Growing interest among Arakanese youth to pursue university education in Mizoram State

By Admin 04 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 April 2026, Kyauktaw

There is growing interest among Arakanese youth in pursuing higher education at ICFAI University in Aizawl, Mizoram State, India, as students from Myanmar who have passed their matriculation exam are allowed to attend without requiring a visa.

Young people from Arakan State are particularly attracted to the university due to its links with major IT and construction companies, which help prepare students for employment after graduation.

Education observers in Arakan State note that about 76 percent of ICFAI graduates have secured jobs, making it an appealing option for those seeking both education and internship opportunities in India.

ICFAI University is a private institution offering programs in business, management, technology, and law, and it is among the universities accessible to Arakanese youth without a visa.

However, as a private university, its tuition and admission fees are high, creating financial challenges for many students from Arakan State.

A young man from Kyauktaw said, "As ICFAI is a private university, the fees are much higher than other schools. Tuition ranges from K1.5 million to K4 million per semester, so financial difficulty is the main barrier for many students."

The university is regarded as one of the leading institutions in Mizoram State, and students can obtain a bachelor’s degree after four years of study.

Observers say studying in Mizoram offers Arakanese youth access to an international standard education close to home.

However, many point out that such opportunities remain out of reach for most families due to the ongoing conflict, rising commodity prices, and economic hardship.

A displaced woman from Sittwe said, "The school fees are too expensive when converted into Myanmar currency. People want to study, but when survival itself is difficult, university education becomes impossible."

Despite these challenges, analysts say that graduates from Mizoram universities can gain valuable skills to compete internationally and contribute to the development of Arakan State.

Some suggest that the United League of Arakan should introduce scholarship programs to support talented students.

An education community member in Kyauktaw said, "The ULA could provide full scholarships for outstanding students. Alternatively, a shared system could be introduced where the United League of Arakan covers part of the cost and families pay the rest."

Applications for admission are currently open, with a deadline of July 24, and the academic term is scheduled to begin on August 3.

According to the United Nations, children and youth across Myanmar are struggling to complete their education due to armed conflict, airstrike threats, destruction of schools, displacement, and economic hardship.