22 November 2024
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime MinisterSenior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an address at the ceremonies to mark centenary celebration of Myanmar engineering education and inauguration of Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University at the university this morning..
Also present on the occasion were SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, union ministers, union-level dignitaries, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior military officers from the Office of the Commanderin-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, rectors and pro-rectors from universities, engineering professionals from organizations at home and abroad, invitees, faculty members and students.
At the ceremony, SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant, Chairman of Myanmar Engineering Council Dr Aung Kyaw Myat and Architect Council Chairman U Win Zaw cut the ribbon to open the centenary celebration of Myanmar Engineering Education and the Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University.
The Senior General unveiled the status to mark the centenary celebration of Myanmar Engineering Education and the signboard of the university and posed for documentary photos together with attendees.
The Senior General sprinkled scented water on the plaque of the university.
The Vice-Senior General and attendees also sprinkled scented water on the plaque of the university.
At the assembly hall of the university, the second session of the ceremony followed. The Senior General and attendees enjoyed the dances performed by new generation engineering students with the song of 100 years engineering education and the song of Welcome To NSPU to mark the centenary celebration of Myanmar Engineering Education and the opening of the university.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that this ceremony was a significant day with auspiciousness coincided with the centenary celebration of Myanmar engineering edu-cation and the inauguration of Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University which will be a top university in the country in the modern science and technological sector.
According to the historical evidences, Myanmar’s engineering and architectural techniques have been flourishing since Pyu and Bagan eras. Myanmar’s architectural heritages can be seen in Pyu era’s ancient Beikthanoe, Hanlin and Sri Ksetra cities. High architectural works of Myanmar are visible at Ananda,Thatbyinnyu and Dhammayan temples in Baganera. A one-mile U Bein bridge built by clerk U Bein using teak only in Amarapura in the reign of King Bagan is a world’s largest wooden bridge.
Development of engineering technology in Yadanabon era was based on establishment of coin factory, indigo factory, sugar mill, shipbuilding factory, wool factory and loom by Prince Kanaung, the younger brother of King Mindon from 1858 to 1874. Maung Shwe Oh obtained the master degree from the Central Arts University in Paris of France in 1866 in addition to the civil engineering degree. In 1867, as he submitted a paper on glass melting, he became the first-ever engineer of Myanmar because he was appointed as the glass milting officer. In 1866, Yaw Mingyi U Bo Hlaing constructed the Yaw Mingyi Brick Monastery in Mandalay, inspired by Italian hotel designs. In 1869, he wrote the “Lipidipika Treatise” on the Myanmar telegraphic technique, and by 1870, he began installation of Myanmar telegram lines.
In 1872, a delegation led by Kinwun Mingyi visited Britain and other European countries to study Western educational systems, administration, and infrastructure development, including road and bridge construction. By 1874, the construction of the Sagaing Iron Furnace was commenced, overseen by U Myu, an iron furnace officer who had studied iron melting technology in France. The furnace was capable of producing items ranging from iron rods and plates to cannonballs and weapons.
After regaining independence, 84-MW No. 2 Lawpita Hydropower Plant was constructed in 1960 under the slogan “Let’s Build Nirvana in the World” and its generation capacity was boosted to 168 MW in 1974. In the early 1970s, the universities’ computer centre was established and an ICL 1902S mainframe computer was installed as the first computer in Myanmar. The computer was used during the population census in 1973.
In successive eras, Myanmar engineers and architects have emerged. Yangon city hall was designed by Myanmar architect Sithu U Tin and foreign experts by combining European and Myanmar traditional architecture.
In the 21st Century, the construction of Nay Pyi Taw capital and Hluttaw buildings in Nay Pyi Taw was carried out by Myanmar architects and engineers by decorating them with Myan mar traditional culture and Myanmar architecture. Moreover, Mara Vijaya Buddha statue in the Buddha Park in Dakkhinathiri Township in Nay Pyi Taw is a Bhumiphasa Mudra marble Buddha image and it was successfully built as the world’s highest and heaviest marble Buddha image by Myanmar engineers and architects by using the CNC technology. Furthermore, a 8,638-foot long cable-stayed bridge over the Bago river (Thanlyin Bridge-3) was built by Myanmar engineers and the bridge was proudly inaugurated in June, 2024.
In retrospect of the history of Myanmar engineering education, the inauguration of the faculty of engineering at Yangon University in the 1923- 1924 academic year amounted to the beginning of the Myanmar engineering education. A civil engineering course was introduced in the 1924-1925 academic year and the faculty was able to produce 25 first Myanmar engineering graduates in 1928.
