Wai Yan Aung

WAI YAN AUNG

Educator, Researcher, Entrepreneur & Humanitarian Advocate

  • Founder & CEO of Miss Golden Land Myanmar Organization
  • Founder & CEO of Mrs. Myanmar, Mister Myanmar, Mini Mr. & Miss Myanmar
  • National Director of Miss World, Mr. World, Miss International and other international beauty contests
  • Founder & President of New Generation Myanmar - NGM (Virtual School)
Studio portrait of Wai Yan Aung in a cream double-breasted jacket and white shirt, against a pale grey background.

From Triumph to Survival: My Fight for Myanmar

Triumph

I am Wai Yan Aung, an entrepreneur, researcher and educational leader dedicated to expanding opportunities for learners affected by conflict, displacement, and social inequality. Born and raised in Myanmar, I built my career across business, social entrepreneurship, public service, and the entertainment and creative industries. In my twenties, I became a successful entrepreneur, public figure and pioneer of Myanmar's beauty pageant industry, helping bring Myanmar back to the international stage after decades of absence. Beyond pageantry, I led philanthropic and community-based initiatives that supported youth development, education, and social causes. These experiences taught me the power of leadership, communication, and community building while showcasing Myanmar's talent, culture, and potential to a global audience.

Wai Yan Aung in a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a gold lapel pin, looking down, against a grey background.
Wai Yan Aung in a patterned red jacket, standing in front of a red stage curtain.
Pioneer in Myanmar Pageantry · Philanthropic Dedication · Social and Community Contributions · Achievements and Recognitions · Roles and Responsibilities

WAI YAN AUNGPublic Figure and Social Activist

Pioneer in Myanmar Pageantry

Public figure and social activist Mr. Wai Yan Aung is a pioneer in Myanmar pageantry and the national director of Miss World Myanmar. From a young age, he has been passionate about beauty pageants, dreaming of seeing Myanmar's representatives and national flag on global stages.

After Myanmar was banned from participating in international pageantry for over five decades, Wai Yan Aung became the first national director from the private sector to send Myanmar representatives to world-class international pageants. With his great efforts in this field of endeavor, Wai Yan Aung founded the Miss Golden Land Myanmar Organization in 2012 together with co-founder and CEO, Han Zaw Latt. Wai Yan Aung's journey has transformed his dream into reality, making him a young entrepreneur and a well-known celebrity in Myanmar, who inspires the youth and the new generation.

Philanthropic Dedication

Wai Yan Aung is a dedicated philanthropist. He organizes beauty contests not only to educate and entertain but also to help those in need and improve society through the pageantry platform. In 2014, he founded the Miss Golden Land Myanmar Charity Foundation to support this mission.

Wai Yan Aung produces role models to represent Myanmar and contribute to charity projects and social activities through the MGLM Charity Foundation. His famous TV shows and the annual Miss Golden Land Myanmar national beauty contest are highly anticipated events in the nation. He also created the Mrs. Myanmar competition for married, divorced, or separated women and single mothers as a women's empowerment program, which has become the most successful Mrs. contest in the country. This program amplifies women's voices and addresses their needs. Additionally, he produces the Mini Mr. and Miss Myanmar contest, the most popular kid event in Myanmar, showcasing children's outstanding talents and personalities.

Social and Community Contributions

Through his charity foundation, he has raised funds for worthy causes, such as HIV/AIDS care, orphanages, senior citizens, disabled persons and people in need. As a young public figure and entrepreneur, he has also made motivational and inspirational talk shows for the youths and education & awareness campaigns at various universities around the nation throughout the year.

He has served as a juror, participant, facilitator and organizer for a number of workshops, seminars, forums, conferences, and fashion & film festivals to develop the creative industry in Myanmar.

Achievements and Recognitions

In 2016, his MGLM Org won Best (5) Asian Top Fashion Organization of the Year at the Fashion Asia 2016 ceremony held in Chongqing, China, among hundreds of organizations from the fashion industry all over the continent of Asia.

In 2018, Wai Yan Aung founded MGLM Training School where students can learn total self-improvement and confidence development.

