100th Anniversary of Myanmar Engineering Education

The introduction of engineering education in Myanmar began in 1923 with the establishment of the Engineering Department under Rangoon University. This department became the Faculty of Engineering, and in 1924, it inaugurated the B.Sc. (Engg.) degree program in Civil Engineering during the British colonial period. In 1961, a separate engineering university was established and named the Burma Institute of Technology (BIT). In 1964, it was renamed Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT).

In 1990, the institution was again renamed Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT) before becoming Yangon Technological University (YTU) in 1999, located west of Gyogone. Until the founding of Mandalay Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1991, YTU and RIT were the only engineering universities in the country.

In 2000, a new technical education system was introduced, which involved a five-year program following matriculation. This program consisted of two years for a Diploma, two years for a Bachelor of Technology, and one year for a Bachelor of Engineering. Several Government Technical Institutes (GTIs) were either closed or upgraded to Technological Universities (TUs), leaving only one GTI in operation nationwide.

In 2012, YTU and Mandalay Technological University (MTU) restarted undergraduate programs offering a six-year Bachelor of Engineering degree. In 2024, it is celebrating 100th Anniversary of Myanmar Engineering Education. Myanmar Post issued a stamp to commemorate the event.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 21 November 2024
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Designer: Ministry of Science and Technology

For this issue, there is no official FDC issued. Collectors produced their private covers.

PANGOON instead of RANGOON

A remarkable datestamp error from RANGOON was recorded on a registered postal stationery envelope sent from BERNARDMYO. On the datestamp, the letter 'R' in RANGOON was mistakenly replaced with 'P,' resulting in "PANGOON." This datestamp error is known to exist on just one recorded envelope.

Reverse of the envelope

The envelope was sent from BERNARDMYO to GERMANY on March 2, 1892, with a postage fee of 2 Annas for standard postage and 2 Annas 6 pies for registration. The "PANGOON" transit datestamp is dated March 12, 1892, and is struck on the reverse of the envelope. Bernardmyo, now known as Mogok, is renowned as the ruby mining district where some of the world's finest rubies are extracted.

Registered PSE from Bernardmyo

White Dragon - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued 8th stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 11 Nov 2024. It features White Dragon (Lamproptera curius curius). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Stamp Design

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 11 November 2024
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Subject Matter Consultants : Dr Khin San Wai (Entomologist), Dr Thein Aung (Ornithologist)
Design Consultants : Kyaw Myo Naing, Academy Zinyaw Mg Mg (Film), Thiha Lwin (TMH), U Aung Ko (Philatelist)
Artist : Cho San Lin
Graphic Designer : Ahmonoo 

First Day Covers

Official FDC

150th Anniversary of UPU

In 2024, the Universal Postal Union marks its 150th anniversary. In October 9, 1874, representatives from 22 countries convened to sign the Treaty of Bern, establishing the General Postal Union, which would later be known as the Universal Postal Union (UPU). A century and a half later, the UPU connects the postal networks of 192 member countries, fulfilling its founders’ vision of creating a unified postal territory to serve people worldwide.

The theme for the UPU’s 150th year – “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations” – celebrates this achievement and underscores its ongoing commitment to serving people across the globe for generations to come. To celebrate its 150th Anniversary, UPU distributed common design for stamp, FDC and maxicards.  

Myanmar Post also issued a stamp, using the common design, on 9 Oct 2024.

Stamp Design

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 9 October 2024
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 30 mm x 42 mm (Vertical)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Designer: UPU

First Day Covers

Official FDC

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

Ajman Stamp Featuring Burmese Bird Discovered

A stamp from Ajman, issued on April 27, 1971, has been found featuring the Burmese bird, the "Hooded Racket-tailed Tree-pie." Part of the "Topical Asiatic Birds" series, this 1 Dirham stamp beautifully displays two hooded tree-pies. Recently, Myanmar also issued a stamp featuring the Hooded Tree-pie, and both stamps are shown below.

Postcard Story : Oil wells of Yenangyaung

The Yenangyaung oilfields in Myanmar, located in the Irrawaddy Valley, are historically significant as one of the oldest oil production areas in the world. The region's oil wells were originally hand-dug by local villagers, who collected crude oil from shallow wells. This traditional method of oil extraction continued for centuries until the British colonized Burma and began to industrialize oil production, leading to the establishment of Burmah Oil Company.

Ahuja 443, Black halftone key printed on chromolithography printing

Ahuja 46, Black halftone key printed on chromolithography printing

Yenangyaung became the focal point for oil exploration and extraction during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. British interests modernized the oil industry by introducing advanced drilling techniques, which greatly increased production. The area played a crucial role in the development of Myanmar's oil industry and had a strategic importance during World War II, as control of the oilfields became a significant military objective.

Rowe and Co., Ltd,. 

Printed from same photo as above, but by different publisher.

Despite its early success, the region faced many challenges, including fluctuating global oil prices, political turmoil, and the nationalization of the oil industry after Myanmar's independence. Today, the legacy of the Yenangyaung oilfields is a testament to both the ingenuity of local people and the transformative impact of colonial industrialization on natural resource management.

Real Photo Postcard

This article displays early picture postcards of Burma, depicting oil fields of Yanangyaung.

Blue Pansy - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued 7th stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 9 Sept 2024. It features Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 9 September 2024
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Subject Matter Consultants : Dr Khin San Wai (Entomologist), Dr Thein Aung (Ornithologist)
Design Consultants : Kyaw Myo Naing, Academy Zinyaw Mg Mg (Film), Thiha Lwin (TMH), U Aung Ko (Philatelist)
Artist : Cho San Lin
Graphic Designer : Ahmonoo 

FDC

Official FDC

Information Card

ASEAN Post Stamp

On 8th August 2024, all the member country of ASEAN issued the stamps to commemorate the 57th anniversary of founding of ASEAN.  All the stamps shared the same theme of "General Post Office". 

Regarding cooperation in issuing stamp with ASEAN Members' General Post Offices, the Myanmar Post issued this stamp with the image of Naypyitaw Centraal Post Office, with 200 Kyats denomination.  Total of 200,000 pcs is printed.  It is in horizontal format (42 mm x 30 mm).

Myanmar FDCs

Official FDC

Private FDC by U Sein Min

I will slowly update the images of other ASEAN countries in this post.

Peacock Pansy - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued sixth stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 31 Jul 2024. It features Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 31 July 2024

Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Subject Matter Consultants : Dr Khin San Wai (Entomologist), Dr Thein Aung (Ornithologist)
Design Consultants : Kyaw Myo Naing, Academy Zinyaw Mg Mg (Film), Thiha Lwin (TMH), U Aung Ko (Philatelist)
Artist : Cho San Lin
Graphic Designer : Ahmonoo 

Indonesia Postal Museum - Bandung

During my trip to Indonesia for the Jakarta 2024 Asian International Stamp Exhibition, I spent three days sightseeing in Bandung. A philatelic highlight of this trip was visiting the Indonesia Postal Museum on 1 Jul 2024. I learned that the museum's building was originally the first General Post Office (GPO) in Bandung.

The museum is located at Cilaki St No.73, Citarum, Bandung Wetan, Bandung City, Indonesia. With the kind assistance of the head staff, I was given a guided tour around the museum. I would like to share some photos taken during my visit.