The British Council at Rander House in the 1960s. ©

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The British Council is the United Kingdom's international cultural relations organisation founded in 1934. We have offices in 229 towns and cities in 110 countries and territories worldwide. We have been in Myanmar since 1946.

1946

British Council’s first representative arrives in Yangon and establishes office at 55 University Avenue.

1948

British Council opens new premises at Rander House accommodating a Library, Reading Room, Classrooms and combined Lecture Hall and Cinema.

1949

First branch library established at Moulmein Municipal Library. Further branch libraries follow in Taunggyi and Mandalay.

1966

British Council stops operations along with all other foreign cultural organisations. 

1978

British Council re-established as the Cultural Section of the British Embassy.

1996

British Council opens the Teaching Centre in Yangon.

1997

British Council opens in Mandalay.

1998

Together with the Embassy, the British Council helps establish the Millennium Centre network.

2005

British Council Library provides internet access to members for the first time.

Today

The British Council delivers its programmes across the country to create a vibrant, healthy and deep-rooted educational and cultural relationship which builds friendly knowledge and understanding between Myanmar and the UK.