Micro-credentials

An introduction to Mandarin for complete beginners, built on Hanyu Pinyin. Students learn the initials, finals and four tones, begin reading and writing basic characters with correct stroke order, and practise introducing themselves, talking about family, dates and numbers in simple everyday conversation.

A variant of the basic Mandarin course with extra time on pronunciation. Students work through Pinyin spelling rules, tone changes and the full set of initials and finals before moving on to first characters, numbers and simple self-introductions.

Pitched at HSK Levels 1 and 2, this course develops all four skills across fifteen lessons. Students write and type Chinese characters step by step, practise conversation with classmates, and build a vocabulary of around 400 words covering daily routines, nationalities, jobs, time, places, food and money.

Focuses on the two foundations of Mandarin: the sound system and the writing system. Students master Pinyin and tones, learn the basic strokes, stroke order and the origins of common characters, and practise entering Chinese with an input method.

For learners who have completed the elementary level. Over sixteen weeks students expand their vocabulary and grammar, read longer passages, and hold more natural conversations about work, travel, opinions and plans.

Preparation for the HSK Level 1 examination. Students cover the 150 required words, the core sentence patterns and the listening and reading question formats, while building the confidence to handle very simple everyday exchanges.

Designed for lower-intermediate learners with a 150-word foundation. Across fifteen lessons students expand their vocabulary to 300 characters, master structures such as the shi...de emphasis pattern and result complements, refine pronunciation and character writing, and prepare for the HSK Level 2 exam alongside everyday conversation and cultural insight.

A first-level Chinese language course following the Hanyu textbook series. Students learn Pinyin, tones and basic characters, and practise greetings, introductions and simple daily conversations.

A short, intensive introduction to Mandarin sounds and first words. Students concentrate on Pinyin, tones and pronunciation drills before learning simple greetings, numbers and self-introductions.

Prepares candidates for the EPS-TOPIK, the Korean language test used for the Employment Permit System. Students work through the listening and reading formats, workplace vocabulary and the safety and daily-life topics the exam draws on.

Builds reading fluency in Korean for learners who already know Hangul. Students read short texts, dialogues and simple articles, expand their vocabulary and practise understanding sentence structure in context.

An intensive six-week course for complete beginners with little or no exposure to Korean. Using a curriculum tailored by the instructor, students establish a solid foundation in Hangul, core grammar and essential daily vocabulary such as family, time and dates through live sessions and classroom assignments.

A conversation-first course organised around forty everyday dialogues: introductions, shopping, dating, work, restaurants, health and transport. Each week introduces the grammar patterns needed to speak naturally in those situations.

A systematic introduction to Korean grammar for beginners: particles, verb conjugation, tenses, honorific endings and the connectors needed to build simple sentences accurately.

Continues from basic grammar into the structures used for reasons, conditions, intentions, obligation and indirect speech, so that learners can express more complex ideas in Korean.

Prepares students for TOPIK I, the beginner level of the Test of Proficiency in Korean. The course covers the listening and reading question types, essential vocabulary and grammar for levels 1 and 2, and timed practice.

Prepares intermediate and advanced learners for TOPIK II. Students practise the listening, reading and writing sections, including essay writing, with strategies for each question type and timed mock tests.

Following the Yonsei 1-1 curriculum, this course guides learners through Hangul consonants and vowels, foundational vocabulary, numbers and grammar. Students practise self-introductions and build real-time communication confidence in interactive live sessions.

Advances students from upper elementary to early intermediate proficiency. Students discuss family, health, phone etiquette, travel, weather and hobbies, and learn honorific forms, sequential connectors, future intentions and obligation markers through role plays and short essays.

A first course in German: greetings and self-introduction, everyday vocabulary, telling the time, correct pronunciation, articles and gender, and a wide vocabulary for family and free-time activities.

The self-paced version of the basic German course, delivered on SUM's learning platform with no class size limit. Learners work through recorded lessons on greetings, daily vocabulary, time, pronunciation and articles at their own speed.

The first half of the A1 level of the Common European Framework. Students learn to introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions about personal details, and understand familiar everyday expressions.

The second half of A1. Students extend their vocabulary and grammar to talk about daily routines, shopping, food, places and simple past events, completing the A1 level.

An introduction to French, a Romance language spoken by more than 320 million people and an official language of the United Nations. Students learn pronunciation, greetings, numbers and the first structures needed for simple conversation.

The self-paced version of basic French on SUM's learning platform, open to unlimited learners. Recorded lessons cover pronunciation, greetings, numbers and the first conversational structures.

The first half of the A1 level, delivered online at the learner's own pace. Covers introducing oneself, personal details, everyday expressions and simple questions and answers.

The first half of A1 in live classes. Students learn to introduce themselves, give personal details, understand familiar expressions and hold very simple exchanges in French.

The second half of A1. Students talk about daily life, shopping, directions and simple past events, and complete the vocabulary and grammar of the A1 level.

An introduction to Japanese for beginners: the hiragana and katakana scripts, basic pronunciation, greetings, numbers and the first sentence patterns for introducing oneself.

Builds on the basic course with more vocabulary, verb forms and particles, so learners can describe daily routines, make requests and hold short everyday conversations.

A seventeen-week preparation course for the N5 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test: the required kanji, vocabulary and grammar, plus practice with the listening and reading formats.

Combines a beginner's course with N5 exam preparation. Students start from the scripts and basic grammar and work steadily towards the vocabulary, kanji and question types of the N5 test.

A speaking-focused course for beginners that builds confidence in everyday Japanese conversation: greetings, shopping, directions, ordering food and talking about oneself, with plenty of pair practice.

Prepares candidates for the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese, used for work in Japan. Students cover the test's script and vocabulary, conversation and expression, listening and reading sections with practical workplace language.

