Kumari Yengkhom Ronica Devi is the 1st international student of Yunnan University to give a speech in Chinese language at a convocation programme held at the same university.
TFM Moreh Correspondent
A girl from a remote corner of north-east India coming from a humble background made a mark in the academic world. Kumari Yengkhom Ronica Devi was awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by Yunnan University in People’s Republic of China on June 9, 2022 for her research work on international relations and ethnic conflict. She did her research under the supervision of Prof Liu Zhi of the Department of International Relation Yunnan University China.
Ronica, daughter of Yengkhom Mani Singh and Yengkhom Brajeshwari Devi is a resident of Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai, Kakching District. She is the eldest of three siblings. Her parents have been residing at Moreh Ward No 5 Premnagar for the past 25 years as they are presently teaching at a private school in the border town.
She was a researcher at China-India People to People Exchange Center, China, under Prof Yu Xinli and Prof Cai Chunyang. The centre was jointly established under Yunnan Minzu University and Jawaharlal Nehru University on June 28, 2018. Ronica is the 1st international student of her university to give a speech in Chinese language at a convocation programme held at the Yunnan University.
Ronica did her schooling at Netaji Memorial English High School Moreh (K.G. I to Class III), Dr Colvin Academy Moreh (Class IV to Class IX), Netaji Memorial English School, Moreh (Class X) and Parma Ratna English School Kakching (Class XI-XII). She did her graduation and masters in Chinese Language and Culture at Visva Bharati University, West Bengal. Under fully-funded study under Chinese Scholarship Council, Government Of People’s Republic Of China.
Speaking to this correspondent over phone, Ronica said, “Since my childhood, I have had some craziness about learning different languages and it became my aim in life after my class XII.”
She mentioned that Pabung Elangbam Rabei, Retd. Manipur Police officer, and Tamo Manju Elangbam were the first persons who gave her knowledge about Visva Bharati University. She got admission to Visva Bharati Cheena Bhavan in the year 2008 with the help of Manju.
“After my bachelor’s degree course, I was lucky enough to visit China in 2012. During my first visit to Yunnan University, I was captivated by the atmosphere of the campus, the friendliness of Chinese people. So, after coming back, I started aiming for study abroad,” she said.
“Luckily, I got my Chinese Scholarship just after my MA course and the university that selected me was the university that I visited in the year 2012,” she said. She was admitted to the university for further study in 2014.
She also said, “Now Yunnan province Kunming city is my second home. I’m very thankful to my Baba and Mommy for their hard work and effort in upbringing me.”