“I wanted to strengthen my ability to contribute to development work in Myanmar in a more meaningful and practical way. The Scholarship aligned closely with my goals because it emphasises leadership, practical learning and real-world impact,” Hsu Mon reflects.

Her journey led her to the University of Melbourne, where she earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Marketing – qualifications that sharpened her leadership and strategic thinking skills.

Preparing the Application: Start Early and Stay Focused

Hsu Mon’s application journey was deliberate and disciplined. The most demanding task was crafting the Supporting Statement that required clear thinking, reflection, and strong storytelling. She started early, refined her writing daily, and focused on explaining why her experiences mattered – rather than simply listing achievements. For the interview, she prepared thoroughly by practising with friends and colleagues and seeking insights from Australia Awards alumni to sharpen her narrative.

“It’s important to understand your own motivations and long-term goals before answering the questions. When writing the Supporting Statement, focus on real experiences and explain why they matter, not just what you did,” Hsu Mon advises.

Support Throughout the Journey

From the very beginning, Hsu Mon felt supported by Australia Awards. Pre-departure briefings and orientation helped her understand what to expect and connect with fellow awardees. The Introductory Academic Program (IAP) – a one-month preparation course – made the transition to Australian university life smoother.

Throughout her studies, Hsu Mon received strong support from both the Australia Awards team and her university. This included academic and wellbeing assistance, networking opportunities, and cultural activities. These experiences not only contributed to her academic performance and confidence but also broadened her understanding of Australian society.

Inclusive Experiences and Opportunities Beyond Academics

For Hsu Mon, life in Australia was welcoming and inclusive. On campus, diverse perspectives were encouraged, and students were treated with respect regardless of their background. Support services were readily accessible, and professors were approachable and open, creating an environment where students felt confident to ask questions and actively participate.

“In everyday life, I felt comfortable and respected as an international student. Public services, communities, and workplaces were generally inclusive, and cultural diversity was widely accepted. This positive experience helped me feel safe, valued, and able to fully focus on my studies and personal growth,” Hsu Mon shares.

Beyond academics, studying in Australia opened doors to transformative experiences. A highlight for Hsu Mon was the Business in Asia program, where Hsu Mon worked on a real-world project with a leading consulting firm – applying classroom learning to live business challenges alongside industry professionals. She also interned at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for a project with a leading Myanmar commercial bank, where she analysed the oilseed value chain and contributed to the design of an agricultural financing product. These opportunities enriched her learning, blending theory with practical solutions for agricultural value chains.

“The Australia Awards Scholarship is not just an academic opportunity; it is a life-changing journey that challenges you to grow personally and professionally,” Hsu Mon shares.

Applying Skills for Community Impact

Since returning to Myanmar, Hsu Mon has worked as a project manager at an impact consulting firm, supporting NGOs and development organisations to design and deliver initiatives that benefit communities. Her work spans rural electrification, renewable energy, mangrove deforestation and conservation research, rural revolving loan programs and integrated distribution models for biofertiliser – each drawing on analytical, project management and problem-solving skills she gained in Australia. The knowledge and experiences developed during the scholarship have been instrumental in driving these efforts.

Hsu Mon Tun observing project activities during her field visit in Aungpan Town, Southern Shan State.

“The skills I gained in Australia – especially analysis, project management and practical problem-solving – have helped me contribute to rural development, improved livelihoods and climate resilient solutions in Myanmar,” Hsu Mon affirms.

Hsu Mon Tun during her field visit in He Ho Town, Southern Shan State, to promote the biofertiliser project.

Advice for future Australia Awards applicants

Hsu Mon Tun’s message to aspiring scholars is simple: approach the journey with purpose, authenticity, and curiosity.

• Start early and reflect: Take time to think deeply how your chosen field of study aligns with Myanmar’s development priorities and your long-term goals.
• Be authentic and purposeful: Share your experiences honestly and connect them to the impact you hope to create.
• Use available resources: Explore application guidelines and alumni stories on the Australia Awards Myanmar website to understand what the Scholarship values.
• Adapt and engage: Embrace new learning styles and manage your time well, and participate in leadership activities, networking and cultural activities – these relationships will enrich your experience.
• Stay curious: Enjoy your time in Australia and remain open to learning inside and outside the classroom.

“You don’t need to be perfect. What matters most is your commitment to learning, leadership and making a positive difference. Approach the experience with humility and purpose – the impact will extend far beyond your time in Australia,” Hsu Mon reminds.

A story of dedication and impact

Hsu Mon’s journey is a testament to the power of preparation, authenticity, and resilience. Her story encourages future applicants to pursue their goals with confidence and determination – and to apply with a clear sense of purpose.

