( 1 ) Secretary-1 attends exhibition on works of art of students of University of Culture (Yangon) and presentation of their performances

Yangon, 2 Sept - The exhibition on works of art of students who will be attending the sixth convocation of the University of Culture (Yangon) of Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture and the presentation of their performances were held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

First, the Secretary-1 and party inspected term papers of the fourth year students for the 2001-2002 academic year. The Secretary-1 and party observed 65 paintings and 33 sculptures of the students. Heads of departments and the students reported on the works of art. The Secretary-1 and party watched the performance on the tune of four oaths of music, Myanma orchestra and playing xylophone, Natchin dance, Vocal Choir of composer Chopin's Etude, composer J S Bruhm's Hungarian Dance No 5, marionette, fan dance and beauty of umbrella, playing harp, singing melody, playing musical instruments, F Mazas OP 38 First movement played by violin orchestra of the students of music and theatrical departments.

After the performance the Secretary-1 met officials and discussed development of the University of Culture. Next, Minister for Culture U Tin Winn and officials reported on academic and management matters and construction. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on perpetuation of the magnificent universities of Culture and establishment of  the gallery where the works of art of the students can be put on display. In his discussions, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the University of Culture (Yangon) was set up with the aim of preserving and promoting the national culture. As the University of Culture (Yangon) is achieving success, the University of culture (Mandalay) was also founded. Up to now, the University of Culture (Yangon) has produced six batches of cultural degree holder. It has also brought out brilliant artistes and artisans including artists, sculptors and musicians. Ways will have to be paved for the graduates of the university to help realize the institution's noble aims.

The government bodies including the Ministry of Culture should render assistance to the graduates to serve the interests of the State and the cultural sector. The curricular of the university will have to be amended in accord with the national developments. The students should be trained to have correct thoughts, to create works in accord with the Myanmar traditions and culture and to possess the innovative mind.

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( 2 ) Teachers urged to nurture students to become intellectuals and technicians

Yangon, 2 Sept - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence inspected development undertakings in Dawei region on 31 August. Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected construction of trawlers in Dawei. Chairman of Dawei District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Nyunt reported on allotment of land plots and cultivation of monsoon paddy and trawler owners on requirements.

In giving suggestions, Maj-Gen Maung Bo spoke of the need to build the trawlers systematically, find means to built stronger and larger boats, to ensure occupational safety, to supply adequate amount of rice to workers and to grow crops on vacant lands. Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party visited the town. In the afternoon, they inspected Dawei University Project. Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Saw Lwin reported to them on progress in construction of the university, enrolment of students, the number of students of the Distance Education University, the strength of the teaching staff, the curriculum and establishment of e-education centers and Pro-Rector of the university U Kyaw Kyaw Htay on beautifying the university campus, growing of trees and future plans and Senior Engineer of Public Works U Khin Maung Htay on completion of five two-storey buildings and progress in construction of another three buildings. Commander Brig-Gen Tha Aye explained assistance being rendered to the project.

Maj-Gen Maung Bo stressed the need to strive for completion of the project in time, to green the university environs and to grow more trees in coordination with the Forest Department. He also urged the teachers to nurture and teach their students to become intellectuals and technicians. After paying respects to Sayadaws led by Sayadaw Maha Kammathanacariya Bhaddanta Pa–acara in Maungmagan village, he visited the Maungmagan beach. Lt-Col Myo Nyunt briefed him on efforts being made to develop the beach, to grow trees and to build rural roads.

Commander Brig-Gen Tha Aye also gave supplementary reports. Maj-Gen Maung Bo said officials should make collective efforts for development of the beach to attract more tourists and to build roads in the area. He then inspected the natural resources found in the region.

After inspecting a rural road project, he paid obeisance to Hmyawyit Pagoda in Launglon Township. Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party arrived back Dawei in the evening.

Maj-Gen Maung Bo pays respects to Sayadaws of All Ganas in Dawei

Yangon , 2 Sept - A ceremony to pay respects to Sayadaws of All Ganas in Dawei District, Taninthayi Division, was held at Lawka Marazein Pagoda Dham-mayon in Dawei on 31 August, attended by member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Gaythitarama Kyaungtaik in Dawei Agga Maha Pandita Arcinna-bhivamsa. Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. The Sayadaw delivered an Ovadakatha. Next, Maj-Gen Maung Bo supplicated on religious matters and presented offertories to the Sayadaws of All Ganas in Dawei District.

Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Brig-Gen Tha Aye, officials and wellwishers presented offertories to the members of the Sangha, followed by sharing of merits gained.

( 3 ) Home Affairs Minister receives Ambassadors

Yangon, 2 Sept - Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing receives Charge d'Affaires of American Embassy Ms Carmen M Martinez, Ambassador of the Federal Repulbic of Germany to Myanmar Dr Klaus Peter Wild and Ambassador of the Repulbic of Italy to Myanmar Dr Raffaele Minicro at his office at 10 am, 11:30 am and 1 pm to- day respectively.

( 4 ) Transport Minister tours Kayan Township

Yangon, 2 Sept - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister U Pe Than, the director-general of Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems and officials, met with the local people at the Basic Education Primary School in Yaykyaw Village in Kayan Township, Yangon Division, on 31 August and discussed matters related to the development tasks of the region. First, Kayan Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Maung Maung Soe reported on development undertakings in the township.

Then, the minister explained government's rural development tasks which include development of agriculture and livestock breeding sector, promotion of education and health standards, rural water supply tasks and ensuring smooth and secure transportation. The minister heard reports on work being done for the development of the region presented by the local people and attended to the needs. Afterwards, the minister donated K 400,000 for the repair of the school to the responsible officials. MNA USDA secretariat member taurs Taunggyi Yangon, 2 Sept Secretariat member U Khin Maung Thein and Central Executive Committee member U Than Shwe of the Union Solidarity and Development Association met with executives and members of Shan State (South), district and township USDAs at the meeting hall of Shan State (South) USDA office in Taunggyi yesterday.

The secretariat member briefed those present on courses conducted by the association for the qualitative improvement of the members and matters related to the Annual General Meeting (2002) of USDA and the CEC member on organizational matters. Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, accompanied by responsible officials, also met with the staff of the ministry at the meeting hall of Myanma Economic Bank in Taunggyi. The minister heard reports on work done presented by responsible officials and gave instructions on improvement of services of the ministry that will contribute to the economic development.

MNA Transport for 3-9-2002 NLM-7 MWT Civil service training course opens Yangon, 2 Sept The opening ceremony of Civil Service Training Course No 11 was held at Ohndaw Hall of the Central Institute of Civil Service (Phaunggyi) this morning, with an address by Rector Col Win Maung of the institute. Also present were the pro-rector, heads of department, instructors and 49 trainees.

Departmental work inspected in Mandalay Division, Shan State (North)

Yangon, 2 Sept - Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, accompanied by officials, inspected the head office building, the library, booth of equipment for fire fighting, computer room and spoken English classroom of Central Fire Services Training School in PyinOoLwin, on 30 August.

At the meeting hall, Col Kyi Win of CFSTS reported on progress of construction of the buildings and agricultural and livestock breeding tasks. Next, the minister inspected pepper and seasonal crops plantations, raising of pigs and chickens and production of feedstuff. He then presented clothes and teaching aids to the school children of the pre-primary school.

Minister for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa inspected cultivation of seasonal crops and perennial crops in the plantations of the Immigration and National Registration Department in PyinOoLwin and gave instructions. At Anawrahta hall of the central fire brigade training school, the minister met with members of the fire brigade and families and provided clothes and gifts for children after making a speech. On 31 August the minister also met with officials, staff of INRD, members of Fire Brigade, USDA, women's affairs committee, MCWA and towns elders at the office of INRD, Nawnghkio, Shan State (North), and presented cash donations and teaching aids to the nursery school of Nawnghkio.

The minister arrived at the school for the deaf in Mandalay yesterday where the principal of the school reported to the minister on progress of the construction of the school and supply of teaching aids. Then, the minister also inspected the school for girls and women's development department before providing cash assistance. Later, the minister met with members of Mandalay Division Women's Affairs Committee, staff of the INRD and the Social Welfare Department and members of Fire Brigade at Mandalay Youth Training School. He then heard reports on tasks being carried out presented by the chairperson of Mandalay Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs and gave instructions.

