow Australia Awards scholars by tutoring in public health, and contributed to fundraising initiatives within the Myanmar community. These efforts reflect not only his dedication to academic excellence but also his strong sense of social responsibility.

During his time as an Australia Awards scholar, he was keen to immerse himself in Australian work culture. To do so, he took on a part-time role at the supermarket Coles, where he experienced firsthand the value of teamwork and a well-structured orientation process. With careful planning, he was able to manage his time effectively and balance part-time work with studies by completing assignments in advance, making regular visits to the library, and ensuring he stayed on top of his coursework. For him, this experience was more than just a job, it was a meaningful part of his personal and professional growth.

Professional development was another cornerstone of his journey. In February 2024, Hein was selected to attend the Australia Awards Myanmar Professional Linkages Workshop in Sydney, where he learned the fundamentals of networking and personal branding. These were new areas for Hein, but he embraced the learning and began using LinkedIn to build meaningful professional connections. The program’s cultural immersion experience, which engaged scholars with Aboriginal heritage and history, also deepened his appreciation for inclusive leadership and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives. Hein now sees these combined experiences as essential to his growth, not only in building career skills, but also in shaping a more thoughtful and culturally aware approach to leadership.

“Before the Professional Linkages Workshop, I didn’t know how to build a professional network or present myself online. Now, I actively use LinkedIn to connect with peers, share insights, and grow my career,” he shares.

Myanmar Hein Kyaw (left in blue shirt) attending the Professional Linkages Workshop held in Sydney, 2024.

Hein’s long-standing interest in Australia’s health system was a key reason for applying an Australia Awards Scholarship. He was eager to learn from Australia’s well-integrated practices and explore how similar approaches could be adapted to strengthen healthcare in Myanmar, particularly in advancing universal health coverage. His understanding of these systems grew over time, reinforcing his belief that such knowledge is not only valuable for personal growth, but also essential for contributing to sustainable development and health system enhancement back home. His reflections on the system’s use of data and technology highlight the depth of insight gained during his time in Australia.

“Seeing how Australia’s health system uses data and technology to improve patient care was eye-opening. It showed me what’s possible when systems are well-designed and integrated, and it made me think seriously about how we could adapt similar approaches to strengthen healthcare in Myanmar,” he reflects.

Building on these insights, Hein has begun shaping a vision for how he can contribute to Myanmar’s development, with a focus on three key areas.
• Strengthening Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) to promote evidence-based decision-making
• Advocating for scalable health insurance models, inspired by Australia’s approach to universal coverage, and
• Sharing knowledge with Myanmar communities, especially those in marginalised communities.

Despite challenges in re-engaging with Myanmar-based organisations due to funding cuts and political instability, Hein remains committed to making a difference. He stays connected with the Myanmar community to create platforms for sharing health knowledge and aims to leverage alumni networks for professional growth and collaborative initiatives that support Myanmar’s development.

“The Australia Awards gave me more than a degree, it taught me how to lead, how to collaborate, and most importantly, how to give back,” he emphasises.

As an Australia Awards alumnus, Hein believes the Australia Awards experience has not only equipped him with technical expertise but also instilled a deeper understanding of leadership, collaboration, and the importance of giving back. His journey continues to inspire current scholars and future applicants, showcasing how international education can be a powerful catalyst for change.

The University of Melbourne

Study commenced in 2015

When Win Lei Yee began her career in Myanmar’s health sector in 2008, she was driven by a deep commitment to improving lives. Over the years, her work expanded into the protection sector, focusing on gender, child protection, and disability. This intersection of health and protection sparked a desire to deepen her expertise, leading her to pursue a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne with an Australia Awards Scholarship.

“I began to see how deeply intertwined health and protection were. That realisation pushed me to seek a broader perspective and deeper knowledge,” she recalls.

[Photo top left] Australia Awards Scholarships alumna Win Lei Yee during a field visit. [Adjacent photo] Win Lei Yee at her workplace.

