Peace Leadership & Research Institute (PLRI) is an institution of higher learning affiliated with the Thabyay Education Foundation. Established in 2018 with the aim to cultivate a culture of responsible leadership and evidence-based decision making in the search for peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar, PLRI offers high quality training in conducting social science research to students and fellows from all over the country, and equips them for the leadership roles they are expected to play in the peace process.
PROFILES OF PLRI FELLOWS 2018-2019
AYE KHINE (Mon State)
Aye Khine graduated from PAYAP International College in Organizational Development. She interned at Altsean Burma Women, Bangkok, Thailand. Her areas of interest are in leadership, management skills and women’s empowerment. She was a Program Coordinator at Burma River Network and has diverse work experience. Aye is interested in conducting research in peace and natural resources and peace and development process. |
MERCY M. H. LANG (Chin State)
Mercy Mang Hlei Iang has a Bachelor’s Degree in German from Yangon University. She is also an alumni of the Community Leadership and Social Studies program at Kant Kaw Education. She is currently working as a Research Assistant at Center for Economic and Social Development, a leading Think-Tank in Myanmar. Mercy’s research is about education and peace. |
GUM SAN AWNG (Kachin State)
Gum San Awung graduated from Myanmar Institute of Theology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies and is pursuing a Degree in Philosophy at the University of Distance Education. He is also studying for a Diploma in Political Science at Yangon University. He has interned as a journalist at Myitmakha News Agency, Yangon. Gum wants to focus on research about peace and federalism. |
MOE MOE NAING (Yangon Region)
Moe Moe Naing has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management. She has worked as a Design, Monitoring and Evaluation intern and Project Assistant for Community Information Management at Search for Common Ground. Moe Moe wants to conduct research in creating a conflict resolution toolkit for the Myanmar National Ceasefire Agreement. |
HNIN AYE HLAING (Yangon Region)
Hnin Aye Hlaing, has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Community Development at MIT. She has experience in teaching and is doing research about the literary system in Myanmar. She is also a volunteer at Social Welfare Society (Thingangyun). Hnin is keen to conduct research about the peace development process in Myanmar. |
MYO MYO KYAW (Naypyidaw Territory)
Myo Myo Kyaw, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Yangon. She also holds certificates in peace education and has been a volunteer at multiple organizations. She has interned as a Project Assistant in National Youth Congress (NYC). Myo Myo is looking forward to doing research in public opinions about the peace process. |
HSAR BLUTE (Yangon Region)
Naw Hsar Blute graduated from Yangon University of Distance Education with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She has worked at Young Women’s Christian Association (Pathein) as a Training coordinator. She has been working as a trainer and translator at Thabyay Education Foundation since 2015. Hsar is keen on doing research about the role of peace education for the youth of Myanmar. |
MAY THU AUNG (Yangon Region)
Nang May Thu Aung graduated from Yadanarbon University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. She interned at the Salween Institute for Public Policy and has attended many trainings, workshops and seminars about social development and has many volunteer experiences under her belt. Nang is keen on doing research about civil wars, peacebuilding and education reforms. |
HTET LYNN OO (Ayeyarwaddy Region)
Htet Lynn Oo is pursuing a degree in International Relations at University of Yangon. He has attended a program at the Institute of Peace and Civic Engagement by World Learning and focused on Political Science and Federalism. He is a keen volunteer at many organizations in Yangon. Htet’s research topic will focus on youth awareness about the peace process. |
NYAN TUN AUNG (Nagaland)
Nyan Tun Aung has a BA in English from the University of Distance Education and a BA in Social Studies from Myanmar Institute of Theology. He has been working as an Associate Researcher in Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation since 2016. He is also the President of Naga Students and Youth Federation-Yangon. Nyan wants to conduct research in gender and peace in Myanmar. |
HTOO HTET NANING (Rakhine State)
Htoo Htet Naing graduated from the Liberal Arts Program of Myanmar Institute of Theology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies. She is working as a Project Officer at Search for Common Ground, an International NGO and is a volunteer at Humanitarian Coordination Youth Team. Htoo wants to focus her research on conflict resolution and reconciliation. |
SAN YI (Kachin State)
