The Opening Ceremony of the 2026–2027 Academic Year
BA, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), and MA
Dhamma Hall in Taunggyi, Shan State, Myanmar
The Opening Ceremony of Shan State Buddhist University (SSBU) was held on Thursday, 7 May 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the university’s Dhamma Hall in Taunggyi, Shan State, Myanmar. The ceremony marked the formal commencement of the 10th New Academic Year and brought together members of the Sangha, faculty members, administrative staff, and newly enrolled students from various academic programmes.
The opening ceremony began with the lighting of candles and the paying of respect to the Triple Gem through the recitation of “Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa,” led by Ven. Professor Dr. Sayādaw Khammai Dhammasāmi, Founder and Rector of SSBU. This opening act reflected the university’s commitment to grounding academic life within the framework of Theravāda Buddhist values and practice.
Following the opening homage, Ven. Professor Dr. Sayādaw Khammai Dhammasāmi delivered both the welcome address and an encouragement speech to the incoming students. In his remarks, Sayādaw emphasized the importance of integrating academic study with ethical conduct, discipline, and spiritual cultivation. Sayādaw also encouraged students to make constructive use of their time at SSBU in pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and service to society and the Buddha’s dispensation.
The ceremony then proceeded with the introduction of faculty members by the master of ceremonies, followed by self-introductions from the students. This session provided an opportunity for students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds to become acquainted with one another and with the university community.
A major component of the orientation programme consisted of academic briefings for the 2026–2027 academic year. Programme information for the MA in Pāli and Buddhist Studies was presented by Ven. Dr. Sayādaw Paññābhoga, Dean of SSBU, on behalf of Dr. Aleix Ruiz Falques, Head of the Department of Pāli and Languages, who was unable to attend due to personal circumstances.
Ven. Sayādaw Vicittabhipāla, Pro-Rector of SSBU, introduced the Postgraduate Diploma in Pāli and Buddhist Studies programme, while Ven. Dr. Sayādaw Paññābhoga also presented the BA in Pāli and Buddhist Studies programme.
Additional academic briefings included the Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Management, together with timetable information, presented by Daw Mya Oo, Librarian and Lecturer of SSBU.
Ven. Dr. Sayādaw Vijayābhipāla, Director of the Centre of Manuscript Studies, introduced the MA and BA programmes in Lik Loung Studies, highlighting the university’s continuing efforts to preserve and promote Shan literary and manuscript traditions.
The orientation continued with a presentation on the academic calendar and timetables for the BA, PGDip, and MA programmes in Pāli and Buddhist Studies by Ven. Dr. Sayādaw Pandavābhipāla, Registrar of SSBU.
This was followed by an explanation of the university’s rules and regulations delivered by Ven. Sayādaw Candimā, Director of the Administrative and Management Department.
An open Question and Answer session allowed students to seek clarification regarding academic procedures, university life, and programme expectations. The ceremony concluded with the recitation of Lankar Lik Loung, a traditional Tai poetic rhythm, performed by Zao Zaray Sai Kyaw Khin to ceremonially open the 2026–2027 academic year.
Finally, Ven. Professor Dr. Sayādaw Khammai Dhammasāmi led the assembly in reciting “Buddhasāsanaṃ ciraṃ tiṭṭhatu” three times, formally bringing the orientation programme to a close.
The programme was conducted by Ven. Sayādaw Municāra, Assistant Director of Administration of SSBU, who served as the master of ceremonies throughout the event. Sayādaw's careful coordination of the programme ensured the smooth progression of the orientation sessions and ceremonial proceedings.