Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to His Highness of State of Kuwait
Yangon, 25 Feb — Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Highness Sheik Jaber Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Kuwait which falls on 25 February 2003.
Yangon, 24 Feb — Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt received Minister of Primary Industries of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and party at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here this morning.
Keeping department offices neat and tidy coordinated
Yangon, 24 Feb— A coordination meeting to keep department offices neat and tidy was held at the meeting hall of Yangon City Development Committee at the City Hall this afternoon.
Present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of YCDC Yangon Mayor U Ko Lay, the deputy ministers, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, heads of departments of the office of the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General’s Office and the Auditor-General’s Office, Commander of No 4 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, the directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and chairmen of District Peace and Development Councils.
The commander reported on tasks undertaken after the formation of ten work committees for upgrading Yangon City in accord with the characteristics of the cities of international standard and measures undertake for neatness and tidiness of the offices. Mayor U Ko Lay reported on tasks for upgrading Yangon implemented by YCDC and Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa on painting of department buildings, religious structures and houses and apartments and fencing.
The deputy ministers took part in the discussions.
Heads of departments, the military commanders and chairmen of district peace and development councils reported on tasks for neatness and tidiness of department offices, cooperation in the tasks and educating the people to participate in the works.
The commander called for cooperation among the departments and local authorities.
National Training Workshop for Community Learning Centres Personnel held
Yangon, 24 Feb—A ceremony to open the National Training Workshop for Community Learning Centres Personnel co-sponsored by Myanmar Educational Research Bureau under the Ministry of Education of Myanmar and the Asia-Pacific Region Bureau for Education of UNESCO Bangkok was held at MERB on Pyay Road here this morning with an address by Chairman of Myanmar UNESCO National Commission Minister for Education U Than Aung.
In his address, Minister U Than Aung said: today’s capacity building workshop is jointly organized by MERB of the Ministry of Education, Myanmar and the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO Bangkok. This one is the third workshop conducted by MERB and UNESCO Bangkok.
The products of the previous workshop are the translation and publication of the materials concerned with the introduction of Continuing Education via Community Learning Centres. Participants were also invited to the Regional/Sub-regional workshop. As a result, this workshop can be conducted at MLRC with the financial and technical support from the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO Bangkok.
The workshop is aiming at improving the capacity or power that means the ability to do something on the effective management and the strategic implementation of Continuing Education via Community Learning Centres. To achieve the aim and objectives of the workshop 30 participants from different States and Divisions will endeavour to learn how to manage and implement CE activities effectively and share the knowledge and skills of existing CE in Myanmar. The participants will pay a visit to Community Learning Centres of Hlaingthaya Township which was established, managed and implemented by themselves with “For them, By them, With Them” concept.
The topics are as follows: Establishment of new CLC; Community Mobilization; Needs Assessment; Participatory planning and resource mobilization; Networking and linkage; Monitoring and evaluation; Documentation and dissemination; and Capability building.
The participants need to have the clear thinking for the effective implementation of NFE activities in Myanmar. In doing so, some essential NFE concepts should be clearly understood. What is NFE, CE and CLC? We should find out the concepts first.
Non Formal Education refers to any organized educational activity operating outside the formal school system to provide selected types of learning to out-of-school youths and adults.
Continuing Education includes all of the opportunities all people want or need outside of the basic literacy education and primary education.
Community Learning Centre is a learning place usually set up and managed by community people. It serves all people in the community including adults, youths and children regardless race, sex, caste and region etc. It is known that some Myanmar CLCs are now trying to apply ICT in Basic Literacy Programme, Income Generating Programme and Better Life Programme. The result will be CLC as the learning centre for that specific community. As the literacy decade is now declared from 2002 to 2012, Basic Literacy Programme will be continued according to Myanmar 30 year long-term plan and EFA Plan of Action. CE will be provided through CLC parallell.
I would like to urge the participants to bear in mind our vision that states “ To create an education system that can generate a learning society capable of facing the challenges of the Knowledge Age”. And also our motto that states “ To build a Modern and Developed Country Through Education” and ask you to try your best with concerted effort for NFE activities to form Myanmar learning society.
