Long time Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize on Monday, Oct. 14, but might not know it.

She is under house arrest, apparently because she is opposed to military government at this time and might not know she is the recipient of the award.

Her actions have had the backing and support of some Burmese NIU students.

“Suu Kyi has broken many rules,” said Than Win, graduate student and native of Burma. “She is trying to oust the government and has done many things that were against the present regime.”

However, Win said she feels Suu Kyi’s actions are bettering the country. “Now I think Burma has more positive attention,” she said. “Maybe this will put more pressure for the present government to work harder.”

Micheal Aung-Thwin, director of NIU’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and a native from Burma, agrees.

“Burma has been in the news for bad issues, such as killings. Now there is more positive attention,” he said. “This is the first time in a long time that Burma has been on the map and in the news in a positive way.”

Saw Tun, another native of Burma and assistant professor of Burmese language said he is very excited that Suu Kyi has been awarded the prize.

“It is quite fair,” Tun said. “She has been under house arrest and didn’t give up. She is very strong and deserves it.”

Suu Kyi has recently written a book about her father’s life as a national leader during the time when Burma was fighting against the British people and has written essays about Burmese literature during the colonial period.

She also is presently working on her Ph.D.