In view of both the prevailing complex political, social and humanitarian challenges in Myanmar/Burma and the still limited scope of opportunities for meaningful direct engagement with the regime and civil society there, HBF has adopted a rather indirect approach consisting of “small steps” towards the country’s democratic change. The country program is based on the following three pillars:

• Our Scholarship Program
• Initiatives for Alternative Communication and Education Channels
• Advocacy for Pro Engagement

Call for applications. Information and Forms Please note: selection process for the academic year 2009/10 has been closed!

Heinrich Boell Foundation holds an annual scholarship competition for a small number of students from Myanmar/Burma to study at two premier Thai universities, offering three international Programmes. The “HBF Call for Master of Arts Scholarship Programme” with guidance notes is available from November of the current year to February of the following year.

Application forms and entrance qualifications for the international programmes of the respective universities are available at web links provided below and as word and pdf documents.

• The Master of Arts in International Development Studies (MAIDS) program at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science.

application procedure 
application form 2009 
reference form 

• The Master of Arts in Sustainable Development of the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) at Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Social Sciences.

announcement for admissions 2009 
application form 2009 

• The International Master of Economics Program of the Faculty of Economics (M.Econ) at Chiang Mai University.

application form 2009
Letter of Recommendation
Bilingual  Master's Program
Admission Schedule 2009

Our Scholarship Program

A  Scholarship  Program  that  addresses  the existing needs for bridging educational disparities between  the  country and her more prosperous ASEAN neighbours: The Foundation  offers  young  Myanmar  scholars  three M.A. scholarship programs at two major Thai universities, Chiang Mai and Chulalongkorn. Chiang Mai University offers an international M.A. Programme in Sustainable Development Studies at the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), and a M.A. Programme in International Economics at the Faculty of Economics (MEcon), whereas the M.A. Programme at Chulalongkorn University focuses on international Development Studies at the Faculty of Political Science (MAIDS).

• RCSD:  http://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th/
• MEcon: http://fuangfah.econ.cmu.ac.th/programs.asp
• MAIDS: http://www.ids.polsci.chula.ac.th/

• HBF Call for M. A. Scholarship Programme:  http://www.boell-southeastasia.org/   

Our scholarship program helps to build the intellectual capacity of a small but growing number of Burmese civil society actors. In our carefully designed educational process, the young scholars become inspired to use their expertise and knowledge in such practical fields as journalism and social activism upon return to Myanmar/Burma. The scholarship program also produces a strong alumni network which helps to sustain information exchange among its graduates and fosters a sense of social solidarity and intellectual affinity.

One of our scholarship holders at the Myanmar day
events at Chiang Mai university, August 2007