SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses centenary celebration of forestry science
NAY PYI TAW May 26
The centenary of forestry took place at the convocation hall of the University of Forestry and Environmental Science (Yezin) in Zeyathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Council Area this morning, with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present at the ceremony were SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Council members Daw Dwe Bu, Poe Rei Aung Thein, Mahn Nyein Maung, Dr Aung Kyaw Min, U Shwe Kyein and Dr Hmu Thang, Union Ministers and Union level officials, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, rectors, faculty members and students from universities on Yezin campus. SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Council member Mahn Nyein Maung, Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Planning and Finance U Win Shein, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi and Union Minister for Education Dr Nyunt Pe cut the ribbon to open the centenary of forest celebration.
The Senior General unveiled the plaque to mark the centenary of forestry and sprinkled scented water on it.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that nurturing and conservation of trees and forests benefiting humans and the whole ecosystem are very important. As the forestry science at the university level of Myanmar teaching important forestry sciences turns 100 years, it is auspicious for the centenary of forestry. The role of forestry professionals is very important to systematic manage sustainability of forests.
Yangon University established the Forest Department in 1923. Hence, it can be seen that the Forest Department was opened contemporaneously with the Yangon University established in 1920. As forestry subject has been taught for many years to apply it in the practical fields, such a subject contributed much to the forest conservation and management in Myanmar.
Myanmar is rich in natural resources. The structure of Myanmar stretches from the Mount Khakaborazi in the northernmost to the ocean in the southernmost, possessing diverse forests and trees, biodiversity species, rivers and creeks as well as ecosystems in addition to mangrove forests at the beaches of seas, deciduous forests on Bago mountain ranges, tropical dried forests, northern hilly temperate forests.
Everybody knows forests in Myanmar are sound foundations for sustainable development of the country as well as root causes to develop socioeconomic life of the people and create job opportunities for them.
In retrospect, Dr Brandis initiated the systematic management of Myanmar forests in 1856. To be able to apply such a system in the long run, scholarship students were sent to France and Germany from 1866 to pursue forestry science. Moreover, experts from England served forestry duties in Myanmar, according to the records.
The Indian government handed over Myanmar’s forest management authority to Myanmar government in 1922. So, the Myanmar government formed the Burma Forest Services. Moreover, the Forestry Department was established under the Faculty of Sciences at Yangon University in 1923 to turn out those who would serve the forestry services. In 1958, the Faculty of Forestry was set up.
In order to study forestry science on a wider scale, the Institute of Forestry was established as the professional institute in 1992. It was upgraded to the University of Forestry in 2003. Aimed at learning environmental conservation subjects in addition to forestry science in turning out the forestry experts, the University of Forestry and Environmental Science was formed in 2017. The Senior General stressed the need for all officials to set a target on implementation of an object of the university “to stand tall as a standard university capable of taking environmental conservation and giving forestry education, research and services.”
There is a need for scholars, skilled persons and educated human resources for the development of a country. To meet this need, it is necessary to have a teaching system that can teach the students to become proficient in the subjects taught and learners also need to master the subjects taught, to be able to improve and increase the level of work combined with skills and to be able to apply modern technology. A university is not just teaching literature, but teaching skills. In addition to learning, the university has a good environment and good experience and being able to provide practical knowledge of literature and social relations that can be used throughout life. We must strive to achieve this opportunity.
According to the records, there were 3,052 students graduated with forestry science subject as of 2023 and 353 female forestry science graduates have been trained for the development of human resources in the forestry sector. The Forestry Department only recruited male trainees to the forestry sector, 12 female trainees have been recruited in order to enable women to serve especially in education, research and human resource development activities since 1995. Since 2006, the participation rate of female students has been increased by 20 percent every year. I would like to say that we are happy and proud that the role of women in forestry and environmental protection has increased significantly.
In order to improve education, a Master of Science Course in Forestry was introduced in 1996, and Master of Science (Forestry) and Master of Science (Forest Products) have been awarded. A total of 79 people: 62 Master of Science degree holders and 17 students, who completed diplomas, have been successfully trained as postgraduate forestry professionals.
I would like to put it on record that I am very happy and proud to know that forestry science graduates from the University of Forestry and Environment have been able to attend master's degree courses and doctoral degree courses in foreign countries, including in the United States, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea, with full qualifications, and have excelled in keeping up with international students. Such excellence should be praised for the efforts of the participants, and on the one hand, it proves that their country's education is world-class. It is also proving that the training capabilities of the principals, professors and teachers who teaches students who are so talented and in international level. Therefore, I would like to record and express my appreciation and respect to the teachers. A university is also a center for producing scholars. It is training many undergraduate students, postgraduate students and diploma students, as well as those who have been able to study many doctoral degrees in various foreign countries in forestry sector. He believes that the University of Forestry and Environment has a good foundation to produce doctoral scholars because it has a lot of systematic teaching experience. Therefore, he would like to encourage the training of professionals who focus on the tropical and monsoon regions until they can compete internationally.
Today, most of the countries in the world are giving priority to changing their lives as much as possible in harmony with the environment in order to make the only planet that humans live on more sustainable. Therefore, it will be necessary to produce professionals, who understand the concepts of the green economy, which is related to the forestry sector and based on environmental protection and economic development, the concepts of blue economy which is related to the coastal and ocean-based and the concepts of nature-based solutions which can apply in the practical field. These processes can be increased and taught as a core process area of the University of Forestry and Environment. They will continue to work to open undergraduate courses and post-graduate courses to produce environmental science graduates.
What I want to say seriously are the teachers who are the "steers" of the students. He would like to urge them to give serious support to the teachers for continuously improving the skills and capabilities of teachers, integrating teaching and research activities, managing to gain domestic and overseas experiences, and supporting to acquire skills that can be combined with theory and practice.
We may continue to train new generations of educated people, who know the importance of forests in social and environmental protection and are proud of their knowledge, to develop the academics, which is the foundation for the long-term sustainability of the invaluable natural ecosystem services and biodiversity, to implement the goal of the university "To be able to stand as a high-level university that can provide education, research and services on environmental protection and forestry sector” and to be strong and long-lasting for the University of Forestry and Environment, which has completed 100 years of existence.
Then, the Senior General presented an honorarium of Ks-10 million to the Rector of the University of Forestry and Environmental Science, Dr Khin Maung Sint to mark its centennial celebration.
After that, the Senior General, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the university, awarded prizes to those who won the first prize in the poetry, article, quiz and essay contests in university level and high school level.
Then, SAC Vice Chairman Vice-Senior General Soe Win, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the university, awarded prizes to those who won the second prize in the poetry, article, quiz and essay contests in university level and high school level and Council Joint Secretary Lt - Gen Ye Win Oo also presented prizes to the third prize winners.
After that, artists from the Department of Fine Arts under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and students from the University of Forestry and Environmental Science performed and presented the "Honorary Forest Education Centenary Festival" performance and showed the university's centennial video archive. They danced with "Eternal Myanmar" music and presented "Forest and Environment Music (MTV) and performed with the theme song of the University of Forestry and Environmental Science "Our Mother University who loves the World". The Senior General and those attending the ceremony watched and cheered.
After that, the Senior General presented the flower basket bouquet to the artists and students.
After that, the Senior General and those who attended the ceremony took a photo together.
After that, the Senior General and members toured the exhibits of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.
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