Earnest and sustained efforts exerted for using ICT in education and
ICT human resource development Government fully committed to ICT development

YANGON, 23 Jan — The Fourth Myanmar ICT Week 2005 jointly organized by e-National Task Force and Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Development Corporation was held at MICT Park in Hline Township this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Computer Science Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein.

Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon mayor, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, members of e-National Task Force, presidents and officials of Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments, ambassadors, Charge d’ Affairs ai and military attaches, resident representatives of UN Agencies, officials of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, members of Board of Directors of MICTDC, chairmen and officials of Myanmar Computer Federation, Myanmar Computer Scientists Association, Myanmar Computer Industry Association and Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts Association, officials of Mandalay ICT Park, technicians, IT computers technicians and guests.

First, Chairman of Myanmar Computer Science Development Council the Secretary-1 formally launched the Fourth Myanmar ICT Week 2005.

On behalf of the Chairman of e-National Task Force, member of CSSTB Vice-Chairman of e-National Task Force U Aung Myint extended greetings.

He said the week will be held from 21 to 27 January and there will be seminars, workshops, ICT competition and product presentation of ICT companies.

Next, the Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein said today, Myanmar is striving to become a modern and developed state. Politically, we are already taking measures for the implementation of the seven-step Road Map that would ensure the emergence of a peaceful, stable, prosperous and democratic society. In the field of economy, vigorous efforts for economic development have resulted in a steady and sustained economic growth. In the social sector, significant achievements have been made, particularly in health, education and human resource development.

In our endeavours for modernization, we particularly recognize the vital role of Information and Communication Technology. We are aware that ICT has become an indispensable tool in our daily life and it has changed our way of life. Information Technology is the ultimate mean that influences access to resources, enhances the efficiency of the production process and improves productivity, helps broaden trade and competitiveness and facilitates to provide better services. ICT promises a great future in the advancement of mankind. It is important as well as urgent for Myanmar to develop a level of ICT appropriate to its level of development to seek the opportunities brought about by this advanced technology.

Our Government is fully committed to ICT development and I am proud to note that through the cooperation and coordinated efforts of the Government, the private sector, computer scientists, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts as well as the assistance from our friends from abroad, Information and Communication Technology had made rapid and significant progress in the last few years. I would like to give the assurance that we are committed to ICT development, we will speed up our efforts on ICT development and the government will continue to provide full support to both public and private sectors for the development of ICT in Myanmar.

I am greatly delighted and elated to see significant results in Myanmar ICT development and would like to take this opportunity to share some of our efforts on ICT development and the progress we have made.

Strategic planning for ICT development efforts started with the promulgation of Myanmar Computer Science Development Law in 1996. Myanmar Computer Science Development Council, Myanmar Computer Federation, Myanmar Computer Professional Association, Myanmar Computer Industry Association and Myanmar Computer Enthusiast Association were formed in 1998.

Formation of e-National Task Force in 2002 created a conducive environment for cooperation of public and private sector with e-National Task force at the public side and MCF and its Associations at the private side. Consequently, the pace of ICT development in Myanmar speeds up rapidly.

One of the very important results is establishment of MICT Parks. Myanmar ICT Park was opened in January 2002 and Mandalay ICT Park was opened in August 2003. ICT Parks provides international level environment for ICT development with broadband Internet access, reliable power source, and other facilities. It is most inspiring to note the rapid development of MICT Parks. ICT Parks were established as part of the ICT Master Plan to stimulate the development of ICT application and Industry in Myanmar.

Formulation of ICT Master Plan in 2000 provided the direction for ICT development. We identified six focus areas namely ICT infrastructure, ICT Legal framework, ICT Education, ICT application, ICT Industry and ICT Liberalization. With the recognition that present ICT Master Plan needs to be updated, we are now implementing ICT Master Plan preparation project under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Programme.

Preparation of Cyber laws is progressing satisfactorily. Electronic Transaction Law was promulgated in 2004. It will create proper environment for e-Government and e-Commerce development. We expect to have comprehensive Cyber Laws in not distant future.

Formulation of ICT standards including Myanmar Character set and related standards for Myanmar Language implementation on computer. These Standards will allow development of interoperable systems is progressing smoothly liberalization of ICT products and services is progressing according to ASEAN agreements.

Earnest and sustained efforts are exerted for using ICT in Education and ICT human resource development. All high schools have Multimedia classrooms and data broadcasting system and educational Intranet facilities which are the significant progress in the ICT sector. For ICT human resource development, two Computer Universities and twenty four Government Computer Colleges are already established. Other universities are also providing ICT degree courses. Moreover, Myanmar Computer Federation and its Associations are working energetically in ICT capacity building and human resource development by conducting professional courses and certification programmes such as JITEE and MCPA. We expect that the nation will have a very good pool of qualified ICT professionals in the near future. At this very special occasion, I wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by our international partners. Today, Myanmar is cooperating actively with Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and China. It is our hope that we will be able to expand our international relations in ICT field.

Through the exhibition, government officials, business people, general public and visitors from other countries will have a chance to have clear idea of ICT status and trend in Myanmar. ICT companies have good opportunities for introducing their products and services. I am also glad to learn that various seminars and workshops will be held during the current ICT week reinforcing the theme “Towards the e-Society” and the competitions of Programming and Networking. The deliberations will surely be of great benefit and serve to promote ICT knowledge in the country.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate and urge e-National Task Force, Myanmar ICT Development Corporation, Myanmar Computer Federation and associations to keep up their efforts in ICT development and to cooperate and collaborate closely with other local and international institutions.

Once again, on behalf of the Government and Computer Science Development Council, I would like to reiterate that we will support and provide you every possible assistance.

Chairman of MICTDC U Thein Oo presented the Secretary-1 with a gift in commemoration of the Fourth Myanmar ICT Week. The Secretary-1 cordially greeted the local and foreign guests.

The Secretary-1 and the guests visited the booths and computer and other accessories booths.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Hotels and Tourism Minister leaves for Malaysia

YANGON, 23 Jan — Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office U Than Shwe, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu and officials this morning saw off the Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw at Yangon International Airport.

The Minister will join the 8th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, the 4th Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea Tourism Ministers and the 1st meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers to be held in Lankawi Island of Malaysia on 24 and 25 January at the invitation of the Malaysian Minister for Tourism.

The minister was accompanied by Deputy Director-General U Tin Maung Shwe of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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