In addition to these, it must be conceived that NFE is not concerned only with the Ministry of Education, but all related ministries, NGO, INGO and well- wishers which should be well organized and cooperated with each other in order to build Myanmar as a modern and developed nation.
Improve your organizing capacity, implementing capacity and managing capacity through this opportunity.
Then, Ms Darunee from the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO Bangkok made a speech.
The workshop continues up to 1 March.
MMPE holds coordination meeting
Yangon, 24 Feb— A coordination meeting of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise was held at the MMPE (Head Office) this afternoon.
Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan discussed matters relating to the lease of the cinemas, quick payment of installment for lease of the cinemas, maintenance of the cinemas, durability of equipment used in film industry, purchase of modern film equipment, welfare for service personnel of MMPE and cooperation with Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon for emergence of Myanmar films of international standard.
Present were Managing Director of MMPE U Bo Kyi and officials.
Transport Minister attends opening of Seismology Course
Yangon, 24 Feb — A ceremony to open Seismology Course, jointly organized by Ministry of Transport and World Seismic Safety Initiative-WSSI which was organized by international seismologists and scientists was held at the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning with an address by Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe.
Directors of WSSI Prof Haresh C Shah and Mr Satoru Ohyu explained about salient points of seismology and purpose of the course and the ceremony came to a close.
Altogether 30 representatives of Yangon City Developement Committee, Myanmar Engineers Association, Seismologists Committee, Yangon Technological University, Public Works, Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development, Department of Geology of Yangon University and Department of Meteorology and Hydrology are attending the course.
Coord meeting of Ministry of Energy held
Yangon, 24 Feb — The fourth quarterly coordination meeting of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, the Ministry of Energy, took place at the ministry on Pyay Road this morning.
Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi made an opening speech. At the meeting, general managers of oil fields reported on production of petroleum and natural gas and the minister laid down future tasks.
Energy Planning Department Director-General U Soe Myint, MOGE Managing Director U Sann Lwin and officials gave supplementary reports.
The minister then gave instructions on boosting production of petroleum and natural gas, measures to be taken for prevention of fire and minimizing loss and wastage and made concluding remarks.
Health Ministry booth inspected
Yangon, 24 Feb— Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint inspected preparation of the Ministry of Health booth at the Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this afternoon.
The minister was conducted round the Twelve Objectives booth, uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation at the social objective booth, newly opened upgraded dispensaries and hospitals at the nation-building tasks booth by Director-General of Health Planning Department Dr Kyi Soe and Director Dr Khin Than Oo.
The minister fulfilled the requirements.
The minister inspected the booths of the Ministry of Health booth, guidance on health policy by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, two objectives of the ministry and three methods for implementation of those objectives. Director-General Dr Kyi Soe and officials reported on preparations.
The minister gave instructions on display of rural region health development and health care services.
Training course on administration of justice opened
Yangon, 24 Feb— The Ministry of Home Affairs opened the training course No 2 administration of justice and prosecution at the hall of the ministry at the corner of Saya San Road and Industry-1 Road yesterday morning, with an address by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.
Then, Deputy Chief Justice U Than Oo and Deputy Attorney-General U Myint Naing gave speeches.
Also present on the occasion were Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Brig-Gen Khin Yi, senior police officers, directors-general and directors of Supreme Court and Attorney-General’s Office, the director-general of Civil Service Selection and Training Department, directors-general, deputy directors-general, directors and deputy directors of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs, course instructors officers and trainees.
Altogether 82 trainees of General Administration Department and MPF are attending the course which will last five weeks.
Training course for enhancing calibre of public relations officers opened
Yangon, 24 Feb — Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information opened the training course for enhancing the calibre of public relations officers at the training hall of News and Periodicals Enterprise on Pansodan Street here this morning with an opening address by Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan.
The minister said IPRD has already opened 61 district-level offices, 248-township and 28 out of 39 sub-township offices in the country. Every office is carrying out public relations task in the whole country even in the border areas by establishing libraries with television sets. They are holding photo exhibitions, educative talks, organizing wall magazines and publishing pamphlets. Public relations personnel, who are working closely with the public, have been trained in their respective fields. Training course for enhancing the calibre of public relations officers was opened with the objectives to upgrade the
capability of the staff and prepare for the future; to uplift the mental ability, thought and skill of the staff; and to be able to achieve the goals of the Ministry of Information and IPRD actively and effectively.