In 2019, Wai Yan Aung organized the Mrs. Asia International 2019 beauty contest hosted in Myanmar to promote the tourism and culture of Myanmar through contributing to the international community and international exchanges. 26 representatives from the continent of Asia participated in the contest, which was held in Mandalay and at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bagan, Myanmar.

Roles and Responsibilities

Wai Yan Aung serves in creative industry and CSR programs as:

  • Founder & CEO of Miss Golden Land Myanmar Organization
  • Founder of Miss Golden Land Myanmar Charity Foundation
  • Founder of MGLM Training School of Total Self-Improvement and Confidence Development
  • Founder & CEO of Miss Myanmar Organization
  • Founder & Producer of Mister Myanmar Pageant
  • Founder & Producer of Mini Miss Myanmar & Mini Mister Myanmar Pageants
  • National Director of Myanmar for international beauty pageants
    • Miss World
    • Mr. World
    • Miss Earth
    • Miss Tourism
    • Miss Tourism Queen International
    • Mrs. Tourism Queen International
  • Founder & CEO of Mrs. Myanmar Organization (Women's Empowerment Program)

Survival

But in February 2021, everything changed. The military coup upended my life and altered the future of an entire nation. As a public figure with a large online following, I used my platform to support the pro-democracy movement and advocate for democracy and human rights. As the junta intensified its crackdown on activists, influencers, and civil society leaders, I faced increasing risks to my safety. Under the threat of arrest and persecution, I was forced to leave Myanmar and seek refuge in the United States. Experiencing displacement firsthand transformed my understanding of how conflict disrupts education, widens inequality, and shapes the lives of learners and communities.

Wai Yan Aung, wearing a red mask under his chin, sits cross-legged on the ground at a crowded rally beneath red flags.
Wai Yan Aung, in a black mask and a yellow shirt, speaks into a microphone in front of the White House fence.
Activism and Advocacy

Activism and Advocacy

Since the Burmese military coup happened in February 2021, Wai Yan Aung has been actively involved as an activist in various campaigns and movements against the military coup to restore democracy and fundamental human rights in Burma (Myanmar). He stands for freedom and justice and speaks out to the world about what is happening in Burma (Myanmar). When the military targeted him for arrest, he had to escape to the border area of Burma (Myanmar) with the help of the Free Burma Rangers (FBR). In December 2021, he had to move to the United States as a refugee due to the high risk to his security and safety.

Currently, as an activist, he remains deeply committed to the revolutionary movement for Burma (Myanmar), collaborating with various organizations and communities dedicated to achieving freedom for the nation. As a social influencer, he actively leads fundraising campaigns on social media to support those in need, including CDM participants and internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to flee due to the atrocities committed by the Myanmar military. With the strength of his global network and the unwavering support of his fans and followers, he has successfully raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to deliver critical aid to those in desperate need.

Purpose

Rather than ending my work, exile gave it new purpose. As millions of young people lose access to education, I became increasingly convinced that education is more than a pathway to opportunity; it is a source of resilience, empowerment, and hope during times of crisis. Determined to help address this crisis, I founded New Generation Myanmar (NGM), a virtual school dedicated to ensuring that education continues despite conflict and disruption. What began as an emergency response has grown into one of Myanmar's largest online learning communities, serving thousands of students through K–12 education, GED preparation, language programs, and career development opportunities. Alongside my educational leadership, I have supported humanitarian and community development efforts through nonprofit initiatives serving populations affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of the connections between education, human development, and social change.

A young girl in a pink jacket holds a new notebook while a smiling volunteer crouches beside her with another notebook, outdoors in a camp.
New Generation Myanmar, Well Burma, and pageantry
Visionary Leadership in Education, New Generation Myanmar

Visionary Leadership in Education, New Generation Myanmar

Wai Yan Aung is the visionary Founder and President of New Generation Myanmar (NGM), an institution at the forefront of transforming education in Myanmar. NGM is a fully online private school dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education to students across the nation, even during the most difficult times. The school’s virtual platform allows students to learn safely and without interruption, ensuring education remains accessible to those in even the most remote or underserved areas.