Since finishing his Australia Awards Scholarship in 2017, Ye Min Aung has worked at UNICEF Myanmar as WASH Officer. In this role, he is also leading water supply, sanitation and hygiene activities for schools in Kayin (Karen) State, Mon State and Tanintharyi Region to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes managing coordination to provide technical assistance, procurement and installation of handwashing stations in schools and public locations.

“Access to handwashing stations is vital for preventing the spread of COVID-19,” says Ye Min Aung. “So, we have installed handwashing stations in schools for the schoolchildren, and in public spaces such as markets and bus terminals for the general public.”

Kayin State is one of Myanmar’s high-risk areas for COVID-19 infection. This is because its Myawaddy–Mae Sot border point is a major trading hub between Myanmar and Thailand. It has also received a huge number of returning migrant Myanmar workers from Thailand over the past year.

Ye Min Aung explains that UNICEF’s WASH activities are implemented in collaboration with a range of partners, “in the South-East regions of Mon, Kayin and Tanintharyi.”

He also emphasises that social inclusion is a core component of the school-based WASH activities he is leading. Examples of inclusion measures include ensuring that students with disability are able to access WASH services and practices, and overseeing construction of gender-segregated school latrines that also include access ramps.

Ye Min Aung received an Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Master of Water Resources Management at Flinders University. The Scholarship built on his existing experience and skills in water management, equipping him to be able to drive change and contribute to Myanmar’s development.

Through the course, Ye Min Aung was particularly interested to learn about water management in Australia. “Australia is the second-driest continent on earth. I wanted to learn how water professionals in Australia are managing and tackling the water shortage issues,” he explains. He also valued learning from leading water management and research experts in South Australia through his course.

During the global pandemic, Ye Min Aung is drawing on his experiences in Australia to provide virtual training for teachers, principals, and volunteers about WASH activities. He is also involved in UNICEF’s global outreach activities such as promoting the importance of handwashing.

“As a WASH professional, I feel very much motivated about my contribution and working on the front line, using my qualification to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from the state, regional and township level to the community level for the people in Kayin and Mon States, and Tanintharyi region,” he says.

As part of ongoing activities related to COVID-19, Ye Min Aung has implemented hygiene promotion awareness sessions and personal hygiene messaging to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases. These sessions were conducted as Training of Trainers for partnered organizations, who will extend these awareness sessions to their teams and beneficiaries.

Following the recent floods, Ye Min Aung led efforts to disinfect water sources and distribute water purification chemicals to populations affected by acute watery diarrhea. This immediate response was crucial in preventing further health crises.

The Program applies a nexus programming approach integrating emergency WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions with recovery efforts aimed at building climate resilience. This is particularly vital for communities in the hilly regions of Kayin State, where access to clean water is a persistent challenge. Ye Min Aung attended the Australia Awards Short Course, ‘Responding to Climate Change Challenge,’ delivered by the University of Queensland which equipped Ye Min Aung with knowledge and skills to tackle climate challenges.

In addition to community-level interventions, the WASH program extends to schools and health care facilities in ethnic communities across Kayin, Mon, and Tanintharyi regions. These initiatives ensure that children and patients have access to safe water and sanitation, which is crucial for their health and well-being. Throughout planning and implementation, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) serve as key foundations, with zero tolerance for any form of harassment and abuse, ensuring no one is left behind.

Ye Min Aung also serves as the WASH Cluster Coordinator at the sub-national level, managing key areas including Mon, Kayin, Tanintharyi, and Bago-East. This dual role ensures cohesive management and implementation of WASH activities across these regions. Ye Min Aung is committed to working in the sector and is facilitating systems strengthening of WASH programs in Myanmar’s Southeast region.

This article is updated to reflect Ye Min Aung’s latest involvement and impact.

Electricity is critical for improving the quality of life, promoting industrial development and sustainable growth, foreign investment, and creating jobs. However, Myanmar is continuing to face electricity access challenges.

According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, 70.4% of the population in Myanmar had access to electricity in 2020.  Some reports suggests that the current percentage of the population with access to electricity in rural communities could be much lower.

To connect to the grid in rural areas, households must pay the high up-front connection costs. Although there is a significant financing need for rural electrification, financial institutions are hesitant to provide electrification loans, especially in the current high-risk environment.

Hsu Mon Tun and the international NGO designed a partnership project with a leading Microfinance Institution (MFI) where the MFI will provide the loans to the customers, and the international NGO will offer the portfolio guarantee for loan loss to MFI.

Hsu Mon Tun explains, “the purpose of the project was to connect the village households to have access to electricity along with access to finance to cover the connection costs.”

A cost-effective, scalable electrification solution of consumer finance and village electrification was tested for rural villages.

