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Secretary-1 pays homage to members of the Sangha taking 54th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida  Selection Examination

YANGON, 7 Jan.- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt,  accompanied by ministers and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived 9 am today at Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill where the Ministry of Religious Affairs is holding the 54th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen. Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen. Thura Aung Ko and officials. The Secretary-1 and party paid homage and offered robes to Chairman of Ovada Sariya Committee for Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination Mawlamyine Sasana Manhaung Webyan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Vijayabhi-vamsa and members of the Sangha.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to members of the Sangha taking the examination in Maha Pasana Cave. At Kaba Aye Soonsarhsaung, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party paid homage to Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa and the Sayadaws. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party took the Five Precepts from members of Ovadanariya Sagaing Hill Thitzanawdagyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sijjanabhivamsa.

Next, the Secretary-1 and wife offered provisions to the Sayadaws. Then, Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Sijjanabhivamsa delivered a sermon. The Secretary-1 and wife and the congregation shared the merits gained. The Secretary-1 and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and family offered " soon " to Ovadanariya Sayadaws of the examination, members of the Sangha and monks who are taking the examination. The examination is being held from 29 December 2001 to 30 January 2002. A total of 194 monks 95 monks in the oral examination and 99 in the written examination Ñ are taking the examination.
 

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( 2 ) Myanmar health research paper reading session for 2001 commences

YANGON, 7 Jan. - The Ministry of Health held a Myanmar health research paper reading session for 2001 at the Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) in Dagon Township this morning.
Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt- Gen. Khin Nyunt addressed the opening ceremony.

Also present were the ministers, the mayor, the deputy ministers, members of the National Health
Committee, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the directors-general, the deputy directors-general, rectors, medical superintendents, directors, professors, advisers, the chairman and members of Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, representatives of social organizations, resource persons and guests.

The Secretary-1 said that national-level health research paper reading sessions are held every year, and research papers on various fields of the health sector are submitted. That fact evinces the strong goodwill, firm determination and noble efforts of researchers who are striving to improve the national health standard and to provide effective health care for the people. It is believed that the health research paper reading session will serve as a basis for promoting the development of research work which will contribute to improvement of the national health standard.

The State Peace and Development Council is striving to enable the Union of Myanmar to stand shoulder to shoulder with others by enlisting the active participation and cooperation of all the national people. In addition, importance has been attached to the fact that all the national people can enjoy the fruit of development. Therefore, an objective calling for uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation has been laid down, and measures are being taken to provide effective health care for the people. Today, the government is building hospitals and dispensaries with a view to providing health care for the people from all over the country including border and far-flung areas.

At the same time, systematic measures are being taken to upgrade hospitals, build new hospitals, provide diagnosis and medical equipment and appoint more specialists. Therefore, at district hospitals, the effective health care can now be provided, and modern diagnostic and treatment methods, medical equipment and specialists are available as well. Medical conferences are held with the aim of developing highly-qualified human resources in the health sector. A large sum of money has been spent on upgrading the institutes of medicine, opening master and doctorate courses and providing modern teaching aids and laboratory apparatus at the institutes of medicine in accord with the special national education promotion four-year plan. In addition, Myanmar Academy of Medical Science has been formed with experienced persons, and the academy is working for the development of the health sector in accord with the requirements of the State.

In an effort to provide effective health care for the people and to improve the standard of medical
treatment, health research plays a pivotal role. Research is the key to systematic development of any
branches of science or technology. Science and technologies including medical science are improving fast today, and so research and innovation have come to play a crucial role. With respect to the importance of research, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe said that in a bid to build a new nation, efforts are always to be speeded up, and it is necessary to promote efficiency and quality. It is important to strike a balance between human resources development and material development. Only then will academic fields improve. Moreover, emphasis is to be placed on research and development in every field.

Therefore, the government is implementing national health plans designed to uplift the health standards of Myanmar and to provide effective health care for the people. In this regard, health research working plans and health system research development working plans are included in the health system development plan. Separate medical research departments which are mainly responsible for health research have been set up in Upper Myanmar and Lower Myanmar.