Workers' management course opened

Yangon, 2 Sept - A ceremony to open Workers' Affairs Management Course No 7 for grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 staff of the departments under the Ministry of Labour was held at the training hall of Directorate of Labour at Six-Storey Office on Strand Road at 11 am today. Minister for Labour U Tin Winn made a speech on the occasion. He said courses are opened for the staff to improve their efficiency to understand labour laws, and to gain knowledge of international, regional and ASEAN labour affairs. The course lasts up to 27 September.

Organizational and rural development tasks explained in Magway Division

Yangon, 2 Sept - Member of Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Soe Tha, accompanied by officials, went to the USDA office in Magway Division on 31 August afternoon, where he met with secretaries and executives of Division/District/Township USDAs in the division and explained organizational and rural development tasks and future tasks.

Executives reported on tasks being carried out for organization, management, economy, education, social affairs and culture as well as for rural development to the CEC member, who later gave necessary instructions. Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, accompanied by officials, yesterday arrived at the Planning Department of Magway Division, where he met with employees and gave instructions on tasks to be extended and carried out.

In the afternoon, the minister inspected the construction of new No 3 Basic Education Primary School, joint efforts of Yenangyoung Township USDA members, teachers and towns elders, in Myoma (South) Ward and attended to the requirements.

( 5 ) Commander attends opening of Yangon Division Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions

Yangon, 2 Sept - An opening ceremony of the 10th Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions of Yangon Division was held at Myanyila Hall of No 2 Basic Education High School, Latha Township, at 10 am today. Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife Daw Khin Thet Htay attended the ceremony and presented prizes.

After opening the ceremony, Maj-Gen Myint Swe said the State Peace and Development Council has laid down six objectives for the successful holding of the competitions, and cooperative efforts are to be made for the objectives to be realized. With the aim of turning out well-versed artistes, prize winners, up to third prize, are selected from district-level competitions and are allowed to compete in the division-level competitions. Permission to directly enter this year's competitions at division level is granted to those who won gold medals in last year's central level competitions. Guitar contest has been added to this year's music contests at all levels.

It is necessary for members of the panel of judges to make fair and just decisions based on the artistic merits of the contestants in accord with the rules and regulations without taking sides. Outstanding artistes of Yangon Division need to try in a bid to compete in the competitions at State level with high qualifications. It is also necessary for celebrated artistes to hand down their artistic abilities to new generations. Then, he called for concerted efforts to help outstanding artistes representing Yangon Division win as many prizes as possible at the State-level competitions.

Next, gold medalists and first and second prize winners presented entertainments. After the commander and his wife had presented awards to the entertainers, the opening ceremony ended. A total of 258 contestants at professional level and 268 at amateur level are taking part in the 10th Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions of Yangon Division, which will be held at Kyaikkasan Grounds till 11 September as of today.

Ramayana drama contest will be staged at Padonma Theatre in Sangyoung Township from 7 to 9 September, and Thuwunnathama Jataka marionette contest at the hall of Ahlon Township from 10 to 11 September at 7 pm. Enthusiasts may come and enjoy them.

( 6 ) Taninthayi Division USDA Annual General Meeting held

Yangon, 2 Sept - The Annual General Meeting (2002) of Taninthayi Division Union Solidarity and Development Association was held at the city hall at Dawei on 31 August morning.

Taninthayi Division USDA Secretary U Kyaw Kyaw Htay took the chair at the meeting and executives U Than Aung and U Nay Myo were among the members of the panel of chairmen. Launglon Township USDA executive Daw Htay Htay Mar acted as master of ceremonies and Dawei District USDA executive Daw Su Su Htwe as co-master of ceremonies.

First, Commander Brig-Gen Tha Aye and USDA CEC member Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein addressed the meeting. Next, the commander presented honorary gifts to the students who passed 2002 matriculation examination with flying colours and the CEC member to divisional outstanding sports athletes and artistes. The CEC member accepted cash for Taninthayi Division USDA donated by wellwishers and the first session of the meeting was adjourned. Then the second session continued.