Lawmakers taking online classes

The two officials are part the second batch of students for the online course, rector Dr Hla Tint said.

Online education is still new in Myanmar, and though many people are interested in it, the country’s infrastructure for better Internet services need to be improved. 

Dr Hla Tint said Yangon University of Distance Education launched its first online course last November with 60 students. 

“The course takes 10 months to complete and there is an examination once in every five months. A total of 60 students enrolled for the first batch, and the second batch, which started on April 1, has a total of 101 students. It appears that more people are interested in the course.

“In the future, depending on our Internet capacity, we will enrol more students.” 

The online course focuses on the practical aspects of the country’s law and applied theories. Upon completion of the course, a diploma is awarded. 

Observers said people were interested in studying law due to the country’s political situation.

 

BMW plans to enter the market

Germany-based BMW will open its first showroom and servicing centre in Myanmar, BMW’s partner Inspiration de Formosa Group said.

Inspiration de Formosa was registered as a trading and construction company at the Directorate of Investment and Companies Department and the group’s managing director is Than Than Htay.

Thanks to Myanmar’s reforms, international automobile firms are starting to penetrate the local market. 

The US-based Ford and South Korea-based KIA are also planning set up showrooms and service centres in the second quarter. 

Toyota, Nissan Honda and Suzuki have already set up shop in Yangon, while Mitsubishi and Bosch will open sales and service centres in Yangon this month. 

 

Country’s first solar power plant

Myanmar will build the world’s third largest solar power plant in Minbu township of Magway Region with the help of Thai firm, Green Earth Power, according to the Ministry of Electric Power. 

According to the Thai media, the US$275-million (Bt8 billion). An agreement for the project was signed between Green Earth and the ministry last week. 

The chairman of Green Earth said a power-purchasing agreement would be signed with the ministry in the next three months. The chairman added that his firm was also discussing building another power plant that would generate 200MW. 

Deputy Electric Power Minister Aung Than Oo said the plant aimed to boost the generation of electricity from 2,500MW to 30,000MW by 2030, adding that the amount of power being produced at present was not enough to support industrialisation in the country. At present, 26 per cent of people living in urban areas have electricity at home, while only 4 per cent of those living in rural areas have access to power.