Policy Press

Resistance through Higher Education

Myanmar Universities’ Struggle against Authoritarianism

By Licia Proserpio

Published

Dec 6, 2024

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1529241068

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Dec 6, 2024

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1529241075

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Resistance through Higher Education

In February 2021, Myanmar experienced the third coup d’état in its modern history. Unprecedented strength was displayed by Myanmar civil society as it fought back against these new authoritarian drives. Where did this strength come from?

Fearing the loss of the benefits gained in the previous decade of reforms (2011-2021), students, teachers, professors, and activists fuelled the Spring Revolution. To understand what is happening in Myanmar, this book outlines the historical efforts by Myanmar universities to advocate for a more just society and offers unique insight into the long-lasting struggle of education against authoritarianism.

By exploring Myanmar’s social and political struggles through the lens of higher education resistance, the book offers a compelling narrative about the life of the country following the latest coup d’état, an event that continues to puzzle the international community.

Licia Proserpio is Adjunct Professor at the Department of History and Culture at the University of Bologna, Italy, and at the School of Liberal Studies at UPES, India.

Introduction

1.In the Wake of the 2021 Coup: The Resistance by the Educated Gen Z and Their Teachers

2.Myanmar’s Higher Education in Historical Perspective

3.Building ‘Reformist’ Higher Education in Myanmar

4.Impossible Resistance to Neoliberalism: Making Myanmar Universities More Autonomous but Not More Inclusive

5.Higher Education for the Revolution

Conclusion