Aung Myint Myat Kyaw is a fourth-year university student with a passion for all things digital. In 2019, he was selected by the ASEAN Foundation to receive training on computer science education under its ASEAN Digital Innovation Programme (ADIP), a partnership programme with Microsoft which aims to create a generation of future-ready youth in the region. This training allowed him to conduct similar training courses for scores of Myanmar youth who lack digital skills.
“When I was a child, my father bought a computer for business, and this started my interest in computers. I started learning how computers work, and I became interested in computer software. At first, my parents didn’t like me spending a lot of time on the computer. They wanted me to focus on my studies and pass my exams. After I got a scholarship on programming from the training center, New Horizons, they began to support my interest in programming. I started learning programming in 2017.
“Aside from programming, I am also knowledgeable about Internet security and privacy. I started learning about cybersecurity and data privacy in 2019. The movies The Great Hack and Do Not Track Me made me interested in them. I love to educate people about how to safeguard their privacy on the Internet and about digital tools.
“Currently, I am creating a chatbot for digital security as well as a digital helpline. The chatbot for digital safety and security that I am working on is a project for a nongovernment organisation called MIDO. People need to know how their data on the Internet is obtained and how many types of data they are giving away to different Internet sites. Most people don’t know the amount of personal data they make available on social media. In Myanmar, 97 per cent of Internet users use Facebook. Many also experience cyber-bullying, blackmail, etc., every day. We are focusing on giving digital knowledge and help through this project.
“When the ASEAN Foundation sent me an invitation to serve as a trainer under ADIP, I was very excited. It is my greatest achievement so far. I became a trainer for online ASEAN coding classes. This programme is very good for Myanmar youth who want to learn a programming language, especially now that many are staying at home due to the COVID-19 situation.
“I also work as a teacher, handling Grade 11 Mathematics and Physics, while I study. I got high marks in Mathematics and Physics in my matriculation exam, and so my neighbors asked me to teach their children. I began working as a home teacher. I have been teaching for three years now. I have some passion for teaching, and I love to give my knowledge to others.
“In Myanmar, there are many young people with a university degree, but they don’t know what to do for work or profession. It is a major problem for the youth in Myanmar and a challenge for the educational system too. As for me, I tried self-learning on the Internet and attended other training centers.
“If ASEAN wants to support the youth in Myanmar, it should provide training for professionals and conduct livelihood workshops for the youth. In addition, it should encourage youth cultural exchanges between ASEAN countries since it leads to personal development and it is an effective way to learn about neighboring countries in the region.”
