State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered a video address at the virtual opening ceremony of the 125th anniversary of GTI Education yesterday morning.

The Insein GTI, the earliest school of Myanmar’s 12 GTIs, was established on 1 April, 1895 as a Government Engineering School in Latha Township in Yangon. So, the GTI will turn 125 years old on 1 April 2020.

Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun, Deputy Ministers from ministries related to the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, the Permanent Secretary and Directors General from the Ministry of Education, TVET Stakeholdesr; heads of Government Technological College (GTC), Government Technical Institute (GTI), Polytechnic Centres and vocational schools; government officials, teachers, students, alumni of GTIs; winners of writing contests and guests participated in the virtual ceremony via online.

During the ceremony, Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi said that 6 three-year AGTI diploma courses have been provided and created employment opportunities for the students. The three-year diploma courses have now been provided in a total of 28 schools: three GTCs and 25 GTIs.

He said that a vocational training programme named Professional Training Kitchen has been conducted at the Insein GTI as a Dual Apprenticeship system in collaboration with the Swisscontact and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The Myanmar UNEVOC Centre could be established in December 2018 at Insein GTI with the support of the United Nations Centre for Technical and Vocational Education (UNEVOC), according to the Union Minister. So, Myanmar can take part in regional TVET research and development activities, TVET workshops and research paper reading sessions.

From 2018, “Skills Competition and Innovation Award” ceremonies are held to mark the World Youth Skills Day, according to the Union Minister.

The Ministry of Education is developing a National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030) and cooperating with all stakeholders to develop strategies and programmes for the technical and vocational education sector.

The Union Minister said that human resources development plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country, so the GTIs, which nurture and train technicians, have a very important role in the development of the country. He continued that the Ministry of Education has set five goals for the sustainable development of the GTIs.

The Union Minister called on all GTI officials and students to maintain the great image of the Insein GTI, which has been celebrating its 125th anniversary. He also requested the officials to boost the vocational sector, to link schools and factories or businesses, and to increase cooperation with international development partners in order to achieve continuous success.

Then, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein said that the government has opened many vocational schools. He continued that Insein GTI is a major milestone of Myanmar’s vocational education system, and many graduates from Insein GTI are playing an important role in various engineering fields in Myanmar.

The Yangon Region Chief Minister continued that he wishes to see more schools like GTI in Myanmar for vocational training.

Next, by using Virtual Studio, prizes were virtually presented to the winners of cartoon, poetry, short story and essay contests marking the 125th anniversary.

MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)