Tu Hkawng

Tu Hkawng , also known as Hkalen Tu Hkawng, is a Kachin botanist, independent researcher, pastor and politician.

Early life and education Tu Hkawng was born into Hkalen Duwa family of Jinghpaw tribal group in Hkalen Ga, Kachin State. After his father's retirement from First Kachin Rifle (Katha), the family settled in Mayan Village, Moegaung Township. When his father was accused of food supply to KIA and was imprisoned in Myitkyina Prison, they too moved to Myitkyina.

In 1988, when he was a university student, he served as a secretary of Kachin Literature and Culture Committee and led to publish the annual issue of Kachin Magazine in Kachin language. He completed his bachelor's degree in botany from Myitkyina Degree College under Mandalay University. He participated as a research presenter for Myanmar Democratization and Prospect Ethnic States at the International Geographical Union (IGU2013) Regional Conference in Kyoto in 2013. He also served as a member of Federal Guiding Principle Taskforce in Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), and part-time lecturer for Issues in Federal and Peace, as well as in Community Development.

In 2017, he joined the Doctor of Ministry Program, which is jointly organized by MIT and Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas, USA, and got the doctoral degree in Peace Studies in 2019.