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Myo Win began his educational journey 20 years ago in Myanmar (Burma), earning a degree in psychology. Following his graduation, he pursued short-term studies in several countries, including England, where he attended York University. He was also offered admission to the University of Bradford’s renowned peace studies program — the largest in Europe — to pursue a master’s degree. Despite this opportunity, Win chose to return home and serve his country. Over the next two decades, he became a prominent civil society leader and an advocate for ethics and human rights. His commitment was cut short when a military coup forced him to emigrate to the U.S.

“In 2021, after a military coup, I was one of [those] targeted by the military, so I was forced to flee, and the University of Oklahoma was able to host me as a visiting scholar,” Win said. 

After spending two years in Oklahoma, Win applied to ������ɫ's Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) program. He felt the institute’s mission aligned with his personal interests and research, as well as the urgent issues facing his home country.

“My country has been notoriously genocided against, [specifically] the Rohingya minority. We have allowed the world's longest civil war,” Win said. “The war crimes and crimes against humanity issues are in line with my research and work as a human rights defender."

The I-GMAP hosted Win through the Nadia Rubaii Memorial Fellowship, which provided him with a secure place to stay over the past two years as he completed a Master of Science in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention. He is grateful for this support and will graduate from the program later this month.

“My experience in the [program] has been very meaningful and positive, even though it has sometimes been quite stressful," he said. "These challenges helped me grow, think more critically, and strengthen my commitment to this important field.” 

Win came to ������ɫ as a student 20 years after completing his first degree and the transition proved challenging, particularly adjusting to a new environment and contending with rapid technological advancements since he was last in school.

“I started my second degree as a student and it's very hard, very challenging, because of the 20-year gap in student life and working at the leadership level,” Win said. “Working with a computer and with our mobile phones [is different], but we have a strong team in my office, and a lot of people are technical staff.”

Despite the challenges, Win found the program deeply rewarding. He embraced leadership roles that advanced his research and enabled him to develop valuable technical skills. The supportive community at ������ɫ not only helped him overcome obstacles but also understood and respected his unique learning journey, something for which he is truly grateful.

“All of the classes and professors have been very supportive and encouraging throughout my studies. Their guidance created an environment where I felt motivated and optimistic, even during difficult moments,” he said. “These classes not only deepened my academic understanding but also provided practical knowledge that I can apply in my real-life work as a practitioner. They helped me connect theory with practice in a meaningful and impactful way. Overall, this program has had a strong positive impact on both my academic development and my professional path.”