I am aware that my life was not always easy. Unlike others, I could not achieve or obtain something I wanted unless I struggled for it. I come from a working-class family in Taunggyi where my mother is the only breadwinner of the household. My mother became a divorcee when I was three years old, and since then, she has been the only pillar of the family—financially, physically, and mentally.
She has worked as a junior-level government employee, earning barely enough for us, and has faced a great deal of hardship in making my educational journey smooth and fulfilling. As I witnessed how much she endured to make my life easier, I worked hard to prove myself worthy of her sacrifice. I achieved six out of six distinctions with a total score of 514 out of 600 on the matriculation exam, the first milestone of my life.
To reach the next milestone, I enrolled at Mandalay Technological University (MTU), specializing in Civil Engineering. Year after year, the cost of my education increased, as did my mother’s burden. To ease her load, I applied for a scholarship.
Throughout my undergraduate program at MTU, I maintained high academic performance. Unfortunately, with the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and the military coup in 2021, my graduation project was postponed and my education was put on hold. As conditions worsened and the economy declined, my mother had to work harder to support the family.
I began working as a GED instructor to share my mother’s responsibilities, and volunteered to mentor young people who could not afford the course fee. I also had the opportunity to work at the P&P Engineering Training Centre, where I gained experience in civil engineering in an international context and was inspired by my mentor to continue my education.
About Paing
- Age: 28
- Ethnicity: Burmese, Shan
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
- Bachelor’s, Civil Engineering
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a professional structural engineer
- Contribute to urban development in Myanmar
- Develop some sort of artistic skill!
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,375
- Amount Left To Fund: $0
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In Repayment
Quotable
What Others Are Saying About Paing
After careful consideration, I decided to study abroad and chose King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) for its range of engineering programs and credit transfer process. I am now a credit transfer student there, specializing in Civil Engineering in the International Program.
Living in Thailand, I have seen firsthand the benefits of good urban planning and advanced transportation systems. Compared to Myanmar, there is a significant gap in technology and engineering management. This has strengthened my desire to work as a transportation engineer and contribute to my country’s development.
Myanmar’s basic infrastructure still needs substantial investment. Inadequate public transportation, limited access to railroads and highways in rural areas, and traffic problems caused by poor planning all hinder economic growth and make it difficult for people to commute and trade. Myanmar needs professional help—particularly young engineers who are eager to learn and willing to face challenges.
I believe I can be one of them. I am confident that the skills and knowledge I gain at KMUTT will allow me to contribute meaningfully to Myanmar’s future.
Written by Paing with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Paing
“Pursuing my education is the path I desire the most, fueled by my unwavering passion for becoming an engineer.”