Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Studies and Training Department
Myanmar Diplomatic Academy

The Myanmar Diplomatic Academy (MDA), established under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is dedicated to play a crucial role in training diplomats, enhancing the professionalism of Myanmar’s foreign service and building the capacity and competence of its personnel to effectively engage with the international community and safeguard Myanmar’s interests.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, mainly responsible in the fields of diplomacy and international relations, needs to systematically train diplomats and other staff. Building their capacity and competence contributes to actively engaging with the world and to protecting and promoting the interests of Myanmar. Therefore, the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy – MDA is set up under the Ministry’s Strategic Studies and Training Department. It was officially established on 28 July 2025 with its campus at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.

Motto

“OPEN-HONEST-LOYAL”.

Vision

To enhance the professionalism of Myanmar diplomats in engaging with other countries and handling for international affairs.

Mission

To train the Myanmar diplomats at every level with different programs to promote and protect Myanmar’s national interest and contribute to regional and global peace and security.

Objectives

(i) To offer to Foreign Ministry personnel comprehensive diplomatic training, in line with internationally recognized academic standards, with emphasis on interdisciplinarity, critical thinking skills and linguistics.
(ii) To teach the current and future management staff of the Foreign Ministry to develop skills and managerial capacities in respective ranks,
(iii) To offer diplomatic training for staff of other government ministries and agencies who communicate with foreign interlocutors,
(iv) To take part in the selection process of candidates for the foreign service,
(v) To offer courses to other public institutions, individuals and graduated youths, to take up diplomatic issues, current politics, as well as economic and business issues,
(vi) To undertake research in partnership with institutions, both domestic and international.

Background History

The initial steps for establishing the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy included the progressive development of concept papers, drafting of operational plans, preparation of draft charters, formation of organizational structures, committees, and sub-committees, conducting study visits to domestic and international universities, diplomatic universities, and training academies, organizing workshops by inviting foreign experts, and developing draft curricula for various types of courses to be taught at the Diplomatic Academy.

To establish the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy, study visits were conducted to the following countries:

(i) Singapore – A study visit was made to the Diplomatic Academy in Singapore from 27 to 29 October, 2014.
(ii) Philippines – A study visit was made to the Foreign Service Institute in the Philippines from 3 to 7 October, 2016.
(iii) Germany and Austria – Study visits were made to diplomatic academies in Germany and Austria from October 29, 2016, to November 4, 2016.
(iv) Vietnam – A study visit was made to the Diplomatic Academy in Vietnam from 26 to 30 September, 2017.
(v) Republic of Korea – A study visit was made to the Diplomatic Academy in the Republic of Korea from 2 to 4 November, 2017.
(vi) Republic of Indonesia – A study visit was made to Indonesia from 2 to 7 September 2018.

In terms of international cooperation for the establishment of the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy, collaborative efforts were made with the German organization Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). These efforts included study visits to foreign diplomatic academies and organization of discussions and workshops involving experts from abroad, officials from the Strategic Studies and Training Department, and members of the Advisory Board. The primary focus of these sessions was the drafting and refinement of the Concept Paper and Charter for the Academy. Subsequently, the Concept Paper and Charter (both in Myanmar and English), along with the development of draft curricula, were progressively drafted and revised.

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board, responsible for curriculum development and subject-specific guidance, was initially established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2016 and subsequently reconstituted in 2023. Its mandate is to revise curricula and provide subject-matter expertise. Comprising 17 members, including senior diplomats and subject-specific experts, the current Advisory Board was formed on May 14, 2025. The Board’s key functions include advising on courses and curricula, serving as subject-matter experts for instruction at the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy, recommending collaborations with regional and international diplomatic academies and universities, and providing recommendations regarding the academy’s needs.

The current Advisory Board members are as follows:

1. U Win Mra
Ambassador (Retired), Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chairman (Retired), Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

2. U Tint Deir
Director-General (Retired)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. U Thant Kyaw
Deputy Minister (Retired)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

4. U Nyunt Swe
Member (Retired)
Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

5. U Than Tun
Member (Retired)
Union Civil Service Board

6. Daw Lei Lei Thein
Deputy Minister (Retired)
Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development

7. Daw Yin Yin Myint
Ambassador (Retired)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

8. U Tha Aung Nyun
Ambassador (Retired)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

9. U Htin Lynn
Ambassador (Retired)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10. U Aung Lynn
Ambassador (Retired)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

11. Director-General
Strategic Studies and Training Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12. Dr Chaw Chaw Sein
Director-General
Department of Monitoring and Evaluation
Ministry of Education

13. Professor/ Head of Department
Department of International Relations and Political Science
University of Yangon

14. Professor/ Head of Department
Department of Law
University of Yangon

15. Professor/ Head of Department
Department of Economics
Yangon University of Economics

16. Dr Khin Ma Ma Myo
Professor
Department of International Relations
Monywa University

17. Deputy Director-General
Strategic Studies and Training Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs