In a move seen as an effort to supplement the military’s dwindling numbers, Myanmar’s government is actively encouraging students to join the University Training Corps (UTC).
Reports from junta-affiliated newspapers reveal that several high-ranking generals, including regime leader Min Aung Hlaing, once served in the UTC, emphasizing the historical connection between the military leadership and this training program.
The UTC, established in 1922 at Rangoon University during colonial rule, follows the model of the British Army’s University Officer’s Training Corps.
It aims to recruit educated officers and familiarize civilians who may become future employers with aspects of military life.
Amid the junta’s introduction of mandatory military service for individuals aged 18-35 and the recall of former personnel to active duty, the UTC is positioned as a means to build reserves.
Under the Conscription Law, students can defer military service, but the regime is encouraging their participation in the UTC, providing a source of reserves in the interim.
Reports suggest that UTCs are currently operational in major cities, including Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyine, Taunggyi, Naypyitaw, Pathein, and Taungoo.
The Directorate of Militias and Border Guard Forces oversees these UTCs, offering students a comprehensive four-year training program.
Dr Tin Maung Tun, the rector of Yangon University and chair of UTC, urged undergraduates to consider joining the program, emphasizing its role in serving Myanmar when required.
UTC officials, as quoted in junta newspapers, assert that the program imparts basic skills and provides insights into the military’s role in safeguarding the country.
As Myanmar grapples with ongoing internal challenges and a need for increased military presence, the government’s push for student enrollment in the UTC underscores its strategic approach to bolstering reserves and maintaining military readiness.