A plan is afoot to establish another medical research department which can carry out research on diseases common in the central part of Myanmar. Things are changing rapidly in the world today, and political, economic and social development and changes have an influential effect on the social life of the people in Myanmar. Health care to be provided for the people and health research have become wide-ranging. That wide-ranging health research is to be conducted in consonance with the political, economic and social changes of the State and national requirements. As science and technologies are advancing, the field of health research has become wider and wider.

Under these circumstances, it is imperative that various fields such as basic research, applied research and health system research need to improve in harmony. Only then will research work contributing to health development improve. Moreover, new kinds of research such as health policy research, health services research, health behaviour research, health economics research and human resources for health research are to be done. With respect to diseases which are receiving special attention in the State, remedies and plans to utilize those remedies, research is to be carried out; ways and means for giving treatment at a low cost are to be sought. To make correct decisions on the basis of the data obtained from research in uplifting the health standard of the people, all the departments under the Ministry of Health are to conduct research extensively.

To further improve the hitherto-known remedies and methods, research is to be done; efforts are also to be made to discover remedies and methods which are not available in the nation. In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, traditional medicine research work is also to be carried out on an extensive scale so that it can be used in the health sector of the State. Medical research departments are to continue to conduct research on production of medicines which can effectively cure common diseases. It is necessary to cooperate with private traditional medicine producers in producing potent medicines by use of western medicine, Myanma traditional medicine and Myanma herbal plants and distributing them to the people.

To increase the number of health research and improve quality of research, research concepts and
methods are to be disseminated to all the health-related departments. Not only specialists and researchers but also graduate and post-graduate medical students, doctors and administrators need to take more and more interest in conducting research. Only then will various kinds of health research develop.

To promote development of health research, modern laboratories, apparatus and well-stocked libraries are required. In enhancing efficiency of doing research, information and literature on health are vitally important. So arrangements are to be made to transform health libraries into electronic libraries, to establish a network among them and to exchange information and literature on health with libraries abroad. Only when latest information is available, can modern research work be done, and can results be disseminated. And the Internet can be used to find necessary data. All the academicians have already accepted the fact that the emergence of academicians of new generation is of great importance in carrying out research.

Therefore, systematic plans are to be made to turn out researchers of new generation. To cope with the main health problems systematically, various kinds of research which receive top priority are to be listed, and National Health Research Agenda is to be drawn. Included in the rural area development tasks being undertaken in accord with the Head of State are the tasks of uplifting the health standard of the people in rural areas and of supplying pure drinking water. Therefore, rural area-based research and research on health behaviour of the people in rural areas are to be carried out.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called on all to conduct research with the aim of improving the national health standard and medical science and providing extensive medical care, to turn out outstanding researchers of new generation and strive for the development of various branches of medical science and research, to work for the development of research which will help promote national interests and to gather information and data about research on medical science and medicines which are developing abroad through the Internet and publications. After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and guests viewed the posters showing the findings of research in the hall of the Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar). The research paper reading session will be held till 11 January, and researchers will submit 97 papers.
 

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( 3 ) Secretary-2 attends opening of multimedia teaching centres at Kyaiklatt

Yangon, 8 Feb - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, accompanied by Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Chief of Staff (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, deputy ministers, heads of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departments, left for Kyaiklatt, Pyapon District, Ayeyawady Division, by helicopter this morning.

The Secretary-2 and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, authorities of Pyapon district and Kyaiklatt Township and department heads. The Secretary-2 attended the opening ceremony of the multimedia teaching centre of Basic Education Middle School in Kyaiklatt. Headmistress Daw Tin Than and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U May Aung formally opened the multimedia teaching centre. Director-General of No 1 Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo formally unveiled the signboard of the centre.

Then, the Secretary-2 and party inspected the visual presenter room, the computer application room, the computer-aided instruction room, the electronic media (audio system) room, the language lab, the electronic media video system, the printed media room and the reading room, and observed the skill demonstration of the pupils.

