From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Myanmar Institute of Theology
Myanmar Institute of Theology
Coordinates: 16°52′57.6″N 96°06′42″E / 16.882667°N Since 1966, with the departure of American Baptist
96.11167°E / 16.882667; 96.11167 missionaries from Myanmar, the school has been entirely
Myanmar Institute of Theology staffed by nationals. The Seminary has faithfully carried
out its educational mission, adapting and responding to
the challenges of the new day.
In 1976, the name of the school was again changed
to the Burma Institute of Theology (1976-1989) as it was
Established 1927
deemed more appropriate to the situation in Burma. In
Location Insein, Yangon, Yangon Division, Myanmar 1977, on Dr. Chit Maung’s retirement, Thramu Esther
Lwin was made Acting-President and then President
Campus Seminary Hill
from June 1978, to the end of 1983. In January 1984, Rev.
Victor San Lone who had been serving as General Sec-
Yangon City Landmark
retary of the Burma Baptist Convention became Presi-
dent and served in that capacity until his sudden death
The Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT) is a Protestant
in 1987. Thramu Eh Wah, the Vice-President, was made
Christian Baptist seminary located in Insein Township,
Acting-President until March 1988, when she was offi-
Yangon, Myanmar. The Judson Research Center and the
cially appointed President. The Seminary’s name was
Peace Studies Center are parts of the Myanmar Institute
changed to the Myanmar Institute of Theology in 1989,
of Theology. There is a Library with 30,000 usable vol-
when the country changed its name to Myanmar. Dr. Eh
umes and more than 30 periodical subscriptions for stu-
Wah retired in 1998 and the Vice-Principal Dr. Anna May
dents and faculty.
Say Pa was elected the new Principal of the Myanmar In-
stitute of Theology. Dr. Simon Pau Khan En succeeded in
History 2006 and when he retired in 2010 Dr. Samuel Ngun Ling
became Principal of the Myanmar Institute of Theology
The Myanmar Institute of Theology, originally known as
effective from 2010-2011 academic year.
Baptist Divinity School, was founded in June 1927, on
Throughout its history, the school has served as an
Seminary Hill, Insein. With only four students to begin
institution of higher Theological education in Myanmar.
with the school used the facilities of the Karen Theolog-
More than twenty ethnic groups, and not less than ten
ical Seminary currently known as the Kayin Baptist The-
Christian denominations are represented each year in
ological Seminary. Shortly after its opening the school
the student body. Until 1962, only the B.Th. program was
became affiliated with the Northern Baptist Theological
offered, but that year the Bachelor of Religious Education
Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. This affiliation lasted until
program was introduced and in 1976, the B.D. program
the Second World War. The first president was Dr. W. E.
was initiated. In 1996, no new B.Th. applicants were ac-
Wiatt, an American missionary who served from 1927 to
cepted for the B.Th. program as the Board of Trustees
1939. The school was renamed in 1939 as the Willis and
had decided that the Seminary would offer only graduate
Orlinda Pierce Divinity School (1939-1949). The second
programs. In 1997, the MIT started the M.Div, and M.T.S.
president of the school was Dr. C. F. Chaney who served
Degree programs and replaced the B.D. program. March
from 1939 to 1941, when the Japanese occupied Burma.
1999 saw the last batch of B.Th. graduates and the first
In 1948, the school reopened with Thra Chit Maung
batch of MTS graduates and March 2000 marked the
as Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee. In 1952,
graduation of the 1st batch of the Master of Divinity class.
with the arrival of Dr. Paul D. Clasper, Thra Chit Maung
Year 2000 is also a milestone for launching new programs
was made President and Dr. Clasper, Vice-President. The
such as Summer School, Summer Seminar and Bachelor
school was renamed in 1949 as the Burma Divinity School
of Arts in Religious Studies BARS.
(1949-1976). In 1955, the school became affiliated with
Since 2004, MIT launched the Doctor of Ministry
Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Kansas City,
(D.Min) program in partnership with the Union Theolog-
Kansas. This affiliation lasted until 1960, when the school
ical Seminary, Manila, the Philippines and the program
became an accredited member of the Association of The-
ended in 2008 when MIT started a new partnership for
ological Schools in South East Asia. Since 1960, the school
Doctor of Ministry program with the Central Baptist The-
has been conferring degrees on its graduates.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Myanmar Institute of Theology
ological Seminary, Kansas, USA, which will take effect • In 2003, the BRE program was replaced with the
from 2010-2011 academic year. Master of Arts in Christian Studies
Master of Ministry (M.Min) degree program was inau- • In 2010, Diploma in Community Development
gurated in 2006 in respond to the needs of the churches program will be started.
and communities to promote a quality leadership in the • In 2012, Master of Arts in Community Development
church and society. program will be started.
The year 2010 saw the opening of a new program • In 2014, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) program will be
called Master of Theological Librarianship (MTL) and the started.
termination of the old program called Master of Theolog-
ical Studies (MTS).
Finally MIT is fully determined to launch PhD degree
Current President
program in 2014 in the commemoration of the two hun- • Rev. Dr. Samuel Ngun Ling, PhD.,
dred anniversary of the arrival of the American Baptist • Rev. Dr. Maung Maung Yin, D.Min.,(Vice President)
missionaries, Adoniram and Ann Judsons in the soil of
Myanmar.
Accreditation
Myanmar Institute of Theology is accredited by the As-
Programs sociation for Theological Education in South East Asia
At present MIT offers the following programs of study. (ATESEA).
• D.Min (Doctor of Ministry)
• M.Th (Master of Theology: Full time two-year
program)
See also
• MACS (Master of Arts in Christian Studies: Part time • Protestants in Burma
three-year program)
• M.Div. (Master of Divinity: Full time three-year External links
program)
• M.T.L (Master of Theological Librarianship: Full time • School Website
two-year program) • outdated PC(USA) webpage
• BARS (Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies: Full time • Baptist World Aid
four-year program)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myanmar_Institute_of_Theology&oldid=450987740"
Categories:
• Educational institutions established in 1927
• Christianity in Burma
• Universities and colleges in Yangon
• Universities and colleges in Yangon Region
• Universities and colleges in Burma
• Seminaries and theological colleges in Burma
• Christian colleges in Burma
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