Japan International Cooperation Agency
Share
  • 日本語
  • English
  • Français
  • Espanol
  • Home
  • About JICA
  • News & Features
  • Countries & Regions
  • Our Work
  • Publications
  • Investor Relations

Project News

November 30, 2016

Project News in November 2016

1. YAU-JICA TCP short-term training program "Geographical Information System" was conducted:

YAU-JICA TCP Short-term Training Program "Geographical Information System" was conducted by Dr. WATANABE Kazuo, Senior Researcher of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature from 18th to 24th November. The training was practically organized with the participants who had taken the introductory training course organized by the project. The project had also procured drones and related accessories and software so that necessary and appropriate technical environment could be provided for the training program.

20 participants in total selected from academic staff and post-graduate students of YAU who joined the JICA-funded "Basic GIS Training Course" in June participated in the program and they were trained by dividing into 4 (four) groups. The training consisted of introduction to GIS, outline and instruction of the use of drone, hand-on excise in the field and class room for 3D mapping, data processing for analysis and mapping, operational practice of drone and others. All 4 (four) groups completed these all programs, individually.

As the project's Pilot Research Group B (RB), in which 5 sub-groups are formed, plans to make use of GIS technology to pursue their research activities such as revealing spatial distribution of crop cultivation, pests and diseases, and investigating geographical information on marketing of agricultural products, the members of RB extended discussion on the design and method of implementing research activities using drones with Dr. Watanabe.

No facilities and functions related to GIS had been installed and equipped in YAU. As it was the first trial for YAU staff and students to apply GIS technology to their research activities, Dr. Watanabe provided advice and suggestions for strengthening functions related to GIS and establishing a sustainable operation system in YAU.

PhotoOperational Practice

PhotoGroup Work

PhotoData processing


PhotoSample outputs of group work

PhotoSample outputs of group work

PhotoSample outputs of group work


2. Implementation of Pilot Research

Each research group conducted field works as follows.

  • 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th November:
    RB-03 group collected samples and re-set insect-traps in 7 Townships in Nay Pyi Taw.
  • 15th-16th November:
    CR03 Group collected information on perennial crop cultivation in central dry zone in Kyaukpadaung and Nyaung U TS in Magway.
  • 18th November:
    RB-01 group conducted surveys on the available maps of agricultural land of the target areas in Department of Agricultural Land Administration and Department of Statistics.
  • 25th-30th November:
    RA-01 group conducted survey and collected samples of local varieties having salt tolerance and drought resistance abilities in Dawei and Myiek in Thanindary.
  • 28th-30th November:
    RB-01 group collected information on crop cultivation and soil productivity in Thonegwa TS in Yangon.

Laboratory and in-farm experiments were also conducted using the samples collected through previous surveys.

  • RA-01-1 (Plant Breeding group)
    Multiplication of collected seed samples was conducted in July, and they reached harvesttime.
  • RA-02-1 (Plant Pathology group)
    Bacteria of rice blast and leaf blight collected in Zaya Thiri and Phyinmana were continuously cultured, and bacterial specimens from these samples were preserved.
  • RB-02-1 (Plant Pathology group)
    Identification of nematode was conducted using soil smaples collected in sesame-growing areas in Magwe.
  • RB-03-1 (Entomology and Zoology group)
    The data related to chronological and seasonal changes of harmful insects, such as the kind of insects and population, has been accumulated to establish insect alert model.
  • RC-01-1 (Agronomy group)
    The oil contents of sesame seeds collected at farms and in supply chains were measured.
  • RC-01-2:
    Data analysis for those collected in the fields started.

PhotoInterview on local variety rice

PhotoWild variety of rice on the road-side of Dawei-Myiek


3. Questionnaire survey on YAU Internship Program by Education Task Force of the project

Education Task Force conducted questionnaire survey on internship program of YAU. The internship program is the compulsory subject for the final year students to be trained as intern mainly at local DOA and/or DAR branch offices in the hometowns of respective students. The students are obliged to study at outreach campuses in the first semester and sent to respective receiving agencies to take internship program. Consequently, the curriculum of YAU makes them to spend most of their time out of the main campus in Yezin.

As it is the first year for YAU to apply this curriculum and dispatch the final year students to internship program, Education TF took this opportunity to conduct questionnaire survey to the final year students. The survey was conducted as a part of monitoring surveys to understand current condition of YAU education. At this moment, answers obtained are processed and analyzed. The report of this survey is planned to be published after the analyses will be completed.


4. Following-up in YAU of study tour to Japan

After 10 counterparts returned from Japan to YAU, the project and YAU jointly organized a series of reporting sessions on their achievement of study tour to learn about "Educational Reform and Faculty Development in Japanese universities" to share the information and knowledge they obtained during the trip. Firstly, the members shared the achievements and exchanged opinions among counterparts at TCP Regular Meeting held on November 10, and secondly, they delivered reports to YAU students and teachers at Monday Seminar on November 28. Thirdly, an intensive session was held for YAU teachers on November 30 to share detailed information about curriculum, credit accreditation system, exam and others in comparison with current situation of YAU. They are writing final report to be submitted to MOALI.

PhotoDiscussion session on 30th Nov.

PAGE TOP

Copyright © Japan International Cooperation Agency