AIT to launch degrees in Myanmar

THE Myanma Computer Group (MCC) last week said that it plans to open a bachelor degree course in telecommunications, the first of its kind in Myanmar, in September, in cooperation with the Thailand-based Asian Institute of Technology.

Both sides reached agreement on February 11 to launch the course, which will be conducted on a two-plus-two structure, meaning students need to study the first two years locally and then continue the next two years of their studies at AIT headquarters in Bangkok.

U Tin Win Aung, the chairman of MCC group, said the course would have two intakes a year. Applications for the first intake, in September, will open in March.

High school graduates can apply for the course but they need to sit entrance tests in English, maths, physics and chemistry, which are key subjects for the course. Applicants who fail the entrance test have to attend a six-month foundation course.

The course will be conducted at MCC’s training institute in Yadanabon, located in Pyin Oo Lwin township in Mandalay Division, with teaching staff from MCC supported by AIT visiting professors.

Professor Said Irandoust, the president of AIT, said: “As an Asian Insitute of Technology, our mission is to serve the needs of Asian countries. We’ve been working for Myanmar’s needs for many years and it’s a part of AIT. We’re committed to ensuring that whenever there’s a need for our program, we can be there and deliver. That’s the major reason [for opening the course here],” said Prof Irandoust.

He added that AIT chose MCC as its local partner because it can meet their criteria, which are assets such as good networking and infrastructure.

He said about 25 to 30 students will be accepted per intake and the course fees will vary between the first two years and the next two years of studies.

The course fees in the first two years of study – inclusive of boarding and exam fees – will be about US$4000 per year while the next two years will cost about $6000 per year but it’s not clear whether it will include room and boards.

The course includes different subjects ranging from telecom organisations and standards to transmission media and systems to internet technology, plus internship programs, which will allow students to work in partner organisations.
When the course is finished, the students will be offered a bachelors in science engineering specialised in telecommunications by AIT.

“We don’t have formal accreditation, but AIT’s programs are internationally recognised as we’ve actually delivered post-graduate, masters and PhD programs for more than 50 years,” he said.

He said AIT has set up a career centre to help the students in finding job opportunities and the centre holds at least two careers fairs a year, in which prospective employers participate.

AIT, which usually focuses on postgraduate studies and doctoral programs, started launching the telecommunication bachelor degree program last November at its headquarters in Thailand and recently expanded the program in its partner universities in Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Prof Irandoust said AIT plans to opening other courses, such as environment and management, in Myanmar, and it will set up its own office in Yadanabon for further expanding.

Established in 1959, AIT is a regional education institution offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees to a student population of more than 2300 from nearly 50 countries. It has overseas campuses in Vietnam and Indonesia as well as the partner universities in Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

MCC group, one of the earliest IT firms in Myanmar, was established in 1989 and currently operates 120 computer training centres nationwide under a franchise system. It opened an international standard training institute, including a boarding system, at Yadanabon last year, and conducts international diploma courses in computer studies jointly with National Centre of Computing in the United Kingdom.

Source :http://www.mmtimes.com/2010/business/511/b51109.html