Information Sheet No.A-0778

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information Sheet
No.A-0778             Date. 27-1-99

(1)		Project Formulation Meeting on Maintenance and Repair of Nuclear
Instruments Opens

		A ceremony to open the Project Formulation Meeting on Maintenance and Repair
of Nuclear Instruments co-sponsored by International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and Department of Atomic Energy of the Ministry of Science and
Technology was held at International Business Centre on Pyay Road on 25
January. Seven developing nations which are also members of the RCA, the
regional cooperative agreement for Nuclear Science and Technology have agreed
to participate in a new project to promote the capabilities for Repair and
Maintenance of Nuclear Instruments. This new project is sponsored by the
International Atomic Energy Agency, which has taken as its responsibility the
promotion of nuclear science and technology for human welfare.
		Myanmar started quite early, in the 1950s, to promote nuclear science and
technology. However, Myanmar has had set-backs due to various factors. She is
now starting on new efforts-- this time the commitment of the state is made
obvious by the establishment of the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1996
and setting up of the Department of Atomic Energy as a new directorate in
1997. With these new establishments Myanmar efforts for development and
applications of nuclear science and technology have started to gather
momentum. There are clear indications that Myanmar is getting more and more
involved in international cooperation. 
		Myanmar has nuclear radiation application for promoting agriculture. The
IAEA has been assisting Myanmar with agriculture related projects. There is an
ongoing program for new varieties of crops, particularly peas, beans and paddy
by using the method of radiation induced mutations. The Veterinary Department
is also using nuclear techniques for disease diagnosis in animals and to
obtain the best feeding strategies. The best known application of radiation is
in the Health Sector. Yangon, Mandalay and Sao San Htun General Hospitals (
Taunggyi, Shan State)  have radiation facilities for treatment of Cancer. It
is again the IAEA to provide these facilities. 
		Yangon General Hospital has a Nuclear Medicine Department, reasonably well
equipped, to provide nuclear techniques for disease diagnosis as well as
treatment of diseases.  A tissue bank project, which is not quite well known

yet, is now in progress in Kyimyindine Orthopaedic Hospital. Yangon and
Mawlamyine Universities are known to have nuclear instruments for teaching and
research, which are also the result of IAEA assistance. Under the Ministry of
Science and Technology, the Myanma Science & Technology Research Department
(MSTRD) has set up a non-destructive testing (NDT) laboratory which is capable
of providing NDT training at the basic level, as well as some NDT testing. The
Department of Atomic Energy has a radiation laboratory to provide radiation
measurements on environmental and industrial samples, analysis for composition
of samples from various sources, an instrumentation laboratory for repair and
maintenance and a TLD Lab for personal dosimetry monitoring services. The DAE
also has radiation monitoring devices for use in its radiation protection
work. There are many more to come in the project pipelines. Mr. T Kita of IAEA
and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Atomic Energy made speeches.
Representative of IAEA recounted experience of the projects carried out in
Latin America and representatives of respective countries on their reports.
They then discussed matters related to the reports. The meeting will continue
till 29 January.

(2)		New Digital Auto Telephone Exchange of MPT Inaugurated in Insein Township

		A new digital auto telephone exchange of Myanma Posts and Telecommunication
was inaugurated at the MPT office near Insein Overpass in Insein Township on
26 January. The 3,000 line digital exchange, S-12 SPC Digital Switching
Equipment, was presented by the government of the People's Republic of China
during the Deputy Premier Mr. Wu Bang Go's visit to Myanmar. It is also a gift
in honour of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior
General Than Shwe's visit to Shanghai Bell Telephone Equipment Manufacturing
Co Ltd on 11 January 1996.  Arrangements are being made for launching of CDMA
mobile telephone system in Yangon and Mandalay and installation of Internet
Service Provider. Vice-President of Shanghai Bell Telephone Equipment
Manufacturing Co Ltd Mr. Yuan Xin extended greetings. Mr. Yuan Xin handed over
related documents to Managing Director of MPT. The Minister and Mr. Yuan Xin
formally opened the exchange. The Minister and party inspected the auto
exchange.

(3)		Seminar on Y2K

		Seminar on "Y2K: First Challenge of the Millennium " was held at the
International Business Centre in Yangon on 26 January. The seminar was co-
sponsored by the Office of Strategic Studies and Myanmar Computer Federation.
Minister for Post and Telecommunication Brig-Gen Win Tin delivered the opening
address and Deputy Ministers, officers from various government departments,
the public sector, NGO's members of the Myanmar Computer Federation Myanmar
Computer Scientist Association and Myanmar Computer Entrepreneurs Association
attended the seminar. Six papers concerning Awareness of the Y2K problem,
trouble shooting, problem solving and compliance were presented followed by a
floor discussion it was learnt.
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