LT-GEN Yar Pyae, State Security and Peace Commission Member and Union Minister for Border Affairs and for Ethnic Affairs, yesterday urged graduates of the Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College (Sagaing) to actively participate in holding free and fair general elections with dignity and within the specified time frame, and to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders.
The Union minister made the call at the graduation and appointment ceremony of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Course No 18 and AGTI Diploma Course No 19 of the Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College (Sagaing), which was held at the convocation hall of the college in Sagaing, Sagaing Region. He also highlighted that stability and peace are essential for carrying out national development programmes, as development projects can only succeed in a stable and peaceful environment, and emphasized the need to work together with ethnic communities in the internal peace process in a united manner, while adding that civil servants should uphold the ethical values outlined in the civil service laws and rules, strive to perform their duties to the fullest of their abilities, maintain high morale, correct beliefs, and noble conduct, and remain free from corruption.
The Union minister said that the Ministry of Border Affairs has established Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges in Yangon and Sagaing and has trained ethnic youth from the border areas to effectively carry out socioeconomic development activities as capable civil servants. Since the opening of the Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges (Sagaing), a total of 2,807 students have been trained, including 614 Bachelor of Arts, 1,064 Bachelor of Science, 139 BTech, and 990 Diploma of Engineering students; among them are 111 Master of Arts, 216 Master of Science, 27 Master of Research, 32 PhD, 625 BE, 34 ME, and 207 BTech holders, with many still pursuing studies in various fields. It is a source of pride, and the Minister encouraged the graduating students to follow their example and work hard.
Next, the Union minister presented awards to the two winners of the Arts and Science Excellence Award, while the Regional Chief Minister presented an award to the winner of the Engineering Excellence Award, and representatives from the relevant ministries handed out letters of appointment to the students. The Union minister and the regional chief minister then met the outstanding students and their parents, congratulated them, and greeted the guests, teachers, graduating students, and their families.
In the afternoon, the Union minister met the principal, vice-principal, professors, and deans of departments at the college conference hall. He addressed the needs presented by the principal regarding administration, management, academic, training, agriculture, water, electricity, and construction works carried out with the 2025-2026 financial year budget, and provided financial assistance to the college’s teachers, staff, and students.
After that, they toured the college, inspected it, and provided any necessary assistance.
In the evening, the Union minister hosted a dinner for the graduating students at the convocation hall. After enjoying the students’ entertainment programmes, the Union minister and the Regional Chief Minister presented them with cash awards. — MNA/TH
