Student Voice - Sing Thang Sian

Coming from Myanmar, getting the opportunity to study at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), one of the region’s most prestigious academic institutions was nothing short of life-changing.

I’m a medical doctor by training, but my passions have always stretched beyond the hospital walls. I've worked on nutrition and maternal-child health projects with INGOs, and also served as a civil medical officer at a tertiary hospital in downtown Yangon. Through these diverse experiences; across both clinical care and public health, in government and non-government settings, I realized my true calling lies in shaping broader health systems. That’s what led me to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) at HKU, with Health Economics, Policy and Management Concentration.

Studying abroad had always been a dream, and thanks to the incredible generosity of the Chan Tung & Friends Global Community of Health for All Scholarships, that dream became a reality. This scholarship fully covered my tuition, accommodation, and living expenses - an opportunity that would otherwise be out of reach for a young professional from an LMIC like me.

I thoroughly enjoyed my MPH experience. The balanced mix of coursework – both elective and mandatory, practicum, and capstone made the program both intense and deeply rewarding. The faculty and MPH program team were exceptionally kind and supportive. I also had a fantastic practicum placement at Clean Air Network, with whom I still keep in touch.

Following my MPH program, I developed a profound interest in health economics, which led me to pursue an MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Alongside my full-time studies, I have been working as an independent researcher, health policy advocate, and social entrepreneur with both local and international organizations. My work has focused on various topics, including ethnic education programs, nutrition in conflict settings, and healthcare in conflict-affected areas. I remain deeply committed to advancing health policy and systems research, with a particular focus on nutrition security, health equity, health system strengthening, and institutional resilience.