Burma partnership agreed to help regenerate economy

The University has been working in the South East Asian country for the past 18 months. Initially this has involved providing Special Educational Needs training in the country to Burmese nationals.

A delegation from the University will arrive in Burma to sign an academic partnership agreement.

This includes an agreement with the country’s only private university, Victoria University College, to provide top up courses in Engineering and Business from July.

The delegation will meet with officials to discuss ways in which the University can help develop skills and education in the country including helping to upgrade the curriculum of Government Technology Colleges and providing teacher training programmes to help build capacity.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “Burma is undergoing massive change and reform and it is striving for economic development and greater democracy.

“It has a lot to offer, such as natural resources and the opportunity to develop quickly but to do that they need to provide their people with the right skills and competencies.

“We’re really pleased to be in a position that we are involved with Burma and talking to officials there to help them progress.

“Initially we are looking at top-up programmes but we are aiming to also provide bridging courses and ultimately offer our degrees in country to Burmese students.

“As a University we are always looking to keep on developing our international agenda to help provide opportunity to people around the world.”

The University of Wolverhampton has established links with universities in 30 countries and has more than 1,300 students studying our courses in their own country.

This includes a branch campus in Mauritius, associate campus in Biarritz and education sites in countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, China, Nigeria, Singapore, Hong Kong and India.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.

Date Issued: Thursday 20 March 2014