Preparation for the N4 level of the JLPT: the expanded kanji list, vocabulary and grammar beyond N5, and strategies for the listening and reading sections.

A short, intensive practice course for learners about to sit the N4 exam: full-length mock tests, timing strategies and targeted review of weak areas.

English for the workplace: emails, reports, meetings, presentations and interviews. Students practise the vocabulary and register of professional communication and build confidence in using English at work.

Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills for study in English-medium programmes: understanding lectures and academic texts, taking notes, writing structured paragraphs and essays, and taking part in seminars.

Explores the craft of telling stories in English: character, setting, voice and structure. Students write short pieces each week, share them in workshops and learn to revise their own work.

How to write in a suitably academic manner. Students practise the elements of the writing process and the conventions of style, structure and referencing needed for essays, reports and other academic texts.

A general English course for beginners covering the four skills. Students learn everyday vocabulary, basic grammar and simple conversations about themselves, their families and daily life.

A twelve-week general English course at elementary level. Students develop grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and writing through everyday topics and regular practice.

A twelve-week course for learners moving beyond the basics. Students build the grammar and vocabulary to talk about experiences, plans and opinions, and read and write longer texts.

An eight-week intermediate course that strengthens all four skills. Students work with authentic texts and recordings, discuss a range of topics and write with greater accuracy and range.

A speaking club rather than a lecture course. Students meet weekly to talk about chosen topics, play language games and practise fluency in a relaxed, supportive group.

English for business settings: meetings, negotiations, phone calls, presentations and written correspondence, with the vocabulary and etiquette of professional communication.

A sixteen-week course that concentrates on the two skills learners find hardest. Students work on listening to natural speech, pronunciation, fluency and confidence in extended speaking.

A six-week speaking course for beginners. Students practise greetings, introductions, asking and answering questions and short everyday conversations with a focus on confidence.

Develops reading strategies over fifteen weeks: skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, understanding structure and reading longer texts with better comprehension and speed.

An introductory Thai course for complete beginners. Students learn the consonants, vowels and tones, build everyday vocabulary and sentence patterns, and practise introductions, shopping, ordering food and asking for directions.

The first Thai course for beginners, using a Thai primary-school reader as the core material. Students learn the alphabet and tones, read and write simple words and sentences, and hold short everyday conversations.

An introduction to Spanish at the start of the A1 level: pronunciation, greetings, numbers, personal details and the first verb forms needed for simple conversation.

The second half of Spanish A1. Students extend their vocabulary and grammar to daily routines, likes and dislikes, shopping and simple descriptions of people and places.

A self-paced introduction to Spanish on SUM's learning platform: pronunciation, greetings, numbers and basic sentence patterns, with short recorded lessons and exercises.

Covers the fundamental knowledge of the main components of the IELTS test. Students learn basic skills and techniques for reading, listening, speaking and writing, build a foundation approach to the exam and gain the confidence to move on to advanced preparation.

Rigorous training for those planning to take the IELTS test within a few months. The course offers the advanced skills and techniques needed for higher band scores, with intensive practice and feedback from the instructors in all four components.

A hybrid course combining video lessons and live sessions to build listening, reading, writing and speaking skills for IELTS. With strategies, practice, feedback and regular mock tests, students gain exam readiness progressively over the term.

Builds academic English skills while introducing the structure, expectations and strategies of the TOEFL iBT. Reading, listening, speaking, writing, vocabulary, grammar and note-taking are integrated every week, moving from format and core skills to timed, strategy-focused practice.

For students preparing to take the TOEFL iBT, covering all four parts of the test: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Experienced instructors deliver the test structure together with content, strategies and guidelines throughout the course.

A hybrid GRE course combining recorded lectures on the learning platform with live sessions. Students learn the fundamental concepts and strategies for the analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections in weekly modules.

Provides an overall understanding of how the Duolingo English Test works and how to secure a strong score. Students learn the test structure, question types and strategies, with study guidelines and hands-on monitoring of their assignments and in-class activities.

Admission preparation for undergraduates applying to international universities and colleges: collecting scholarship information, writing a personal statement and admission essay, preparing for interviews, and building a network in the scholarship community.

The learning-platform version of Pre-College Preparation, combining recorded lessons with seminars. Students learn how to research scholarships, write admission essays, prepare for interviews and plan their college and major choices.

Admission preparation for postgraduates applying abroad: scholarship research, personal statements and essays, interview preparation, networking and career planning, with seminars on studying in the UK, US, Australia, Japan and Thailand.

Introduces the elements and conventions of academic writing: paragraph and essay structure, organisational patterns, varied sentence structures and appropriate vocabulary, with hands-on practice for short papers, longer essays and reports.

How to write research reports and papers at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Students learn to construct an effective proposal, choose a topic, write a literature review, cite sources in APA style, design a methodology and questionnaire, avoid plagiarism and present a final paper.

Examines how Myanmar's powerful neighbours shape its democratic transition. Students analyse the interests, instruments and influence of regional superpowers and what they mean for Myanmar's political future.

A foundation course in peace and conflict studies: the causes and dynamics of conflict, theories of peace, and the tools used to analyse and transform conflicts, with reference to Myanmar.

Explores how diverse societies hold together. Students examine identity, ethnicity and religion as sources of both division and solidarity, and the policies and practices that build social cohesion.

Uses the British Parliamentary debate format to teach political concepts. Students learn the rules and roles of the format while debating real political questions, sharpening argument and critical thinking.

A training-of-trainers course for those who will run British Parliamentary debate programmes themselves: judging, coaching, motion setting and the facilitation skills needed to teach the format to others.

British Parliamentary debate training delivered in Burmese. Students learn the format, practise constructing and rebutting arguments, and take part in practice rounds on political and social motions.

