H.E Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Education, Malaysia and President of SEAMEO Council, visited Myanmar from 14 to 15 February 2009. He was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Mohd Zulkifli Mohammed, Under Secretary, Policy and International Relations Division, Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Senior Assistant Director, Education Policy and Research Division, Pn Zafidah Ismail, Special Officer to H.E Minister of Education, and Dr. Dato' Ahamad bin Sipon, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat.

H.E Dr Chan Nyein, Minister for Education, Myanmar, hosted a dinner for H.E Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on 14 February 2008 at the Traders Hotel. The dinner was preceded by a programme of traditional Myanmar music played with a harp.

During the course of his visit to Myanmar, H.E Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein paid a call on H.E Dr Chan Nyein, Minister for Education at SEAMEO CHAT at 09:15 hours on 15th February. After the call, H.E Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein planted a Gant Gaw (Mesua Ferrea) tree together with H.E Dr. Chan Nyein in the compound of SEAMEO CHAT.

At 10:30 hours, Daw Carole Ann Chit Tha, Acting Director of SEAMEO CHAT, gave a welcome address and power point presentation of the Centre's programmes and activities at the meeting room. H.E Dato' Seri HIshammuddin Tun Hussein delivered a speech in which he said that racial differentiation and cultural issues are everywhere but Southeast Asians manage to live with these and it is important to look at such diversity as a strength. He also mentioned about the changing landscape of the world and in such uncertain situation it is important to maintain our identity, and values, and it is the role of CHAT to make sure about that. He also made some suggestions to position the Centre with the Asian values in the context of history, tradition and culture and protect what have been invested on History and Tradition.

H.E Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and delegates left for Yangon Airport at 11:30 hours.