College Persistence Rate Continues to Rise for Myanmar-Americans in USA

College Enrollment rate among Burmese-Americans maintained at a 90 percent average for 2018 and 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 1, 2019—A study released by the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) today at the 8^th Annual Research Presentation confirms the college persistence rate among Myanmar-Americans has increased to 97 percent this year, while the population has maintained a 90 percent college enrollment rate averaged in 2018 and 2019.

“We are delighted to see the continued success of Myanmar-American students with their higher education in the United States,” said Lian Sang, Director of the Institute’s Upward College Programs which helps prepare high school students for their college readiness and success.

The study also shows that 177,608 Burmese refugees have been admitted to the United States since 2000. While over 32,000 Burmese individuals are residing in Indiana, 21,558 are calling Indianapolis their new home. The overall Burmese population in the U.S. is estimated to be over 300,000.

The findings further indicated that the number of secondary migrants, who initially resettled in other cities and states across the US and later moved to Indiana, is also increasing. Of over 21,500  Burmese in Indianapolis, 45 percent are estimated to be secondary migrants, with just 10,202 being primary arrivals in the city since 2000.

The researchers who present their research findings and solution oriented policy recommendations as the culmination of an 8-week intensive scientific PAR research project, said that they hope this information will help policy and decision makers when formulating policies and allocating federal resources across the nation.

As the very purpose of the creation of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program was to provide protection, to give a new hope for refugees which reflects America’s historical global leadership, compassion, rich tradition of providing humanitarian assistance and welcoming newcomers from around the world, the researchers during their presentation emphasized the importance of the US roles in addressing the issues.

In his remarks, BACI Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie thanked all partners and said, “We are grateful for the US leadership. We remain committed to strengthening and expanding our services and reach by collaboratively working with our national and state leaders, and with our partners to ensure newcomers are becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, and productive citizens of the society.”

In addition to maintaining a 100% post-secondary education enrollment rate for those students who successfully completed the Upward College Programs, BACI has been working to empower new Americans through English and civic education, naturalization assistance, as well as assisting the community members with their gainful employment and microenterprise development service provisions as they are becoming fully engaged and contributing citizens.

During this ceremonial evening, the Institute recognize its partners with Outstanding Partner Awards to Meritor, Inc. for their partnership with employment and English training and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law for its exceptional partnership in externship, pro bono, scholarships, and other support.

“We are grateful and sincerely appreciative of the remarkable support that our partners like IU McKinney and others have been giving to us”, said Dr. Ro Ding, Chair of BACI Board of Directors. “We would like to continue working with you,” Ding said.

This year’s study topics include civic and political participation, maternal health, college persistence and economic impact, higher education and college enrollment rates, economic integration, and the U.S. refugee resettlement program and secondary migration.

The researchers also found that an estimated 600+ Burmese-Americans graduated from American Colleges and Universities and 2,000 from High Schools respectively in 2019.

“Education is a means to solve the world’s problems, and the leadership is effectively utilizing it. We are now shifting our conversation to not only about the importance of obtaining an education, but also how to employ it. And we have the responsibility to design the system and create the mechanism through which our human capital and intellectual resources can be utilized to a maximum impact possible, towards a win-win.”

“These individuals are already leading us to build a stronger community here, but they will also help us promote stronger ties between the U.S. and Myanmar through people to people engagement, economic investments, research and policy tools”, Mr. Vahnie said. “We are uniquely positioned, and with the Burmese-Americans, Indiana must be leading the U.S. efforts to help Myanmar achieve peace, democracy, and prosperity.”

Over 200 stakeholders, community members, dignitaries, including Greg Ballard, former Mayor of Indianapolis, representatives from the Office of Senator Todd Young, the Office of Congressman André Carson, the Indiana State Government, Educational Institutions, and business leaders attended this annual event where the research findings and solution-oriented policy recommendations were unveiled.

About Burmese American Community Institute

The Burmese American Community Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through strategic partnerships and advocacy. Since its inception, the BACI has assisted over 9,000 individuals.

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