An intensive one-week British Parliamentary debate training in English: the format, speaker roles, argument structure and rebuttal, with practice rounds and feedback.

A four-week boot camp combining three skills: structured debate, finding and evaluating evidence, and presenting with confidence. Each week ends with a practical exercise that puts all three together.

A regular debate club for students who have completed a training course. Members meet to debate current motions, judge one another and keep their skills sharp between formal competitions.

The roles of women and young people in building peace: the international frameworks that recognise them, the barriers they face, and case studies of their contribution to peace processes in Myanmar and elsewhere.

How media can inflame or defuse conflict. Students study conflict-sensitive journalism, misinformation and hate speech, and the ways media can support dialogue, reconciliation and peace.

A two-week workshop for experienced debaters: advanced case construction, weighing and comparative analysis, handling difficult motions and judging at competition standard.

SUM's intercollegiate academic debate competition. Teams compete over seven days on motions drawn from politics, federalism and social issues, with training sessions, preliminary rounds and finals.

An introductory but insightful study of federalism through various contexts. As an ethnically diverse nation whose political struggle has long centred on federalism, Myanmar needs to understand how federal systems work; the course covers the concept, its models and its relevance to the country's future.

The mechanisms societies use to deal with past abuses: truth commissions, prosecutions, reparations and institutional reform. Students examine how transitional justice can rebuild trust and cohesion in communities emerging from conflict.

How development planning and public policy work in federal systems, where responsibilities are shared between levels of government. Students compare federal states and consider what a federal policy process could look like in Myanmar.

The role of local government within federal systems: decentralisation, local democracy, service delivery and the relationship between local, state and federal levels, with comparative cases and Myanmar's township administration.

The defining characteristics of federal systems: division of powers, written constitutions, bicameral legislatures, constitutional courts and intergovernmental relations, illustrated with federations around the world.

Examines federalism as a tool for resolving ethnic and territorial conflict. Students study where power sharing and self-rule have reduced conflict, where they have not, and the lessons for Myanmar's peace process.

The constitutional design of federal states: how constitutions allocate powers, protect minorities, structure second chambers and courts, and how they are amended, with attention to constitution-making in Myanmar.

How revenue and spending are divided in federal systems and how natural resources are governed. Students examine resource revenue sharing, equalisation and the fiscal arrangements that could underpin a federal Myanmar.

The relationship between party systems and federal structures: national versus regional parties, coalition building and how parties organise across levels of government in federations.

The connection between human rights and sustainable peace. Students explore how rights violations drive conflict, how rights frameworks shape peace agreements, and the role of accountability in post-conflict settings.

The concept, history and law of genocide: the Genocide Convention, the stages of genocide, prevention and the international response, with case studies including those relevant to Myanmar.

How security forces are organised in federal states: the division of policing and military responsibilities, civilian oversight and the security sector reform questions facing Myanmar.

The principles, law and politics of humanitarian intervention: the responsibility to protect, humanitarian access, the role of the UN and regional bodies, and the dilemmas of intervening in ongoing conflicts.

The economic dimensions of federalism: how federal arrangements affect growth, inequality, resource distribution and regional development, and the political bargains behind them.

The political theory behind federal ideas: sovereignty, self-determination, consent and the thinkers who shaped federalism, read against Myanmar's own constitutional debates.

A four-week fellowship for young peacebuilders combining seminars on peace and federalism with mentored project work. Fellows design and present an initiative for change in their own community.

Training in the Karl Popper debate format used in schools and universities worldwide: team roles, cross-examination, evidence and the critical thinking the format is designed to teach.

A focused study of China's role in Myanmar: economic investment, border dynamics, political relations with different actors and the implications for Myanmar's transition and peace process.

A deeper examination of security arrangements in federal states, comparing constitutional models for the control of armed forces and police and asking what security sector design could serve a federal Myanmar.

A training-of-trainers programme for school alumni, equipping them to facilitate workshops and share what they have learned about federalism and peace with their own communities.

An introduction to the relationship between federalism and security: how federal states organise defence and policing, share security powers and manage the risks of fragmentation.

Compares how federal constitutions handle security: the allocation of military and policing powers, emergency provisions and civilian oversight across a range of federations.

How constitutions protect human rights. Students examine bills of rights, constitutional courts and the relationship between Myanmar's constitutional history and international human rights standards.

Covers the internationally practised fair trial principles and the rights of an accused person, while improving legal writing and critical thinking through case work and discussion, delivered on SUM's learning platform.

An introduction to the United Nations and its mechanisms. Students explore bodies such as the Human Rights Council, UNHCR, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and learn the difference between the ICJ and the ICC.

Practical training in reading, structuring and drafting contracts: essential clauses, risk allocation, plain legal language and the common mistakes that lead to disputes.

A simulated trial from case preparation to verdict. Students take the roles of counsel, witnesses and judges, practising advocacy, examination and legal argument in a courtroom setting.

General knowledge of the basic labour laws, useful for fresh graduates starting their careers who need to know their rights as employees and for those starting a business who need to know the basic rights and duties of employers.

An introduction to the United Nations and its mechanisms, from the General Assembly and Security Council to the human rights bodies and international courts, and how they can be engaged from Myanmar.

A constitution-building course delivered with International IDEA. Students learn the principles of constitutional design, the processes used to draft and adopt constitutions, and the choices facing Myanmar.

A joint course with the Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Governance on transitional justice: truth-seeking, prosecutions, reparations and institutional reform, and how they could apply in Myanmar.

A plain-language course on the law that affects everyday life: rights and duties, contracts, property, family matters and how to seek help, designed for people with no legal background.

The international law of freedom of expression and its practice in Myanmar, drawing on materials from the Centre for Law and Democracy: permissible restrictions, media freedom, hate speech and the laws used to silence speech.

