|
Burma, officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is situated in South-eastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand. It has an estimated population of 53.5 million, with an annual growth rate of 5.3 per cent (2010 estimate) and the country comparison to the world 65. The labour force population is 31.68 million (2010 estimate) and unemployment rate is 5.7 % (2010 estimate). The productive segment (15 to 64 years) is estimated at around 67.5 per cent of the total population. Nearly ten per cent (4.259 million) of the whole population resides in Rangoon, officially known as Yangon, the former capital city of Myanmar, 1.009 million in Mandalay, the former second capital and 992,000 (2009 estimate) in Nay Pyi Daw, the capital city of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Myanmar had been ruled by a military junta, known as State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for more than 20 years who seized the power in the early 1990’s soon after the outbreak of a public outcry for democracy in 1988. The Political situation in Myanmar has been volatile since then and it has drastic effects on the country’s economy and social development. Myanmar Parliamentary elections held in November 2010, considered flawed by many in the international community, saw former regime officials together with the 25% reserved military bloc control over 80% of the total seats in both national parliaments. Parliament convened in January 2011 and selected former Prime Minister Thein Sein as president. The vast majority of national- level appointees named by Thein Sein are former or current military officers.
Although a resource-rich country due to gross mismanagement of the economy over many decades Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in Asia being classified by the United Nations as one of the 48th least Developed Countries in the world ranking number 30 and for Human Development Index (HDI) ranking number 135.
The global crisis of 2008-09 caused exports and domestic consumer demand to drop. Remittances from overseas Burmese workers - who had provided significant financial support for their families - slowed or dried up as jobs were lost and migrant workers returned home. Although the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbours, significant improvements in economic governance, the business climate, and the political situation are needed to promote serious foreign investment.
Reliable data about poverty in Myanmar is scarce, but a household survey from 1997 found that 23 per cent (11.2 million) had an income below subsistence level and recent studies indicate that households spend 70 per cent of their income purely on food, an indicator of the vulnerability of poor people in Myanmar. Although personal wealth of the elite is growing, the majority of people remain poor (some 25% below subsistence level). Myanmar GDP is $42.95 billion and per capita is $ 1400. The multi- currency, US$: cash and bank transfer, Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) and local currency Kyats issue is a problem for any foreign firms/ business in Myanmar. The economy shows no sign of any revival and the sluggish economy cannot offer enough jobs for the high number of professional certificate holders. Therefore, young educated people still prefer to go overseas to continue their higher level professional study for better career prospects.
Education has traditionally been highly valued in Myanmar but its quality is undermined by under-investment. The state education system is gradually deteriorating due to a lack of quality teaching staff, classroom resources and quality teaching methods. Recently, the government’s attention has shifted to private education sector and granted licences to a few prevailed age private institutions (no more than ten) to run as a private boarding school for the secondary level. Students are allowed to enter matriculation examinations once they finish their qualification from these private schools.
Due to declining quality of state education system, students and parents crave for better qualifications and study opportunities abroad. However, because of the poor state of the economy, only the rich and upper classes can afford UK qualifications. Studying in the UK is, therefore, usually associated with prestigious position and a graduate from the UK is perceived as a member of an elite club. Although inflation in this country has been increasing year after year, wealthier parents have tried their best to enable their children to possess internationally recognised certificates. Middle class parents often make very considerable sacrifices to invest in their children’s future.
Demand for UK qualifications fluctuates due to a range of factors, such as qualifications not meeting the standard entrance requirement, limits in availability of the International banking system to undertake financial transactions, recent changes in UKBA regulations (eliminations of post study work for example) and the entirely unpredictable economic situation which directly influence the ability of parents to fund their children’s education.
Education in Myanmar enjoys a favourable environment as the people have traditionally given education the highest priority in their lives. Although monastic education played a major role in fostering basic literacy among people from all walks of life, it became less prominent under the British rule. Recently, however, the monastic education has been revitalized and is expected to play a complementary role especially at the primary level.
The education system is based on the UK’s system due to nearly a century of British presence in Myanmar. A number of courses opened by the Human Resource Development Centres under the Ministry of Education were held in partnership with foreign and local private enterprises contributing to their courses. Nearly all schools are government-operated, but there has been an increase in privately funded schools which offer preparatory courses for international exams.
