Bangkok--29 Apr--Asian Institute of Technology
Norway’s Ambassador to Thailand HE Katja Christina Nordgaard visited the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on April 25, 2014 to meet with a large number of scholarship recipients from Myanmar who are supported by Norway to study at AIT.
For the past three years, the Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) has annually sponsored 40 students from Myanmar to further their Master’s level studies at AIT in Thailand. Addressing a gathering of NMFA-supported students from Myanmar, the ambassador also met some students from Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR who are funded by Norway.
As a former ambassador to Myanmar, she spoke of her great fondness for the country and its people whom she said are now “extremely keen to catch up and learn” through educational opportunities. The ambassador also introduced elements of life in Norway, telling the students it would be good if they could maintain a connection to her country in the future.
“It’s clear that Myanmar needs professional human capital,” said the envoy, adding that she was happy that the scholarship recipients to AIT included strong representation from the country’s various ethnic groups and women.
The coveted NMFA scholarship program attracts a high degree of interest in Myanmar every year, with less than 10 percent of applicants receiving a scholarship. The final batch of forty students has been selected and will enroll at AIT in the August 2014 semester, AIT Admissions Office officials said.
Ambassador Nordgaard added how pleased she was to meet with the young Myanmar scholars for the third time, and asked them all to do their best to work for peace and to apply their knowledge and skills for the positive development of their country. She also offered some advice: “Young people can make a difference by making their voices heard. Decide where and how you want to make a difference in Myanmar and go for it.”
Ambassador Nordgaard was accompanied on her visit by Mr. Erik Svedahl, Minister Counsellor and Dr. Chatri Moonstan, Senior Program Officer, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok.
Photo caption: Norway’s Ambassador to Thailand HE Katja Christina Nordgaard (2nd row center) is seen with scholarship recipients from Myanmar.