I am Chan from Myanmar, and I am a master’s student in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering program at Mahidol University in Thailand. I graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from Pyay Technological University in 2016.
During my studies, I learned structural design, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, and construction engineering. Among these subjects, environmental and water resources engineering were the most interesting. As we know, this field is especially important for developing countries like Myanmar.
After graduating, I worked as a Junior Engineer on the Hotel Popular Project at the Civil Engineering Department of Popular Plastic Group. At the end of the project, I received an outstanding staff award and was promoted to Assistant Engineer. In this role, I worked on a steel structure factory project in Thilawa Special Economic Zone A and Dagon Port.
Furthermore, I worked as a Technical Facilitator in the National Community Driven Development (NCDD) Project in West Bago Region, Thegon, Myanmar, from August 2018 to February 2021.
This project was implemented by the Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. My responsibilities included preparing village infrastructure projects for site surveys, developing environmental codes of practice, creating environmental management plans, conducting water quality tests, and collecting rural water supply data. I was also involved in design, bill of quantities, implementation, and problem-solving on site.
Through these experiences, I faced many challenges that strengthened my skills and improved my professional knowledge. Due to my performance, I was awarded the most outstanding Technical Facilitator for both the first and second project cycles. I also participated as a volunteer engineer in the Cash for Work Project under the Myanmar COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan in Paungde Township.
About Chan
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mahidol University
- Master’s, Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become an environmental engineer
- Improve access to clean water and sanitation in Myanmar
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $4,000
- Amount Left To Fund: $0
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In Repayment
Quotable
What Others Are Saying About Chan
While working on these projects, I realized my strong interest in continuing my education. I decided to pursue a Master’s degree at Mahidol University, as it offers a program that aligns with my interests and provides both practical and theoretical knowledge in environmental and water resources engineering. Studying there has also allowed me to learn alongside people from diverse backgrounds.
During my work, I observed that many rural communities in Myanmar still lack access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene facilities. This became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to clean water was essential for preventing disease. Therefore, I plan to focus my thesis on developing safe drinking water and sanitation systems for rural areas in Myanmar.
After graduation, I hope to work as a WASH and Environmental Engineer in an international organization and contribute to my country by sharing knowledge with junior engineers and local communities. I also aim to collaborate on environmental and water resource projects with both government and non-government organizations. In the future, I would like to conduct research and publish papers in this field. I believe that the financial support provided by Zomia will play an important role in helping me achieve these goals.
Written by Chan with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Chan
“During my work, I observed that many rural communities in Myanmar still lack access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene facilities. This became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to clean water was essential for preventing disease.”