Providing Accessible Education
~ Phyo Htay
My Project: Scholar Mentors — Online Mentoring and Tutoring Academy
A non-profit online platform to:
- extend the information of scholarship opportunities to the underprivileged communities
- provide counselling, tutoring and mentorship services by the veterans to the inexperienced regarding scholarly applications
Over the past 14 months, we have reached nearly 13,000 subscribers, received over 600 applicants out of which we have trained 250 students through 4 different intakes.
My Inspiration
In this isolated exotic land, the previous military governments spent barely a fraction of the budget for Education — limited facilities in the classroom, inadequate resources for both the teachers and students, and no extra-curricular activities available nor permitted. Studying abroad under quality education seemed reserved only for the elites and crony family members. Now we are opening up, welcoming ample opportunities in various sectors. In a country where 55% of the people are under the age of 30, now would be the best time to grab those opportunities to ensure a competitive edge in the youth capacity.
My Biggest Challenge
Infrastructure. Whether it is about going around the city for a meeting, or traveling to another town, or making an online payment, or securing a strong internet connection for an online call — the lack of competent infrastructure regarding transportation, electricity and telecommunication hinders young people here to establish their initiatives.
My Best Resources
The mentors. They are multiple scholarship winners, policy makers, leaders of NGOs and student organizations. They somehow made their way out there during repressive military rule, and have had years of exposure to foreign academia, youth conferences and exchange programs. They have experienced the benefits of an educated society and are always committed to contribute towards building our own educated nation. They are also among the most understanding and benevolent colleagues one could ever find — the advantage of working in the most generous nation in the world.
My Advice to Peers
Never lose focus on the big picture — that’s what inspired us in the first place. Starting up a project is always a lengthy process full of overwhelming duties, multi-tasking, reiterations and disturbing deadlines that you set up by yourself. Never let those little frustrations along the way stray you from your destination, and success will soon be yours.
These are my colleagues:
