UNDP launches free e-learning portal to help Myanmar's small businesses grow

This E-learning Portal is giving the business community in Myanmar a free resource to help strengthen their operations, improve responsible business practices and boost their bottom line.

With many MSMEs struggling amid Myanmar’s current political and economic crisis, this portal aims to help these businesses not just survive, but also grow, providing much-needed jobs throughout the country and helping lift people out of poverty. 

Each course on the platform, which has been developed with Impact Hub Yangon, is delivered in Burmese and has been tailor-made by a different business expert from Myanmar to ensure the theoretical concepts are connected to local experiences. You can access the courses with a smartphone, computer or tablet.

The portal covers a wide range of topics, from digital literacy and financial management to business development and marketing and branding. Courses on environmental best practices and women’s empowerment, meanwhile, are designed to help businesses operate more responsibly. 

Each module is self-paced, allowing people to study at their own convenience. Depending on the course, they can take anywhere from 6 to 18 hours to complete. Once participants pass a final test, they are awarded a digital certificate.

Users can also use the platform’s forum to communicate with their peers, share knowledge and build their professional network, as well as find articles to learn new insights and information to enhance business knowledge. The platform will continue to evolve, including adding new courses on risk management, responsible business practices, workplace gender equality, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Adnan Cheema, UNDP Myanmar’s Deputy Resident Representative, said at the portal’s launch event in Yangon: "Over 90 percent of businesses in Myanmar are MSMEs, making them a crucial engine of economic growth. They create jobs and income-generating opportunities, and contribute to the well-being of countless individuals, households, and communities. 

"However, the economic crisis and the impacts of the global pandemic have left Myanmar’s MSMEs facing numerous challenges. Many have been struggling for survival, and lack pathways and resources to build their resilience and to grow. 

"To address these challenges effectively, one important solution is the need for relevant business education and training. By offering these courses, UNDP Myanmar aims to make business education available to all."

Find out more about the different courses available and sign up for your free account to begin using the E-learning Portal for MSMEs. You can also get updates on the platform on Facebook, LinkedIn and the dedicated Viber channel.

*This article was originally published on the UNDP Myanmar website on November 2.