Hsu Mon Tun says, “We started the rural electrification pilot project in mid-2022 and will be running it for a year. After that we will be launching the program and, the project will be a model for other financial institutions and catalyse rural connection investments across Myanmar.”

Since the idea generation phase, Hsu Mon Tun has been involved in pitching ideas to the financial institutions and developing the portfolio guarantee design with the partnered MFI.

Hsu Mon Tun talks about her role in this project, “In the project design phase, I co-led the research in villages to understand the electrification needs of the villages and rural households to develop rural electrification loans. When the pilot implementation started, I was managing the multi-stakeholder teams for the implementation of the pilot.”

“As of now, we have electrified 40 villages from Ayeyarwady, Mandalay and Bago regions with our program,” she says proudly.

Hsu Mon Tun recalls her grandmother’s excitement when she recently used electricity in her village in Nyaung U for the first time at the age of 83. Hsu Mon Tun is grateful to have an opportunity to make a positive impact on rural communities by providing access to electricity through the rural electrification project.

“I believe electricity is a basic human need, and it is critical for poverty alleviation, economic growth and improved living standard.”

Hsu Mon Tun completed a Master of Business and Administration and Master of Marketing double degree at the University of Melbourne on an Australia Awards Scholarship in 2020.

She says, “My Master of Business and Administration helped me to be able to see a broader picture of the business and to be able to think strategically, be more data-driven, and be a better communicator and decision-maker.”

Her work experience revealed challenges in conservation that Thazin Saw felt needed to be addressed. She wanted to know more about the current species and distribution of agricultural birds, and conventional and natural farming practices. She learnt that there was a shortage of domestic technical experts and conservation instruments available in Myanmar that could support agricultural and environmental challenges.

This led her to look for ways she could upgrade her own education to make a positive impact upon conservation in Myanmar, which in turn, led her to Australia Awards.

Thazin applied to become an Australia Awards Scholar in 2019 as part of the 2020 intake. In her application she proposed to research an assessment of agricultural practices and their impact on agriculture and birds in Indawgyi.

Agriculture is an important industry in Myanmar and Thazin Saw wanted to contribute to the conservation of important wetlands. She explained,

“Agriculture is the main industry in Myanmar, accounting for 60 percent of the GDP, and rice remains the country’s most crucial agricultural commodity. It is important to know the consequences of current agricultural practices on biodiversity living around the farmlands.”

Having identified that there was no form of assessment in Indawgyi, or in Myanmar more broadly, she proposed to study the impacts of current agricultural practices towards developing more sustainable agricultural practices that could be applied around the country.

As an Australia Awards Scholar, Thazin Saw is now undertaking a Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation at The University of Melbourne.

She found her move to Melbourne convenient and said, “I have received a lot of guidance from Australia Awards. Before I came to Australia, I received instructions to apply for a bank account, enrolment instructions, housing guide, and how to book a course advice appointment. When I arrived in Australia, I participated in a mentoring program and Introductory Academic Program (IAP) which has been helpful throughout my study.”

Thazin Saw has been inspired by how the government in Australia manages urban forests by creating parks and gardens so people and nature can live together.

She wants to apply these lived experiences and studies from Australia to her home country of Myanmar by creating a network of environmental restoration associations upon her return.

She encourages other aspiring Australia Awards applicants and says of her Australia Awards application experience, “that presenting your true and own story when answering the written questions will make your application unique, and you will answer interview questions smoothly.”

This initiative has been transforming literacy learning spaces in Myanmar by identifying and supporting educators who would most benefit from access to professional development training and networks.

Smart Educators was founded by the four alumni in 2020, who come from diverse geographical locations, religions, and ethnicities, connected by their individual passion and expertise in education. Aye Sandar Chit, Lin Lin Htet Oo, Ei Phyu, and Myat Aye San, are all working as freelance educators.

“This organisation was established with the aim to cultivate quality education in Myanmar by empowering teachers, who are the catalysts for the change.”

[Group photo top, left to right] Aye Sandar Chit, Lin Lin Htet Oo, and Ei Phyu. [Adjacent photo] Myat Aye San. Members of Smart Educators.

In 2021, due to the conflict and COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar, there was uncertain access to education for children. The majority of students became disconnected from their schooling. As a result, community-based education service providers were progressively widespread around the country. However, the anecdotal observation highlighted that there was limited access to teachers’ professional development, especially for those from rural areas and disadvantaged communities.

This made it difficult for teachers to cope with the challenges faced in their profession. The Australia Awards alumni recognised the need for more holistic and contextualised supports, where teachers could not only receive theoretical inputs but also mentorship.

Smart Educators launched a Teacher Community program in June 2021.

The six-month teacher professional development training was aimed especially at teachers from rural areas and disadvantaged communities. Teacher Community was designed as a one-off education service for educators that offered ways of sharing knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences, through the invitation of national and international educational experts, weekly seminars, and interactive discussions.

