CPI Awards Three Staff Scholarships for Master’s Degree Studies

​On August 7, 2018, Community Partners International (CPI) held a ceremony in Yangon, Myanmar, to award scholarships to three members of staff to support their studies to obtain health-related Master’s degrees. CPI Executive Director Dr. Si Thura presented the scholarship awards to Ms. Nay Zar Win, Mr. Kaung Htet Soe and Dr. Zarni Lynn Kyaw. The awards highlight CPI’s commitment to support staff professional development, and the awardees will return to work with CPI once their studies are complete.

1. Nay Zar Win
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The CPI Scholarship will help Nay Zar Win study for a Master’s degree in Primary Health Care Management at Mahidol University, Thailand, from August 2018 to July 2019

Nay Zar Win (right). Photo courtesy of Nay Zar Win.

Nay Zar Win joined CPI in November 2011 as Program Officer for Maternal and Child Health. Her dedication and conscientiousness have made her a valued member of CPI’s Myanmar team. She has been promoted several times, assuming the role of Program Manager in CPI’s Innovation Coordination and Delivery Unit from June 2018. Over the years, she has made valuable contributions in developing and stewarding relationships with CPI community partner organizations throughout Myanmar.

Reflecting on her scholarship award, Nay Zar Win said, “I really can’t believe it and I am so excited. I am very motivated to start my studies and achieve the highest grade that I can. I am looking forward to adapting to the university environment and working with fellow students from many disciplines and backgrounds. It is a dream come true.”
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She added, “When I return to CPI after my studies, I will use skills I have gained to actively contribute CPI work in supporting grass roots primary health care services for communities across Myanmar. I can play my part in achieving health for all.”

2. Kaung Htet Soe
 
The CPI Scholarship will help Kaung Htet Soe study for a Master’s degree in Primary Health Care Management (MPHM) at Mahidol University, Thailand, from August 2018 to July 2019.

Kaung Htet Soe. Photo courtesy of Kaung Htet Soe.

Kaung Htet Soe joined CPI in January 2016 as an Accountability, Equity and Inclusion Officer. In March 2017 he assumed the role of Monitoring & Evaluation Officer within CPI’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) program. During his time at CPI, Kaung Htet Soe has helped foster greater community participation in the design and implementation of health projects, and supported CPI’s community partners to prevent and respond to GBV incidents in remote communities.

Reflecting on his scholarship award, Kaung Htet Soe said, “It is an unbelievable moment for me as it is the first time I have been awarded a scholarship. I am looking forward to learning in depth about primary health care systems in different countries around the world.”

He added, “This degree course will help me to understand knowledge management in health systems and to become research-minded which is very important for M&E professionals. When I return to CPI, I would like to support our ethnic and community-based partner organizations to improve their data management systems and wider health service delivery.”

3. Dr. Zarni Lynn Kyaw
 
The CPI Scholarship will help Dr. Zarni Lynn Kyaw study for a Master’s degree in Master of Public Health/ International Course in Health and Development at KIT Royal Tropical Institute, the Netherlands, from September 2018 to September 2019.

Dr. Zarni Lynn Kyaw (right). Photo courtesy of Dr. Zarni Lynn Kyaw.

Dr. Zarni Lynn Kyaw (Dr. Zarni) joined CPI in September 2016 as Health Systems Strengthening Manager. Dr. Zarni has been instrumental in CPI’s efforts to support and strengthen the implementation of Myanmar’s National Health Plan, 2017-2021, and the associated goal to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030. In this capacity, Dr. Zarni has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) and ethnic and community-based health organizations across Myanmar to forge dialogue and cooperation around shared interests in health.

Reflecting on his scholarship award, Dr. Zarni said, “I am overwhelmed with joy and also deeply humbled by the support received from my CPI colleagues. I can’t wait to start the degree course so that I can immerse myself in different cultures, different viewpoints, different thinking than my own, and learn from those.”
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He added, “When I return to CPI after completing the course, I will use my skills to support the health reform process and work to achieve an equitable health care system in Myanmar.”