Studying in Australia was both a professional and personal turning point for Win Lei Yee. She was immersed in a rigorous academic environment that emphasised critical thinking, research, and practical application. At the same time, she faced challenges like culture shock, homesickness, and adapting to a new environment. She embraced the challenges and immersed herself in a world of academic excellence and global perspectives. The skills and insights she gained during her studies played a pivotal role in her career development when she returned to Myanmar. She also built enduring connections with fellow Myanmar scholars—relationships that continue to enrich her life both personally and professionally.

“Studying in Australia was a significant turning point for me. Their education system was structured and high-quality. I gained analytical skills and research capabilities that I never had before,” Win Lei Yee reflects.

Before her studies, Win Lei Yee worked primarily in field implementation as a medical doctor. Armed with new skills and perspectives, she returned to Myanmar and joined the Burnet Institute, where she led operational research projects on infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. As a Project Lead, she was responsible for planning and coordinating with key stakeholders to ensure successful implementation in compliance with international standards. The skills she gained from her master’s studies formed the key skill set that enabled her to excel in this role.

“The skills I gained in Australia, especially in research and program design, were instrumental. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to take on these roles,” Win Lei Yee shares.

During her time at the Burnet Institute, Win Lei Yee achieved several notable milestones, including multiple first-author publications and presentations at international conferences. One highlight was her selection to present a paper at a major conference in Amsterdam in 2018. Her abstract on HIV testing and retesting (e.g. point of care diagnosis) appeared in the abstract book for the 22nd International AIDS Conference, marking a significant moment in her career. These accomplishments were made possible by the strong research and analytical skills she developed during her studies. Her professional connection with the Institute remains active, and she continues to stay in touch with her former supervisors.

The Australia Awards experience opened doors to leadership roles. Win Lei Yee transitioned to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), where she now manages major health initiatives. Her portfolio spans maternal and child health, infectious diseases, including HIV, TB, and malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and nutrition. Her responsibilities also include coordinating emergency response efforts, such as the 2024 flood relief and the March 2025 earthquake response. In her current role, Win Lei Yee oversees grant management, technical support, and coordination with local actors and relevant stakeholders to ensure that health interventions are effective, community-driven, and timely.

Win Lei Yee conducting a monitoring visit at a mobile health clinic.

Win Lei Yee’s contributions extend well beyond her formal roles. One of her proudest and most memorable experiences was co-leading a youth-focused project in Kachin State, alongside fellow Australia Awards alumni, funded through a small alumni grant. Beyond her professional achievements, Win Lei Yee has maintained strong and lasting friendships with fellow Myanmar alumni, connections that continue to enrich her personal and professional life.

“We still support each other, personally and professionally. It’s easier to communicate and coordinate with fellow alumni as we share a common understanding and values shaped by our scholarship experience,” she shares.

Win Lei Yee’s passion for learning continues to thrive. Alongside her professional responsibilities, she began a part-time PhD in 2022, researching the role of point-of-care HCV testing in low- and middle-income countries. She expects to finalise her thesis by the end of next year. Her academic journey builds on the research skills she developed in Australia and continues to strengthen through her professional networks.

“It’s a continuation of everything I’ve worked on. And it’s also deeply connected to the public health challenges we face in Myanmar,” she explains.

Win Lei Yee’s journey demonstrates the transformative power of international education in empowering individuals to drive meaningful change at home. Through her leadership, research, and unwavering commitment to public health, she continues to contribute to Myanmar’s development.

A selection of her publications is available below for further reading.

• Caregiver experience and perceived acceptability of a novel near point-of-care early infant HIV diagnostic test among caregivers enrolled in the PMTCT program, Myanmar: A qualitative study
• Operational experiences associated with the implementation of near point-of-care early infant diagnosis of HIV in Myanmar: a qualitative study
• Access to needles and syringes and methadone maintenance therapy among people who inject drugs in Yangon, Myanmar: a qualitative study
• Patients’ access to and acceptance of community-based hepatitis C testing and treatment in Myanmar: A mixed-method study

As the Strategic Development Director of The Union, Australia Awards alumnus Dr Soe Htet was at the forefront of health activities addressing TB. He focused on preventing and treating TB and lung disease in Myanmar by maintaining and improving access to TB and HIV services and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Soe Htet completed a PhD on Public Health from Monash University in 2015 with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship. He credits his Scholarship with helping amplify his contribution to his country.