Due to the rapidly changing modern information and communication technology, public relations and electronic mass media technologies and information system become faster and more effective these days. Misusing these modern information technologies, some nations are persuading the citizens of developing countries like Myanmar to accept their ideas, culture, traditions and life style, and the danger of mentally being dominated isbecoming greater and greater, the Minister said.
In order to prevent such danger it is needed to firmly build the patriotism and Union Spirit among our people. Public relations staff who are working among the people down to grass-root level must pay attention to this, he said.
The Minister also urged the officials of districts and townships to follow the guidance of the Head of State to sharpen their public relations skills, to cover the mass media down to border areas, to make field trips down to villages in their respective areas even in this year to implement public relations task effectively, to see that each and every village get at least one daily newspaper, and to organize and cooperate to keep at least a set of television and radio in each village.
It is necessary to carry out their duties dutifully with goodwill and innovation within the principle and framework laid down by the Government. He also urged them to diligently try in such a way that their activies become active and interesting.
The subjects to be lectured in this training course are aimed at renewing the information sector with the clear national outlook, correct national stand and honest national interest, in other words, to improve the effectiveness in public relations work. Trainees are urged to participate in building the modern developed nation with new spirit after receiving the training, he concluded. Director General of Myanma Radio & Television U Khin Maung Htay, Managing Director of Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein, Managing Director of News & Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, officials, instructors and trainees attended the opening ceremony.
Mon State Peace and Development Council holds coord meeting
Yangon, 24 Feb — Mon State Peace and Development Council held the work coordination meeting at Aung San Hall of Mon State Peace and Development Council in Mawlamyine on 20 February morning.
Present were Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, local authorities, departmental officials and factory managers.
First, the commander gave a speech. Then, authorities of 10 townships and Thaton and Mawlamyine Districts reported on their respective sectors. Next, departmental officials and the factory managers took part in the discussions. Secretary of Mon State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Maw Maw and officials gave supplementary reports. Later, the commander attended to their needs and gave the concluding remarks.
Commander attends agriculture and development affairs coordination meetings
Yangon, 24 Feb — Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing attended the Shan State, District and Township Agricultural Coordination Meeting in Shan State Myanma Agriculture Service Manager’s Office in Lashio on 20 February.
The commander gave instructions on cultivation of 100,000 acres of Hsinshweli strain monsoon paddy and boosting per-acre yield of maize, groundnut, pigeon pea and sugarcane.
Shan State Myanma Agriculture Service Manager U Hla Gyi and officials reported on arrangements for cultivation of the crops and 100,000 acres of monsoon paddy. District and Township MAS managers also took part in the discussions.
On 21 February, the commander attended the coordination meeting of Shan State (North) Development Affairs Department at the hall of Lashio Township Development Affairs Department Office.
Shan State (North) Development Affairs Department Director U Kyee Myint reported on the development tasks undertaken in the state. The commander gave necessary instructions.
Next, the commander inspected 100 acres of summer paddy cultivated by Shan State (North) Myanmar Police Force with irrigation facilities of Humon Dam and 100 acres of summer paddy being undertaken by Shan State (North) Development Affairs Department and the Union Solidarity and Development Association and gave necessary instructions to officials.
Then, the commander attended the second Htamane making contest of regiments and units in Lashio Station at the sports grounds of the command headquarters.
After the contest, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hla Myint and officials presented first, second, third and other prizes to respective teams.
Women’s rights explained in Monywa
A talks on women’s rights, organized by Sagaing Division Working Committee for Women’s Affairs, was lectured at the city hall in Monywa on 13 February. Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing gave a speech. Chairperson of Subcommittee for prevention against violence women and rehabilitation wife of the commander Daw Tin Tin Latt gave a lecture on prevention against violence women. Division Law Officer U Khin Maung Tin and Division Commissioner U Zaw Win of General Administration Department explained laws related to taking care of women, the women’s rights and prevention against human trafficking.