San Yi has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Myitkyina University. She has worked as a National Project Officer at the Norwegian Refugee Council for Education. Additionally, she has served as a Project Officer-Joint General Secretary for All Kachin Youth Union. San would like to conduct research in education and curriculum reform for peace. |
KYAW MIN OO (Shan State)
Kyaw Min Oo has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Management from Yadanarpon University. He has experience as a teacher and has attended programs about conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Kyaw’s area of interest in research is about the study of existing basic education and its impact on the current peace process. |
SOE SOE NWE (Tanintharyi Region)
Soe Soe Nwe has completed a course in Women’s Development at Women League of Burma, Journalism School of Internews. She is currently working as a General Secretary at Tavoyan Women’s Union and Peace Mission Team member for Women’s League of Burma. Soe Soe’s research will focus on the participation of women in the peace process. |
KYAW ZIN LINN (Yangon Region)
Kyaw Zin Linn is studying Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) at Dagon University and is in his final year of the degree. He has been an international News Editor and is working as a freelance translator now. He has volunteered at many organizations, including in a project on autonomy in universities at Research and Survey. Kyaw is going to focus his research on the access of education to youth due to the ongoing conflict in Northern Myanmar. |
THURA AUNG (Mon State)
Thura Aung holds a Master’s Degree in Comparative Politics from Yangon School of Political Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Economics from Dagon University. He has interned at Khmer Youth and Social Development (KYSD) in Cambodia. He is the founder of a public speaking club at Connect Institute. Thura wants to conduct a research focus on about ethnic conflict in and synthesize the impact of democratization for peace in Myanmar. |
LAGYI ZAU LAWN (Kachin State)
Lagyi Zau Lawn graduated from the University of Myitkyina with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Law at Yangon University. He has attended many programs about politics and peacebuilding. He has worked as a Youth Organizer at N-Jang Dung English Conversation Club and is presently a volunteer at Shingnip Legal Aid Network. Lagyi’s research will focus on the challenges with ethnic diversity and its impact on the peace process in Myanmar. |
WAI HNIN KYAW (Yangon Region)
Naw Wai Hnin Kyaw graduated from Myanmar Institute of Theology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies in 2015. She has participated in International Youth Fellowships. She has many internship and volunteering activities under her belt. Currently she is an Assistant Field Researcher. Naw is keen to research on how to promote peace and develop tourism in conflict affected geographies. |
MAR GAY HTOO (Tanintharyi Region)
Saw Mar Gay Htoo is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English and has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies from Myanmar Institute of Theology. He also has Diplomas in Multimedia Journalism from Myanmar Journalism Institute and in Social Science from Presbyterian College, South Carolina, USA. At present he is volunteering as a country coordinator for Myanmar at People’s Alliance for Credible Election 48. Since 2017 he has been working as a Research Associate at Another Development (AD). |
WIN WIN MAY (Yangon Region)
Win Win May is pursuing a degree in International Relations at the University of Yangon. She has worked as a Human Resources assistant at a Pizza Company and at People Alliance for Credible Election. She has also completed a course in Federalism from Centre for Development and Ethnic Studies. Win Win wants to focus her research on the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in achieving peace in Myanmar. |
ZIN ZAR PHYO THANT (Shan State)
Nang Zin Zar Phyo Thant graduated from Taunggyi University in 2011, with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She is an alumni of the Kantkaw Education Center and has completed the year-long University Preparation Program. She is working as a Monitoring, Verification and Conflict Resolution (MVR) Officer in Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee- Technical Secretariat Center (JMC-TSC). Nang will be conducting research about cultural sensitivity in the peace process.
Nang Zin Zar Phyo Thant graduated from Taunggyi University in 2011, with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She is an alumni of the Kantkaw Education Center and has completed the year-long University Preparation Program. She is working as a Monitoring, Verification and Conflict Resolution (MVR) Officer in Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee- Technical Secretariat Center (JMC-TSC). Nang will be conducting research about cultural sensitivity in the peace process.