The Japan International Cooperation Association (JICA) office in Myanmar has announced that its association will pledge¥1.35 billion (around $13.5 million) towards the advancement of engineering subjects in two technology universities in Yangon and Mandalay.
This project is a five-year endeavor that willbeginon 5 October 2013 and continue until 5 October 2018. Its major aim is to support the curriculum at the two participating Myanmar universities. It will also facilitate the development of the schools’ Human Resources departments that are needed to advance the ability and potential of students and education officers.
Moreover, the project will supply the participating universities with teaching and learning aids. The JICA announced that they willconduct research on the universities’ currentcourse syllabuses and will upgrade those of several major subjects, including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Power (MP), Electrical Power (EP), Electronic Engineering (EC), Mechatronic (MC) and ICT.
“The Ministry of Science and Technology will sign a MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] with the JICA on 4 October for this project,” said Dr. Sai Kyaw Naing,Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Science and Technology office.
Sevenuniversities from Japan—Kyoto University, Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University and Kumamoto University—will also be assisting the involved Myanmar universities: professors from the Japanese schools are preparing to conduct several guest lectures and lessons.
The project will also provide several PhD Programs in Japan for Myanmar scholars. The Sandwich PhD Program, for instance, includes two years of schooling in Myanmar and another two in Japan, and there are myriad others that consist of four-year tenures at Japanese universities.
Source: Mizzima News
