Yangon Technological University

Infobox_University
name = Yangon Technological University


image_size = 120
motto = set-mhu-a-kyo pyi-a-kyo
established = 1924
location = Gyogone, Insein 11101, Yangon, Burma
coor = coord|16|52|32.94|N|96|7|1.82|E|region:MM_type:edu
type = Public
staff = 1450
rector = Dr. Maung Maung Latt
students = 8000
undergrad = 5,000
postgrad = 800
part_time students = 2,200
Male student = 80%, Female = 20%
email =
affiliations=GMSARN, (Great Mekong Project)

Yangon Technological University (YTU) (Burmese: ) is the premier engineering university of Burma, located in Gyogone, Yangon. Established as Department of Engineering under Rangoon University in 1924cite web | url=http://www.ex-rit.org/rit.asp?i=91 | title=History of RIT | accessdate=2008-09-13] , and popular known by its former name RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology), YTU is the country's oldest and largest engineering university, and one of the most selective universities in Burma. The university offers bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree programs in several engineering disciplines to nearly 8000 students.

History

The university traces its origins to Rangoon University's Department of Engineering established in 1924 during the British colonial period. Located in the extended compound of Rangoon General Hospital in downtown Yangon, the department consisted of only two lecturers and 17 students at the beginning. In 1927, it became a separate entity, BOC College of Engineering and Mining, named after Burmah Oil Company, and was moved four miles north. Civil Engineering was the only program offered until 1938 when a combined Mechanical and Electrical Engineering program was added.

After World War II, in 1946, the college became the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University. After Burma's independence in 1948, the college added Mining, Chemical, Metallurgy and Architecture programs in 1954 and a Textile Engineering program in 1955.

In 1961, the college became Burma Institute of Technology (BIT) of Rangoon University, and was moved to the current building complex in Gyogone built by the Soviet Union. In 1964, BIT was renamed Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT), and more importantly, made an independent university. RIT began conferring Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees instead of Bachelor of Science (Engineering) and Master Science (Engineering) degrees, hitherto offered at Rangoon University. The university expanded its bachelor's and master's degree offerings to the current 11 disciplines over the years. The PhD programs were added only in 1997.

The university was renamed Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT) in 1990 and was transferred transferred from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1997. In 1998, the name of the university was yet again changed to Yangon Technological University (YTU). In 1999, a new campus located six miles west of Gyogone in Hlaing Tharya was opened.

Until 1991, when Mandalay Institute of Technology was founded, the university was the only senior engineering university in the country, along with several Government Technical Institutes (GTIs), which offered two-year engineering diplomas. It was--and still is--the most selective university after the universities of medicine in the country.

Campus

The university consists of the main campus in Gyogone and a smaller campus in Hlaing Tharya, six miles west.

The main campus, built between 1958 and 1961 with aid from the Soviet Union, comprises eight main buildings, all interlinked by rain-proof corridors. The main hall and administrative departments are located in Building 1. Buildings 5-8 house the School of Architecture and laboratory rooms. The library is located near Building 1. The campus also includes a sports-hall, a football pitch, an open-air canteen, a restaurant, and a carpark. Faculty residences are located in the backside of the campus. Seven former dormitory halls (named Block A through Block G) have been changed to classrooms.

Programs

Most YTU students are enrolled full time in engineering programs although over 2000 students are also enrolled in part-time programs. Of the nearly 11,000 students that graduated between 1997 and 2004, a little over 50% received bachelor's degrees, 10% master's, 4.5% postgraduate diploma, 32.5% undergraduate diploma, and 2.4% Ph.D.

Engineering

The university offers six-year B.E. and B.Arch. programs and two-year M.E. and M.Arch. programs. The PhD programs last between 3 and 5 years.cite paper | title=Technology and State Development | url=http://www.uis.unesco.org/TEMPLATE/pdf/S&T/Workshops/SAsia/Delhi_15.2.pdf | accessdate=2008-09-13 | publisher=Ministry of Science and Technology] Students are accepted to YTU's undergraduate programs based on their scores from the annual university entrance examinations. After two years of common coursework, students select a major at the onset of third year.

Postgraduate Studies

The following one-year postgraduate diploma, two-year master's and doctoral programs are offered in applied sciences.

Undergraduate Diplomas

The university also offers one-year Diploma in Technology degrees in the following:
* Aeronautical
* Architectural Design and Planning
* Civil
* Chemical
* Electrical Power
* Electronics
* Information Technology
* Mechanical
* Metallurgical
* Mineral
* Mining
* Petroleum
* Textile

Rectors

#Prof. Ba Hli (1950-58)
#Yone Mo (1962-71)
#Prof. Aung Gyi (1971-77)
#Prof. Khin Aung Kyi (1977-88)
#Prof. Maung Maung Than (1988-92)
#Prof. Aung Than (1992-93)
#Prof. Kyin Soe (1993-97)
#Prof. Nyi Hla Nge (1997-2000)
#Dr. Pe Win (2000-03)
#Dr. Hla Than (2003-2005)
#Dr. Mya Mya Oo (2005-2006)
#Dr. Khin Maung Aye (2006-present)

Alumni

As YTU was the only senior university in the country until 1991, most senior engineers in Burma hail from RIT/YTU. However, many alumni and former faculty members have left the country, either for work or further studies, or as in most cases, both. Many YTU graduates--certainly, Burma's best engineers--tend to continue their studies at Singaporean universities such as NUS and NTU, and Thailand's Asian Institute of Technology. Many stay and work in Singapore as the Singaporean government tends to provide residency permits to such graduates.

The largest group of overseas alumni are believed to be in Singapore, and the second largest in the United States.

References

Related links

* [http://www.ex-rit.org USA YIT Alumni]
* [http://www.ex-ritsingapore.itgo.com Singapore YIT Alumni]
* [http://www.mes.org.mm Myanmar Engineering Society]
* [http://www.rit-alumni.info RIT Alumni]
* [http://www.ex-rit87.org/ 1987 Batch RIT]