News Archive

The Indiana-based Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) honored IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law with an “Outstanding Partner” award in recognition of the law school’s “exceptional partnership in externship, pro bono, scholarships and other support” to the Burmese community.

In conferring the award, BACI Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie thanked IU McKinney for offering “Dean’s scholarships” to members of the Burmese community. He also thanked IU McKinney students and alumni for providing support to the group and members of the Burmese community. The law school’s J.D., LL.M. and S.J.D. students frequently volunteer at BACI, thereby helping the Burmese community.

BACI gave the award to the law school during its 8^th Annual Research Presentation, which took place at the University of Indianapolis on August 2. High school student researchers from the BACI Upward College Summer Scholars program presented their findings and solution-oriented policy recommendations to help address a variety of refugee issues and concerns. Those included civic and political participation, U.S. refugee resettlement and secondary migration, and higher education and college readiness, among other subjects.

Out of the more than 177,000 Burmese living in the U.S., more than 28,000 reside in Indiana. They comprise the largest number of refugees in the state.

In the photo from left are Elaisa Vahni and Perfecto Boyet Caparas, LL.M. '05, Associate Director of Graduate Programs at IU McKinney.