Building technical capacity to better manage information for decision-making in humanitarian, development and peace-related activities is an important part of MIMU’s approach – to this end the MIMU team have developed a number of Myanmar-language technical courses on data management (Excel, Access training), spatial data management/mapping (QGIS and GPS training), and data visualisation (Information Management and Power BI training). To respond to the very high demand for these courses, MIMU provides some course materials on the MIMU Training Resources webpage. For more information on MIMU Technical training courses, see the MIMU website Frequently Asked Questions

In 2020:

• 227 persons received MIMU technical training (51% women) in 11 Myanmar-language courses – less than planned due to the COVID situation. MIMU’s Excel Distance Learning programme included staff of organisations implementing projects related to the peace process, and Rakhine-based agency staff.
• Transitioning to virtual platforms – in response to the COVID restrictions, the MIMU team transitioned some training to virtual platforms, including the Basic Excel and Basic QGIS training. MIMU also arranged an Experience Sharing Session to share good practice on Approaches to Virtual Training;
• 58,770 downloads of MIMU QGIS and Excel training resources – these materials from our Myanmar-language training programmes have been shared publicly to broaden technical capacity among the staff of agencies, government and the academic sector unable to attend MIMU training programmes;
• 295 applicants for 20 places in MIMU QGIS training, indicating the high level of interest of agencies in strengthening staff skills in information management for humanitarian, development and peace-related programmes.

The MIMU team provides technical advice and support to partner agencies, coordination teams and technical working groups in the areas of our expertise. This includes assistance in Data and database management, Data analysis, Spatial data and mapping, Information management, Data visualisation, Online surveys, and provision of webpages for coordination purposes.

In 2020:

• Review of use of Data Disaggregation Standards in humanitarian work in Myanmar together with the Inter Cluster Coordination Group. These Data Standards were developed in 2014/15 to support cross-sectoral analysis of available information collected by humanitarian partners.

MIMU provides in-person Orientations to help users find and use MIMU products and services.  These sessions are offered regularly on the first Tuesday of every month – in-person or virtually, and can also be provided for specific groups and networks. To register or request a session, contact [email protected]

In 2020:

• 414 individuals (50% women) from 301 agencies/donors joined MIMU Orientation sessions to learn more about how to use MIMU products, resources and services;
• Over 80% of attendees joined the Myanmar language sessions which transitioned to Zoom due to the COVID situation – this resulted in easier access for those in field locations and the number of participants in these sessions almost doubled compared to 2019.

MIMU convenes the inter-agency Information Management Network and the GIS Working Group to strengthen and harmonize information management activities and approaches. Agencies working in humanitarian, development and peace-related activities are welcome to join these groups – the IM Network meets every two months with specific experience sharing and capacity building events for its members.

In 2020:

• Over 160 group members and 10 inter-agency IM network events in this period. Themes included Open Data and Big Data, Knowledge Management, Data Protection, and Business Intelligence approaches for M&E and Grant Management. Training opportunities focused on KoBo, Power BI and Approaches to Virtual Training;
• Dedicated web-pages were established/maintained for several clusters/sectors/working groups.