An introduction to intellectual property: copyright, trademarks, patents and designs, how they are protected and enforced, and why they matter to creators and businesses in Myanmar.

An introduction to working with data for non-specialists: reading tables and charts, cleaning and summarising data in a spreadsheet, and building clear visualisations that support decisions.

An introductory look at how machine learning models are built: data preparation, training and testing, simple algorithms and how to judge whether a model is any good.

How to evaluate a technology before adopting it: fitness for purpose, cost, risk, ethics and social impact, with case studies from education, health and public services.

A six-week introduction to artificial intelligence: what AI is and is not, search and reasoning, machine learning basics, current applications and the ethical questions they raise.

A first course in building web pages with HTML and CSS: structure, styling, layout and publishing a simple site, for complete beginners.

The principles of observing the Earth from satellites and drones: sensors, image types, processing and interpretation, with practical exercises using freely available imagery.

Introduces the basic theories and concepts of GIS and the application of remote sensing and GIS in solving research problems: map scale, projections, attribute tables, georeferencing, digitising, geoprocessing and raster data, with free data sources and field data collection.

An introduction to the science that underpins our knowledge of the climate system. The course covers the energy balance between incoming solar and outgoing infrared radiation, how greenhouse gases affect it, the physical processes that shape climate, the evidence for past and present change, and consequences from sea level rise to heat waves.

A 27-hour hands-on QGIS course over three weeks: importing shapefiles and CSV data, projections, digitising, attribute editing and queries, georeferencing, joining population data, map printing, plugins and geoprocessing tools.

A fourteen-week course on building software the agile way: user stories, sprints, stand-ups, version control, testing and delivering working increments as a team.

The fundamentals of staying safe online and protecting systems: passwords and two-factor authentication, phishing, secure communication, device security, data storage and what to do when things go wrong.

The principles of designing for the web: layout, typography, colour, responsive design and usability, with practical projects that turn a design into working HTML and CSS.

Builds digital literacy fundamentals for teachers and raises their technology competence. Learners explore tools and innovative teaching methods for using ICT in the classroom and online.

A training-of-trainers course for those who will teach computer science and digital skills: curriculum design, hands-on teaching methods, assessment and running practical sessions.

A twelve-week introduction to programming in Python: variables, control flow, functions, data structures, files and simple projects, for learners with no prior coding experience.

The principles of relational databases: data modelling, tables and relationships, SQL queries, and designing and implementing a database to store and retrieve data efficiently.

A short course on the logic behind programming before any particular language: algorithms, flowcharts, conditions, loops and problem decomposition.

An introduction to classical mechanics: motion, Newton's laws, forces, energy and momentum, taught with everyday examples and problem solving.

Analysing data for research projects: organising datasets, descriptive and inferential statistics, choosing the right test and presenting results clearly.

The essentials of marketing online: social media, content, search, email and paid advertising, and how to measure what works.

Graphic design skills applied to user interfaces: visual hierarchy, typography, colour, iconography and layout, and how they serve a good user experience.

The difference between digitising records, digitalising processes and transforming an organisation, and how to plan each step in a small organisation or public service.

Building websites and simple web applications without writing code, using no-code platforms for pages, forms, databases and automation.

A ten-week introduction to editing video: importing footage, cutting, transitions, titles, audio and exporting for social media and the web.

How to plan and run digital advertising campaigns: audiences, platforms, budgets, creative and the metrics used to judge return.

The common vulnerabilities in web applications and how to defend against them: injection, authentication flaws, insecure configuration and the basics of secure development.

Building mobile apps over eight weeks: app structure, user interface, data and navigation, and publishing a simple working application.

An introduction to data science: the workflow from question to insight, data wrangling, exploratory analysis, basic modelling and communicating results.

Programming in C++ with an object-oriented approach: classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation, with hands-on exercises and projects.

Building interactive front ends with HTML, CSS and JavaScript: the DOM, events, responsive layout and the foundations of modern front-end frameworks.

Using Power BI to connect to data, build models, create interactive dashboards and share reports that make data easy to understand.

Communication skills for technical people: explaining technical work to non-technical audiences, structuring a talk, designing slides and presenting with confidence.

An accessible introduction to artificial intelligence for people who do not code: what today's AI tools can and cannot do, how to use them well and the questions of ethics and reliability.

The science behind food: composition, nutrition, microbiology, spoilage and preservation, and food safety in the home and small-scale production.

How raw ingredients become food products: processing methods, preservation techniques, packaging, quality control and the technology used in small food businesses.

Supports students with basic public administration concepts, ideas, theory and practices related to political economy, public policy, administrative ethics and the three branches of governance. Modules run from introductory administration and the executive and legislature to the role of governance and administrative ethics.

The learning-platform edition of the introductory public administration course: the same modules on administration, the executive and legislature, public policy, political economy, governance and ethics, delivered online.

Introduces the basic concepts of statistics, probability and interpretation. The course covers basic statistical tools and focuses on interpreting data, encouraging students to think about development and policy issues in logical, critical and creative ways and to apply analytical skills to economic and public policy problems.

The online edition of the statistics foundation course: descriptive statistics, probability, regression and correlation, sampling, index numbers, time series and the interpretation and application of data, delivered on SUM's learning platform.

Provides the essential basis for understanding the practicalities of the development process and evidence-based policy. Modules cover institutions for data governance, integrated national data systems, the data economy, data as a public good, data infrastructure for equitable access and SDG indicators.

Basic public policy concepts, ideas, theory and practice: understanding public policy, social policies including military and foreign policy, economic policies, development policies in health, education and labour, and policy analysis techniques.

