Scholarship Application Letter Economist in Myanmar Yangon – Free Word Template Download with AI

Date: October 26, 2023

Admissions Committee
Yangon University of Economics Scholarship Program
Yangon, Myanmar

Dear Esteemed Members of the Admissions Committee,

It is with profound enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to economic advancement that I submit this Scholarship Application Letter for the Master’s Program in Economics at Yangon University of Economics. As a dedicated aspiring Economist from Myanmar, I have meticulously aligned my academic trajectory and professional aspirations with the urgent developmental needs of Yangon—Myanmar’s economic capital and a vibrant hub where policy innovation can catalyze transformative change across Southeast Asia.

Having completed my Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Yangon with a 3.8/4.0 GPA, I have immersed myself in research directly relevant to Myanmar Yangon’s unique economic landscape. My undergraduate thesis, titled "Informal Sector Integration in Yangon Urban Corridors," examined how microfinance accessibility impacts poverty alleviation among low-income households in Thaketa and Hlaing Township communities. This fieldwork—conducted with support from the Myanmar Economic Policy Center—revealed that 63% of Yangon’s informal workers lack access to formal credit, perpetuating cycles of economic vulnerability. These findings crystallized my resolve to become an Economist equipped to design evidence-based interventions for Myanmar’s most marginalized populations.

My passion for applied economics is deeply rooted in Yangon’s socioeconomic realities. As the country navigates its post-pandemic recovery and ASEAN integration, Yangon faces critical challenges: infrastructure gaps threatening its status as a regional trade gateway, rapid urbanization straining public services, and persistent inequality between the city’s affluent districts and peripheral townships. In my role as a research assistant at the Myanmar Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), I contributed to a government-funded project analyzing transport cost logistics in Yangon’s port corridors—a study that directly informed policy proposals now under consideration by the Ministry of Transportation. This experience confirmed that sustainable economic growth in Myanmar cannot be achieved through theoretical models alone; it requires Economist professionals deeply embedded in local contexts, capable of translating data into actionable strategies for cities like Yangon.

The significance of this scholarship transcends personal ambition—it represents a strategic investment in Myanmar’s future. The University of Yangon’s Master’s Program uniquely combines rigorous training in development economics with hands-on policy engagement through partnerships with the Central Bank of Myanmar and ASEAN Economic Community initiatives based in Yangon. I am particularly drawn to Professor Aung Thu’s research on "Digital Economy Integration for Rural-Urban Value Chains," which offers a blueprint for leveraging technology to bridge Yangon’s urban-rural economic divide. My proposed thesis, "Fintech Adoption as a Catalyst for Financial Inclusion in Yangon's Micro-Entrepreneurial Ecosystem," directly complements this research, aiming to develop scalable solutions for the 72% of Yangon’s small businesses currently excluded from formal banking systems.

My academic journey has prepared me not merely to study economics but to become an Economist who serves Myanmar. During my undergraduate years, I co-founded "Youth Economic Advocates for Yangon" (YEA-Yangon), a student-led initiative that organized policy dialogues with local government officials on waste management economics in the city’s municipal zones. We presented data showing that integrating informal recyclers into formal systems could reduce solid waste costs by 28%—a proposal now piloted in five townships under Yangon City Development Committee oversight. This experience taught me that impactful economic policy must emerge from collaboration with communities, not just institutions—a principle I will carry forward as a scholar-in-residence at the University of Yangon.

Financial constraints remain my primary barrier to deepening this work. While my family has prioritized my education through informal savings, the cost of graduate studies in Myanmar’s capital—including tuition, research materials, and living expenses in Yangon—exceeds our modest means. This Scholarship Application Letter is therefore a plea for partnership: Your support would enable me to fully dedicate myself to developing context-specific economic frameworks that address Yangon’s most pressing challenges. I am eager to contribute not only through academic excellence but also through mentorship of undergraduate students, participation in the university’s "Yangon Policy Labs," and sharing insights from my fieldwork at national forums like the Myanmar Economic Summit.

My vision is clear: To emerge as an Economist whose research directly benefits Yangon’s economic ecosystem. Within five years, I aim to establish a policy think tank focused on urban economics in Myanmar, with Yangon as its operational base. My long-term goal is to guide national strategy for inclusive growth by demonstrating how localized economic models—developed through partnerships between universities, city governments, and community organizations—can replicate successful patterns across Myanmar’s provincial capitals.

I have attached my CV, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation from Dr. Khin Mar Win (Head of Economics Department at University of Yangon) and U Thant Aung (Deputy Director at MIDS), who have witnessed my dedication to solving Yangon’s economic challenges. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience and can provide additional documentation as needed.

Thank you for considering this Scholarship Application Letter. In Myanmar, where the streets of Yangon pulse with both opportunity and struggle, I am committed to ensuring that economic progress reaches every corner of our city. This scholarship would empower me to transform my academic rigor into tangible contributions for Myanmar’s future—a future built not just in theory, but on the ground in Yangon.

Sincerely,
May Win Hlaing
Student ID: YUE-ECO2023-789

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