Hein Win Zaw Delivered a Lecture on Russian-Myanmar Cooperation

On April 7th, 2016 Dr. Hein Win Zaw, Officer of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the Russian Federation, gave a lecture on the development of Russian-Myanmar cooperation in education. The event was held at HSE and organized as part of the methodological seminar of the School of Asian Studies.

Doctor Hein Win Zaw graduated from the Defence Science & Technology Agency in 2002 and the Russian State Technological University in 2006. From 2006 to 2009, he continued his PhD research and in December 2009 defended his PhD thesis and in 2016 – his doctoral thesis.

Hein Win Zaw is engaged in the development of cooperation between Russia and Myanmar as Officer of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the Russian Federation. He also actively works with the Society of Friendship and Cooperation with the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

After a welcoming speech by Alexandra Sizova, Associate Professor at the School of Asian Studies, Hein Win Zaw said a few words about his biography, education and work in Russia, a place he considers to be his second home. During his speech he paid special attention to the history of Myanmar and the country’s current relations with Russia. He noted that today cooperation between the two countries is carried out mainly in the military and technical sphere, and stressed the essential role of developing trade and economic relations and cooperation in education.

Hein Win Zaw also highlighted the fact that Myanmar is particularly interested in student exchange programmes between the two countries.  He noted that between 2000 and 2014 over 6000 students from Myanmar, including master’s students, doctoral and PhD students, studied in Russian universities.  Many graduates then return to Myanmar and work in governmental positions.

At the same time Russian students also go to study in Myanmar.  In addition, Dr. Hein Win Zaw also spoke about the potential for further Russian-Myanmar cooperation and announced the project to build a Russian cultural and business centre with extensive infrastructure in Yangon. The centre is will include retail, business and tourist areas, a medical centre, a Russian cultural centre, an educational centre and an innovation cluster.

After the presentation by Hein Win Zaw the participants discussed the specifics of Burmese language, literature and the national character, the current political situation in Myanmar and the country's role in strengthening cooperation within ASEAN. In particular, the participants discussed the agenda of the forthcoming ‘Russia – ASEAN’ summit in Sochi, where negotiations about the expansion of cooperation between Russia and Myanmar in specific areas will be held.