The art and science of forecasting, presented for managers and researchers alike. Modules cover time series and smoothing, trend, cyclical and seasonal components, tests of seasonality and deseasonalising data, with the methods used by retailers, manufacturers, hospitals and government offices.

Focuses on the statistics produced by official agencies and derived from surveys and administrative records. Modules cover the scope and sources of economic statistics in Myanmar, national income, index numbers, trade statistics and input-output analysis.

A very basic study of economics supporting everyday decision making for business stakeholders, politicians, lawyers, social organisations, executives and youths. Topics include the basic economic problem, individual behaviour and decision making, economic indicators, managing society and why development matters.

How trade shapes development: trade theory, trade policy instruments, economic integration and the relationship between openness and growth, with attention to Myanmar and its neighbours.

Gives an understanding of different democratic electoral systems, the pros and cons of each, and the impacts of first-past-the-post and proportional representation on Myanmar in forming government at both federal and state or region levels.

The online edition of the electoral systems course: the main democratic electoral systems, their advantages and drawbacks, and what first-past-the-post and proportional representation would mean for Myanmar.

An introduction to the theory of international trade and the basic knowledge needed to understand trade policies and the monetary and macroeconomic relations between countries, from trade theory and policy instruments to economic integration, international financial markets and open-economy macroeconomic policy.

The online edition of International Economics: trade theory, trade policy instruments, economic integration, international financial markets and macroeconomic policy in the open economy.

Applies economic analysis to business decisions: demand and cost analysis, pricing, market structures and the use of economic reasoning in managerial choices.

The international monetary system, exchange rates, balance of payments and international capital flows, and how they affect firms, governments and households.

Designing and running monitoring and evaluation for projects and policies: logic models, indicators, data collection, evaluation designs and reporting results to funders and decision-makers.

An introduction to the theories of digital economics: the Internet of Things, de-monopolisation in telecommunications, online financing and open-source software, competition and coopetition, increasing returns and path dependence, the long tail, e-commerce markets and big data.

The economic relationships between countries and regions: trade blocs, global value chains, international institutions and the geopolitics of economic power.

The economics of development: growth, poverty and inequality, the role of institutions, agriculture and industrialisation, and the development strategies open to a country like Myanmar.

An advanced course on statistical methods for decision making: hypothesis testing, regression, forecasting and decision analysis, applied to economic and policy problems.

The theories, concepts and models of the public policy process: agenda setting, formulation, adoption, implementation and evaluation, and the frameworks scholars use to explain how policy actually gets made.

How markets work and when they fail, and how public policy responds: externalities, public goods, regulation and the tools of policy analysis, applied to Myanmar's economy.

The practical side of research writing: structuring a paper, literature review, citation, writing clearly for academic and policy readers, and preparing work for submission.

Applies economics to education: human capital, returns to schooling, education financing, teacher incentives and the design of effective education policy.

Connects public administration theory with empirical evidence: how administrative reforms are evaluated, what the evidence says about what works, and how to use research in administrative practice.

The craft of development planning: setting priorities, designing policies and programmes, budgeting, implementation and the planning institutions of developing countries.

An introduction to global development: theories of development, aid and international institutions, the Sustainable Development Goals and the debates about how countries develop.

Financial basics for founders and small business owners: budgeting, cash flow, pricing, bookkeeping, funding options and reading simple financial statements.

Hands-on data management and analysis in Stata: importing and cleaning data, descriptive statistics, regression and interpreting output for research and policy work.

The economics of production: production functions, costs, efficiency, returns to scale and the decisions firms and farms make about inputs and outputs.

How political regimes and institutions shape behaviour, and how to think critically about them: institutional analysis, incentives, comparative cases and the habits of rigorous argument.

An introduction to demographic analysis: population structure, fertility, mortality and migration, census and survey data, and the demographic trends shaping Myanmar.

How to advocate for policy change: stakeholder mapping, evidence, messaging, coalition building and engaging decision-makers, with a practical advocacy plan as the final output.

English for policy work: reading policy documents, writing briefs and memos, presenting analysis and taking part in policy discussions in English.

The economics of work: labour supply and demand, wages, unemployment, migration and the labour market policies relevant to Myanmar.

How good data supports development: data governance and trust, national data systems, the data economy, data as a public good and the indicators used to track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Professional communication for organisations: writing for different audiences, media relations, public messaging and managing an organisation's reputation.

The patterns, causes and consequences of international labour migration, with a focus on Myanmar's migrant workers: remittances, rights, policy and the regional labour market.

Highlights the contemporary trends of the market and the nature of business. Modules cover business beyond 2020, business ethics and social responsibility, analysis of market conditions, small and large business, the foundations of entrepreneurship, and management, leadership and internal organisation.

The online edition of Business and Market Analysis: current market trends and the nature of the economy, business ethics, market conditions, entrepreneurship and management, delivered on SUM's learning platform.

Innovation management as shaped by strategy, human resources and environment: introduction to innovation management, national systems of innovation and entrepreneurship, market adoption and technology diffusion, managing innovation within firms, operations and process innovation, intellectual property and new product development.

The broader evolution of leadership knowledge and contemporary theories: basic and modernised concepts of leadership, the personal side of leadership, followership development, leadership diversity, creating vision and strategic direction, and leading change.

The fundamentals of the structural design of organisations and their development over time: organisation design theory, the fundamentals of structure, internal design elements, managing dynamic processes, and the framework and skills to design, implement and evaluate effective change.

Designed for learners new to finance. Students learn the foundational concepts of financial management, its importance in different types of business, financial instruments, types of financial institution, and how to prepare and analyse financial statements.

Operations management as the heart of every business: introduction to operations, designing goods and services, managing quality, process, location and layout strategies, human resources and work measurement, supply chain management, inventory management and lean operations.

