Latest news with #Aung
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Turning pain into purpose': Student who fled civil war heads list of Queen's summer graduates
Aung Khant Kyaw is graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and said it was the prospect of academic success that kept him going after losing both parents when young. The graduate fled civil war in Myanmar, southeast Asia, before travelling to Belfast to pursue his education. As a child, Aung looked up to his father and was always interested in fixing things and solving problems. Speaking about his journey to graduating, he said: 'Turning pain into purpose takes time, but it's possible. 'As my father was a Civil Engineer, I initially followed this path but eventually chose mechanical engineering. Engineering became a way for me to understand the world and to build a future where I could contribute to something greater than myself. 'Graduating means more than a degree for me, it's a symbol of survival, of honouring my parents' dreams, and of hope,' he said. Aung says it was the memories of his parents and the support of staff and students at Queen's that helped him to persevere. 'I remembered their sacrifices and their love, and I wanted to carry their hopes with me. 'I think and I hope my parents will be proud of me as someone who kept going, who was kind to everyone, and who never forgot what kind of life he came from. I carry them with me every step of the way, and I hope I've made their dreams live on through mine.' Aung now hopes to secure employment in the automotive or aerospace industry. Also graduating is Abi Way with a degree in Product Design Engineering and she is the first student with a significant visual impairment to complete the course. Originally from St Alban's, Abi joined the course in 2021, knowing that it would involve working with highly visual tools and software not designed with accessibility in mind. 'I can't deny that I panicked when I first realised the extent of the accessibility issues, but I was determined to find a way to make it work,' she said. 'I spent many extra hours learning the software, often relying on memory rather than visual cues.' Abi's time at Queen's has been defined by more than just academic success. She was an active member of the Formula Student team and Queen's Propulsion Laboratory, and also found time for music and trampolining. During her placement year at Airbus Defence and Space, she worked across multiple departments in innovation management and took part in the UK Challenge — a demanding three-day event involving running, mountain biking, canoeing and problem-solving. That same year, Abi launched her own charity, Boomerang, to help visually impaired children access STEM education. 'STEM subjects can be really difficult to access at school if you're visually impaired — from the teacher's handwriting to calculator displays,' she said. 'Boomerang aims to change that by offering mentoring, hands-on events and an online community to help bridge those gaps.' Abi received the National Trust Time and Space Award during her placement year, and recently won the Enactus Spark 2025 competition to support Boomerang's growth. She was also awarded the Walter Wilson Scholarship from Ulster Carpets for her contribution to the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's. Abi was born with Oculocutaneous Albinism and Nystagmus, a condition affecting her vision but not her determination. She now plans to pursue a master's degree in either space or design engineering and continue developing Boomerang alongside a career in the space industry — a dream she's held since childhood. Also graduating are two students who have excelled in their chosen sporting fields. News Catch Up - June 25th 2025 Elia Tutty is graduating with a degree in Pharmacy from Queen's and leaves behind a lasting legacy both in the lab and on two wheels, having not only competed in cycling for Ireland at the top level, but also initiated and led Queen's University's first-ever women's cycling team in 2023. 'When I joined Queen's, there wasn't a clear path for women in competitive road cycling, so I took the initiative to change that,' she said. 'I believe championing women in sport is so important because visibility leads to opportunity. If young women can see others doing it, they know it's possible.' And Jenna McCarlie graduates with a degree in Dentistry. While completing her final year of her degree, Jenna represented Ireland's senior indoor hockey team in South Africa and Malaysia. And, as captain of Queen's women's 1st XI, she led the squad to their most successful season ever when they became Ulster Premier League champions and won the EY Hockey League Division 2, securing promotion to the top tier of Irish hockey for the first time in the University's history.
