MATC celebrates America’s first Rohingya Student Association

by Zar Ni Ko, MATC Times Contributor

December 1, 2023

Rohingya Student Association Executive Board (left to right): Muhammad Syafiq Hashim (Treasurer), Zar Ni Ko (President), Khin Nu (Event Coordinator), Khin Maung Aye (Secretary), not pictured: Nur Yasmin Omar (Vice President)

Milwaukee has become home to one of the largest communities of Rohingya refugees in the United States. By 2018, over 23,000 Rohingya lost their lives to genocide and over 740,000 people were forced to flee. Facing enormous obstacles, we are proud to be the first generation with the opportunity to attend school with ease. We have proudly established the Rohingya Student Association as an officially registered organization at MATC and the first of its kind in the nation. This marks a significant moment for both MATC and the Rohingya community.

The primary objective of the Rohingya Student Association is to facilitate Rohingya students’ access to education, offer community support, and increase community awareness of our challenges. Through education, advocacy, and community building, the association aims to empower Rohingya students.

Our goal is to create a secure and supportive platform for Rohingyas to pursue education, develop skills, and cultivate their talents.

Given the growing Rohingya population in Milwaukee, the establishment of the Rohingya Student Association is a commitment to future generations and current students seeking education. We aspire to encourage as many Rohingya students as possible to enroll at MATC, allowing them to become successful in the professional landscape and to bring their diverse perspectives to our campus.

About the Contributor

Christopher D’Allen, Editor-in-Chief

My name is Christopher D'Allen and I am the Editor-in-Chief for the MATC Times, a student run paper dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in scholastic journalism. The MATC Times stands as the voice of our students and a bastion of free speech for the communiy we represent. I joined the staff in my first semester at MATC and obtained my current position at the start of Summer '23. Here I am a photography student and hold a BA in Political Science and Spanish & Latin American Studies with a minor in Democracy and Justice Studies. I have worked an Administrative Assistant, World Language Instructor, a Head Lifeguard and Resident Assistant, but have found that my passion lies in the arts. As a photographer, I challenge myself daily to find a new perspective, capture a fleeting scene and turn moments into memories. As we work to relaunch the MATC Times website and grow our staff, I want to make joining our team as positive a learning experience and beneficial a work experience as possible. I strongly believe in the power of collaboration and inclusivity. As an Editor, I actively encourage diverse perspectives. Each student's unique viewpoint enriches our storytelling and fosters a sense of unity within our community. I aim to bridge the gap between words and images, revealing the untold stories that shape our community.