A government-regulated private education system in Burma, well educated Iranians able to articulate smoothly overseas and an appetite for English language training in Cuba: Sara Custer considers opportunities in some of the lesser travelled countries on the international education beat.
Dulwich College International will mark its entry into Burma with two campuses in the capital city of Rangoon, backed by $30m in capital from Yoma Strategic Holdings.
The launch of new Burmese government-funded scholarships for its outstanding students to study at overseas universities for the academic year 2014-15 has been met with mixed reviews as a result of the strict conditions and criteria that may ultimately limit its applicant numbers.
Last week representatives from Burmese universities and the US and Burmese governments met in Yangon for a training workshop in international engagement. Organised by the Institute of International Education the event is one of many international partnerships in higher education that Burma - officially the Republic of Myanmar - is seeking to provide key funding and training opportunities.
The £4.2m English for Education College Trainers’ (EfECT) scheme seeks to place native English teacher trainers in 21 of Burma’s training colleges. It aims to improve English language development in the country and increase teaching quality in relevant educational institutions.
IIE in the USA has launched a pilot course, Connecting with the World: International Relations at Higher Education Institutions, offering training in international engagement to ministry officials and higher education representatives in Myanmar.
