by kfi | Mar 13, 2024 | In the Spotlight |
Congratulations to Kodai School alumnus Dr. Kai Bird (Class of ‘69), who was thanked by director Christopher Nolan in his acceptance speech for Best Director for Oppenheimer yesterday at the Oscars! Said Nolan, “Thank you..to Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin for their 25 years that you put into the book that this movie is based on.” (Their book, American Prometheus, The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006.) Dr. Bird recently attended the Jaipur Literature Festival and spent over an hour conversation with KIS students and staff. In one of the sessions at the festival, he talked about the importance of KIS in his development as a writer and a thinker. We’re thrilled at his success!
by kfi | Mar 8, 2024 | Announcements, In the Spotlight, Projects - current |
The SEAR Scholarship is presented annually to two deserving students from the Southeast Asian region, initially being granted to students of Burmese origin entering Grade 11 at KIS. These students are recognized for their exceptional personal character, outstanding academic achievements, and unwavering determination to overcome challenges. The scholarship seeks individuals who not only strive for personal success but also demonstrate a profound commitment to making a positive impact on their communities.
This scholarship has been initiated by KIS Alumna Ms. Maureen Aung-Thwin (’66) in loving memory of her mother, Margaret Aung-Thwin, a dedicated educator and former KIS faculty member. It embodies the spirit of perseverance, academic excellence, and commitment to community values that Mrs. Aung-Thwin exemplified throughout her life.
Margaret Aung-Thwin’s legacy as an educator and translator is deeply ingrained in the SEAR Scholarship. Her multifaceted career spanned various countries and cultures, reflecting a life dedicated to education and cultural exchange. She was the first of fourteen children born to John F. Hodgson and Naw Thet Po, and she pursued her education with a BA and B.Ed from Judson College in Rangoon and an M.A. from SUNY Cortland. A Fulbright Exchange Scholar, she taught in various international settings, including schools in Rangoon, Kodaikanal, and Cornell University, and led adult education programs for the Miccosukee Native American community in Florida. Her significant contribution to Burmese literature, particularly through her translation of Ma Ma Lay’s “Not Out of Hate,” highlights her dedication to bridging cultural divides through education.
This scholarship is not merely a financial grant; it is an invitation to join a community that values educational excellence, cultural understanding, and a commitment to improving the world. It is a tribute to the enduring impact of a remarkable educator and a testament to the power of education to change lives.
Criterion for granting the KIS SEAR Scholarship
- The scholarship will be granted to a Burmese origin residing in Myanmar or outside and is seeking an admission at KIS in grade 11.
- The applicant should demonstrate a strong financial need (i.e., family income that is not sufficient to cover all education-related expenses at KIS).
- Applicants should excel academically and exhibit outstanding personal character. The recipient will need to maintain a grade-point average (GPA) above 3.3.
- Applicants should exhibit determination and perseverance in the face of challenges and should possess a strong will to succeed.
- “Concern for Others” is a key KIS value. Applicant must not be involved in activity that affects the peace, decorum or democracy in their host country.
Amount Awarded
- This scholarship is a two-year grant covering full tuition and development fees for two students incoming in Grade 11 until graduation.
Support the SEAR Scholarship
Partially funded by the generosity of Ms. Maureen Aung-Thwin, this scholarship also relies on the collective support of KIS and the alumni community, including former students and friends of Margaret Aung-Thwin. Your contribution can make a significant difference in shaping the futures of these promising young individuals.
Contribute to this important scholarship by going to this link: https://www.kfi-us.org/donate-kfi/
If you are in India, you can also donate directly to KIS through their Website at https://www.kis.in/support/make-your-gift
by kfi | Mar 8, 2024 | In the Spotlight |
“Dr Nora Mitchell: Missionary, Master Teacher, World Traveler, Scholar, Geographer, Naturalist, Good Friend”
– Bob Granner, Former staff at KIS
Nora’s travels began as a young girl, in Great Britain, with day trips to Epping Forest, Burnham Beach, and Westminster. She kept a travel log etched with names of the places she visited over the holidays. No further details are provided, but the worn-out passports and endless lists of countries and towns that span her lifetime from 1920 to 2002. All speak of Nora’s love of travel.
Nora’s collection of photos speak the words she did not write down in her travel logs. Going through Nora’s photos feels as if one had the opportunity to get into a time machine; the places, architecture, faces captured, remain engraved in our minds, and we have insight into who Nora was and how she saw the world.
Check out Nora’s photo albums, gifted to KIS after her death, here: https://sites.google.com/kis.in/kisarchives/special-collections/the-nora-mitchell-collection?authuser=0&fbclid=IwAR2Cy0K2Qlms-Dk5IKVzpfo9a8vCSDTM8xkjXnUh-nS4h8e_4qyBiCFv_lE
by kfi | Mar 7, 2024 | In the Spotlight, Projects - current |
Recipient: Anushka Moudgil, Awarded for two years, Grade 11 & 12
Anuskha is the recipient of the Russell De Valois Scholarship (23-25). Having studied in a Cambridge program prior to KIS, Anushka was looking for an academic program that would allow her to enhance her worldview in Economics and Business. At KIS, she continues to thrive academically, keenly enjoying her academic pursuits while taking advantage of our Hiking and Music program.
by kfi | Mar 7, 2024 | In the Spotlight, Projects - current |
Recipient: Vedika Dave, Awarded for 2 years, Grade 11 and 12
Vedika Dave was awarded the KIS STEM scholarship for Women (23-25). Vedika aspires to be a Scientist pursuing her passion in Bio Chemistry. Originally from Gujarat, Vedika has already made many strides in her chosen field, working with eminent professors in Indian Universities and assisting them with their research work. At KIS, Vedika continues to thrive. She is a member of Science National Honors Society, and heads the Girls in STEM club. Overall, Vedika has been a valuable addition to the KIS community!
by kfi | Mar 7, 2024 | In the Spotlight |
CONGRATULATIONS TO KAI BIRD FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE “OPPENHEIMER” A MULTI AWARD WINNING FILM!
Read his reflections on the success of the film and his book on this article in the Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2024/Feb/26/i-was-brought-to-tears-kai-bird-reflects-on-oppenheimer-films-journey-and-its-cultural-impact?fbclid=IwAR3bI4JbXNiKA6-ty6bbLUYnIvMk9v4d7sBb2VSAhWXe1ae7sscufqdMaC8
Kai Bird is a Pulitzer Prize winning historian who has published biographies of John J. McCloy, McGeorge Bundy, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Robert Ames—and now The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter. He has also authored a memoir about his childhood in the Middle East. He is the Director of the Leon Levy Center for Biography at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.
Kai remembers with fondness his two years at Kodai from 1968-69.
As an esteemed KIS alumnus and the brilliant mind behind “American Prometheus”, the inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”, Kai engaged in an insightful and interactive discussion with KIS students. Dive into this treasure trove of literary wisdom by clicking on this link:
https://youtu.be/aq7Acc_muLw
