Political Science in the Universities of Myanmar by Prof; Chaw Chaw Sein.

 PS disciple in the Universities of Myanmar

Source: Prof; Chaw Chaw Sein, Head of IR/PS, YU

    When the University of Yangon was established in 1920, it was based on the faculty system. The Department of modern History and Political Science was organized under the Faculty of Social Science in 1957. The curriculum for PS is the same as the PS discipline in other universities around the world. In 1964, new education system was introduced in the universities. Under this new system, the faculty system was abolished and departments took palace in it. This new system brought Department of Modern History and Political Science almost to a halt. Again in 1976-77, regional colleges were introduced in new education system for 14 states and Division in Myanmar. PS was reintroduced in new education system for 14 states and Divisions in Myanmar. PS was reintroduced again in all Arts and Science Universities in Myanmar as compulsory subject. But the curriculum of PS was not same like in the days of faculty system. it focused only on a socialism and socialist ideology. 

    As the world was divided into east bloc and west bloc, it has become necessary to learn not only socialism but also isms and ideologies, foreign policies and public administration. In line with this, the new department of International Relations and International Administration was opened in the 1983-84 academic year at the University of Yangon and Mandalay. Political though/political theory and political institutions which are sub fields of political science are also taught in IR subject. Simultaneously in 1988, the department as PS as well as the subject came to an end along with student uprising that took place throughout the country.

   From 1988-2010, Myanmar was ruled under State Law and Order Restoration Council, later renamed as State Peace and Development Council. During these years, as politics is a sensitive issue, the idea of PS was not on the top agenda of university education. However, when the new democratic government took power in 2011, series of reforms took place and education is of no exception. The study of Politics becomes a debating issue in Hluttaw (Parliament) and among the people in Myanmar. It becomes necessary to produce political scientists for New Myanmar. TO fulfill the needs, study of Political Science was reintroduced in University of Yangon and University of Mandalay with 50 students each in 2013-2014 academic year. Moreover, many people in Myanmar are also intersted to study politics as a university discipline. The departments of IR has submitted the proposal to open Diploma in Political Science (DIP) under the Human Resource Department since 2013. These progressive recent developments of political science come along with the democratic transformation in Myanmar.

2013 to present, time to write our milestones.....

-Nyan

www.nyanlinhtet.name

2022/Aung/03