There are 156 higher education institutions in Myanmar. 64 institutions, which form the majority, are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education while 92 institutions are under 11 other ministries and the Public Services Selection and Training Board. All the higher education institutions are state-financed. The 156 higher education institutions specialise in varied fields such as arts and science, law, economics and business education, teacher education, foreign languages, engineering, computer studies, maritime studies, defence, agriculture, forestry, medicine, nursing, veterinary science, culture and fine arts, etc. and offer a variety of programmes – undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree programmes and doctorate programmes. Higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education have also established Centres for Human Resource Development that offer re- education and retraining human resource development programmes ranging from short- term certificate programmes to master’s degree programmes.
There are two departments of Higher Education, one for lower Myanmar and one for upper Myanmar. These two departments are responsible for administration and co-ordination of higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education.
Although higher education institutions come under the administration of different ministries, academic and administrative policy matters relating to higher education are managed by the two councils chaired by the Minister for Education. They are; the Universities’ Central Council, and the Council of University Academic Bodies. The Universities’ Central Council is principally responsible for the framing of broad policy and co-ordination of the work of higher education institutions while the responsibility of the Council of University Academic Bodies lies in the adoption of academic regulations and co-ordination of academic work.
The 64 higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education has expanded enormously the number of courses offered to promote a wider choice for students as well as to introduce courses that are more attuned to the needs of the times. Higher education institutions are also focusing on ways to contribute to regional development by offering courses that fulfil community needs. Apart from regular undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the institutions also offer distance and human resource development programme.
Two universities of Distance Education, Yangon University of Distance Education in lower Myanmar and Mandalay University of Distance Education in upper Myanmar have been established to provide access to higher education to those who are unable to pursue it at conventional institutions for some reasons. Under the education development plans, new specializations- English, Oriental Studies, Myanmar Studies, Creative Writing, Public Policy, Home Economics, and Business Management were introduced at the distance education universities in addition to the existing 12 disciplines – Myanmar, Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Law, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Zoology, Botany, and Economics. As in other higher education institutions, the credit system was also introduced at the Universities of Distance Education to facilitate student transfer from conventional institutions to those specializing in distance learning and vice-versa.
Under the National Centre for Human Resource Development (NCHRD) are the Centres for Human Resource Development established at every higher education institution under the Ministry of Education. The centres identify community needs and initiate vocational, professional and technology based courses that are in demand. The centres for human resource development began their activities in 1998 with certificate and undergraduate diploma courses, but they have now begun to offer degree, postgraduate diploma, and even postgraduate degree courses.
A number of courses opened by the human resource development centres were held in partnership with foreign and local private enterprises contributing to their practical relevance.
There are also private schools in Myanmar for students who wish to follow international qualifications either with the American or the British curriculum. These schools start accepting students at Pre-Kindergarten level and those who follow the American curriculum usually need to study up to Grade 12. As for the schools that follow the British curriculum they prepare the students to be able to sit for GCE 'O' levels after the completion of matriculation. IGCSE and GCE exams are offered by the British Council Exams Services.
So far the main market for international qualifications only exists in Yangon. There are quite a number of local education agents active in the market, representing a range of study destinations in Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and Cyprus. However, there is no official agent association to regulate these agencies and the British Council is not in a position to check the quality of their services. Over the years, HE and FE qualifications from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand have come into the market as main competitors for UK and US qualifications. Increasing numbers of local professional training centres also turn their focus on access/foundation courses that would prepare students for further studies in these countries.
Despite aggressive marketing activities from competitors like Singapore and Malaysia over the years and the worsening situation of the country’s economy, there has been no dramatic decline in the number of UK bound students and according to the report of HESA over the last three years, the number has remained around 500, increasing up to 575 in 2009/10 (including Transnational Education) with UG taking the largest portion of the total number and the most popular subjects being Business, Management & Administrative Studies, Computer Science & Information System, Engineering & Technology, Accounting & Finance, Hospitality, Clinical Medicine, Pharmacy and other Science Subjects.
Regardless of the poor economic situation, demand for international qualifications continues to grow in Myanmar and parents remain committed to investing in their children's education and the students themselves are very keen on self-improvement. The Burmese Education System is gradually deteriorating although the country government has recently been shifted from military regime to the new reformed civilian-run government where the country has expressed cautious optimism at the change.
Most of the students after finishing their matriculation will go for their further studies at the state universities or colleges. At the same time, they will take up vocational qualifications or professional courses which are locally available such as City & Guilds, NCC, LCCI, CIMA, ACCA, and CIM that will help them prepare for entrance requirements when taking up HE and FE courses in the UK and other countries. Over the years, an increasing number of local professional training centres/institutions have come into the market, offering preparatory courses for UK exams and professional qualifications to thousands of students.
Transnational education exists and continues to grow(both in Yangon and Mandalay) in the form of various qualifications (including degree level) offered at local institutions. In addition to number of programmes, there is a growth in the number of students taking up transnational courses locally every year.
