Revitalising Myanmar’s Higher Education

British higher education institutions and agencies, including the University of London International Programmes, are working in partnership to help revitalise Myanmar’s higher education sector and international connectivity. This is the subject of discussions being held at an International Policy Dialogue in Myanmar today, titled ‘UK-Myanmar higher education partnership: turning policy into action’.

Organised and led by the University of London International Programmes, in partnership with the British Council, the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and the Quality Assurance Agency, the two-day dialogue aims to identify specific proposals for the revitalisation of higher education in Myanmar.

The dialogue will feature speakers from higher education institutions and agencies from both the UK and Myanmar, allowing the topic to be looked at from a bilateral perspective. UK expertise will be brought into the current dialogue on higher education in Myanmar, with a programme of keynote addresses, presentations, workshops and networking opportunities.

Amongst the presenters and panelists attending is Professor Sir Adrian Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London. He said: “I am pleased that the UK is playing an important role in revitalising higher education in Myanmar, by providing the opportunity to engage directly and forge new partnerships with senior Myanmar stakeholders.

“By building academic links between institutions in the UK and Myanmar, the dialogue hopes to increase participation and build strong international links within the higher education system. This in turn will help contribute to Myanmar's socio-economic goals, and foster greater educational opportunities for its citizens.”

Although Myanmar’s higher education sector was once of great standing, a Myanmar parliamentary committee is currently redrafting the country’s higher education legislation, alongside various other reform processes.

The new discussions and partnerships, and the practical measures and solutions emerging from them, will support these reform processes, aiming ultimately to help Myanmar’s higher education sector reach Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and international standards.

The dialogue will take place on 28-29 October 2013 at the Park Royal Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar. This event is the third in a series of dialogues; the first was held at the University of London in April this year, the second was held in Yangon in June, led by the British Council.

The University of London

• The University of London is a federation of 18 world renowned Colleges, comprising of multi-faculty Colleges, smaller specialist Colleges, Institutes and other academic bodies.
• Examples include: UCL, Heythrop College, the School of Advanced Study, the University of London Institute in Paris and the University of London International Programmes.
• The University was established by Royal Charter in 1836.
• The University was the first to offer degrees to students irrespective of religion, political belief or gender.
• In 1878 the University of London became the first university in the UK to admit women to study for its degrees.
• The University was also first to offer flexible distance learning, with the establishment in 1858 of the External System, now known as the University of London International Programmes.

source: Digital Journal

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1550206