The Secretary-2 and party also attended the opening ceremony of the multimedia teaching centre of No 1 Basic Education High School in the same town. Headmistress Daw Hla Myint and Treasurer of the School Board of Trustees U Than Htay formally opened the centre. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann formally unveiled the signboard of the centre. Afterwards, the Secretary-2 and party inspected the computer-aided instruction room, the computer application and e-mail room, the visual presenter room, the electronic media room and the painting and domestic science room, and watched the skill demonstration of the pupils.

The ceremony to mark the opening of the multimedia teaching centre of No 1 BEHS was held in Myasandi Hall of the school. The pupils entertained the Secretary-2 and party and guests with songs and dances. Headmistress Daw Hla Myint reported on matters related to the multimedia teaching centre of the school. Director-General U Tin Nyo reported on installation of multimedia teaching centres at schools in Ayeyawady Division and Pyapon District and implementation of education promotion programmes. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein also spoke on the occasion.

Treasurer U Than Htay reported on efforts for the opening of the multimedia teaching centre and future tasks. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann explained matters related to implementation of special four-year education promotion plan in Ayeyawady Division.

The Secretary-2 presented video tapes to be used as teaching aid for the school. Then, the Secretary-2 gave instructions. Chairman of Kyaiklatt Township Peace and Development Council U Aung Myint and Treasurer U Than Htay handed over K 2.8 donated to the funds of construction of the new school building by wellwishers, to Headmistress Daw Hla Myint. The Secretary-2 also inspected No 1 Basic Education Primary School at Ward-1, Kyaiklatt.

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( 4 ) Myanmar and Uzbekistan establish diplomatic relations

Yangon, 9 Feb-The Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Uzbekistan, being desirous to establish relations of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of principles of the Charter of the United Nations and norms of the international law and in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations and on Consular Relations, have decided to establish diplomatic relations between the two states on 8th February 2001.

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( 5 ) Union Flag conveyed from City Hall to Bayintnaung Sports Ground in Thongwa

Yangon, 8 Feb - The Union Flag, which rested for one year at the City Hall, was conveyed from there to Bayintnaung Sports Ground in Thongwa, Yangon South District, this morning under the Union Flag relay programme in four districts in Yangon Division.

At 6.40 am, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay took out the Union Flag from the silver bowl in the guest hall of the Mayor's Office after saluting it. The Mayor carried the flag, flanked by four Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers, Union nationals and students to the designated place in front of the City Hall on Maha Bandoola Street with the accompaniment of the Myodaw music troupe. The Mayor handed over the Union Flag to Chairman of Management Committee for Organizing the 54th Anniversary Union Day Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than. The commander then handed over the flag to Secretary of Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Maj Myo Thant. Maj Myo Thant carried the flag onto the Union Boat and planted it in the silver bowl at 6.50 am.

The Union Flag, flanked by four Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers and Union nationals on the Union Boat, left for Thongwa along Maha Bandoola Street, Maha Bandoola Bridge, Yamonna Street, Shukhintha Ring Road, Thanlyin Bridge Approach Road, Thanlyin Bridge and Thanlyin-Bago Road.

Along the road, the Union Flag was accorded rousing welcome by vast multitudes of people and a great number of members of Township Peace and Development Councils, the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Police Force, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Working Committee for Women's Affairs, workers and farmers, teachers and students and departmental employees waving miniature flags and putting up banners across the roads.

On arrival at the archway of the entrance of Thongwa at 8.20 am, Maj Myo Than took out the flag from the silver bowl on the Union Boat and carried it, flanked by four Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers and Union nationals, and handed over the flag to Secretary of Yangon South District USDA U Lwin Oo.

The flag was conveyed by relay teams of Yangon South District USDA, Thanlyin Township General Administration Department, Thanlyin Township USDA, Thanlyin Township Fire Brigade, Thanlyin Township Red Cross Brigade, nurses of Thanlyin Township, Kyauktan Township General Administration Department, Kyauktan Township USDA, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and other departments and associations. At the archway of Bayintnaung Sports Ground in Thongwa, the flag was handed over to Chairman of Thongwa Township Peace and Development Council U Myo Nyunt.