There is also a growing demand for locally available overseas exams and among professional subjects UK exams have consistently taken the largest market share, taking up around 75% of the market for international exams. In 2009/10 50,719 UK exams took place, the most popular qualification being LCCI occupying 60% of total exams. Other professional exams such as ACCA, NCC, ABE and C&G are also popular among the target segments and these occupy another 26% of the current market. According to some local agents in Myanmar there is a slow yet steady growth of students taking up UK education.
Due to nearly a century of British influence in Myanmar, UK qualifications are perceived as top quality and UK graduates as prestigious. Though it is a fact that UK education is largely affordable only to the rich and elite, middle class families also make enormous investment in their children’s education.
UK qualifications are positioned in the market along with those from Australia and the USA as high quality high price products. Based on the information provided by the reputable local education agencies it is estimated that the UK takes more than 30% of the total market size.
Increasing competition and marketing activites are being observed from Australia, the USA and Singapore (the number of education agencies representing Singapore has grown very quickly and is currently around 40 in Rangoon alone) which is estimated to attract around half of all outwardly mobile students from Myanmar.
Moreover, over the last three years increasing number of local education agents, especially those representing Singapore and Australia turn their attention to running preparatory courses jointly with destination institutions and these attract a large number of school leavers (16+). This can serve as an attractive option for those who can’t afford to study in the UK or USA.
In terms of collaboration with the government sector, only those who have good political relationships with the local government have the opportunity to establish research links with the institutions. Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia and Germany are among the countries allowed to work with the Department of Higher Education. Some government universities under the Department of Higher Education are running joint diploma courses in association with Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand which attract a large number of our target groups. They also offer financial assistance to the government and scholarship programmes to candidates. Japan and Korea offers student exchange programme such as PHD level in law, while Russia and Germany has a similar programme in nuclear physics. In collaboration with French government, there are also exchange programmes available for nurses, doctors, engineers and agricultural field experts. There are also exchange programmes between the military institutions of Myanmar and Russia.
There are two British Council offices in Myanmar, Rangoon and Mandalay (the former second capital), with the main office in Rangoon. Both offices have public access. We are widely recognised in the community as the premier provider of English language training, learning and study resources through the library, certification of skills through our examinations administration, and easily accessible and up-to-date source of information on study opportunities in the UK. The British Council is also well known for creating self-development opportunities for ELT teachers from the local community.
The public have a very positive attitude towards our services and it reflects in the number of customers, who use our services. The Teaching Centre business has expanded over the past few years, with 2,000 students per year and the British Council is positioned at the top of the market as a provider of high quality English language classes, enjoying an excellent reputation among those wishing to purchase a quality international educational experience.
Being the best source of unbiased information resources in the country, our Library attracts around 1,200 visitors a day. With over 9,500 members using our 40,000 items, our library supports a wide range of learning opportunities and a huge collection of study materials give assistance to the students as well as the tutors. The demand for UK exams is also growing constantly and in 2010/11 our Exams Services administered 53,383 exams, LCCI being the most popular exams, taking up almost half of the total number. British Council’s high profile activities, conferences and education fairs, attract around 1,200 – 1,400 visitors. Local private sector also supports our activities and ELT centres and professional training schools accommodate a large number of our potential customers.
The Education UK promotion team began operating and giving full access to information on UK education to the public in late 2003. The first high quality Education UK exhibition was held in Rangoon in following year. Between 2004 and 2008 six education UK exhibitions were organised, attracting more than 6,500 visitors.
In 2009/10 following a review of our marketing strategies, the British Council replaced Education UK exhibitions with seminars and presentations and online and offline marketing and communications publications to maintain our role as a reliable source of unbiased information on UK education.
We have replaced the walk-in education enquiry handling with email enquiry service.
The internet connection in Myanmar remains slow and sporadic. However, internet café are growing rapidly and increasing number of students search for information online. In 2010, British Council Myanmar created and launched www.myanmar-network.net, one of the largest social networking websites, engaging in education in Myanmar. Within one year, it has become one of the largest British Council Social networking sites in the EA region, attracting more than 19,000 members nation-wide. In 2010-11, British Council corporate site and Myanmar Network were viewed by 251,256 unique visitors and number of page impression for both sites reached 1,518,986 at the end of FY. Online provision of high quality information has therefore become one of our top priority areas. To provide the UK institutions with the opportunity to directly market their products to potential students in Myanmar, we have recently introduced banner advertisement service on Myanmar Network. We are at the stage of reviewing our menu of services and the revised edition will be available in 2012.
| 
