(Washington, D.C.) – The US-ASEAN Business Council Institute (USABCI), a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the charitable arm of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), is proud to launch the Myanmar Scholarship Fund at the opening of the inaugural US-Indo-Pacific Conference.
The USABCI Myanmar Scholarship Fund is raising US$6 million over the next three years to provide scholarships for U.S.-based Myanmar students whose education has been disrupted by the political and economic situation in Myanmar and are now facing financial difficulties in completing their degree programs.
“Myanmar today faces significant challenges, but that does not eliminate the tremendous long-term potential it holds through its most valuable resource – its people,” said USABCI President Elizabeth Dugan. “There is no better way for the U.S. private sector to exhibit its commitment to Myanmar than by investing in the security and education of its youth – the country’s hopeful future.”
“Those of us who care deeply about this remarkable country must step up now to preserve Myanmar’s promise by supporting its young people during this unique time of need,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, Patron of the USABCI Myanmar Scholarship Fund and former U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar. “My hope is that this scholarship program can alleviate the financial burden facing Myanmar students in the United States, and thereby lay the foundation for a better future for themselves, their families and their country.”
USABCI has established a partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE), a well-respected leader in international education, to administer and manage the issuance of the scholarships. For more information, including the application link, scholarship eligibility, and requirements, please visit https://www.iie.org/Programs/USABCI-Myanmar-Scholarship.
The USABCI Myanmar Scholarship Fund is made possible by the strong support of its founding Chair, the late Madeleine Albright, and its initial Patron, Ambassador Derek Mitchell; fundraising efforts of its founding partners, US-ASEAN Business Council, US ICT Council for Myanmar, and Albright Stonebridge Group; an initial endowment from Chevron and contributions from Meta, The Asia Group, BowerGroupAsia, McLarty Associates and other friends of Myanmar. Individuals interested in making a direct contribution should contact USABCI Myanmar Scholarship Fund’s Program Director, Jack Myint at jmyint@usasean.org.
“Albright Stonebridge Group is proud to serve as a founding partner of the Myanmar Scholarship Fund,” said Anthony Nelson, Vice President at the firm and a USABCI board member. “Secretary Albright believed strongly in the potential for Myanmar’s people, particularly its youth, and supported their pursuit of liberty and quest for intellectual freedom. We hope to honor her legacy by helping Myanmar’s next generation of leaders receive the tools and skillsets necessary to carve out their own path.”
Source: US-ASEAN Business Council