NGM offers a wide range of programs, including K-12 education, GED preparation, and language courses, reaching thousands of students online. With a comprehensive KG+12 curriculum, NGM spans from kindergarten to Grade 12, ensuring students of all ages receive a world-class education. Emphasizing technological advancements and practical engagement combined with project-based learning, NGM fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, preparing students to excel in the real-world challenges of the 21st century.

Under Wai Yan Aung's leadership, NGM is committed to inclusivity and accessibility. He offers lifetime scholarships to students and ensures education is affordable for all, particularly supporting families in need. This initiative reflects Wai Yan Aung's dedication to making education attainable for everyone. By empowering students and nurturing future leaders, NGM stands as a transformative force in Myanmar's education sector, significantly contributing to the nation's development and progress.

Scholarship

I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education in the International Teaching and Global Leadership (ITGL) program at Johns Hopkins University. My academic interests focus on educational leadership, educational entrepreneurship, global education policy, and the use of technology and artificial intelligence to expand learning opportunities for underserved populations. My research explores how innovative educational models can improve access, engagement, and learning outcomes for students facing systemic barriers. My professional experiences and personal journey have shaped the questions that drive my scholarly interests: How can education systems remain resilient during crisis? How can technology expand access to high-quality learning for marginalized communities? And how can educational leaders design innovative solutions that promote equity and opportunity?

Wai Yan Aung in a red plaid jacket and a black headband, outdoors among bare autumn trees.

As I continue my academic and professional journey, I hope to contribute to research, policy, and practice that strengthen educational access and human development worldwide. I believe that education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives, rebuilding communities, and creating a more equitable future.

Thank you for visiting my website. I invite you to explore my work, research, leadership journey, and ongoing efforts to advance education, opportunity, and hope for learners around the world.

Get Inspired

Wai Yan Aung, in a white cape, raises three fingers and holds a sign reading 'We can END violence against women, girls & children' at a march.
Dozens of children sit on a long green mat outdoors, eating a shared meal, with a Save Karenni logo in the corner.
Two young men stand at an evening protest, one holding a sign reading 'Abolish the Fascist Myanmar Military'.
A group of people, some on crutches, pose in front of a pale blue school building.
A volunteer in a red sweater hugs a small child who holds a plate of food.
Two boys crouch by a woven bamboo wall, eating rice from plates.
Volunteers serve rice and curry from large pots to a line of elderly people.
A long line of children with bowls waits beside large cooking pots, with green hills behind.
Two men on a stage beside a red banner for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday, with framed portraits and balloons.
Stacks of white sacks of rice.
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  • Wai Yan Aung sits cross-legged at a crowded rally beneath red flags.
  • Wai Yan Aung speaks into a microphone in front of the White House fence.
  • Smiling children crouch in front of a green chalkboard under a Save Karenni banner.
  • A volunteer in an olive shirt carries a large bundle of supplies along a dirt path.
  • Children eat at long wooden tables under a canopy, with a Save Karenni logo in the corner.
  • A crowd of young children eat together, seen from close by.
  • A boy holds rice served on a large green leaf, with other children behind him.
  • Two stacked photos of a row of children standing outdoors in front of trees.
  • Children eat at wooden benches inside an open-sided classroom with a metal roof.
  • Children with plates wait beside a large pot of curry.
  • A crowd gathers around boxes of supplies being handed out outdoors.
  • People wait under a large blue tarp tent where supplies are handed out.
  • Elderly people in head wraps eat together at a long table.
  • A group of children hold plates of food among tall pine trees.
  • Children stand along a very long table set with plates.
  • A girl in a pink jacket and a woman carrying a baby receive supplies.
  • A group of people stand behind green bags of supplies under a green tarp.
  • Volunteers serve food from a large pan to children holding plates.
  • A volunteer in a plaid shirt sits on a green tarp beside bottles of cooking oil and bags of supplies.
  • A volunteer in black crouches beside young children eating from plates.
  • A collage of camp photos with a young child in front and a line of Burmese text.
  • A girl holds a new notebook while a volunteer crouches beside her.