Members of the Mon ethnic group that resettled to Canada gathered at the Mon Buddhist Temple in Calgary last week to celebrate the success of a young scholar.
Banyae Ong, a Ph.D biological science (Functional Genomics and Genetics) student at the University of Western Ontario, Canada received a Western Graduate Research Scholarship. Ong received the scholarship after finishing his graduate degree in science at the Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
The Alberta chapter of the Mon Canadian Society (MCS) organized the welcoming event for Banyae Ong coincided with the Raining Season Robe Offering Ceremony. The Robe Offering Ceremony, or Waso, marked the beginning of the 3 month Buddhist Lent this year.
MCS Chairman Ong Chem Tala opened the event with a speech. Abbots of the Mon Buddhist Temple; Rev. Khema Wuntha, Nai Khaing Weng and Nai Chan Toik discussed the importance of attaining a good education.
“In the past, many Mons were motivated to further their education and became well-known professionals and teachers in Burma,” said Nai Chan Toik while noting past examples like Dr. Mehm Thet Zan, Dr. Min Tin Mon, Dr. Mehm Ko Ko Gyi and Dr. Than Naing.
“Under the BSPP government, our high education standards have been degraded and many Mons having resettled to third countries. After the 1988 uprising in Burma (we) had limited opportunity to study abroad.”
Banyae Ong told the eager crowd of young attendees that “it is possible for all students from Burma to further their education abroad if they have the resources and the motivation”. But he added they would need to “work extra hard since the education standards in Burma are not up to date”.
