Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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undecided which university to choose.
E are living in an information When I looked at the journalism course I
age. In our daily life, news starts found out that investigative reporting is
flowing in the moment we wake included. I am interested in it and I want to
up in the mornings. Our decision makings give the correct information to the public.
are being more and more influenced by And so, I ended up attending the journalism
what we read and see in the media. With course, remarked Ko Htet Aung Phyo, a
latest technology and devices, news travels third-year student.
instantly from one end of the world to Media jobs are different from others in
another. that they have no regular fixed hours. Media Part-time students learn radio broadcasting course at the Myanmar Journalism Institute. Photos: Supplied
This places more responsibility on those personnel have to be ready 24/7 to go to the
associated with media and journalism. news site and gather news. One journalists
They are not only required to disseminate presentation of the same news would differ
news on the spot, but also need to provide from anothers. There is a competition to be
as correct information as possible. Many the first to present the news, and so without
are now joining the media business, as an ardent desire, it would be difficult to
they have become aware that a career in work in the media.
journalism not only plays the role of a Some parents dont like a reporters
watchdog over the government and those in job. Reporters are the eyes and ears of the
power but also helps form a public opinion. public. There can be dangerous situations
There are a whole lot of prominent for reporters and some may even get
media training institutes around the arrested. Without strong interest, it
world. Although Myanmar can boast a would be advisable not to go for it. Also,
number of qualified media personnel, a one cannot become rich by pursuing a
government-recognized college, granting journalism career, said Ko Su Min Ko, a
a degree in journalism, was opened only senior reporter from News Federal Times.
in 2007-08 academic year. The National
Management Degree College (NMDC) is in Private journalism schools
Botahtaung township, Yangon and run by There are also some local private
the Department of Higher Education under journalism schools. They are the Myanmar
the Ministry of Education. Journalism Institute (MJI), Yangon
Minimum marks required to enter the Journalism School (YJS), Center for
college will vary depending on the number Myanmar Media Development (CMMD)
of applicants. This is the only journalism founded by Saya Maung Wuntha and
school which grants a degree. We accept Myanmar Media Development Center
every student across the nation who (MMDC) opened by the Forever Group.
wants to join us, said Dr Zin Mar Kyaw, a Some of these schools run short courses in A teacher demonstrates video making lessons to a full-time student at the Myanmar Journalism Institute.
departmental head. rural areas.
One distinct feature of MJI is its one-
Requirements to attend a journalism year full-time or part-time diploma course.
course Foreign experts and well-experienced
Generally, a total of over 400 marks in the local journalists teach both theories and
matriculation exam is required to attend practical lessons to students attending
journalism course in Myanmar. Only 50 full time from various states and regions.
students a year are accepted. After four Part-time courses are for journalists with
years of study, one would be conferred with a minimum of one years experience in
a BA (Journalism) degree. If one passes their field. Starting from July 2014, the MJI
with distinctions in major subjects, they opened a part-time multimedia diploma
can attend a Masters course, although this class with 15 students each from Yangon
cannot be attained locally yet. Countries and Mandalay.
like Hong Kong, China and England offer The MJI is financially supported
graduate degrees, and some organizations by Germanys DW Akademie, Frances
like the Open Society offer scholarships. Canal France International, Swedens
Dr Moe Moe Aye, associate professor FOJO Media Institute and Denmarks
from NMDC, said, What is unique here International Media Support. Furthermore,
is that we have to learn media ethics and MJIs partners contribute in one way or
media law as a separate subject. Editorial another UNESCO approves the MJI
writing, which is important in journalism, curricula, the French embassy provides
is also included. Print and broadcast scholarships and the Forever Group donates
media are taught throughout the four-year necessary materials and broadcasts the
undergrad course. class registration announcements for free.
Hundreds of applicants respond to the MJI training director U Sein Win
annual enrollment advertised in the papers. commented to The Myanmar Times U Ye Naing Moe, founder of Yangon Journalism School, and students at a journalism course closing ceremony.
EduCentre
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The Internews collaborates with foreign countries in giving short-term journalism classes.
JULY 2017
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Y studying a postgraduate
degree, one will develop
skills that will support
them through their daily life, such
as time management, research
work, presentation and writing
skills. Depending on the field of
expertise one is studying, they could
find themselves in small classes
and working closely with people
who also share their background,
allowing them to work within a team
with consideration for different
perspectives.
On the whole, postgraduate
careers have greater chance of
opportunities than those with lesser
qualifications. Ones postgraduate
subject area may make them stand
out from the person that has the
same graduate degree, but not the
passion for the particular area the
employer is looking for. Being able
to talk and relate ones learning
experiences to a future postgraduate
career in an interview may not
guarantee the job, but may ease that
tricky interview ones been dreading.
