Humphrey Fellowship opens horizon for Burmese professionals

Humphrey Fellowship is one of a few but excellent professional development programmes available for Burmese citizens.

"This programme aims to allow opportunity for mid-career professionals to come to the United States and enhance their professional development skills," explained Elizabeth Gorsuch who is the Co-ordinator of the programme at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Thanks to the Humphrey Fellowship Award, which is a part of Fulbright Exchange Programme available through the US embassy in Rangoon, Burmese professionals with potential leadership skill have a chance to join a one year programme during which fellows can participate in professional activities including internships, academic course works and seminars in the United States.

It is a non-degree programme but highly prestigious and recognised by the US Department of State.

A success story of a Burmese doctor

Dr Myint Oo used to open a private clinic in Hlaing Tharyar, a new town across the river of Rangoon.

He came to know the programme through a friend in the Department of Medical Research.When applying for the programme, he presented an idea how he can help in the area of continuous professional development for Burmese doctors who are not in the government service.

After he has gone through a number of stages in the selection process, he was finally awarded the fellowship together with two other Burmese professionals in 2003.

He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he participated in various skill development activities.

A non-degree programme with prestige

It was somewhat disappointing for Dr Myint Oo in the beginning for he was hoping to achieve a Masters' degree after completing the programme.

But later when he found out the wide range of opportunities it can offer, he realised the value of the programme which a degree cannot compare.

After the programme Dr Myint Oo won the Alumni Impact Award for his outstanding performance and idea for developing in

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