By BEAM Staff

Congratulations to BEAM Education Foundation graduate from 2025!

Like many young people from Myanmar, Shin Thant Thun faced uncertainty about how he would continue his education. Today, however, he is proving that determination, hard work, and the right support can open doors to incredible opportunities.

Now 19 years old and studying Computer Engineering at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Thailand under a 100% Presidential Scholarship, Shin Thant Thun recently achieved something remarkable.

Along with his team, he won the Grand Prize in Thailand and First Prize in the Asia-Pacific region at the Huawei ICT Competition.

For Shin Thant Thun, the achievement represents much more than a trophy.

“Winning the National Grand Prize in Thailand and First Prize in the APAC region is a massive milestone that validates my technical skills on an international stage,” he says. “It represents the culmination of intense training and personal perseverance, proving that students from Myanmar can compete and succeed at the highest levels of technology.”

The Huawei ICT Competition is one of the region’s most prestigious technology competitions. Shin Thant Thun competed in the Network Track, where participants must design, configure, and troubleshoot complex network infrastructures involving routing, switching, security protocols, and wireless networking.

“It was a high-stakes, adrenaline-filled experience that tested my ability to perform under extreme pressure,” he says. “It wasn’t just about knowing the configurations. It was about having the mental stamina to troubleshoot complex systems while balancing my academic responsibilities at the same time.”

What makes his success even more impressive is that the competition took place during his university final examination period.

“My preparation was a grueling balancing act because I had to practice during my university final exam period, which added a lot of pressure,” he says. “On the day of the competition, the stakes were especially high because I had the competition in the morning and a major university final exam that same evening.”

Despite the pressure, Shin Thant Thun remained focused.

“There were moments of uncertainty when faced with intricate network errors, but I handled it by relying on the fundamental logic I’ve developed through my studies and my work as a mathematics and programming tutor,” he says. “I stayed calm by focusing on the immediate problem rather than the clock or the competition.”

The moment he learned that he had won is something he will never forget.

“I was actually sitting in a class at KMITL when Huawei called me,” he recalls. “I couldn’t hear them clearly because I had to stay quiet in the classroom, but right after they hung up, my teammate told me that we had officially won.”

“I was in total shock and felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Because I was in class, I had to contain my excitement, but I was shaking with adrenaline and immediately messaged my friends and family to share the news.”

For Shin Thant Thun, the victory was proof that perseverance pays off.

Looking back, he credits BEAM with helping him build the foundation that made achievements like this possible.

“BEAM provided the essential academic foundation and the bridge I needed to transition into an international engineering program,” he says. “It gave me the confidence to pursue high-level goals in a foreign country.”

The lessons he learned at BEAM continue to guide him today.

“The mindset of resilience and the importance of community have stayed with me,” he says. “BEAM taught me that no matter how difficult the journey, staying committed to your goals will eventually lead to success.”

Since graduating from BEAM, Shin Thant Thun has continued to grow both academically and personally.

“I’ve evolved from a foundational student into a specialized researcher and tutor,” he says. “Academically, I’ve expanded into complex fields like Reinforcement Learning and TinyML, and personally, I’ve become much more confident in representing my community on a global stage.”

The competition victory has also strengthened his ambitions for the future.

“This win has reinforced my drive to specialize in AI, Machine Learning, and Cyber Security,” he says. “It has shown me that I can handle complex technical challenges, and I’m now more motivated than ever to apply these technologies to real-world infrastructure problems.”

Soon, Shin Thant Thun will travel to Jakarta to attend the official award ceremony, where he will join some of the region’s most talented technology students.

“It is a profound honor to represent KMITL and Myanmar,” he says. “It allows me to showcase the technical talent and potential within our region to the rest of the world.”

For current BEAM students, he has a simple but powerful message.

“Don’t be afraid to take on challenges that seem impossible,” he says. “The foundations you are building now are what will support you when you reach the international stage.”

He also encourages students to stay focused on the basics and continue pushing themselves to grow.

“Master the fundamentals and learn to manage your time effectively,” he says. “Stay curious and keep pushing your boundaries.”

At BEAM, we are incredibly proud of Shin Thant Thun and all that he has achieved. His journey is a reminder that with determination, resilience, and the right support, Myanmar students can compete and excel within a global framework.