The military coup in Myanmar in 2021 significantly disrupted the country’s education system, causing numerous university students and potential learners to temporarily suspend their academic pursuits as many refused to return to classrooms under the Military Council.

To fill the gap, joint universities created by the National Unity Government (NUG) offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as vocational courses.

Enrolling in universities established by the NUG provides students with a valuable opportunity to learn from experts.

An official from the NUG’s Ministry of Education said that over 8,500 first-year students will have the opportunity to enroll in the 16 universities established by the NUG for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Students who have passed the matriculation examination can enroll in these universities through the Myanmar Education System (MES) education platform provided by the NUG’s Ministry of Education, with the exception of those who passed the matriculation examination under the Military Council.

"The instructors at these universities will primarily be people associated with the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Moreover, aside from CDM teachers, there will be a significant number of experts and professors on board," the official from the NUG’s Ministry of Education said.

The courses and curriculum have been adapted to align with the new educational system, and students are required to participate in online classes.

In order to protect students' information and prevent it from being exposed to external sources, student data will be securely stored within the Myanmar Education System Portal. This secure platform is a collaborative effort involving both foreign and local experts. An official from the NUG’s Ministry of Education informed Mizzima that access to this information and data will be restricted to specific authorized personnel only.

Students who have successfully gained admission are expected to start their first semester in January 2024. The academic year will be divided into two semesters.

Students can apply to a variety of universities, including Myanmar Spring University, Wunzin Online University, Spring Normal University (SNU), Teaching University, University of Economics, Technological University, Computer Studies University, Forestry and Environmental University, Traditional Medicine University, University of Medicine (1) Yangon, University of Medicine (Mandalay), University of Medicine (2) Yangon, University of Medicine (Taunggyi), University of Medicine (Magway), Universities of Dental Medicine, Yangon University of Nursing, and Mandalay University of Nursing.