Historical Background

Initiation of University Correspondence Courses (UCC)

University Correspondence Courses (UCC) were initiated with the object of fulfilling the needs of those students who were qualified for higher education, but for various reasons were unable to attend classes as full-time students. These Courses were also aimed at providing higher education and training to the employed persons who have desire to acquire university degrees without having to leave their jobs or homes. University Correspondence Courses were designed such that they conform with regular degree courses within the framework of university education and that they are conducted at the same standards as full-time courses. The University Correspondence Courses for studies in Arts, Science, Law and Economics were first offered at Rangoon Arts and Science University in the academic year 1975-76. Beginning from the academic year 1978-79 the University Correspondence Courses were extended to Mandalay Arts & Science University which then began to share the academic and adminstrative load.

Expansion of University Correspondence Courses (UCC)

 Towards the end of 1980 the department of University Correspondence Courses came under the direct control of Ministry of Education. Beginning from the academic year 1981-82 correspondence courses were conducted at all the Arts & Science Universities as well as at Pathein and Mawlamyine Degree Colleges. Later, beginning from the academic year 1985-86 correspondence courses were extended to all universities, degree colleges and colleges which became centres of registration for students in the region.

Head of Department of (UCC)

University Correspondence Courses (UCC) were initiated with the objective of fulfilling the needs of those students who were qualified for higher education, but for various reasons were unable to attend classes as full-time students. The Correspondence Courses were also aimed at providing higher education and training to persons in the work force who have desire to acquire university degrees without having to leave their jobs or homes. The University Correspondence Courses were designed to be in parallel with the conventional courses conducted in the institutions of higher education, and care was taken to particularly maintain the quality and assurance of such courses so that they are at least at par with those of full-time courses of higher educational institutions. The University Correspondence Courses of the Institute of Education were initiated much earlier in 1973-74 academic year, while those for specialization in Arts, Science, Economics and Law took root in the academic year 1975-76.

Beginning from the academic year 1978-79, the University Correspondence Courses were extended to Mandalay Arts and Science University which then began to share the academic and administrative load.

The University Correspondence Courses which were previously affiliated to respective universities came under the direct control of the Ministry of Education on 31 December 1980. Beginning from the academic year 1981-82 Correspondence Courses were conducted not only at the Arts and Science Universities in Yangon and Mandalay but also at Magway, Pathein and Mawlamyine Degree Colleges. Later beginning from the academic year 1985-86, the University Correspondence Courses were extended to all Universities, Degree Colleges, and Colleges, each of which became a centre of registration for students in the region.

Background

Yangon University of Distance Education was officially established in 1992. It was initiated as University Correspondence Courses (UCC) in Academic Year 1975-76 with the aim of fulfilling the needs of those who wanted to pursue higher education, but for various reasons those who were unable to attend conventional universities, or those who wanted to study independently without having to attend those conventional universities.

As the changes in social and economic conditions have taken place in the country, following major policy changes since 1988, it has become necessary to upgrade the University Correspondence Courses by reorganizing and restructuring the existing facilities and establishment and raising the efficiency of the institution. Changes in Government policies especially with the adoption of market-based economic system have given rise to the requirement of the new pattern of employment and manpower attributed to education and training which are also to be in line with the changes occurring in the socio-economic settings. Due to the guidance of the Myanmar Education Committee and its resolution, the University of Distance Education has emerged to induce greater accessibility to education and training for human resources development on 9^th July 1992.