The fundamentals of marketing and the role marketing plays in business: marketing research, consumer behaviour, segmentation, targeting and positioning, creating customer value and branding, new product development, service marketing, pricing, channels, communications and sustainable marketing.

The knowledge, understanding and key skills required by today's HR professionals: the fundamentals of HRM, HR planning and job analysis, recruitment and selection, performance management, direct and indirect compensation, safe and healthy work environments, and labour relations and collective bargaining.

Addresses social problems through business solutions and inspires young people to develop social innovations. Units cover the nature of social entrepreneurship, exploring social opportunities, designing a social business model, strategic planning for a social venture, funding and measuring social impact.

Managing service businesses: service design, quality, customer experience, capacity and the people side of delivering services well.

Focuses on the important factors in managing an organisation within today's competitive environment: the management process, the manager as a person, decision making, organisational structure and change, leadership, planning and strategy, diversity, motivation, teams and communication.

Ethical reasoning in business: corporate responsibility, stakeholder interests, common ethical dilemmas and how organisations build a culture of integrity.

How brands earn trust and last: brand strategy, purpose and sustainability, consistency across channels and building resilience through changing markets.

Writing a business plan that works: market analysis, business model, operations, financial projections and presenting the plan to partners or funders.

The environment in which businesses in Myanmar operate: regulation, finance, informal practices, sector trends and the practical realities of running a business in the current context.

The nature of business organisation and its ownership forms, management fundamentals and the business environment, plus managing the functional areas of marketing, production and operations, finance and accounting, and human resources, delivered online.

Accounting for business over eight weeks: recording transactions, ledgers, trial balance, the income statement and balance sheet, and using accounts to manage a business.

A four-week course on the finance a founder needs: start-up costs, cash flow, pricing, simple bookkeeping and the funding options available to small businesses.

The online edition of Digital Economics: the Internet of Things, de-monopolisation in telecommunications, online financing and open source, competition in digital markets, increasing returns and path dependence, the long tail, e-commerce and big data.

Statistics for the life and health sciences: study design, descriptive statistics, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and interpreting results in biological and medical research.

How to research a market: defining the question, surveys and interviews, sampling, analysing results and turning findings into business decisions.

Leadership for today's organisations: self-awareness, leading teams, coaching and feedback, leading through change and the practices of inclusive, ethical leadership.

The principles and practice of financial accounting: the accounting cycle, preparing financial statements, and the standards that govern how businesses report their results.

Continues from Financial Accounting into more advanced topics: adjustments, inventory, fixed assets, liabilities and the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

A five-week overview of how businesses work: organisation, marketing, operations, finance and the environment in which firms compete.

Foresight methods for policy makers: trend analysis, scenario planning, horizon scanning and how to use thinking about the future to make better policy decisions today.

Uses art making to develop creative thinking: observation, experimentation, play and reflection, with weekly exercises that need no prior art training.

A practical introduction to Photoshop: layers, selections, retouching, colour correction, text and exporting images for print and the web.

A twelve-week study of Myanmar's traditional design: motifs, patterns and symbolism in architecture, textiles, lacquer and manuscripts, and how to draw on them in contemporary work.

How art and politics intertwine across Southeast Asia: artists under authoritarian rule, protest art, state patronage and the region's contemporary art scenes.

A first course in writing for the screen: story structure, character, dialogue and the basics of script format, ending with a short script of the student's own.

Thirteen weeks on the design side of advertising: concept development, visual identity, layout, typography and producing campaign materials for print and digital.

Telling stories with a camera: composition, light, sequence and editing, with weekly photo and video assignments that build towards a complete visual narrative.

The fundamentals of user experience and interface design: research, user flows, wireframes, visual design and prototyping, with a portfolio project.

A three-week introduction to writing about art: describing and interpreting work, the review, the artist statement and the exhibition text.

A short course on cheik, the Myanmar textile weaving pattern: its history, structure and motifs, and designing new work within the tradition.

A first animation course: the principles of movement, timing and spacing, storyboarding and producing a short animated sequence.

An introduction to abstract art: its history, key movements and artists, and studio exercises that explore colour, form and gesture.

The parabaik and palm-leaf manuscripts of Myanmar: their materials, scripts, illustration and contents, and what they tell us about the country's past.

A twelve-week introduction to producing music on a computer: digital audio workstations, recording, arranging, mixing and mastering a finished track.

A nine-week reading group on ecofeminism: the key texts linking the treatment of women and the treatment of nature, discussed in relation to Myanmar's environment and politics.

A short study of Burma's traditional houses: regional forms, materials and construction, the social life they were built for, and their place in heritage today.

An experimental studio course in making images across photography, collage, drawing and digital media, with critique sessions and a final body of work.

How a film gets made and who does what: development, pre-production, the shoot and post-production, and the roles from producer and director to editor and sound.

An approach to the paintings found in traditional Myanmar parabaik manuscripts: their styles, subjects and techniques, and how to read them, taught in Burmese.

The craft of translating literature between Burmese and English: fidelity and voice, handling idiom and culture, and workshopping translations of short texts.

Where art meets technology: generative and digital art, new media, the tools artists use today and the questions technology raises for creative practice.

A hands-on introduction to augmented reality and the ideas behind the metaverse: building simple AR experiences and understanding the platforms and possibilities.

A five-week course on art that breaks the rules: the ethics and methods of transgressive and experimental art, and what making work wrong on purpose can teach.

An open studio for people who do not call themselves artists: making, looking and talking about art together without the pressure of expertise.

Covers the basic principles and structures of script writing: three-act structure, character and conflict, script format, and pitching tools such as the logline and synopsis, with film analysis and the development of each student's own script.

An introduction to modern music production with the computer as the main instrument: the basics of a digital audio workstation, the science of sound and audio engineering, song structure and arrangement, music theory essentials and studio equipment, taught by an industry record producer.

