သမဝါယမနှင့် ကျေးလက်ဖွံ့ဖြိုးရေးဝန်ကြီးဌာန

Overview

The Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development (MCRD) is a government ministry in Myanmar responsible for promoting cooperative societies and fostering rural development. Established on June 17, 2021, the ministry emerged from the reorganization of the former Ministry of Cooperatives and the Department of Rural Development. Headquartered in Naypyidaw, the ministry operates under the jurisdiction of the Government of Myanmar and is tasked with enhancing the socio-economic conditions of rural communities through various programs and initiatives.

Historical and Legal Framework

The roots of MCRD trace back to 1951 with the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Commodity Distribution. Over the decades, the ministry underwent several reorganizations:

• 2016: The Ministry of Cooperatives merged with the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to form the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
• 2021: Following the military coup, the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Department of Rural Development were restructured into the current Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development.

This restructuring aimed to streamline operations and focus on the development of cooperative societies and rural areas, addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities.

2) Mission, Vision, and Objectives — Role in Higher Education

Mission: To promote and develop cooperative societies, enhance rural development, and improve the livelihoods of rural populations through sustainable programs and initiatives.

Vision: To create a prosperous and self-reliant rural Myanmar where cooperative societies play a pivotal role in economic development.

Objectives:

• Facilitate the establishment and growth of cooperative societies.
• Implement rural development programs focusing on infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
• Enhance the capacity of rural communities through training and skill development.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices and rural entrepreneurship.

Role in Higher Education: MCRD oversees several educational institutions that provide specialized training in cooperatives and rural development:

• Co-operative University, Thanlyin
• Co-operative University, Sagaing
• Lacquerware Technology College, Bagan
• Saunders Weaving and Vocational Institute, Amarapura
• Weaving and Vocational High Schools
• Basic Weaving Schools

These institutions aim to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to the cooperative movement and rural development efforts in Myanmar.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The ministry is led by the Union Minister, Hla Moe, who was appointed on June 24, 2021. The Deputy Minister, Myint Soe, assumed office on April 4, 2022. The governance structure includes various departments and affiliated institutions:

• Department of Cooperatives
• Department of Rural Development
• Department of Small-Scale Industries
• Lacquerware Technology College
• Saunders Weaving and Vocational Institute
• Weaving and Vocational High Schools
• Basic Weaving Schools

These entities work collaboratively to implement the ministry's policies and programs, ensuring a coordinated approach to rural development and the promotion of cooperatives. While the ministry operates under the central government, it maintains a degree of autonomy in executing its mandate, particularly in areas related to rural development and cooperative management.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation — Role in Higher Education

While the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development does not directly oversee the accreditation of higher education institutions, it plays a supportive role in enhancing the quality of education within its purview. The ministry collaborates with the Ministry of Education and other relevant bodies to ensure that the educational programs offered by its affiliated institutions meet national standards and effectively address the needs of rural communities. This collaboration includes:

• Developing curricula that align with industry requirements and rural development goals.
• Providing training for educators to enhance teaching methodologies.
• Facilitating internships and practical experiences for students in rural settings.
• Monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of educational programs to ensure continuous improvement.

Through these efforts, the ministry contributes to the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving rural development initiatives and promoting the cooperative movement in Myanmar.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development engages in international cooperation to enhance its programs and share best practices. While specific memberships and partnerships are not detailed in available sources, the ministry's involvement in regional and international forums is indicative of its commitment to global collaboration. These engagements allow for:

• Exchange of knowledge and experiences with other countries.
• Participation in international conferences and workshops on cooperatives and rural development.
• Collaboration with international organizations to implement development projects.

Through these international partnerships, the ministry aims to strengthen its capacity and improve the effectiveness of its programs, ultimately benefiting rural communities in Myanmar.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development is poised to have a significant impact on higher education in Myanmar, particularly in fields related to rural development and cooperative management. The ministry's focus on education and training will:

• Enhance the quality of education in rural areas by providing specialized programs and resources.
• Increase access to higher education for students from rural communities.
• Develop a workforce equipped with the skills necessary to address rural development challenges.
• Promote research and innovation in areas pertinent to rural development and cooperatives.

Through these initiatives, the ministry aims to contribute to the overall development of Myanmar's education system and the empowerment of rural populations.

Summary

The Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development of Myanmar plays a crucial role in promoting cooperative societies and fostering rural development. Through its various programs and initiatives, the ministry aims to improve the livelihoods of rural populations and contribute to the nation's socio-economic development. Its involvement in higher education ensures that students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive these efforts forward. As Myanmar continues to develop, the ministry's work will remain integral to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.

FAQs

• What is the role of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development?

  The ministry is responsible for promoting cooperative societies and implementing programs aimed at rural development in Myanmar.

• Who leads the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development?

  The ministry is led by Union Minister Hla Moe, with Deputy Minister Myint Soe supporting the leadership.

• When was the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development established?

  The ministry was established on June 17, 2021, following the reorganization of the former Ministry of Cooperatives and the Department of Rural Development.

• What educational institutions are affiliated with the ministry?

  Affiliated institutions include Co-operative Universities in Thanlyin and Sagaing, Lacquerware Technology College in Bagan, Saunders Weaving and Vocational Institute in Amarapura, Weaving and Vocational High Schools, and Basic Weaving Schools.

• Does the ministry oversee university accreditation?

  While the ministry does not directly oversee university accreditation, it collaborates with the Ministry of Education to ensure the quality of educational programs related to cooperatives and rural development.

Organization Name

သမဝါယမနှင့် ကျေးလက်ဖွံ့ဖြိုးရေးဝန်ကြီးဌာန

Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development

Acronym

MCRD

Year of Establishment

2021

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Office No. 36
Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw Union Territory Myanmar

Phone

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development's Wikipedia article

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