Mon National College (MNC) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Buddhist MahaChulalongkornRajavidyalaya University (MCRU) in Bangkok, Thailand, to enhance cooperation between the two institutions.
Established in 2022 at Nyisar Camp in the New Mon State Party (NMSP)-controlled Ye Chaung Pyar region of Ye Township, Mon State, MNC currently offers seven majors leading to Associate Degrees. Students specializing in Nursing Science and Medicine have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.
MCRU, founded in 1887 by King Chulalongkorn, is one of Thailand’s two public Buddhist universities. It was established to provide higher education for Buddhist monks, novices, and laypeople. The university describes itself as “an institute for Tipitaka studies and higher education for Buddhist monks, novices, and laypeople.”
The MoU is expected to be signed in December. On 8 August, representatives from MCRU and MNC met to discuss and jointly release the initial draft of the MoU.
The draft MoU outlines opportunities for MNC students to continue their studies at MCRU, participate in student and teacher exchange programs, engage in a dual degree system, and enhance their research capabilities. MCRU has also verbally agreed to assist in improving parts of MNC’s curriculum, according to an abbot who serves as the president of MCRU’s Mon Monk Students’ Group.
“We cannot yet confirm if the current draft MoU will be signed, but both sides are aiming to finalize the agreement by December. We will do our best to reach that goal. If the MoU between MCRU and MNC is signed, it could bring many positive developments and opportunities for the Mon people,” the abbot said.
An MNC official acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in the curriculum, where weaknesses persist across all major subjects. MNC is not yet equipped to offer BA degrees to all students.
“There are still areas where MNC needs improvement. For instance, in social subjects, we primarily focus on research from other countries, but we don’t yet have the opportunity to include research specific to our own ethnic background. We need to develop and promote research papers by Mon scholars. Additionally, MNC is not yet able to provide BA degrees to all students, with most only receiving an Associate degree. This is why we’re working to sign MoUs like this, to support the continued education of MNC students,” the official said.
MNC also recently signed an MoU with Thailand’s Payap University, a private institution in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