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Myanmar refugee: Prison in Malaysia felt safer than home
KUALA LUMPUR: A former teacher from Myanmar who sought refuge in Malaysia says she felt safer in prison here than living under fear and persecution back home. The 33-year-old woman, Aung (not her real name), fled to Malaysia after refusing to continue working as a government school teacher under the military junta following the 2021 coup. Her decision to join the civil disobedience movement made her a target. "My own headmaster threatened to report me to the military. That's when I knew I had to leave." Aung said. Upon arriving in Malaysia, Aung was arrested for lacking valid documents and spent nearly six months in detention and prison. She described her time in custody as deeply isolating and mentally exhausting. "I felt I was no longer human. I started talking to the walls to stay sane," she said. After serving her sentence, Aung was deported to Myanmar only to be detained again. She was later released after her family raised three million kyats, equivalent to nearly a year's savings to secure her freedom. Still fearing re-arrest, she returned to Malaysia and is now working informally while awaiting refugee status with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "Please don't send us back. We just want to live in safety. "For all Myanmar refugees who barely escaped the military junta, this is our humble request to be allowed to stay here temporarily, and not be returned to danger." Aung said the trauma of her past still lingers, but she continues pushing forward to rebuild her life. Heidy Quah, founder of Refuge for the Refugees, said Aung's experience is not an isolated one. Many people who flee conflict and persecution are treated as undocumented migrants in Malaysia and are vulnerable to arrest and detention, especially if they are unregistered with UNHCR. "Without legal recognition, refugees live in constant limbo. "They are unable to work, access education, or move freely without fear. For women and families, the risks are even higher." Heidy said that stories like Aung's are not told to assign blame, but to humanise the people affected and shift the public conversation. "Aung is someone's daughter, a friend, a member of a community. When we reduce people to immigration status, we lose sight of their full humanity," she said. She added that systemic change is urgently needed including alternatives to detention, improved oversight of facilities, and access to healthcare and legal support. But equally important is the need to see refugees as part of Malaysia's social fabric. "It's not about blame. It's about understanding. Dignity isn't a privilege, it's the foundation of any just and cohesive society." In conjunction with World Refugee Day, Heidy said Malaysians can play a role in building social cohesion by supporting refugee-led initiatives, challenging misinformation, and creating spaces for shared experiences. "Each of us has a role to play whether it's listening with empathy, supporting refugee-led initiatives, or addressing misinformation. "Recognising refugees as people with dreams, skills and the desire to belong is the first step towards dignity and inclusion." she added.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Myanmar earthquake: Milwaukee's Burmese community reacts, offers support
The Brief More than 1,600 people are dead following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar. The devastating earthquake is top of mind for those in Milwaukee's Burmese community. A local Burmese restaurant in Milwaukee says it will donate 50% of all appetizer sales in April to help those impacted. MILWAUKEE - There's a desperate search for survivors after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar. The death toll jumped to more than 1,600, and there's concern in Milwaukee's Burmese community. Local perspective At the Myanmar Asian Market in Milwaukee, shoppers couldn't help but think of the heartbreak and horror in their home country. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "I called my sister and my sister told me they are okay," said May Aung. It's a feeling of relief for Aung who is from Myanmar, also known as Burma. There, it's a race against time to find people in the rubble of collapsed buildings. "My brother's house was just shaking, but they're OK," Aung added. Aung said her family members survived the earthquake, which also rocked nearby Thailand. Myanmar's ruling military said Saturday morning that the death toll rose to more than 1,600. Thousands more are injured. Dozens are missing. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "Really sad. My family was crying. My dad was crying. I'm like, 'It's OK, whatever happens, happens,'" said Ismail Junior. What you can do This Asian market is far from the only spot reeling from that deadly, devastating earthquake. The Bay View restaurant, Ni Burmese, wrote on social media: "Tragedies like this remind us how important it is to stay informed, support one another, and help in any way we can." The restaurant told FOX6 News it will be donating 50% of all appetizer sales for the month of April to aid those impacted. What they're saying FOX6 showed the earthquake aftermath to Biva Yauchler, who was born in Myanmar. "Lots of my uncles and aunts and cousins are still in Myanmar," said Yauchler. "People from Myanmar are the kindest, nicest people with the most warm hearts." Like everyone who FOX6 talked with there, she left the market focused on family. "I will talk to my mom right away, reach out to my relatives right away," Yauchler said. What's next Shortly after learning of the quake, President Donald Trump said on Friday that the U.S. was going to help with the response. The Source FOX6 spoke with members of Milwaukee's Burmese community to produce this story. Information and video on the earthquake is sourced from the Associated Press and FOX News.
