The first modular period of the Fall semester has begun with excitement and engaging discussions in classes. To provide liberal arts and sciences education to Myanmar students, Parami Institute of Continuing Education (PICE) offers more than 15 courses in different fields: climate change, sustainable development, writing, psychology, science, STEM education, and social entrepreneurship this Fall semester. 

Including our full-time professors, over ten instructors worldwide teach at Parami in the fall with a strong passion for contributing their knowledge to Parami students, and ultimately, to the development of Myanmar education. As the first two weeks of the semester have passed, instructors are immensely impressed by the diverse perspectives and eagerness the Parami students brought to the classes. Instructors are excited to talk about their teaching experience and what genuinely motivates them to teach with Parami.

Professor Jerry Schiff spent 25 years at the International Monetary Fund, holding several positions, including Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department and Senior Advisor in the Office of the Managing Director. Since retiring from the IMF, he has focused on teaching and training, including at American University in Washington DC and Tokyo University. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin. After several years of planning to contribute his knowledge towards the Parami students, Professor Jerry Schiff could eventually dedicate his time teaching a course called Globalization: Good, Bad or Both? at Parami this Fall semester. 

"The first two weeks of teaching were extremely rewarding and a lot of fun. Discussions in the class have been quite lively, with each student bringing their unique background and perspective to the issues. Everyone speaks their mind freely and clearly. My impression of the Parami students is extremely positive. They are smart and motivated. I have so much respect for their efforts and positive attitude under the most difficult of circumstances." ⸺Professor Jerry Schiff

Phuong Vu, a Ph.D. candidate in Politics at the University of Otago, New Zealand, "I do everything I can to promote liberal thought among young adults and keep intellectual momentum moving forward. I was more privileged when I was their age, so I need to give more." Aiming to contribute to inspiring efforts at Parami to provide education at this critical time in Myanmar, offers a class on ASEAN and Regional Security Dynamics during this semester.

"Students are bright and enthusiastic, always coming to class with questions and ideas. I created a reading hub on Canvas where students can find both academic journals and news items. I also post some recommended readings several days before each class in Announcements so that they can prepare for class discussions. I believe these skills benefit the students in the long run, not just for their success in the ivory tower but for real-world politics." ⸺Phuong Vu

Professor Jack Murnigham received his Ph.D. from the Duke University Literature Department. He has published four books on how to read classic literature for pleasure. He was the Director of Analytics and Strategy for Walt Disney Interactive but retired to pursue writing and teaching. He teaches Critical Thinking and Real-world Problem Solving at Parami this semester. 

"Parami is an integral part of the movement to improve and modernize education within Myanmar. And as someone deeply invested in this country and its people, I feel privileged to be part of that movement. I've always been impressed with the quality of students at Parami, their hunger to learn, their engagement with ideas, and [their] willingness to discuss and grow." ⸺Professor Jack Murnigham

Dr. Hannah Stevens joined Parami again this Fall semester to co-teach Remaking the World: Story-Telling for Social Change with Dr. Will Buckingham. "I taught at Parami in person back in 2018 - 2019, and the students were a pleasure to work with. I had no reservations about working with Parami students again. The courses Parami offers are incredibly necessary and worthwhile, especially during this exceptionally difficult time for people across Myanmar," she shared her previous experience teaching at Parami.

"My first two weeks teaching at Parami have been a total delight. I am incredibly impressed by the students and how they are so engaged and committed in such difficult circumstances. They're incredibly engaged, often asking considered questions and making lots of insightful comments. They are also incredibly polite and friendly." ⸺Dr. Hannah Stevens

Dr. Hannah Stevens is a writer and researcher with a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from the University of Leicester. She has taught creative writing in universities across the UK, including at the University of Leicester and Staffordshire University, and Sofia University in Bulgaria, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Indonesia. She is the author of In Their Absence book.  

Having taught the Parami Leadership Program in 2017, Dr. Will Buckingham teaches at Parami this semester again. "My relationship with Parami goes back a long way now, as I was one of the earliest faculty members back in 2017. It is such an important, necessary project, even more so in the light of recent events in Myanmar. I am glad to be continuing to contribute in this small way." He teaches Remaking the World: Story-Telling for Social Change, together with Dr. Hannah Stevens.

"Working at Parami again has been a delight. The students have been enormously engaged and inspiring, and it is an honor to be involved in such an innovative project at such a crucial time. These are incredibly difficult times for people in Myanmar, and I am hugely impressed by the students' optimism, intelligence, and insight, as well as their warmth and wit. They are wonderful to work with." ⸺Dr. Will Buckingham 

Dr. Will Buckingham has a Ph.D. in philosophy and an MA in anthropology. He has also been Associate Professor in Writing and Creativity at De Montfort University in the UK and Visiting Associate Professor at Sichuan University (China). He writes academically and for a mass audience, and his most recent book, Hello, Stranger: How We Find Connection in a Disconnected World, has just been published by Granta in the UK.

Parami University is grateful and honored to have such a talented and committed team of faculty providing high-end, top-of-the-notch education to Myanmar students with a passion for learning and bringing a change to their communities.