Calls for Expanded International Academic Cooperation During Myanmar’s Transitional Crisis
TEDIM / JAKARTA — The Department of Education and Development Affairs of the Zomi Political Coordination Council has welcomed the recently announced strategic educational partnership between Universitas Negeri Malang and the Embassy of Myanmar in Indonesia, describing the initiative as “a constructive and timely step toward educational recovery, regional cooperation, and long-term human development during a period of national transition.”
The original initiative, announced by UM’s Office of International Affairs on March 6, 2026, outlined plans to expand academic cooperation, scholarship access, student mobility, and educational diplomacy between Indonesia and Myanmar. The program also highlighted scholarship opportunities for Myanmar students in areas including science, humanities, teacher training, and music arts.
In a statement issued following the announcement, officials from the ZPCC Department of Education and Development Affairs emphasized that education remains one of the most urgent and underdeveloped sectors affecting communities across Myanmar, particularly in Zomi areas impacted by conflict, displacement, and institutional disruption since 2021.
“The ongoing instability and humanitarian crisis have significantly affected access to quality education across many parts of our country, especially in Zomi regions,” the ZPCC Education Minister stated.
“We recognize that educational recovery is not merely an academic issue; it is a foundational pillar for peacebuilding, community resilience, democratic transition, and sustainable development. Our people have fallen behind in many sectors of educational advancement due to prolonged conflict and instability. Therefore, international educational partnerships and scholarship pathways are critically important for the future generation in line with the Zogam Charter.”
The department further welcomed initiatives that align with the principles of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), noting that equitable access to education remains essential for vulnerable and conflict-affected populations.
According to the original UM announcement, the Indonesian university presented several scholarship opportunities for students from developing countries, including the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship, the Indonesia AID Scholarship (TIAS), and the UM International Student Scholarship (UM ISS), which includes tuition support and Indonesian language preparation courses.
ZPCC officials stated that such programs could provide meaningful opportunities for students from conflict-affected regions who face major disruptions in education, displacement, and limited institutional resources.
The department also expressed appreciation for the emphasis placed on teacher training, arts, humanities, and music education, recognizing their importance in preserving cultural identity, strengthening civil society, and rebuilding communities affected by crisis.
“Educational diplomacy and regional academic cooperation can play a vital role in fostering mutual understanding, human capacity development, and long-term stability across Southeast Asia,” the statement added.
The ZPCC Department of Education and Development Affairs further encouraged broader international engagement from universities, humanitarian institutions, scholarship providers, and regional educational partners to support students and young professionals from Myanmar during this transitional period.
The Zomi observers note that educational access has become increasingly difficult for many young people across Myanmar following years of armed conflict, economic instability, displacement, and interruptions to public services. Community leaders and development advocates have repeatedly emphasized that investment in education will remain essential to any future reconstruction and recovery process.
The original UM initiative concluded with both sides expressing optimism regarding stronger educational cooperation between Indonesia and Myanmar, highlighting shared cultural connections and people-to-people engagement as important foundations for future collaboration.
Source Reference:
Universitas Negeri Malang – Office of International Affairs
