Defying odds and striving for a brighter future

The village that Dr Kyan Htoo grew up in had no electricity, no intermediate or secondary schools and no hospital. He was one of five children being raised by their mother, after Dr Htoo’s father sadly passed away before he was born.

Despite this backdrop of adversity, Dr Htoo’s mother and elder brother made a decision that would shape his future.

“They resolved to do everything in their power to ensure I would be the first in our family to graduate from a university. This unwavering determination instilled in me a sense of purpose and ignited a desire to fulfil their dream. I committed myself wholeheartedly to the cause, embarking on a journey of resilience and grit,” he says.

Dr Htoo went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science at Yezin Agricultural University in Myanmar, one of the nation’s top academic institutions. From there, he set his sights on a master’s degree, which led him to Hankyong National University in South Korea, where he graduated with a master’s degree in agriculture and rural development in 2012.

With each achievement, he says he could sense the transformative power of education and he became more resolute in his aspiration to be an agent of change.

The next step in Dr Htoo’s education journey was completing a PhD, which led to a relocation to Aotearoa New Zealand.

“My family and I faced numerous hurdles in the pursuit of my goal of achieving a PhD, from relocating to New Zealand to overcoming language barriers and supporting my wife’s job search. Then came the global upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, further complicating our lives.”

One of the biggest challenges Dr Htoo faced during his PhD was when a military coup erupted in Myanmar in early 2021. The crackdown on peaceful protesters and the loss of thousands of civilian lives, coupled with the destruction of homes, left him deeply concerned for the people of Myanmar.

“It was a harrowing time, and my focus on studies wavered as my thoughts were consumed by the crisis in my homeland,” he says.

It was the support of family and the patience and encouragement of his supervisors that Dr Htoo credits with sustaining him through this trying time.

“They helped me find the strength to continue my PhD journey even when concentration seemed almost impossible. I persevered, extending my study multiple times, but eventually I emerged victorious.”

Dr Htoo’s PhD research investigated why there was a robust growth of maize, the second most important cereal crop in the Myanmar, in the country’s Shan State, despite a number of challenges. His study identified multiple factors influencing the maize value chain that led to it performing as it did.

He says his career objective is to become a policy specialist in order to bring about positive change in society. His journey has shaped his desire to have a meaningful impact and shed light on the importance of education for his village and beyond.

“I remain committed to being a beacon of inspiration and change for my family, my village, and anyone who dares to dream.”