Ministry of Science and Technology

Department of Research and Innovation

History, Mission, Policy and Function

1. History

Department of Research and Innovation is Located at the corner of Kabaraye Pagoda Road and Kanbe (Thitsar) Road. The original area of ​​this department was 35.655 acres. The Department of Research and Innovation was established in 1947 as the "State Industrial Research Institute". The following is the evolution of the Department of Research and Innovation from 1947 to the present:

(a) In 1947, Under the Ministry of National Planning and Statistics, the Prime Minister's Office was formed the State Industrial Research and Institute (SIRI) with the Metallurgy, Cellulose Research and Chemistry Laboratory.

(b) In 1954, the Union of Burma Applied Research Institute (UBARI) Law (Act No. 21, 1954) was enacted on (5-3-1955) under the Ministry of Industry No. 2 to reorganize the State Industrial Research Institute to promote modern research and engineering subjects for the development of the State under the Union of Burma Applied Research Institute (UBARI) was formed. The Technical Information Center (TIC) and the Atomic Energy Center (AEC) were expanded to include the Union of Burma Applied Research Institute.

(c) 1973 On 26 June, the Union of Burma Applied Research Institute was reorganized into the Central Research Organization (CRO) under the Ministry of Industry No. 2.

(d) In ​​1975, the Polymer Research Department was expanded into CRO under the Ministry of Industry No. 2

(e) In 1992, the Central Research Organization was transferred from Ministry of Industry No. 2 to the Ministry of Education.

(f) 1994 On June 7, the "Science and Technology Development Law" was enacted. The Union of Burma Applied Research Institute (UBARI) Law was repealed by that law. By law, the Central Research Organization was reorganized as the Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department (MSTRD) under the Ministry of Education.

(g) 1996 on Oct 2, The Ministry of Science and Technology was formed by the Government and the Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department was the only department under the Ministry of Science and Technology at that time.

(h) 1998 On April 1, Pilot Plant (Hmawbi) which was established by the Ministry of Industry No. 1, was transferred to Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department, Ministry of Science & Technology.

(i) 2003 On April 1, Pilot plant (Hmawbi) was transferred from the Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department to the Department of Technology Promotion and Cooperation at the Ministry of Science and Technology.

(j) 2012 On April 1, Pilot plant (Hmawbi) was transferred back to the Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology .

(k) On April 1, 2015, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department (MSTRD) was reorganized as the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI).

(l) The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education were merged under the name of the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI) was transferred to the Ministry of Education.

(m) Science, which was approved by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw by Law No. (22) on (25-6-2018). Chapter 6 of the Technology and Innovation Law established the Department of Research and Innovation.

2. Mission

(a) To provide technical advices, technology transfer and dissemination of the technical information by conducting research and innovation activities in science and technology that benefit for the nation

(b) To strengthen the research collaboration with international organizations, regional organizations, local organizations, research centers, universities and industries for promoting research activities in science, technology and innovation

(c) To implement the adoption of Myanmar Standards supporting the National Investment and Economic Policy and Conformity Assessment Activities

(d) To perform modern testing services accurately as a reference laboratory

(e) To provide sustainable practical based scientific and technological trainings to support the human resource development

(f) To conduct innovative ICT research with local and international collaboration to achieve greater impact on social, economic, education and health sectors of the nation

(g) To provide advanced human resource development trainings to foster the research and capacity building of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

3. Policy

The policies of the Department of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology, are as follows:

1. To conduct research and innovation on renewable energy sector, electronic technology sector, chemical technology sector, food technology sector, polymer and composite technology sector, and information and communication technology sector to contribute to socio-economic development of the nation

2. To perform strengthening National Quality Infrastructures (NQI) providing the development of Economic and Trade Affairs

3. To provide laboratory testing services that support health, education, and environmental conservation through advanced laboratories

4. To collaborate with universities and industries

5. To cooperate and collaborate with local and international organizations to foster the various aspects of technology

4. Functions

The functions of the Department of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology, are as follows:

(a) Conducting to promulgate and implement the Law on Standardization for the development of Myanmar standards and accreditation

(b) Conducting to promulgate and implement the Law on Metrology thereby the establishment of National Institute of Metrology (Myanmar)

(c) Performing to achieve the ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Laboratories, strengthen the laboratory network and improve the proficiency and competency skills of laboratory personnel

(d) Quality testing as a reference laboratory for imports, exports, raw materials and goods for the development of industrial manufacturing and entrepreneurs

(e) Studying advanced technologies, conducting research works, investigating new technologies, disseminating and transferring the research outcomes in renewable energy and electronic technology

(f) Performing the innovative development in the area of applied chemical technology, nanotechnology, food technology, pharmaceutical and medical supportive technology, polymer and composite Technology; to transfer, disseminate, share and advise the outcomes to the entrepreneurs who demand those technologies

(g) Collaborating the research and development matters among international organizations, regional organizations, local organizations, research centers, universities and industries

(h) Organizing seminars, conferences and knowledge sharing talks; collecting data and providing information for the improvement in science, technology and innovation

(i) Conducting the functions of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Council Office

(j) Conducting innovative ICT research with local and international collaboration to achieve greater impact on social, economic, education and health sectors of the nation

(k) Providing advanced human resource development trainings to foster the research and capacity building of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Core Value of DRI

D: Development for Socio-economy by promoting Science and Technology

R: Research that benefits for building the modern developed nation

I: Innovation by creating new technology, idea, method, design, product, service, etc. or upgrading the existing one that could contribute for the needs of society