Myanmar attaches importance to education sector development calling for increased investment in the sector.

The education authorities said "Myanmar universities are networking with prestigious seats of education from South Korea, Japan and so on including John Hopkins University."

To drive for education growth, priority is being given to development of human resources and information technology.

Teachers are also being tasked to accumulate human capital.

It also stressed the need for English proficiency to be on par with global countries, demanding mastery civilized citizens.

There is a national education committee in Myanmar which is tasked to adopt and implement education policies and objectives.

The committee is in operation with two councils -- universities central council responsible for administrative matters and higher education establishments council responsible for academic matters.

The education authorities have launched a specialized training program in higher education beginning 2013-14 academic year which is to specially train students with brilliant matriculation exam results in each specialized subjects up doctorate level in universities in Yangon and Mandalay.

To promote Myanmar education standards, establishment of world- class universities are being called for.

As part of the move, the government is establishing some centers of excellence in Yangon and Mandalay universities.

Meanwhile, some foreign organizations have offered help to promote Myanmar education system including upgrading of universities

In the latest development, some of Myanmar's famous universities are also cooperating with the United States and France in education sector to upgrade the education standard of the country.

Former Yangon University will cooperate with Johns Hopkins University of the U.S. in teaching Law and political science while Mandalay University with University Lyons 2 and University Montpellier 2 from France, and Pathein University with French University Montpellier 2 respectively, said the Phi Myanmar News.

Former Yangon University, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, will also establish Center of Excellence.

Pathein University and University Montpellier 2 have reached agreement in cooperation in bio-science research.

Besides, India has also agreed to help Myanmar open an Information Technology University in 2013, while the Asia Foundation, a non-profit non-governmental organization, also offered to provide necessary books and documents, and support online library system in Myanmar.

In addition to the state-operated schools and universities, the education authorities have approved 20 private schools to formally open following the enactment of the Private School Law last year- end.

Most of the granted private schools are from the Yangon region.

The authorities basically set that similar subjects shall be taught according to the curriculum prescribed in state schools, while allowing other additional subjects to be also taught so as to eliminate private tuition.

To mobilize the teachers in the country to serve the education sector, a private teachers' union has been formed to seek knowledge and experience from foreign experts to help raise private teachers' qualification to international standard.

Official statistics show that the number of state-operated basic education schools in the country has increased to 41,000 where a total of over 8.1 million students are pursuing education under the guidance of over 270,000 teachers.

In the higher education sector, there has been 161 universities and colleges opened, boosting the number of higher education institution by 5 times than before.

In the medical field, Myanmar Medical Science Department(MSD) will also cooperate with Johns Hopkins University on medical technology under a memorandum of understanding between them.

The technical cooperation covers giving training to medical staff of the University of Medicine-Yangon for human resource development, advancement of teaching methods of medicine and programs for capacity building.

For offering higher education in the country, U.S.-based Bart Liberal Art College will be opened in Myanmar this year with four- year degree course conducted for students.