Myanmar Agricultural Institute Newly Opened ICT Modern Classroom
Myanmar Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, H.E. Dr. Aung Thu together with representatives from the Netherlands Organization for Cooperation in Higher Education (EP-NUFFIC) made an official opening of the ICT Modern Classroom at Pyinmana Agricultural Institute on 28 June 2018.
A 4-year NICHE project ‘Strengthening of Vocational Education and Training for Food Security’ kicked off in Myanmar in September 2016. After a series of inception meetings and visits to State Agricultural Institutes (SAIs), the project confirmed its focus on five pilot SAIs: Pyinmana, Shwebo, Heho, Thayarwaddy and Zwekapin. Several workshops and assessments have been held since, with key players (SAI division staff, SAI principals and core teachers). The project focused on preparing SAIs to review and modernize its curriculum and teaching methods in order to ensure better linkage to regional agro-specific and job markets. More specifically, the project has:
- Developed job profiles for SAI graduates as 'Extension Workers' and 'Agricultural Entrepreneurs'.
- Prepared for a rapid survey to identify SAI graduates' current positions and a job market study to assess real job needs in the Myanmar agro-sectors and to link up SAIs to agro-companies.
- Conducted an ICT-based needs assessment at SAIs and trained them on how to move forward to modern, student-centered learning (modern classroom of 2020).
- Organized a study visit to the Netherlands in December 2017. A core team of 15 people from pilot SAIs and SAI division (the so-called Educational Support Team) joined the study visit. They held meetings, training session on curriculum design and visited good practice farms and schools in the Netherlands.