Even with elementary education, an engineering career is not a distant dream. It’s still possible to build one without stepping into a university.
As a developing country, engineering and technical skills are indispensable to Myanmar, and what it needs to achieve democratically and economically. The country needs to produce talented engineers to build basic infrastructures and its technology base.
For someone to pursue an engineering career in Myanmar, there are options to attend either government technical institutes or diploma courses offered locally by overseas-based institutions.
“There’s a lot more to do in expanding our country’s infrastructure, like roads, bridges, airports and dockyards. So, we not only need engineers, we also need them to be skilful and qualified,” said Tin Latt, a member of the Myanmar Engineering Society.
For students who have completed their 8th Standard schooling (elementary education) in Myanmar, there’s a way to become an engineer by joining a technical high school (THS). If a student completes the two-year course at a THS with high grades, they can move forward and, depending on what courses one takes, join a government technical institute (GTI) or a government technical college (GTC) managed by a government technological university (GTU).
If high school students wish to join a GTU directly, they are required to get a minimum of 360-445 marks (depending on a specific GTU) in total for all subjects in the final high school examination. Those who obtain 340-380 marks (depending on benchmarks designated by each state or region) in total can join a GTI/GTC opened under a GTU in some states and regions. There are 33 THSs in Myanmar, each admitting about 90 students every year.
Technical high schools under the Ministry of Education are now open for new student enrollment for the 2016-17 academic year. These schools are located in Putao, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Hkamti, Mindat, Kalay, Monywa, Pakokku, Lashio, Panglong, Taunggyi, Kengtung, Meiktila, Loikaw, Nay Pyi Taw, Magwe, Pyay, Taungoo, Sittwe, Hinthada, Maubin, Pathein, Hpa-an, Mawlamyine, Dawei, Myeik, Pinya, Myingyan, Chaung-U, Ywama, Let Khoke Kone, Tiddim and Mandalay.
THS students can also enjoy a monthly stipend of K30,000. After graduating with a certificate from a THS, one can apply for a job in either the public or private sector. Whether a student passes or fails their second year exam at THS, they can still sit for the ordinary high school exam as an external student and pursue their studies at other universities like others.
Once admitted to a THS, a student has to undergo a two-year course there to be admitted to a GTI/GTC, and then to become a GTU graduate in engineering.
Quick Read:
Total number of engineers in Myanmar: 316,144
Total number of students graduated from Yangon Technical University (from 1927 to 2014): 25,025
(PhD degree holders 527, Master’s degree holders 2556, Postgraduate diploma holders 1041, Bachelor degree holders 20,901)
Total number of private engineering universities and colleges in Myanmar: 6
(Source: Myanmar Engineering Council, May 2016)
In 1990, the Rangoon Institute of Technology or RIT (established in 1963) became the Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT). Under the supervision of YIT, the Mandalay Institute of Technology (MIT) opened in 1991. Then in 1998, the institutes were renamed the Yangon Technological University (YTU) and Mandalay Technological University (MTU) respectively.
The YTU and MTU were designated as Centers of Excellence in 2012. Students can attend these universities only if they get distinctions and high marks (516 for YTU and 493 for MTU) in their high school final examination. Company executives and businessmen keep an eye on those who are good enough to attend these institutions, which means that upon graduating, they have an easy time securing their ideal job.
Past governments opened 27 GTUs and one Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University in different states and regions. Yangon Region GTUs are in Thanlyin, Hlaing Tharyar, Htantabin and Hmawbi and entry requirements for them are higher than those in other states and regions. With the many technology universities in the country, there are indeed opportunities for the many students who aspire to be engineers.
Even those who fail to obtain the necessary high school grades have other means of turning their dreams into reality. They can still enroll in courses offered by private international institutions and get a diploma in, for example, a United Kingdom-linked engineering course or a Japan-Myanmar GTI. Later on, they can continue their studies abroad to become an engineer.
According to a May 2016 listing by the Myanmar Engineering Council, the private engineering universities and colleges in Myanmar are California Unitec Institute of Engineering, Chindwin College, Victoria University College, STI Myanmar University, Myanmar Noble College and UMG College.
“The diplomas these private institutions offer are recognised in other countries. Therefore, students can continue their studies abroad and acquire a bachelor’s in engineering degree,” said Naing Min Khant, a second year student at California Unitec Institute of Engineering in Yangon.
Although private engineering universities and colleges charge sizeable fees, many still enroll due to the international recognition and the access to job opportunities such qualifications offer. But students have to be aware that if they intend to return to work here, such degrees must be recognised by the Myanmar government.
Top engineering universities in the world
1. Stanford University, US
2. California Institute of Technology, US
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
4. University of Cambridge, UK
5. University of California, Berkeley, US
6. University of Oxford, UK
7. Princeton University, US
8. ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Switzerland
9. Imperial College London, UK
10. Carnegie Mellon University, US
(Source: Times Higher Education)
Undergraduate programs offered at GTUs and other private engineering institutions include courses in architecture, civil engineering, mechanical, electrical power, electronics, mechatronics, chemical, textile, mining, petroleum, metallurgical and information technology.
Some of the technology universities are linked with institutions abroad. The YTU, for example, has collaborations with universities in Germany, Finland, Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and with selected ASEAN institutions.
Once a student successfully completes a two-year GTI/GTC program, a diploma is given. To get an engineering degree from a GTU, a student needs to study for six years. The same applies for those who directly attend a GTU after high school.
Engineering degrees granted in Myanmar are the Associateship of Government Technical Institute (AGTI) diploma, Bachelor of Technology, Bachelor of Engineering, Master’s in Engineering and Doctorate degrees.
According to veteran engineers, fresh graduates from technological universities are not paid well. For higher salaries, they have to pursue further relevant studies and gain experience.
“They have a degree. But they have to study more and attend other training. An engineering degree would pay you at most a salary of K200,000. Only when one learns more, one will get a suitable salary,” said Moe Gyo, an experienced construction engineer.
Opportunities await the future generation of engineers because a developing country like Myanmar needs qualified engineers for nation building.
According to entrepreneur Hla Maung Shwe, “Only when the country starts developing, engineers will get a suitable pay. Many Myanmar engineers are working abroad because the country cannot fulfil their desire with attractive job opportunities. This is a long-term issue that we have to solve.”
Nevertheless, with Myanmar’s economy on a roll and infrastructure development being critical to its growth, talented engineers will always be in demand.
Translation by Zaw Nyunt
