For Rohingya students, education is not just a dream, it is a fight for survival. 

Decades of persecution and displacement have made survival an everyday struggle for the Rohingya people from Myanmar's Rakhine State. Denied citizenship and basic rights, many Rohingya are confined to remote and insecure camps across Asia, with no legal means to work, little access to healthcare, and a rapidly shrinking safety net of international aid. In these challenging environments, access to basic services, including quality education, remains extremely limited. Despite these overwhelming challenges, twelve Rohingya students at Parami University are determined to change their futures through education.

These are students who study full-time at Parami University while simultaneously carrying the weight of supporting their families. Without financial support, they face an impossible choice: continue their education or abandon their dreams to find whatever work they can to keep their families from falling deeper into crisis. For many, their journey to Parami has already been marked by unimaginable hardship. We cannot let their journey end here.

At Parami, we are dedicated to empowering future leaders by creating an inclusive learning environment where every student, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background, can thrive. Licensed under the Higher Education Licensure Commission of Washington, DC, as a not-for-profit online university, Parami partners with Bard College to offer dual associate and bachelor degrees. We offer full-tuition scholarships and work tirelessly to support twelve Rohingya students with the essential resources they need to succeed. In addition, we are proud to announce that three of our Rohingya students are graduating with their associate degrees this year, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey and in our ongoing effort to transform lives through education.

Their Unimaginable Struggle to Reach Parami

Parami’s twelve Rohingya students struggled greatly to be selected for the program. After finishing high school, many had to improve their English through free or paid courses (if the internet was available in their villages and camps). Some had to drop out and restart due to family crises, while others had to seek scholarships for enrollment fees they could not afford. Many had never used a computer before, making the extensive online application process an immense challenge. They had to borrow devices, secure stable internet access for entrance exams, and in some cases, even race against incoming cyclones that threatened to cut off their last chance at applying. One student, suffering from extreme malnutrition, nearly missed his deadline altogether. But through sheer determination, they made it and now, they need your help to stay.

Why Your Support Matters

While Parami University covers tuition, our Rohingya students face a daily battle for basic survival. They urgently need help with living expenses to remain focused on their studies. This is where your support becomes crucial.  It provides the essential living expenses – food, basic medical care, and family support – that tuition alone doesn't cover. Without this additional assistance, these students may be forced to abandon their education. 

Imagine striving for an education while living in a refugee camp, without a stable income, healthcare, or a safe learning environment. This is the reality for these twelve determined students. 

Your Direct Impact

A monthly stipend of just $150 per student is the minimum required to keep them enrolled and focused on their studies. This modest amount covers essential living costs and provides a foundation of stability in their incredibly challenging circumstances. With your help, we can ensure these students complete their undergraduate education and build a better future for themselves, their families, and their community.

Our Goal

We aim to raise $21,600 to provide a year of essential living stipends for our twelve Rohingya students. This amount ensures that each student receives $150 per month for the next 12 months.

Double Your Impact: Matching Gift Opportunity!

Thanks to a generous matching grant from IDRC's Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM), every dollar you donate will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $21,600—this amount covers one year's worth of support. With K4DM’s match, your contribution will have double the impact, totaling $43,200, which will support students for two years! 

How Your Donation Makes a Difference

• $25 – Provides internet access for one student for a month, enabling them to attend online classes

• $50 – Helps a student afford essential learning materials to keep up with coursework

• $100 – Covers emergency medical expenses for a student living in harsh conditions

• $150 – Supports one student’s living expenses for a month, ensuring they have food and basic necessities

• $450 – Provides three months of stability, helping a student focus on studies instead of daily survival

• $1,800 – Fully funds a student's living costs for a year, securing their path to graduation

Testimonials of Resilience (please note that the names are fictional for privacy reasons)

Win

“Despite being a refugee confined to a camp, I am fortunate to pursue an internationally accredited degree specializing in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Parami University. The high-quality advisors, world-class faculty, and supportive environment of diverse peers have equipped me with critical thinking skills, allowing me to delve deeper into complex political dilemmas in Myanmar and shaping my worldview on these crises through different lenses. In addition, the coursework, which includes presentations, class discussions, and group projects, have prepared me to advocate for a better political climate and gender equality in Myanmar. As a conflict-affected individual, fueled with hopes and dreams, I aim to transform my instabilities and adversities into opportunities through my education at Parami University.”

Kyaw

“I am a Rohingya student originally from Arakan State, Myanmar, currently living in a refugee camp. Being a refugee, I did not expect to access higher education. My best fortune was that Parami University offered me a chance with a stipend to study the best quality education without facing any barriers along the way. Initially, I had zero knowledge of using computers as I had never had one before, and all the classes were taught online. This was a big challenge for me to earn good grades during the first semester. After working hard to familiarize myself with all the study tools on the computer, I slowly improved my typing skills and am now able to use a laptop for study. My academic journey at Parami has enhanced my knowledge, critical thinking skills, and leadership skills, while also equipping me with the capacity to respect diversity and gender equality. I firmly believe that I can apply this knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to community-based organizations working for the democratic movement of Myanmar. Moreover, my second-year fall semester GPA is 3.81 which is a testament to my improvement and skills at Parami University.”

Your Support Means Everything

These students possess incredible talent, passion, and determination. What they need is a chance – a bridge over the financial insecurity that threatens to derail their dreams.

Your donation is not just aid; it is an investment in their potential and a beacon of hope.

Be the reason they graduate. Give today and empower a Rohingya student’s journey to a brighter future.

Donate now