The Department of Chemical Engineering was established in 1954 at BOC College, Insein Township, Yangon, along with Mining Engineering, Metallurgy Engineering and Architecture programs. As no one among the Burmese could instruct the subject, three lecturers from India (Mr.N.S.Rao (Msc.Ch.Engg), Mr.Chowdry and Mr.Batacharia) were hired on a contract basis.
In 1957, although other engineering classes of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical were moved to the newly constructed building called Squire adjacent to Pyay Road, the Department of Chemical Engineering remained open at the college. Later in 1961, as soon as the technological university was built in Insein Township, Yangon, the whole engineering faculty (including our department) was relocated to there. Chemical Engineering Department was set up at the east part of the Main Building (1).
In 1957, Ko Hla Myint, Ko Mya Shwe, Saw Aye Si Doat and Ko Mya Than from BOC College became the very first students of Myanmar to graduate in Chemical Engineering. Ko Hla Myint was also sent to the Soviet Union to pursue the doctoral degree.
The Engineering University located in GyoGone was originally named “Burma Institute of Technology (B.I.T)” from 1961 to 1963. Then in 1964, it was renamed “Rangoon Institute of Technology (R.I.T)”. After the university had opened in 1961, three guest lecturers from Russia arrived at the Department of Chemical Engineering. Mr. Donstov was responsible for Rubber Technology, Mr.O.Vorontzov for Food Technology and Mr. SS Krugidzov for Electrochemical Technology.
In 1961, Ms. Pauline Reynolds graduated as a chemical engineer who was recorded as the earliest woman engineer in the history of engineering in Myanmar. Daw Tin Myint (ChE-66), who graduated with a degree in chemical engineering in 1966, became the first female teacher of the department. Classes of Chemical Technology subjects were led by Russian lecturers. After the contract had completed, professionals from the Union of Burma Applied Research Institute (UBARI) and individuals from the relevant factories were recruited as part-time lecturers. U Ko Ko from Sittaung Paper Mill and Dr. U May Aung from UBARI instructed the Pulp and Paper Technology. U Maung Maung (2) from UBARI also gave lectures of Petroleum Refining. Later, Dr. U Myint Han (UBARI) came to teach Polymer Chemistry part-time.
Afterwards, Master of Chemical Engineering programs were launched in 1968, led by U Khin Aung Kyi and Dr. Hla Myint. When Dr. Maung Maung Win returned from the United States with a doctorate, he was in charge of lecturing and thesis preparation. U Maung Maung (2) from UBARI and Dr. U Myo Thant Tin from Industry No. (1), Food Industry, also came to teach part-time. Due to insufficient lecturers, Daw Khin Swe Aye was also involved in the teaching.
A new academic system was introduced in 1964 and an engineering degree course would take six years. Starting from 2012, undergraduate classes were reopened at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Yangon Technological University. The first batch of reopened classes graduated in 2018.
On average, the department annually accepts 20 students for undergraduate program.
Department of Chemical Engineering aims to become a prestigious department in academic and researches. Since "Chemical Engineering for Better Living" is the motto of the department, our special mission is to develop professional and ethical chemical engineers who are beneficial to human beings and the environment.