Pathways to Success for Leadershop Skills

University of Mandalay, one of the leading research universities in Myanmar was the host of this workshop. 30 participants from different HEIs of social sciences and humanities participated in this activity. The workshop, focusing on "Transforming Higher Education Scenarios in Myanmar: Pathways to Success for Leadership Skills" was highly valued by the Ministry of Education in Myanmar. Dr. Thein Win (Director General of Higher Education) and Dr. Khine Mye (Director General of Alternative Education) held the presentation on "National Education Strategic Plan". In the following, together with the workshop's participants, they discussed the success and challenges which HEIs in Myanmar were facing in the course of transformation of Myanmar's higher education system. Prof. Dr. Peter Mayer (University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück, Germany) and Prof. Dr. Ong Duu Sheng (Multimedia University, Malaysia) came together sharing their insights and experience on higher education management.

The workshop was well structured and deliberated planned. The commitment and hospitality of the training committee under Prof. Dr. Aye Aye Tun and Prof. Dr. Thida Win were impressive, as well as the open and pleasant atmosphere. The participants shared the challenges they were encountering at work and were very engaged in the discussions.

During the transformation process of the higher education system in Myanmar, HEIs become more autonomous. This means that on one hand, they enjoy more freedom in decision-makings; on the other hand, they are exposed to various challenges, expecially regarding the financial management, staff development, curriculum development and quality assurance within the institutions. As a consequence of these development, "trainings on leadership skills are becoming very important and necessary" said Dr. Khine Mye.

by Xia Qin