“This helped me develop a more critical and evidence-based approach to my work, which has had a positive impact on public health outcomes in Myanmar,” he says.

Describing his work, Dr Soe Htet says, “Since 2020, I worked in collaboration with the health partners to ensure that TB and HIV services were maintained while also responding to COVID-19, with a focus on implementing infection prevention and control measures and advocating for the inclusion of TB and HIV in national COVID-19 response plans.”

There are many challenges in the battle against TB in Myanmar. Dr Soe Htet says that one of the key obstacles to implementing health service activities is the limited amount of resources available. As a result, the general public have little awareness of TB information and very limited access to health services. He also highlights the discrimination against people with TB, HIV and COVID-19 due to social stigma. People with these diseases may become socially isolated in the community. Consequently, people with TB symptoms are resistant to getting a diagnosis and treatment.

“It is difficult to engage people who are living with such diseases—and their communities—to implement prevention, diagnosis and treatment activities,” Dr Soe Htet says.

To address and overcome those barriers, Dr Soe Htet and his organisation developed several strategies. Most importantly, they engaged with communities and civil society organisations to increase awareness of TB, HIV and COVID-19, and to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Additionally, Dr Soe Htet and his team improved access to healthcare services by using innovative approaches to reach people in remote or hard-to-access areas through mobile clinics, telemedicine, and community-based testing and treatment programs.

They also provided training and support to healthcare workers in Myanmar, increasing their capacity to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB, HIV and COVID-19.

“We emphasise the importance of collaboration, partnership and community involvement in the fight against infectious diseases,” Dr Soe Htet says. “The community-based innovative approaches aimed to empower communities to take control of their own health, to increase access to care and support, and to help to reduce the burden of TB, HIV and COVID-19.”

Dr Soe Htet shares the success of these efforts with pride. “We have improved access to TB and HIV services in Myanmar, particularly those living in remote or hard-to-reach areas,” he says. “More people have been able to receive timely diagnosis and treatment for these diseases, leading to improved health outcomes.”

He now works as Senior Program Director at Population Services International, where he continues to focus on TB and other diseases relevant to family health such as HIV and malaria.

Since his return in 2017, he has been working with international non-government organisations in the humanitarian sector in Rakhine and Kachin.

Addressing the mental health of IDPs has been a key driver behind the activities delivered by Dr Awng Shar.

‘In Myanmar, mental health is not understood well. People are not aware that everybody is dealing with mental wellness every day, similar to our physical health. People living in internally displaced camps will have more mental health challenges. Sadly, there is limited interventions on mental health for them because of limited awareness on mental health among medical professionals who provide primary health care services in the camps.’ Dr Awng Shar explains.

When working with the International Rescue Committee as a Health Coordinator to lead a humanitarian health program in Rakhine, he found that the majority of the outpatient consultations were related to unexplained clinical complaints which is one of the signs of mental health issues.

Dr Awng Shar shared the findings with the mobile clinic team who visit families in the IDP camps. Mental health mainstreaming training was provided to the mobile clinic team and it changed the way they understood the patients and the benefits of longer quality consultation time to screen and address mental health needs.

As Programme Analyst for sexual and reproductive health and rights with UNFPA in 2018-19 he had the opportunity to study another course on mental health.

Following this, he led the dissemination of Mental Health Psychosocial Support training to health care staff in Kachin State together with gender-based violence actors and collaborated with civil hospitals where senior consultant psychiatrists joined the training to boost the capacity of medical doctors to handle psychiatric issues in humanitarian settings.

“Health staff said the training we provided was even benefiting their personal and family life – from active listening to psychological first aid.”

Dr Awng Shar believes that “now mental health is discussed more widely, and more and more humanitarian health staff are trained on mental health. Donor support for mental health activities has also increased.”

“We still have a long way to go but we are on a reasonable track. All the credit should go to the mental health leaders and experts working in Myanmar and I am proud to be a part of this movement, especially for the initiatives in Rakhine and Kachin states among the IDP camps,” he says.