The program’s chief aims were to strengthen the teaching quality of novice through to veteran teachers and to encourage teachers’ practice of ongoing professional learning individually and collectively.

Smart Educators ran a callout on social media. They selected 30 participants from among 100 applicants who were carefully chosen based on teaching background, experience, location, and their needs and expectations. The age range of selected teacher participants was from 18 to 35 years old with a teaching service of at least one year.

The training was designed to cover a broad range of education areas including classroom debate and positive psychology, and to foster inclusive education and social awareness in teachers by covering topics on gender, ethics, rights and discrimination.

The Teacher Community program resulted in the development of a teacher network through which educational knowledge and experiences can continue to be shared between local and international educators.

Smart Educators received positive feedback from the Teacher Community program with a high percentage of participants indicating that their confidence had increased as teachers and that they would like to attend more courses offered.

As an organisation, they have also pursued a five-month research program as a situational analysis of the training offered to support evidence-based grounds for future initiatives.

These four alumnae completed their Australia Awards Scholarship at different universities across Australia. Aye Sandar Chit completed her Master of Education at University of Adelaide, Lin Lin Htet Oo and Myat Aye San studied their Master of Education (Leadership and Management) at Flinders University, and Ei Phyu completed her Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers) at Monash University. Together, they have collaborated to create a lasting impact in education in Myanmar.

In 2017, Khin Zaw Tun completed a Master of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland through an Australia Awards Scholarship. This experience enabled him to expand his knowledge of contemporary agricultural practices. “My master’s degree armed me with updated agricultural techniques, which is helpful for the agriculture sector as well as for my career,” he says.

During his study, Khin Zaw Tun found an elective course on value chain management to be particularly informative. “The course brought clear understanding to me about the agriculture sector in Myanmar,” he says. “It equipped me with technical knowledge of implementing value change management for smallholder farmers in Myanmar.”

After returning from his Scholarship in Australia, Khin Zaw Tun joined development organisation ICCO Myanmar as a project manager. He oversaw the ‘Pulses, People, Planet and Profit (P4)’ project, which aimed to improve the mung bean value chain in Myanmar to increase access to markets for farmers and suppliers, and to increase the productivity and quality of mung bean production. The three-year project was implemented in Yangon and Magway in collaboration with a range of stakeholders.

Khin Zaw Tun (pictured second to left) undertaking a field inspection and interviewing seed farmers

“Mung beans have become a key pulse product for export markets nowadays,” explains Khin Zaw Tun. “It can bring benefits for smallholder farmers if they can produce mung beans of export quality and link up with export markets. So, we empowered the mung bean farmers from Yangon and Magway to work in collective action, do collective marketing, get price incentives and increase their mung bean yield.”

The project worked with partner organisations to provide technical support for farmers in good agricultural practice (GAP) training, “which is critical for productivity and quality,” says Khin Zaw Tun. “Next, we organised smallholder farmers to collaborate and share information with each other so that they could attain bargaining power.”

Applying GAP, farmers produce premium products to access new markets. “With GAP, pulse farmers could diversify the export market. Mung beans main export locations are the European Union, Japan and ASEAN countries. Recently, the export market for mung beans has broadened to the United States and Russia.” Khin Zaw Tun notes that this broadening of the export market was a direct outcome of the P4 project.

Another significant component of the project was that ICCO provided lobbying and advocacy training to the mung bean farmer groups in Yangon and Magway regions, giving participants hands-on experience in formulating action plans on lobby issues. As a result, the participants improved their skills in advocating for mung bean farmers’ interests at township and regional levels.

The impact of the lobbying and advocacy training has been significant. “Trained farmers provided input and ideas on making key policy recommendations for the development of the pulses and oilseeds sectors,” explains Khin Zaw Tun. “Farmer representatives from the Yangon and Magway regions were able to express their challenges, especially on pesticide law, fertiliser law, farmer association registration and market accessibility.”

A significant development occurred in 2019 when farmers involved in the project met the union-level Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development Committee of the House of Representatives to raise their voices. “That was the farmers’ collective action for policy advocacy. They became empowered,” Khin Zaw Tun says with pride.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Myanmar economy and the sector could play a key role in the country’s economic development. “Seventy percent of the population lives in rural areas,” explains Khin Zaw Tun. “Most of the farmers in Myanmar are smallholder farmers, who need expertise and support to improve the quality and add value to agricultural products.

“I want to contribute my expertise to agricultural and rural development in Myanmar.”

ICCO’s 3-year project concluded at the end of 2020 and Khin Zaw Tun is delighted with the project’s success in improving the mung bean value chain in Yangon and Magway.

For more information about the P4 project, watch this video and read the project case study.