Training TVET leaders, managers, and teachers is essential in achieving organizational excellence through accreditation of TVET institutions. With this, the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and the Office of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DTVET) of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Myanmar jointly organized the Online In-Country Program on Enhancing Quality Management System in TVET under the supervision of Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General; Dr. Htay Thwin, DTVET Director General; and Dr. Maw Maw Tun, DTVET Research Section Director.
The program was conducted from June 24 to 28, 2024 via Zoom platform, and was attended by 30 college principals, vice-principals, directors, administrators, and teachers from TVET institutes in Myanmar. The participants were expected to gain knowledge on accreditation and be able to share their experiences on how to enhance QMS in their TVET institutes.
The opening ceremony commenced with CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen delivering opening remarks on behalf of the CPSC Director General Prof. Wickramasinghe. This was followed by a short address by Dr. Htay Thwin who welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude towards CPSC and DTVET. Meanwhile, Hon. San Yu Kyaw, Chargé d'Affaires/Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the Philippines, addressed a special message as the Chief Guest of the program. In his speech, he hoped that the program would allow the participants to understand the value and benefits of QMS and enhance their capacity in performing their duties in their respective institutions.
The five-day program consisted of lectures and workshops which were facilitated by Dr. Kesavan; Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan, CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist; Mr. Syed Sabahat Ali Shah, Technical Advisor in German Technical Cooperation (GIZ); Pn. Noor Aidi binti Nadzri, Former Director in Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (PIS); Prof. Romulita Alto, EdD, CPSC Short Term Faculty Consultant; and Dr. Hazrat Hussain, Principal in Government Technical Teachers Training College. Theme papers were also presented in the sessions, focusing on QMS with the underlying context of TVET quality assurance system of Myanmar.
The program ended with a closing ceremony wherein three participants were selected to share their insights and learnings from the sessions. Furthermore, Engr. Dr. Mian thanked the participants for their commitment in improving themselves as trainers which reflected on their sense of nationalism and love for the country. Likewise, Prof. Wickramasinghe and Dr. Htay Thwin delivered their closing remarks, and looked forward to more collaborations between CPSC and DTVET for the enhancement of TVET in the country.
