The education sector is coming to Myanmar this month and aims to foster a successful partnership between education professionals and institutions from the two countries through #InspireMeFestival Myanmar, which boasts a series of events, including an education fair, an education conference and panel discussions on sector reform and skills gap.

The first ever #InspireMeFestival Myanmar will arrive in Yangon from March 27 to March 31 at the Melia Hotel and the Myanmar Plaza. The initiative is part of an international platform for people to bring curiosity, inspirations and entrepreneurialism together and organisers hope that the initiative can facilitate collaboration with education institutions between Myanmar and the UK.

Education is the key to sustainable economic development, but how is the sector particularly relevant to UK-Myanmar collaboration? Nay Shine, Project Officer at the UK Department for International Trade told the Myanmar Times that the appetite and therefore the opportunities in this fast-growing economy are vast.

“As Myanmar continues to show great promise and open itself up to the world, building capacity in the education sector has become more important than ever.

“Recognised internationally for innovation and excellence in education, we aim to showcase the UK educational offer, share best practice in the field, and to provide a forum for networking and business matching … we aim to inspire participants with an impressive line-up of guest speakers and stimulate dialogue through expert panel discussions,” he said.

Topics of panel discussions include the skills gap between what the international investors are looking for and what the current market can offer, education sector reform and the local demand for vocational training.

The UK, as the second most popular destination worldwide for international students, attracts a substantial number of overseas students each year. Many members of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) have strong ties with the country in this regard.

For example, Malaysia is the top country for transnational education provision of UK qualifications in the world, with around 58,000 students currently studying for UK qualifications in Malaysia as of 2013.

Compared to its more advanced ASEAN neighbours such as Singapore and Malaysia, Myanmar is relatively new to many international educational institutions but there have been inroads being made in recent years.

In April 2016, Dulwich College International CEO Christian Guertler said a new international school set to open in Yangon could receive up to US$100 million in financing from Yoma Strategic, operating across two linked campuses – Pun Hlaing International School in Hlaing Tharyar township and a new campus in Star City.

The incoming trade delegation, conferences and workshops, supported by the UK Department of Trade, are intended to drive up British engagement to a new level with the country.

Nay Shine told the Myanmar Times that the festival also hopes to share the industry’s best practices for Myanmar to reform its education sector.

“We want Myanmar to know the UK is out there with the best solutions that can help Myanmar shape the education sector. With the knowledge and experience that the UK has in different markets, we want to inspire the people in Myanmar and also learn the inspiring facts about Myanmar at the same time.

“It is about exchanging knowledge, information, and forming education network,” he said.