A seven-week introduction to illustrating digitally: tools and brushes, line and colour, character and scene, and producing finished illustrations for print and screen.

A five-day intensive on directing: working with actors, blocking, shot planning and leading a crew, with practical exercises on set.

A five-day introduction to cinematography: camera, lenses, exposure, composition, lighting and movement, with hands-on shooting exercises.

Learn to play rhythm guitar from scratch: holding the instrument, basic chords, strumming patterns and playing along with songs over eight weeks.

A five-week foundation in photography: exposure, composition, light and editing, with weekly assignments and group critique.

Reads the work of Burma's women novelists to explore how womanhood has been written and lived: family, work, love, politics and the changing position of women across the twentieth century.

General ideas about social science and its concepts and disciplines: the disciplinary approach, sociology in everyday life, cultural understanding through an anthropological lens, social psychology, political science, political economy, development and basic research skills.

The study of happiness, optimism, subjective wellbeing and personal growth: emotions, wellbeing across nations, eudaimonia, optimism and hope, resilience and post-traumatic growth, values and goals, positive interventions and applying positive psychology.

How cultural heritage can be a resource for peace: protecting heritage in conflict, shared heritage as a bridge between communities, and the role of memory in reconciliation.

How do people interact with feelings, and how do feelings spread from one person to another? The course explores anthropological and social approaches to feelings and offers feminist perspectives on feelings as both an outcome and a vehicle of social life, struggle and change.

Informs students on the various subjects within psychology and their applications in life, work and society: Western perspectives and decolonising psychological theory, personality, clinical, organisational, business, forensic, educational, social, health and neuropsychology, ethics and new hypotheses for psychology in Myanmar.

A three-week philosophical argument against the Leviathan: reading political philosophy on state power and sovereignty, and the thinkers who resist the absolute state.

A ten-week workshop in writing creatively in English: poems, stories and personal essays, with weekly writing, reading and feedback.

Uses art making as a window into everyday psychology: expression, emotion, stress and self-understanding through simple creative exercises.

Burma's history through the Cold War: independence, parliamentary democracy, the 1962 coup and the Ne Win era, and how the global contest between the superpowers shaped the country.

Food as culture: the social and cultural influences on what people eat, food patterns and choices in Myanmar and elsewhere, and what cuisine tells us about identity and change.

A twelve-week study of land and environmental justice: land rights and dispossession, extractive industries, environmental harm and the movements that resist it, with Myanmar cases.

An introduction to sociolinguistics: language and identity, dialect and standard, multilingualism, language policy and the politics of language in Myanmar.

The main approaches to ethical reasoning, from consequences and duties to virtue and care, applied to real dilemmas in personal, professional and political life.

A short practical course on understanding and managing emotions: what emotions are for, recognising them, regulating them and using them well in relationships and work.

An introduction to international relations: the state system, theories of IR, international organisations and the current issues shaping world politics.

The structure of today's world order: great power competition, international institutions, global governance of trade, climate and security, and where Myanmar sits within it.

How key political institutions and processes operate in modern democracies: how power is distributed, what determines political participation and how democratic ideals are realised, covering constitutions, executives, legislatures, parties, elections, interest groups and multi-level government.

The design and facilitation of dialogue: principles, formats, the facilitator's role and the use of dialogue in divided communities and political transitions.

The comparative study of political systems: regimes, institutions, parties and political change, using comparison to understand why countries differ and what that means for Myanmar.

Geography and power in international politics: territory, resources, strategic location and the geopolitical rivalries that shape Asia and Myanmar's place in it.

The major political ideologies, from liberalism and conservatism to socialism, nationalism and feminism: their core ideas, history and relevance to political debate today.

How anthropologists study social movements: organisation, identity, protest repertoires and everyday resistance, with cases from Myanmar and beyond.

The essentials of governance: accountability, transparency, rule of law and participation, and how they apply to public institutions, civil society and community organisations.

The economics that policy makers need: markets and market failure, public finance, cost-benefit thinking and reading economic evidence when designing policy.

An introduction to gender studies: sex and gender, patriarchy, feminist theory, gender in Myanmar society and the tools for analysing gender in everyday life.

An interdisciplinary introduction to environmental studies: ecosystems, pollution, climate change, environmental policy and the environmental challenges facing Myanmar.

Managing solid waste at community level: waste streams, reduction and recycling, composting, collection systems and organising a community waste programme.

The forms, causes and consequences of gender-based violence, the frameworks for prevention and response, and the support available to survivors in Myanmar.

The economics of the environment: externalities, valuing nature, pollution control, resource management and the policy instruments used to protect the environment.

The essential theories of politics: the state, power, legitimacy, justice and freedom, through the thinkers who defined them and the debates they still provoke.

Managing air, water and soil quality: monitoring, standards, assessment and the management systems used by governments and organisations.

How to bring gender into policy and programme design: gender analysis, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, and institutionalising gender equality in organisations.

Globalisation and its governance: global markets, international institutions, transnational problems and the question of who governs a globalised world.

An introduction to queer theory: sexuality, identity and power, the key thinkers and texts, and queer perspectives on Myanmar society.

An eight-week exploration of feminism: its history and waves, key debates, and contemporary feminist issues in Myanmar and the wider world.

The technology of treating water and wastewater: sources and contaminants, treatment processes, small-scale and community systems and water quality monitoring.

The study of revolutions: their causes, dynamics and outcomes, comparative cases from history and the lessons for Myanmar's own revolutionary moment.

Ecotourism in coastal and marine environments: principles, planning, community benefit and conservation, with reference to Myanmar's coast and islands.

The study of masculinities: how ideas of manhood are constructed, their effects on men, women and society, and the possibilities for change.

