Universities’ Teaching and Learning Infrastructure need systematic construction

It is necessary to systematically assess student enrolment by university and discipline, along with teaching staff and infrastructure requirements, and expand facilities where necessary.

President of the Re­public of the Un­ion of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing inspected Dagon University, University of Medicine 1 and Yangon University (Hline Campus) in Yangon Region yesterday morning.

At the railway station of Dagon University in Dagon Myothit (East) Township, the Yangon Region chief minister and officials report­ed on the plans for selecting the sites to construct a bus terminal to establish a YBS bus stop near the university railway station, placing the pedestrian pavements on both sides of Bohmu Bahtoo Road in the compound of the university, and repaving the asphalt roads with traffic lines within the university campus.The President gave guidance that, in construct­ing the car parking area and turnaround, measures must be taken to ensure the strength and stability of the ground foundation; pedes­trian pavements must be incorporated into the con­struction so that students can travel and use the facil­ities safely; and YBS buses must be operated in a timely manner during school open­ing and closing hours.

The President inspect­ed the railway station yard and gave guidance that sys­tematic measures must be continuously undertaken to maintain order, cleanliness and a pleasant appearance within the station com­pound. He also stressed the need to carry out continuous maintenance and necessary improvements throughout the Dagon University area so that it conforms to the standards and characteris­tics of a university.

At the convocation hall of the university, the Pres­ident heard reports from the Union Minister for Ed­ucation and Rector of the university Dr Chit Sein on the mission and vision of the university, the lecturing of relevant subjects and gave necessary guidance.

The President inspect­ed the ongoing major reno­vation of the Convocation Hall of Dagon University and the university sports ground. Regarding the upgrading of the sports ground and spectator stands, the President guid­ed that the football field must be upgraded into a standard sports ground with a 400-metre running track and that the spectator stands must be reconstruct­ed in accordance with the prescribed standards.

The President also viewed around the con­struction site of the dome-shaped Multi-Purpose Assembly Hall in the com­pound of the University of Medicine 1 in Kamayut Township. The Union Minister for Construction and the Union Minister for Health and officials reported on the construc­tion matters. The President underlined that it is neces­sary to systematically build the dome-shaped building with a proper sound system based on documentary pho­tos of the past dome-shaped structure.

The dome-shaped wooden hall, formerly known as a prominent landmark and the Mul­ti-Purpose Assembly Hall, was designed by British architect Ragian Squire and constructed at Engi­neering College of Yangon University between 1954 and 1956. The hall began to deteriorate around the 1980s. Due to the tropical climate, heavy rainfall and the passage of time, its wooden structures deteri­orated to the extent that the building could no longer be used by the people. It was subsequently demolished because long-term repair and maintenance would have incurred substantial costs. At present, in accord­ance with the guidance of the President, the dome-shaped building is being reconstructed in a modern and innovative style.

At the Yangon Univer­sity (Hline Campus), Direc­tor-General Dr Than Zaw Oo of the Higher Education Department reported to the President on the con­struction of lecture halls and buildings in addition to the locations of student dormitories, theatres, and lecture halls of relevant uni­versities on the Hline Cam­pus, infrastructure, and the requirement for more infrastructure. Rector of Yangon University of Edu­cation Dr Kay Thwe Hlaing presented the background history of the university, the conferring of degrees, the educational infrastructure, and the financial allocation.

In his guidance, the President said that it is necessary to systematically assess student enrolment by university and disci­pline, along with teaching staff and infrastructure requirements, and expand facilities where necessary. An analysis should also be conducted to arrange small numbers of students from relevant majors to pursue education at the designated locations together.

He noted that in im­plementing teaching and learning infrastructure development projects, im­portant buildings that serve as key landmarks and sym­bols of a university, such as university convocation halls, should be construct­ed systematically in stages. This should include com­prehensive consideration of all relevant factors, preparation of proposed locations and preliminary design concepts, and se­lection and prioritization based on established prior­ities. Such projects should be undertaken with a focus on long-term benefits.

The President outlined that regarding Yangon University of Economics, Yangon University and the University of Education, it is necessary to analyze and calculate the ratios of stu­dent enrolment to teaching staff and the requirements for infrastructure, and to seek appropriate solutions for bringing them together in an integrated manner.

The President inspect­ed theatres, lecture halls, relevant academic depart­ments, libraries and stu­dent dormitories on the Hline Campus and gave necessary guidance to of­ficials. — MNA/TTA