In 1961, the faculty was moved to the site of the current Yangon Technological University in Gyogone in Insein Township and Mandalay Institute of Technology and Defence Services Technological University in 1991 and 1994 respectively. Yangon University of Compute Science and Pyay Technological University were opened in 1996 and 1998 respectively. In 2002, Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University, the one and only one of its kind in Southeast Asia, and Myanmar Maritime University were opened in 2002.
So far, a total of 56 engineering universities have been opened including Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University and seven other polytechnic universities, 27 technological universities, 19 universities of computer science, one Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University and one Myanmar Maritime University to nurture engineers, architects and computer experts on whom the state can rely. Together with the inauguration of Nay Pyi Taw State Polytechnic University today, five other polytechnic universities are being inaugurated in Kengtung, Panglong, Myeik, Dawei and Maubin
simultaneously today.
The term polytechnic university refers to institutions that offer science, technology, engineering, maths, applied sciences and business management courses practically not only for undergraduate students but also for postgraduate ones and have links with practical professional worksites. Polytechnic universities are opened with the aims of offering practical education for careers of students, placing emphasis on modern technology and research development, nurturing skilled technicians and graduates who are needed in worksites and creating opportunities for work experience and cooperation with industries in real world projects. Therefore, polytechnic universities are institutions that offer courses on multiple disciplines and opportunities for comprehensive research not only for undergradutes but also for postgraduates.
Government Technological College (Nay Pyi Taw) was upgraded into Nay Pyi Taw Technological University on 1 November, 2022 with the aims of nurturing increasing numbers of highquality human resources and engineers who are necessary for the state and development of the country and contributing to socioeconomic development of regions and states and the people.
The college was inaugurated with six engineering majors in the 2022-2023 academic year and an agricultural engineering major was added in the 2023-2024 academic year. It has been upgraded into Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University, offering not only engineering courses but also computer science and computer technology courses.
Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University was established with the aim of becoming one of the country’s top universities, similar to Yangon Technological University and Yangon University of Computer Studies. It was expanded to include seven engineering specialized departments, four computer science specialized departments, five other supportive departments, and a total of 16 teaching departments.
At present, seven types of engineering specializations and two types of computer specializations are offered, making a total of nine degrees. Annually, 270 engineering students and 120 computer science students are enrolled, totaling 390 students. Engineering specialization is taught for five years, and computer science specialization for four years. The university is working to become a Smart University and plans to expand its specialized fields and postgraduate degree programs to match international polytechnic institutions. It also aims to conduct research benefiting the country.
The government has built Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University to provide engineering and computer science professionals needed for the nation’sdevelopment. At present, the university is continuously working to improve the environment, making it more beautiful, clean, and accessible. Efforts must be made for the new generation of engineers produced by the university to become professionals capable of keeping abreast of their counterparts in the regional countries.
Throughout Myanmar’s history, we honor and deeply appreciate the ancient scholars and architects who elevated the country’s traditional engineering and architectural heritage, bringing pride and prestige to the nation. Furthermore, it was emphasized that in commemoration of the 100 years of engineering education in Myanmar and to ensure its continuous growth and development for centuries to come, alumni, engineering professionals, managers, teachers, and students must work hand in hand with unity and determination. This collective effort will help advance the nation’s interests and benefit its progress.
Afterward, the Senior General, along with the attendees of the ceremony, watched and appreciated a documentary on the history of engineering education in Myanmar.
Following this, Dr. Myo Thein Kyaw, Union Minister for Science and Technology, presented a commemorative gift to the Senior General in honor of the centennial celebration of Myanmar’s engineering education.
Afterward, the Senior General and party warmly greeted the attendees of the ceremony, including teachers, lecturers, and students.
The Senior General and the attendees enthusiastically toured the engineering history exhibition halls, technology exhibition booths, and displays presented by various ministries and organizations.
Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University was established to produce the skilled human resources in engineering and computer technology required for the nation’s development projects. This transformation and expansion from Naypyitaw Technological University to Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University was made possible under the guidance of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister.
The university’s fundamental infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, and workshops, was meticulously constructed under the close supervision of experienced engineers from the Ministry of Science and Technology, ensuring an environment that is both harmonious with nature and conducive to comfortable learning. The university has been equipped with adequate facilities and teaching aids, comparable to international universities, to support students during their studies. Additionally, sports grounds, recreation centers, and other facilities have been established to ensure students fully enjoy their university life. The campus is also designed with lush greenery, decorative ponds, and peaceful relaxation areas, creating a serene and refreshing environment for students.
Along with the establishment of Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University, Polytechnic Universities have also been opened in Kengtung, Panglong, Myeik, Dawei, and Maubin simultaneously. Efforts are underway to transform Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University into a Smart University, comparable to international polytechnic institutions, by expanding specialized fields and postgraduate degree programs. Furthermore, steps are being taken to conduct research beneficial to the country, ensuring continuous progress in these areas.