Oppositely, a postgraduate program
can be used as a conversion course
for those who wish to change career
directions, leading into a whole new Daw Khin Hnin Soe, founder and principal of Myanmar Metropolitan College. Photo: Tin Yadanar Tun
path, regardless of the academic
choices one has made when they were
younger.
Being fuelled by a dream, being
successful in ones career is a great
place to start. However, for most
postgraduate students, the fuel is the
desire to learn and contribute to their
field of expertise. For this months
EduCentre, we will focus on one of the
private colleges based in Yangon that
has undergraduate and postgraduate
Business programs for youths who
are looking towards improving their
career prospects.
The Myanmar Metropolitan
College (MMC), established in
2013, offers the Higher National
Diploma (HND) awarded by the
Scottish Qualifications Authority,
UK, for undergraduate level, and
Master of Business Administration
(MBA) awarded by MMCs
partner, University of Business
and International Studies from
Switzerland, for postgraduate level.
At both undergraduate and
postgraduate levels, students
can study subjects in areas like
accounting, finance, economics,
management, marketing and
business IT.
Providing international-level
experience for students
We also provide courses for soft
skills and industry-linked activities Learning comes alive at a seminar held by the Myanmar Metropolitan College. Photo: Supplied
EduCentre
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and transparent about how long Facebook:
DUCATION has always been change will take and the challenges www.facebook.com/
the backbone of a nation. they face. Theyre starting from AustralianEmbassyMyanmar
It is a gateway for students a low base and implementing a
to realize their full potential, and number of large and complex Australia Awards Myanmar
contribute to the development reforms at the same time. It will email:
of the nation. Myanmar is not be turned around overnight and www.Australiaawards.
undergoing educational reforms, people need to know that. myanmar@dfat.gov.au
and in February of this year, State
Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Improving access, completion and To apply online for Australia
launched the National Education learning for everyone Awards Scholarship:
Strategic Plan (NESP) (2016-21) Australias objective in educational www.oasis.dfat.gov.au
as a main roadmap to its changes. support is to improve access,
The ultimate responsibility for completion and learning for To learn more about Australian
educational development lies with everyone in Myanmar. Andrea universities and study options
the government, but international emphasized that one of the aims of in Australia:
assistance can help support their the Australian aid is equity to see www.studyinAustralia.com
reform agenda by building capacity Andrea Cole, First Secretary (Education), Australian Embassy, Yangon. Photo: Aung Khant that every boy, girl, woman and man
and improving quality. has access to a quality education For translation of academic
With the aim that people from provides an estimated A$25 million the next five years and they have without discrimination. qualifications:
Myanmar would become more in assistance annually and has already started implementation. Australias support for education www.internationaleducation.
aware of what Australia has been become one of the largest donors in Development partners are here is focused on improving basic gov.au
providing for this nation, The the education sector. to support them to implement education. With increased
Myanmar Times EduCentre had a Sharing her thoughts on the it. You can go a long way with education, living standards will For self-funding students to see
chance to talk at length with Andrea Myanmar governments approach commitment. Thats often a first improve and poverty will be different course costs:
Cole, First Secretary (Education), to educational reforms, Andrea thing development partners are reduced. Where possible, Australia www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
Australian Embassy, Yangon, during said, The NLD [National League looking for. supports the MoE to deliver
which she talked extensively about for Democracy] government One of the challenges will be the education programs. Such
what Australia has been doing and the Ministry of Education managing expectations about how an approach not only ensures is Australias largest aid investment
concerning Myanmars education [MoE] are both very committed to long it takes to build capacity to Australias support reaches all totaling $84 million for the period
sector. improving the quality of education bring about changes and deliver government schools in the country of 2014-21. Under this project,
Education has been a key in Myanmar, and they are off to a high-quality education outcomes. but also ensures the ministry will school grants are provided by the
focus for Australias assistance to great start with the NESP. This plan There are high expectations of the be able to deliver quality services MoE twice a year to over 47,000
Myanmar since 2011. Australia sets out the vision for reforms over government to turn things around in future without the support of government and monastic schools
development partners. to reduce the financial burden on
Australia also provides support parents and communities. Student
to ethnic and monastic schools. stipends, starting from standard
Australia recognizes that many five, where the largest number of
children in Myanmar are receiving drop-outs begins, are provided to
schooling through non-government 158,000 underprivileged families in
education systems and believe all 55 townships, resulting so far in 97
children should have access to a percent of students with stipends
quality education regardless of staying in school.