Chairman U Myo Nyunt carried the flag, flanked by the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers and Union nationals and handed it over to Maj Myo Thant at the designated place in the sports ground. Maj Myo Thant conveyed the flag, flanked by the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers and Union nationals, and planted it in the silver bowl on the stage. The Guard of Honour of Yangon Command and over 20,000 people from Thongwa Township and other townships in Yangon South District, saluted the flag to the strains of the National Anthem played by the military band of Yangon Command. The sports ground was packed with people who came to salute the flag, and they were entertained with Myawady Anyeint and documentary films.

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( 6 ) Donations for all-round construction of Mindhamma Hill have amounted to nearly K 140m

Yangon, 8 Feb-Stone sculptors, Myanmar handicraft technicians, engineers and workers are carrying out carving of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image, which is kept on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township here and all-round construction of the Hill from September to date. The carving of the Image has now completed over 90 per cent. The Hill is crowded with members of the Sangha, nuns and laity including tourists who pay homage to the Image daily. Wut associations took turns to recite religious verses from 7 am to 10 pm. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Information are opening bookshops there and selling different kinds of books and journals. Generous donations by public from 5 August 2000 to date totalled K 139,664,720.

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( 7 ) Pre-conference of WVO (Chin State) held

Yangon, 8 Feb-The pre-conference of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Chin State) was held at Hakha Town Hall at 8 am on 6 February. It was attended by members of Central Organization Committee of MWVO Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and Director-General of Directorate of Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung, Patron of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Chin State) Chairman of Chin State Peace and Development Council Col Than Win, Secretary Lt-Col Win Naing and members, members of Supervisory Committee of MWVO (Chin State), district/township level officials, officials of Chin State Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Chin State Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Chin State Red Cross Society, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and invited guests. Maj Zat Argyi (Retd) chaired the conference and Capt Maung Yone (Retd) and Sgt Telephone (Retd) presided over the conference and Daw Mon The and Daw Me Zein Hsanacted as masters of ceremonies.

The master of ceremonies read out the agenda and opened the conference. Then, Chairman Maj Zat Argyi (Retd) delivered an opening speech. Capt Myint Soe (Retd), Capt Sein Min (Retd) and Maj Maung Toe (Retd) of Supervisory Committee for Chin State MWVO read out three sections of the report respectively. Afterwards, Capt Tin Shwe (Retd) read out the report on National Politics, Capt Shein Myint (Retd) on National Defence and Security, Capt Thet Aung (Retd) on Economic Sector, and Capt Ye Mon (Retd) on Community Works Sector. Chairman Maj Zat Argyi (Retd) made a concluding speech and the ceremony came to an end with the chanting of slogans. Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veteran Organization presented K 1 million, Chin State Peace and Development Council K 150,000, Mindat and Phalam District Peace and Development Councils K 30,000 each, Chin State USDA K 20,000, Chin State All-Bus Lines Control Committee K 50,000 for the Organization.

Journalists visit New Century Resource Centre, Centre for Ancient Myanmar Manuscripts

Yangon, 8 Feb-Local and foreign journalists comprising Director-General U Khin Maung Htay of Myanma Radio and Television, Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Hla Tun, the chief editors of dailies and advisers, President of Foreign Correspondents Club U Sao Kai Hpa and members viewed New Century Resource Centre and Centre for Ancient Myanmar Manuscripts being opened on Botahtaung Pagoda Road and at the corner of Merchant and 54th Streets this morning.

At the briefing hall of NCRC, Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Saw Lwin explained the purpose of the opening of the centres and the structure of NCRC to the journalists. The study group then inspected Winner Computer Group booth, Service Centre, World Peace International Co Ltd, CE Technology and May Kha Computer Sale and Service Centre where they were conducted round by Director-General U Saw Lwin and officials. They also viewed Computer Training Centre, e-Education Learning Centre, e-Education Resource Centre and Language Lab, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering and Network Engineering. The journalist group proceeded to the Centre for Ancient Myanmar Manuscripts where they were welcomed and conducted round by Librarian of Yangon University and Head of Ancient Myanmar Literature Affairs Daw Tin Phone Nwe and officials. They studied ancient Myanmar manuscripts and various kinds of publications in Myanmar and English there.

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