2 July 2025, Taunggyi, Shan State, Myanmar – A distinguished academic gathering on heritage conservation titled "Safeguarding Heritage: Earthquake Response Challenges" was recently convened at Shan State Buddhist University. The event was chaired by Dean Sayadaw Dr. Pannyabhoga, with Dr. Kyaw Minn Htin serving as moderator. The keynote lecture was delivered by Daw Ohnmar Myo, Senior Researcher at SEAMEO SPAFA Bangkok, a leading expert in cultural heritage preservation.

As an expert in cultural heritage preservation, specializing in disaster risk management for Southeast Asian heritage sites, Daw Ohnmar Myo facilitated UNESCO's cultural and natural heritage safeguarding projects in Myanmar (2012-2018), contributing to World Heritage List inscriptions of Ancient Pyu Cities in 2014 and Bagan in 2019, and played pivotal role in UNESCO's response to 2016 Bagan earthquake.  

Preserving Our Legacy for Future Generations
In her keynote address, Daw Ohnmar Myo emphasized the multidimensional nature of heritage as:

Tangible heritage: Historic monuments, religious structures, archaeological sites

Intangible heritage: Living traditions including performing arts and craftsmanship

Natural heritage: Sacred landscapes and biodiverse sites

Myanmar's Heritage at Risk: Lessons from Bagan
The lecture highlighted Myanmar's two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

1. Bagan Archaeological Zone (inscribed 2019):

-Survived devastating 2016 earthquake

-Ongoing restoration combines traditional techniques with modern engineering

2. Pyu Ancient Cities (inscribed 2016):

-Showcases early urban Buddhist civilization

-Demonstrates ancient water management systems

Building Resilience Through Collaboration
The expert panel stressed:

-Importance of interdisciplinary approaches combining archaeology, engineering and community knowledge

-Need for disaster preparedness plans for heritage sites

-Role of local communities in preservation efforts

Dean Sayadaw Dr. Pannyabhoga concluded by emphasizing the moral responsibility to protect these sacred sites, stating: "Our heritage is not just stones and buildings - it is the living embodiment of our spiritual and cultural identity."

The event was attended by university faculty, SSBU students, and Buddhist scholars, fostering important dialogue on protecting Myanmar's cultural legacy against natural disasters.