Myanmar Ministry of Science and Technology in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will upgrade two Myanmar universities, state media reported Tuesday.

The agreement covers upgrading the Technological Universities of Yangon and Mandalay, said the New Light of Myanmar.

The deal was signed between U Kyaw Swa Soe, Director General of the Higher Education Department and Masahiko Tanaka, Representative of JICA, here on Monday.

For the 5-year cooperation on technology between Myanmar and Japan, JICA will also provide the two universities with laboratory equipment.

Two research facilities will be built at Yangon Technological University.

Meanwhile, the Asia Specialty Education Center (ASEC) will be jointly set up in Nay Pyi Taw by the Department of Technical and Vocational Education under Myanmar's Ministry of Science and Technology and the Institute for Environmental Technology Promotion in Asia of Non-Profit Organization of Japan.

JICA will fund 2.5 billion yens (24.51 million US dollars) to help improve Myanmar's education status as part of its efforts to strengthen friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar, according to earlier reports.

The project covers improving quality of teacher education in the education college and building administration office.