Introduction
According to the website of the International Trade Administration organization, following the military coup on February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s education sector is facing unprecedented challenges. Nearly five million students are unable to return to school. Due to the government’s control, parents no longer send their children to schools and instead teach them online. Some students have fled to Thailand and India with their families, which are neighboring countries, and are attending schools in these countries.
Students Learn Online
Amidst this chaos, students no longer attend school and instead continue their studies online, either individually or in groups. Some educated parents teach their children by themselves. I will continue to write that this situation presents a unique opportunity for Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) companies.
What role can FOSS play in education?
Localizing important software:
FOSS companies or Non-Profit Organizations can localize their software to Burmese and other ethnic languages in Myanmar to meet the specific needs of the Myanmar education landscape. When engaging in localization, it’s essential to consider Myanmar’s cultural and religious characteristics rather than providing exact translations.
Creating tutorials:
In addition, they can create teaching videos in Burmese on how to use the software. Since most Burmese use mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, it is essential to focus on localizing the following important software:
List of software:
- Learning management systems,
- Video conferencing tools,
- Security-oriented messaging apps,
- Word processing software,
- Knowledge management tools,
- Virtual private network software, and
- Web browsers.
Social Responsibility
In doing so, numerous FOSS companies can fulfill their social responsibility by helping Myanmar’s students in overcoming their difficulties.
Business opportunity for FOSS companies
By doing this, FOSS companies can enter the Myanmar market to grow their business.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, I would like to urge FOSS companies to take opportunities for themselves. As an expert with five years of experience in English-to-Burmese software localization and contributions to over 100 Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) projects, including SAFETAG—a professional audit framework that adapts traditional penetration testing and risk assessment methodologies for smaller non-profit organizations in the developing world—I can assist FOSS companies in expanding their market in Myanmar. This can be achieved through the localization of their FOSS software and the creation of tutorials in the Burmese language.
Not only do I have such experience, but I am also pursuing a master’s in the TCLoc program at Strasbourg University, aiming to enhance my proficiency in both theory and practice. FOSS companies can contact me via my LinkedIn profile and read my interview with the University of Strasbourg.