Dr Awng Shar completed a Master of Public Health degree at The University of Melbourne in 2016 on an Australia Awards Scholarship and has continued to apply this education to his professional field work in Myanmar, acknowledging that it “equipped [him] to be able to design health programs based on the actual need of the beneficiaries on the ground.”

Since early 2022, he has been working as a Health and Nutrition Specialist for UNICEF in Sittwe, Rakhine, supporting children and pregnant women to improve their health, nutrition and immunisation status with mental health mainstreaming.

Reflecting on his work experience before being selected for an Australia Awards Scholarship, he recalls; “I joined Community Partners International in 2009 as a program coordinator supporting vulnerable communities in Myanmar to build community resilience in health and humanitarian services. I worked with local civil society leaders to strengthen local organisations and implement community-driven activities in remote areas.”

Dr Si Thura was awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship to acquire a master’s degree in public health at the Australian National University.

“The Australia Awards Scholarship enabled me to study major public health subjects such as epidemiology, biostatistics, qualitative and quantitative research, organisation and project management, global health and policy at one of the top universities in the world,” says Dr Si Thura.

He explains that; “The Australia Awards Scholarship not only provides assistance for the postgraduate degree course but also for leadership skills development. The scholarship supported me to attend a youth conference in Perth where I connected with academic and research professionals from different parts of the world and learned about recent developments in youth health and social issues.”

“The skills acquired during my study in Australia empower me to work with people from diverse communities, resolve complex issues, and advocate effectively to policy makers.”

After graduating and returning to Myanmar in 2013, Dr. Si Thura rejoined CPI as a Director and was subsequently promoted to Executive Director in 2017 covering CPI’s multi-country operations. In this role, he leads CPI’s efforts to empower vulnerable communities in Asia to meet their essential health, humanitarian and development needs. In Myanmar, he has helped local civil society and ethnic nationality organisations to strengthen health service delivery and contribute to the goal of universal health coverage.

In 2020 and 2021, Dr Si Thura led CPI’s COVID-19 pandemic response. As the virus brought devastating impacts, CPI mobilised emergency oxygen supplies, treatment and prevention, helping to save thousands of lives in Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In responding to the global pandemic, CPI is focused on closing health equity gaps to ensure that under-served and marginalised populations can access affordable and effective COVID-19 prevention and care services.

“We provide a variety of services ranging from medicines and supplies to the health systems, provision of oxygen therapy and COVID-19 treatment services through health posts, clinics, hospitals and tele-health platforms, to the establishment of community-based oxygen networks and oxygen plants,” explains Dr Si Thura.

In July 2021, a third wave of COVID-19 arrived in Myanmar. The country’s health system was already on the brink of collapse. The number of severe COVID-19 cases and the demand of oxygen increased dramatically in a matter of days. In this context, CPI launched a COVID-19 tele-health project, promoted through local social media channels, to ensure that desperately ill patients could access emergency medical consultations and care.

“Treatment was provided through tele-health consultations. Oxygen concentrators and cylinders were delivered through local civil society networks. For severe cases, mobile medical teams visited patients’ houses to administer treatment and, in some areas, patients were referred to COVID-19 treatment centres run by community-based organisations,” says Dr Si Thura.

The global pandemic brought significant challenges to people’s livelihoods in Myanmar. Under Dr Si Thura’s leadership, CPI helped community organisations establish and grow livelihood projects for women and vulnerable communities. The projects supported women to make cloth face masks, hand sanitiser, soap, and other products for sale. CPI also launched micro-loan and entrepreneurship initiatives to help women to start small enterprises in organic farming and livestock.

Dr Si Thura reports that CPI’s COVID-19 response reached more than one million people in Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“Partnership with local organisations is critical in navigating a variety of obstacles during the pandemic,” Dr Si Thura says.

Dr Si Thura is committed to working for health sector development in Myanmar and across Asia. He encourages international stakeholders “to recognise the key role of local actors and ensure that support is provided as directly as possible to these local organisations to help meet essential health and humanitarian needs.”