Accreditation and Certification for TET Institutions

1. INTRODUCTION


The early 21st century has got a chance to see the rapid changes and development when the word "globalization" turn up to be "a living machinery". As a result each country need to utilize human and natural resources in a cruise way to maintain them for a long run so that the country can keep up with other developed country. Therefore how to carry it out becomes a burning question.

For the purpose of development, a country, first of all, need to raise the standard of its institute and brush up the competence, quality and skills of the individual. Consequently, Technician Education and Training (TET) become a crucial sector of the human resources development (HRD) in achieving the socio-economic goals of the developing countries. In order to achieve the quality of TET, the certification of TET institutions have to ensure strong commitment and contributions of entire faculty and staff.

So it is unquestionable that Technician Education and Training (TET) plays a very important part in economic and industrial development of a country. For necessarily needed to achieve international accreditation and certification for TEUT institution to confront the new demand and challenges of the world. In order to achieve that goal each country, however, need to exploit human and natural resource and reserve them for the future generation.


2. CURRENT POLICIES AND PRACTICE OF TET INSTITUTIONS


In Myanmar, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) was formed in October, 1996 for the enhancement of scientific and technological research as a national priority. There are five Departments under MOST. They are:

1.	Department of Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE)
2.	Department of Advanced Science and Technology (DAST)
3.	Department of Technology Promotion and Co-ordination (DTPC)
4.	Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
5.	Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department (MSTRD)

The first two Departments are concerned mostly with Human Resource Development (HRD) and put under the change of one Deputy Minister. Another three Departments are concerned mostly with research, technical promotion and technical co-ordination. They are put under the charge of another Deputy Minister.

The objectives of MOST are:

1.	to carry out research and development (R&D)
2.	to utilize natural resources to develop national economy
3.	to distribute the results of R&D to users
4.	to plan and carry out HRD programs
5.	to analyze and test raw materials and products and to implement quality control and standardization of industrial products
6.	to co-ordinate atomic energy research and applications.

3. DEPARTMENT OF DTVE

Nowadays, DTVE is responsible for the production of engineering technicians, technicians and skilled tradesmen. This task is implemented through its Technological Colleges, Technical Institutes, Technical and Vocational Schools, and Training Centers. DTVE also operates a number of Vocational Training Schools at the artisan and craftsman level with a view to admit students who have dropped out at various levels of the formal education systems.

The principal objectives of DTVE are:

1.	Training of technicians, skilled and semi-skilled workers.
2.	Formulation of programs to link teaching with on the job experience.
3.	Setting priorities for occupations and skills, which will be most useful in practical fields
4.	Organizing training programs in vocational subjects for students who dropped out at various levels of the formal education system.
5.	To train and nurture skilled technicians and experts who are imbued with a sense of conscientiousness and convictions to cherish the state.
The function of DTVE may be enumerated as follows:
1.	To implement policies and guidelines laid down by the MOST.
2.	To plan for the expansion of Technical and Vocational Schools/ Institutes.
3.	To plan for the attainment of highly qualified and proficient teaching staff.
4.	To be responsible for matters relating to budget allotment, purchase of tools, equipment and other teaching aids.

4. COLLEGES, INSTITUTES AND SCHOOLS UNDER DTVE




The objectives of DAST are:

1. To set up Technological Universities and Universities of Computer Studies.
2. To produce engineers, architects, scientists and computer experts.
3. To conduct research at Universities.
4. To give Technical advice to industries
5. To plan requirement and production of higher level science and technology manpower.

DAST is composed of 7 Universities & 24 Government Computer Colleges. The name of 7 Universities are

1. Yangon Technological University (YTU)
2. Mandalay Technological University (MTU)
3. Pyay Technological University (PTU)
4. Western Yangon Technological University (WYTU)
5. Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University (MAEU)
6. University of Computer Studies, Yangon (UCSY) and
7. University of Computer Studies, Mandalay (UCSM).

Universities and colleges are running training centers for all who are qualified academically. Training and education is the engine that drives the country to become economically and technologically progressive. Education is a good investment for HRD. Good education is required for the fruitful application of research and development to the production. Educated people make more productive workers.

The specific courses in manufacturing technologies should be offered at Technical College and University levels. The experts from foreign countries should be requested to offer lecturers and practical training to students. The nation giving emphasis on science and technology needs more and more scientists and engineers.


6. BACHELOR, MASTER AND PH.D. FOR ENGINEERING

7. MASTER AND Ph.D. FOR ACADEMIC

8. MASTER AND PH.D. FOR COMPUTERS

9. TRAINING PROGRAMME


Myanmar is concentrating on the expansion and upgrading of its technological education and skills development program.

Modernized workshops are provided to train young technicians to get in touch with the tools and machine. Seminar, Conference and Symposia are often held to share the update information, knowledge and technology. For the young technicians and trainee to have the bird's eye view, the necessary trips, excursion is occasionally arranged by the aids of the country.

Cooperation between neighbouring countries, exchange of scholar and scientists, sharing academic knowledge and experience and transfer of information can be performed through advanced technology, internet and e-mail which are facilitated by the government. Therefore they can lead to fruitful result for our country.


10. CONCLUSION

Because of rapid changes in political and economic sectors of the country, the country needs more technicians, and skilled workers. The TET institutions are one of the main agencies that supply technicians and skilled workers to fill the labour force demands. The majority of the youth who attend technical and vocational schools and institutes mainly seek employment in government-owned industries, and other economic enterprises.

When they gained enough experience in their work, some of them turn to do business their own.

With the expansion of technology, we are greatly in need of professional and well-qualified teaching staff. Training of the academic staff is in fact a very important HRD program. As a result of the strategy to upgrade the teaching staff, many number of postgraduate degree holders will be raised.

As planned, Myanmar has approached the goal to some extent and can produce a great deal of competent scientists and engineers. Myanmar also reserve the natural and human resource and succeeds in cultivating the potential for the future generation.