“Throughout my journey as a geologist, researcher, educator, and above all, a mother, I have remained guided by the belief that knowledge must serve humanity,” Hla Aung said.
Myanmar seismologist Hla Aung received the 2026 ASEAN Prize on Nov. 15 for turning decades of earthquake research into practical safety measures for schools and vulnerable communities across Southeast Asia, globalnation.inquirer.net reported.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn presented the regional award to the 79-year-old scientist during the opening ceremony of the 49th ASEAN Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center, VERA Files reported.
The honor marks a milestone for the researcher, who serves as a patron of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee. She is the ninth person to win the prize since its establishment in 2018, according to VERA Files.
Aung Studied Geology and Published Research on Myanmar Earthquakes
Aung studied geology at Yangon University and worked there as a research assistant from 1969 to 1993, globalnation.inquirer.net reported. She later became a senior researcher at the Myanmar Engineering Society in 2007.
Her bibliography includes 60 publications listed on ResearchGate. Her key texts feature “Myanmar Earthquakes History,” which reached its third edition in 2017, and a 2011 study titled “Potential Seismicity of Yangon Region (Geological Approach),” globalnation.inquirer.net reported.
Beyond academic publishing, Aung focused her efforts on grassroots outreach. She regularly prints materials and travels directly to disaster-prone areas to distribute them after tremors occur, the Daily Tribune reported.
“I have to write articles and print them and distribute them to places. Sometimes, we have an earthquake; we go to the places and distribute them,” Aung told the Daily Tribune.
Recognizing Dedication at the Summit
The prestigious award includes the official ASEAN Trophy and a cash prize of $20,000, funded with support from the Singapore-based Temasek Foundation and the Ayala Foundation of the Philippines, Philippine News Agency reported.
Kao praised the recipient for connecting technical expertise with regional disaster management priorities. He said that her career proves how individual dedication can foster resilience across member states.
“Her remarkable contributions not only support Myanmar communities, but ASEAN’s broader priorities in disaster management and sustainable development,” Kao said.
Aung emphasized that timely information sharing remains vital for saving lives during sudden seismic events. She urged regional policymakers to invest heavily in scientific studies and make those findings easily accessible to ordinary citizens, the Daily Tribune reported.
“At 79 years of age, I have come to appreciate that time is our most precious asset, and how we choose to use it defines our legacy,” Aung said, according to globalnation.inquirer.net.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Award
Who administers the ASEAN Prize?
The ASEAN Secretariat administers the annual honor, with financial support from the Temasek Foundation and the Ayala Foundation of the Philippines, Philippine News Agency reported.
What does the recipient receive?
The award comes with the official ASEAN Prize trophy and a monetary grant of $20,000, according to VERA Files.
Where was the 49th ASEAN Summit held?
The summit took place at the Philippine International Convention Center on Nov. 15, Philippine News Agency reported.
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