The science of ecology, biodiversity and conservation: ecosystems, species and habitats, threats to biodiversity and the strategies used to conserve it in Myanmar.

How climate change affects tourism and how tourism can be made sustainable: impacts, adaptation, low-carbon travel and community-based tourism.

Governance beyond the state: transnational institutions, networks and norms, and how issues from migration to the environment are governed across borders.

Applies the essential political ideologies to current questions: how liberal, socialist, nationalist, conservative and feminist ideas play out in real political choices today.

A first course for new and aspiring teachers: what good teaching looks like, planning a lesson, managing a classroom and reflecting on practice.

How children's thinking develops and what that means for teaching: stages of cognitive development, memory and attention, and strategies that match how learners learn.

The foundations of child psychology for parents, teachers and carers: physical, cognitive, emotional and social development, and how to support the whole child.

Leadership that changes schools and organisations: vision, motivation, building trust and leading colleagues through change, for teachers and education leaders.

Learning through play for young children: designing games and activities that build language, numeracy, social skills and creativity in early years classrooms.

The philosophies that underpin education: the major traditions, what each says about the purpose of schooling and the role of the teacher, and developing a personal teaching philosophy.

A twelve-week certificate in early childhood care and education: child development, play-based learning, health and safety, working with families and running a quality early years setting.

Designing effective instruction and using technology to deliver it: learning objectives, lesson and course design, digital tools and designing for online and blended learning.

The essentials of assessment: formative and summative assessment, writing good questions and rubrics, giving feedback and using results to improve teaching.

An introduction to teaching learners with special educational needs: common needs, inclusive classroom practice, individual planning and working with families and specialists.

A twelve-week certificate for teachers covering the foundations of practice: planning, pedagogy, classroom management, assessment and professional reflection.

Adolescent development and how to support young people: identity, relationships, mental health and learning in the teenage years, for teachers and youth workers.

Leading change in schools and education organisations: diagnosing need, planning change, engaging stakeholders, managing resistance and sustaining improvement.

A twelve-week certificate in educational leadership and management: school vision and planning, staff development, resources, quality assurance and leading a learning community.

A nine-week intensive for educators working in community settings: planning and delivering lessons with limited resources, multi-grade teaching, learner wellbeing and community engagement.

An eight-week introduction to Jingphaw, the main Kachin language: the alphabet and pronunciation, everyday vocabulary, greetings and simple conversation, with an introduction to Kachin culture.

The indigenous lifestyle of the Kachin people: traditional livelihoods, customs, festivals, food, kinship and the values that shape Kachin community life.

A basic course in West Pwo Karen, the language of the Karen communities of the Ayeyarwady delta. Students learn the alphabet, vowels and orthography, everyday vocabulary and poems, then move on to speaking and listening through greetings, family, daily routines and Karen songs.

An eight-week introduction to S'gaw Karen, one of the two major Karen languages. Students learn consonants, vowels and tones, consonant clusters, family terms, numbers and time, everyday objects, daily routines, parts of the body and sentence types, with weekly assignments and a final exam.

Continues from the basic course into pre-intermediate S'gaw Karen: longer conversations, reading short texts, expanded vocabulary and more complex sentence structures.

A basic course in Mon language and literature. Over eight weeks students learn the 35 Mon letters and 12 vowels, consonant combinations, greetings, directions, shopping, everyday conversation and cultural sharing, with reading, writing, speaking and listening assessed.

A seven-week course building Mon speaking and grammar for learners who have completed the basic course: sentence patterns, everyday dialogues and more confident conversation.

A basic course in Shan (Tai Long) to speak, read and write basic Shan and understand Shan traditions and culture: greetings, numbers, family, time, food, festivals, places and daily conversation alongside the consonants, vowels and six tones.

A ten-week pre-intermediate Shan course for students who pass a placement test: daily routines, health, proverbs and folk tales, travel and directions, combined vowels, clusters and final sounds, with mid-term and final assessments.

An intermediate Shan course for learners who have completed pre-intermediate: reading and writing longer texts, richer vocabulary and discussion of Shan literature and culture.

An eight-week introduction to the Rakhine (Arakanese) language: pronunciation and script, everyday vocabulary, greetings and simple conversation, with notes on Rakhine culture.

A six-week basic course in Arakanese: the sounds and script, essential vocabulary and simple everyday exchanges for beginners.

An eight-week introduction to Tedim Chin: the writing system, pronunciation, everyday vocabulary and simple conversation, with an introduction to Chin culture.

Knowledge and skills on body development, sex, sexuality, gender and relationships, so that young people can make informed and responsible decisions freely. The six weeks cover puberty, reproductive health, menstruation, pregnancy and contraception, consent, gender norms, gender-based violence and intersectionality.

The principles of good nutrition and healthy living: balanced diets, food groups, common deficiencies and practical ways to eat well on a budget in Myanmar.

An introduction to qualitative methods in health research: interviews, focus groups, observation, thematic analysis and the ethics of researching with communities.

The essentials of health research design: framing a question, choosing a study design, sampling, data collection and the basics of analysis and reporting.

Evidence-based practice in infant and young child feeding: breastfeeding, complementary feeding, nutrition in emergencies and counselling caregivers, with reference to Myanmar's current setting.

A short course on turning health data into clear charts and dashboards: choosing the right visual, avoiding misleading graphics and presenting findings to decision-makers.

Hands-on analysis of health data in SPSS: entering and cleaning data, descriptive statistics, common tests and interpreting the output for a research report.

The main quantitative designs used in health research, from cross-sectional surveys to cohort studies and trials, with their strengths, limitations and appropriate uses.

An introduction to R for health researchers: importing and managing datasets, descriptive statistics, simple plots and reproducible analysis scripts.