Training

The Inya Institute’s objective in terms of training is to develop both the analytical and methodological skills of those interested in conducting research on Myanmar.  The institute has so far focused on social research methods, both qualitative and quantitative methods; it will expand to the field of humanities and critical thinking skills in the near future. The training offered by the institute includes students, employees working at local organizations, or more generally anyone interested in developing their analytical and thinking skills.

Training in Research Methodology and Building Intellectual Capacity: The Inya Institute organizes workshops to train promising young researchers in social sciences and humanities’ methodology. The institute selects a small number of local research trainees for these workshops. Candidates are identified based on their genuine motivation to engage in research. Evidence of academic training and formal credentials are important, but not the sole consideration for selection. Candidates demonstrating a real intellectual curiosity receive serious consideration.

Completed training sessions on research methodology:

‘Introduction to Social Research Methods’ Workshop: Workshops were organized in partnership with the Local Resource Center, LRC, in Mawlamyaing (June 9-11, 2014) and in Mandalay (August 7-12, 2014). Each of them was followed by the mentoring of participants on a common research project.

‘Training of Trainers’ Workshop on Social Research Methods: In August 2013, with funding from Pyoe Pin, the joint UK-DFID/British Council program for Myanmar, a 6-day workshop was held with the participation of 15 staff working at civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and research consultancy firms. The participants were identified based on their past training experience and potential to become in turn trainers at their home organizations. Building on the experience gained in 2012 during a 4-month long training course and using a recently finalized bilingual training module on social research methods as teaching support, the workshop involved presentations in real situation by the participants themselves. The participants were asked to get acquainted with the materials of the presentation a day ahead. While the presentations were being conducted in Myanmar language, any comprehension problem could be discussed by the presenter or the audience for clarification purposes.After editing the module on these latter points, a copy of the bilingual module in CD-Rom format was handed in to each participant with the expectation that the participants-turned-trainers will replicate the training and therefore reinforce research skills of the relevant staff at their home organizations.The module which consists of 30 Powerpoint presentations for a total of 544 slides is a highly flexible teaching tool. It can be expanded or amended according to the needs of the audience targeted. It is also expected that the future trainers will bring their own thinking and experience into the teaching of the materials. The module is posted below in PDF format. It will also be used by the institute as a teaching aid for future course on social research methods.

If you are interested in using the training module and its 30 powerpoint presentations, please contact us at contact@inyainstitute.org