A joint program co-organized by CPSC and Labtech International was successfully implemented online in Myanmar on June 27-30,2022. The program involved the participation of 20 TVET instructors and trainers of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) sector from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

This 4-day course provided an introduction for Teachers/Instructors to a TVET Learning Management System (LMS) and Virtual TVET Digital Learning Content. The objective is to get them up and running on when and how to use Virtual TVET and digital content and TVET LMS to monitor the progress and grades of learners within and across institutions, and how to integrate these into their classroom learning, plus management of courses. The outcome for the teacher/instructor/trainers is that it will be a refresher course on new technology and applying a hybrid approach in the relevant subject area. This is specifically organized for instructors in the HVAC sector.

The program was jointly supervised by Dr. Sai Kyaw Naing Oo - Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DTVET), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Dr. Myo Min Thant, Principal, Government Technical Institute at Shwe Pyi Thar and Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, Director General of CPSC. In addition, the program’s resources and logistics were facilitated by Dr. Steven McKee, President Emeritus of WorldDidac Association which is the largest international education industry association, and founder of Labtech International, together with Labtech Academy General Manager Mr. Brad Kerr. Local coordination was facilitated by Dr. Maw Maw Tun - Deputy Director of the Curriculum Development Section, Ministry of Science and Technology.

The program was formally opened on June 27, 2022 and was attended by key officials, notably Dr. Myo Min Thant, Principal, Government Technical Institute at Shwe Pyi Thar and Hon. Aung Kyaw Oo, Chargé d'affaires, a.i. Of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the Philippines. Both officials praised CPSC for pushing with this program and hoped for more collaboration between the two entities. They also expressed their support for Myanmar’s active participation in CPSC activities, noting that two in-country programs were already organized for Myanmar as of July 2022.

Program officials during the opening ceremony (clockwise from top left): Hon. Aung Kyaw Oo, Chargé d'affaires of the Myanmar Embassy in the Philippines; Dr. Myo Min Thant, Principal, Government Technical Institute (ShwePyiThar) of DTVET and Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, Director General, CPSC

The program covered various topics such as Digital TVET Framework and What is Virtual TVET; Understanding how to Adapt and Adopt Blended Learning; How to use a TVET LMS to Deliver Competency-Based Training; TVET LMS Reporting and Analytics; and Understanding the Technical Operation and Troubleshooting of new modern training system. The HVAC fundamentals such as electrical controls and components, instruments and meters, electric motors, and HVAC components were also introduced and discussed with the participants.

The participants were also taught how to incorporate their lesson plans using Virtual TVET and were awarded certificates of completion by Labtech and certified by Worlddidac after the course.

Mr. Brad Ker discussing the process of HVAC instruction

Mr. Steve McKee outlining the requirements for virtual TVET instruction

The closing ceremony was held on June 30, 2022 and was graced by Dr. Sai Kyaw Naing Oo Director General of DTVET, MoST; Mr. Mr. Brad Ker, Program Coordinator and Resource Person and Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, Director General of CPSC. Other notable invitees also include Dr. Steven McKee, President of Labtech International, Ltd.and Dr. Myo Min Thant, Principal, Government Technical Institute (ShwePyiThar), DTVET, MOST. The officials agreed on the relevance of this program in further developing Myanmar’s labor force and expressed their gratitude for CPSC and other government agencies in the country for making this program a success.