Respects paid to retired teachers of Meiktila BEHS No 2
The first ceremony to pay respects to retired teachers of Meiktila BEHS No 2 was held at the school on 15 February. Old students paid respects to 60 retired teachers and donated K 5,000 each to them.
Shwemale Pagoda Pujaniya held in Thabeikkyin
The centenary Buddha Pujaniya of Shwemale Pagoda in conjunction with the new Htidaw hoisting ceremony was held at the pagoda in Kyahnget, Thabeikkyin Township, on 16 February. Wellwishers donated rice and provisions to 100 members of the Sangha.
Development tasks inspected in Gyobingauk
Bago Division (West) Development Affairs Committee Director U Soe Lwin and Deputy Superintending Engineer U Kyaw Swe inspected collection of materials for installation of power lines and progress in sinking the tube-well. They saw over Kyandawsu-Phayagyigon rural laterite road which is 2,750 feet long built at a cost of over K 1 million.
Fire prevention measures taken in Madaya
Under the leadership of Madaya Township Peace and Development Council, Madaya Township Fire Services Department is taking fire prevention measures at 88 village-tracts and wards in the township. On 9 February, personnel of Township FSD and auxiliary fire brigade members inspected fire prevention measures, keeping of fire extinguishers at filling stations and restaurants.
Surgeons provide treatment to people in Pyinmana
The specialist surgeons team led by Dr U Myo Thant provided treatment to service personnel of Pyinmana Sugar Mill No 2 and No 3 and local people on 12 February. They performed medical treatment to 196 patients in rural areas and sold medicines at reasonable price. Health Assistant Grade-I U Tin Hlaing gave educative lecture on health to the public.
Refresher course for staff of Survey Department opened in PyinOoLwin
The refresher course for staff of Survey Department was opened at the hall of PyinOoLwin Township Survey Department on 15 February. PyinOoLwin District Survey Department U Tin Oo lectured on orders and directives of survey Department (Head Office).
Citizenship Scrutinizing Card presented to students in Mingin
The presentation of Citizenship Scrutinizing Card was held at Basic Education Middle School in Shadaw Village of Mingin Township on 11 February. Head of Township Immigration and National Registration Department U Aung presented citizenship scrutinizing cards to 123 students through Headmaster U Aye Than.
Women’s rights lectured in Aungmyethazan
Organized by Aungmyethazan Township Working Committee for Women’s Affairs, a talks on women’s rights was discussed at Aungmyethazan Ward Peace and Development Council Office on 19th Street on 8 February. Deputy Township Law Officer Daw Mya Mya Thaung, Head of Township Health Department Dr Khin Mar Hsaung and Deputy Township Justice Daw Hla Hla Htay lectured on women’s rights, health of women and legal affairs.
Quality Control Management Course of Industry-1 opened
Yangon, 24 Feb — Management Course No 1/2003 for products’ quality control conducted by the Ministry of Industry-1 opened at the training hall of the ministry this morning.
Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung made an opening address. A total of 32 trainees are attending the seven-week course.
Industry-1 Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun, the directors-general and managing directors of the departments under the ministry, factory managers, course instructors and trainees also attended the opening ceremony.
International Relations
NPED Minister meets Malaysian Minister
Yangon, 24 Feb — Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha met with Minister for Primary Industries of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and party at his office this afternoon.
Myanmar-Japan Business Forum held
Yangon, 24 Feb — Myanmar-Japan Business Forum conducted by Ministry of Defence of the Union of Myanmar and the Association for Communication of Transcultural Study (ACT), Japan, opened this morning at MICT Park in Hline Township.
Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Managing Director of ACT Foundation Mr Tomoyoshi Kaneko and Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Yuji Miyamoto made addresses.
Director of the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau Industrial Science and Technology Policy Division of Japan Mr Masahiro Fujita gave talks on Economic Relationships between Japan and Myanmar and Mr Kunihiko Shinoda, representative of Japan Overseas Development Corporation (JODC), Bangkok, on economic and industrial Cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.
