Myanmar and South Korea are stepping up cooperation in the education and technical sectors, outlining more areas of such cooperation, official media reported Thursday.
The two countries' move was proposed at a recent meeting between a South Korean delegation representing the Department of Education of Chonnam National University and officials of Myanmar's biggest business organization -- the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
The areas of cooperation covers conducting Korean language course, testing of the language, compilation and distribution of Myanmar-Korean language dictionary, production of bio-fertilizer and opportunities for providing educative course to new-generation farmers, said the New Light of Myanmar.
Aimed at promoting the development of Myanmar's education sector, a technology, culture and business education center was established in 2006 by the UMFCCI and the Chonnam National University, according to earlier local report.
Under a memorandum of understanding on the set-up, the Korean university offers certificate courses, trainers and equipment such as computer, while the UMFCCI provides the infrastructure.
In the initial stage, the center offers Korean language and business management courses taught by Korean instructors. Graduate students from the center are arranged to further study in South Korea to acquire master degrees, advance diplomas and higher certifications.
Myanmar and South Korea have maintained cooperative relations in various areas including economic and technical cooperation since decades ago.
In 2006 also, a South Korean consortium comprising the Daewoo International Corporation and the KCOMS reached a 12-million-U.S.-dollar contract with the Myanmar communications authorities to help build a basic e-government system for the country.
Under the project, the Korean consortium was to provide information and communication technology infrastructure for the Myanmar government to link its 38 ministries to a high-speed internet network and computerize its personnel management system.
As a follow-up, in 2007, another S. Korean company -- the Daewoo International Corporation -- continued to undertake an e-citizens project for Myanmar after completion of the basic e-government project under another memorandum of understanding signed between the Daewoo and the state-run Myanmar Posts and telecommunications.
Besides the education and telecommunication sectors, Myanmar and South Korea are also cooperating in developing Myanmar's electric power network. According to South Korea's International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which is South Korean government's overseas aid agency, it will work with the state-run Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise in dealing with management and operation under a three-year project worth 1.4 million dollars.
Moreover, the KOICA is helping Myanmar upgrade its medical research capabilities by providing more medical equipment to the medical research department of the Myanmar Health Ministry, according to another official report.
Meanwhile, under a volunteer program, the KOICA has sent about 80 volunteers to Myanmar working together with the country's departmental staff of various ministries since 1988 and currently 18 such South Korean volunteers are serving the fields of Korean language, computer education, agriculture, sports, health, and information and communication technology (ICT), according to the report.
The KOICA said it funded Myanmar's development programs with 2 million dollars during 2006 covering projects in the sectors of health, agriculture, ICT, electric power and rail transportation.
Official statistics reveal that South Korea's investment in Myanmar has reached 231.3 million dollars in 36 projects as of 2007 since the country opened to foreign investment in late 1988.
The Central Statistical Organization's figures further show that in the first five months (April to August) of the fiscal year2007-08, Myanmar absorbed 12 million dollars' foreign investment coming from South Korea in the fisheries sector.
Source: Xinhua
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