where they live. The project also bolsters
As development partner and teaching methods in primary
co-chair of the Education Sector schools through a new teacher
Coordination Committee, Australia mentoring and school cluster
is also working with the United strengthening program. New
Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) primary school teachers with less
to help the ministry ensure than three years experience in 80
assistance to the education sector townships are being mentored by
is coordinated and in line with the 317 experienced educators. Within
NESP. four years, this project aims to go
national to benefit around 90,000
Four main educational themes teachers. The project also supports
In March, Australia committed early grade learning assessment and
a further $71.5 million over four intervention.
years (2017-20) to support the The second program is the
implementation of the new NESP. new Myanmar Education Quality
According to Andrea, there are Improvement Program (My-EQIP)
four main educational themes through which Australia will
that Australia is currently offering contribute $20 million over five
Myanmar. years (2017-21). It aims to build
The first is the Decentralizing the capacity of MoE to monitor
Funding to Schools Project, education reforms and improve
Teacher mentoring activity supporting primary school-level teachers with three years or less experience, funded under the Decentralizing implemented in partnership with
Funding to Schools Project in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Australia and the World Bank. Photo: Supplied the MoE and the World Bank. This Continued on page 7
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GTHS providing
second chance to
school dropouts
Trainees are being effectively coached
using both theoretical and practical Students being trained at an electronic training course at Government Technical High School,
Magwe township. Photos: Supplied
A
Kyaw Khine, principal of GTHS (Pinpat), told
S job opportunities dwindle, schools The Myanmar Times EduCentre.
offering vocational education are Maung Thatti Phyo, a student who took an
indeed a welcome to youths who entrance exam at GTHS in Magwe Region,
did not complete their education for one lamented that, although he wanted to attend
reason or another. Myanmar has a number of the school, he couldnt do so as he failed the
training classes for all purposes, but for school entrance exam.
dropouts, the Department of Technical and Students should be given equal
Vocational Education and Training (DTVET), opportunity, he muttered. He also told The
under the Ministry of Education, has opened Myanmar Times EduCentre that it was unfair
36 Government Technical High Schools entrance exam was not required for attending
(GTHS) in various states and regions. schools located in provinces, whereas it was
Youngsters interested in attending a GTHS required for Magwe schools.
need to pass the basic education middle One parent also pointed out that An engine repair demonstration being observed by students.
school or Grade 8. Initially, the entrance as attending a GTHS will bring in job
requirement was for students who are not over opportunities for the country, all students of these schools differ from one another, and second year exam result. Students who just
the age of 18; however, starting from the 2015- interested in continuing their studies at so are the major subjects taught at the schools. made the grades will be given certificates to
16 academic year, the age requirement was GTHS should be given equal entrance enter relevant worksites as skilful labourers,
removed, and anyone who has passed Grade 8, requirements. Montly stipend for students according to an announcement made by the
regardless of their age, can attend a GTHS. An Although GTHS are opened in various GTHS (Magwe) accepted only 150 out DTVET.
entrance exam will not be required to attend states and regions, the entrance requirements of around 350 students who applied for GTHS held their entrance exam for 2017-18
attending this school in 2015-16 academic academic year from May 8 to 23. However,
year, but held an entrance exam and accepted those schools that do not reach the number
160 out of 402 students in this current 2017-18 of estimated students extended the entrance
academic year. The government provides exam period to June 11. The exam tests
K30,000 per month for each student admitted students in English and Mathematics subjects.
to its schools throughout the academic year Students who complete the GTHS can work in
so that they would not face hardships in various factories as skillful workers.
pursuing their education, but only under
these conditions students should not Short-term polytechnic courses for a living
wear long hair, not dye their hair, not wear Although students who did not pass Grade
earrings, attend school regularly and pass all 8 are not admitted at GTHS, short-term
exams. polytechnic courses are opened for students
Students are being effectively coached who had passed Grade 4. Courses include
using both theoretical and practical teaching servicing or maintaining farming mechanical
methods. products, diesel and petroleum engine
U Thet Naing, principal of GTHS (Magwe), maintenance, motor cycle maintenance,
explained that more than 25 student trainees home electrical grid connection and welding.
are attending each of the courses taught Basic computer and land surveying courses
building technology, electronic technology, are taught to students who had passed Grade
machine technology, auto mechanics 8 and did not get entrance to GTHS, U Thet
technology, electrical technology and Naing, told The Myanmar Times EduCentre.
information technology resulting in a total He said trainees are being taught with
of 166 students attending their designated goodwill and they learn vocational techniques
courses in the present 2017-18 academic year. by attending these short-term polytechnic
GTHS (Magwe) teaches six major courses with which they can earn a living.
subjects, but GTHS (Pinpat) teaches only He said they are making plans to get support
three. Opportunities granted to GTHS from others.
students also vary year by year. After final exams at GTHS, students will
GTHS students who passed their exams get one month on-the-job training (OJT) to
with flying colors in 2015-16 academic year practice what they had learnt. Though GTHS
had the opportunity to attend Government in different states and regions are producing
Technological Universities (GTU) directly skilled labourers, there are still hurdles
and those who just made the grades could linking them with relevant factories. It will
attend Government Technical Institutes be more successful if the government and
(GTI). But in 2017-18 academic year, GTHS regional authorities support GTHS students
students who passed their exams with flying being connected with factories and private
colors could only attend GTI, according to businessmen for their OJT, U Thet Naing
relevant institutes student selection policies. said.