Next, prospects for mutual cooperation, that for the mutual cooperation in agriculture and prospect for mutual cooperation in information technology were also discussed.
The forum was also attended by Head of Department of the Office of Military Intelligence Brig-Gen Thein Swe and senior military officers, departmental officials, entrepreneurs from agricultural, IT sectors and practitioners, and guests.
Myanmar study group arrives back from Singapore
Yangon, 24 Feb— After studying the major departments and bodies in Singapore from 16 to 23 February, the Myanmar delegation comprising 10 high ranking officials from the ministries led by Rector Col Zaw Min Thein of the University for Development of National Races arrived back here this afternoon.
The delegation visited Singapore under the programme to send abroad the staff who took part in the discussions of the Seminar on Upgrading the Skills of Civil Service, organized by Civil Service Selection and Training Board and Sasakawa Peace Foundation Bank of Japan held in November 2002.
The delegation was welcomed at the Yangon International Airport by Director-General U Hla Kyi of the Civil Service Selection and Training Department and Director-General U Khin Maung Myint of the Civil Service Affairs Department, officials, family members and relatives.
Commerce Minister meets Malaysian Minister
Yangon, 24 Feb — Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met with Dato' Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Minister for Primary Industries of Malaysia, and party at his officer here this afternoon.
Commerce Minister hosted a dinner in honour of the Malaysian Minister and party at Karaweik Palace this evening.
Minister receives guests
Yangon, 24 Feb — Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw received Managing Director of Scantrade Co Mr Bjorn Burchard and party at 2 pm, Chairman of Andaman Club Co Mr Vikron Aisiri and party at 3 pm at his office separately.
Labour Minister meets Malaysian Minister
Yangon, 24 Feb — Minister for Labour U Tin Winn met with Malaysian Minister for Primary Industries Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and party at his office this morning.
Religion
Commander attends ceremony to hoist Htidaw atop eastern prayer hall of Sule Pagoda
Yangon, 24 Feb — The Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony of Eastern Prayer Hall of Sule Pagoda was held at the pagoda this morning.
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay attended the ceremony and hoisted Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatna-daw and tiers of the Htidaw atop the prayer hall.
Also present on the occasion were Ovadaçariya Sayadaws of Sule Pagoda led by Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bahan Aung-myebonsan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panñindabhivamsa, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, No 4 Military Region Commander Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Director-General U Sann Lwin of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee Col Myint Aung and members, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and authorities, wellwisher for renovation of the Eastern Prayer Hall Kyaw Wynn and Co Ltd and wellwisher for Northern Prayer Hall Shwe Thanlwin Co Ltd and wut associations.
Aungmyebonsan Kyaun-gtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panñindabhivamsa admi-nistered the Nine
Precepts.
Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas.
Next, the commander supplicated on renovation of the eastern and northern prayer halls of Sule Pagoda.
The commander, the mayor and officials offered Seinbudaw, Hngetmyat-nadaw and tiers of the Htidaw to the Sayadaws.
After taking a sermon delivered by the Vice-Chairman Sayadaw, the commander, the mayor and the congregation shared merits gained.
Then, the Htidaw hoisting ceremony followed. The commander and the mayor conveyed the Seinbudaw and Hngetmyatnadaw round the pagoda.
Next, the commander and officials conveyed the Seinbudaw, Hngetmyat-nadaw and tiers of the Htidaw atop the Pyatthad of the eastern prayer hall.
The commander and party sprinkled scented water on them. The congregation recited Jayanto Bodhiyamule Gathas.
Later, Teingyar team performed rituals of golden and silvery showers and the ceremony came to an end.
Sport
Professional golfers for Myanmar Open Golf Tour arrives
Yangon, 24 Feb — The Myanmar Open Golf Tour 2003, co-organized by Myanmar Professional Golfers Association and Asian Professional Golfers Association and mainly supported by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, will be held at Danyingon Golf Club from 27 February to 2 March.
Altogether 27 golfers from Chinese Taipei, 14 from Thailand, eight from the US, five from South Africa, four each from India and Sweden, five from Singapore, two each from Australia and Pakistan and two from Malaysia including Zaw Moe and Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar arrived here to participate in the tour.
