15 April 2013 – IMU’s International Staff and Students from Myanmar celebrated Thingyan at the University to welcome the Myanmar New Year 1375. This is a hugely popular mass celebration in which people throw water at each other to symbolise the washing away of the previous year’s bad deeds. The Celebration, which is celebrated by everyone in Myanmar regardless of race or religion, was also held to introduce the Myanmar culture to IMU staff and students. This is second time such a celebration was held at the University.
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Prior to the start of the water revelry, an IMU lecturer from Myanmar, Prof Hla Yee Yee gave a Welcome Address followed by the singing of the Myanmar National Anthem. IMU’s Vice-President, Education, Prof Victor Lim then read out the New Year’s Message on behalf of IMU’s Provost, Dr Mei Ling Young. Performances for the day included dances and singing by students and Faculty of IMU and other universities as well as Myanmar workers from the NLD (National League for Democracy, Myanmar). For the Grand Finale, many of the IMU staff and students joined the dancing on stage
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The moment that most students were waiting for was the SPLASH!!! Another IMU lecturer, Prof Peter Barling opened the water revelry by sprinkling water from a garden hose on the students and guests. Quite a number of them then joined in the fun, dousing everyone with water. Overall, the Celebration was a joyous and memorable occasion for all who were present.
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