Students must sit for high school exam as Translation by Kyaw Soe Htet,
Nothing like hands-on learning for students at a vehicle engine repair course. external students, regardless of their GTHS Win Thaw Tar and Khine Thazin Han
EduCentre
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Being educated on
mobile applications
Possessing these apps would be beneficial,
although there are no training schools to teach
how to use them
Aung Kyaw Nyunt as they carry many benefits to Service (YBS) Official Application,
aungkyawnyunt28@gmail.com the user. If one does not have any the 39 Bite Pu Application and the
W
knowledge on how to use them, they Yangon Bus Report were created
ITH increased mobile will be left one step behind. by local developers. Those apps are
penetration rate in Some of the favorite online useful with handy information on bus
Myanmar, many mobile applications in Myanmar include lines network, available service and
applications, which can be used either Viber, Line, WeChat and MyChat bus routes. Using those applications,
offline or online, once connected which are used to connect with a passenger needs no assistance from
to the Internet, have emerged in each other, in addition to other anyone in traveling around Yangon.
the market. It has now become a applications from the social network Likewise, there are banking
necessity to be educated on these Facebook. applications to study bank services,
mobile apps. Following the new bus system health applications, agriculture and
Mobile applications are significant in Yangon Region, the Yangon Bus livestock applications for farmers and
weather forecast mobile applications.
Those applications can be
downloaded from Google Play Store
and Apple Store. Applications can
also be shared between Android users Mobile applications are significant as they carry many benefits to the user. Photo: AFP
through Zapya.
how to start using them. Gmail accounts. In that case, a user
Learning by trial-and-error A certain level of English is without a Gmail account would face
Possessing these applications would required as the descriptions would some hurdles.
indeed be beneficial, although there be mostly in English. Only then Locally-developed applications are
are no training schools to teach how one can have full knowledge on a in Myanmar language and they will
to use them. One would have to learn specific application. Users can also be easy to use. It is also important that
only by trial-and-error. thoroughly learn how to use the apps developers create simple, easy-to-use
When downloading an app by sharing knowledge with other and user-friendly applications.
from Google Play Store, facts about users. There are some self-study books,
the application and how-to-use One should also be in the know on like how to use Facebook or Google,
explanations are described in English how to find the easiest way to register at local book stores and one can also
together with graphics. Some apps, an application. Some applications learn from them.
Mobile apps can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store. Photo: AFP once downloaded, include tutorials on require that they be registered with Translation by Zaw Nyunt
ADVERTORIAL
JULY 2017
10 LEARNING WITH
Ma Ei Myo Thu
(third year Mathematics, Dagon University)
JULY 2017
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I dont like going to school wearing a school uniform. Students are told
to wear longyi (traditional mens wear) and white shirt. I prefer wearing
casual clothes like slacks and T-shirt. I also try to imitate movie stars and
their fashion styles. But I would be disheartened with my new fashion if my
style hasnt improved. I usually use the mirror on an average of six times a
day.
Im online as soon as I get up in the mornings. And then I take my daily
exercises. After that I go to school. I get very bored with my school lessons
that have to be memorized. They can teach the same lessons prescribed,
but their teaching method has to be changed. I prefer studying myself than
being taught. It will be beneficial if there is mutual discussion between
the teacher and the student, and not only one way from the teacher. We
also have to attend tuition classes after school hours, which are quite
unnecessary, if we were taught well in our class.
When our friends meet together we would all plan to skip our classes.
More so, if they are going to teach the same lessons that we have already
learnt. Depending on how much money we have, we would just roam about,
watch movies or go to cyber cafes. We would buy about 1GB data packet and
download our favorite movies. We have seen almost all movies, except those
locally produced. When I watch tragedies, I try not to cry as a man, but my
eyes usually well up with tears.
I like listening to songs through my earphones and singing along them
loudly at a place where nobody would be bothered with the noise.
My motto is a quotation by Albert Einstein: A clever person solves a
problem, but a wise person avoids it.
JULY 2017
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