Membership
Membership in APSEM provides a platform for collaboration, shared learning, mutual recognition, and collective representation among self-governed, non-profit post-secondary education providers serving the people of Myanmar and the border areas.
Membership categories
APSEM offers five membership categories, each designed to accommodate institutions and organizations at different stages of development and engagement. Founding Members transition to Full or Associate by the end of 2028. Observer Members are encouraged to progress when ready. Affiliates/Partners operate under separate formal agreements.
Founding Membership
For institutions and programs that built APSEM — time-limited to 2026–2028
Full Membership
For established providers fully meeting all eligibility criteria
Associate Membership
For newer providers under 2 years, with the intent to progress to Full
Observer Membership
For interested parties not yet ready for Full or Associate membership
Affiliate/Partner
For external collaborators — NGOs, networks, research bodies, funders
Who is eligible
Membership is open to post-secondary education providers that, in brief:
- Work closely with the communities they represent and serve
- Are based in Myanmar, its border areas, or online, with a focus on students in and from Myanmar
- Maintain their own self-governing institutional or programme structures
- Are non-profit in purpose and operation
- Offer structured educational programs of at least six months in total duration per program cycle, delivered on a regular and recurring basis, providing secular education
- Target Grade-12 graduates or youths aged 16 and above, with primary beneficiaries being the population of Myanmar
- Share and actively support APSEM’s vision, mission, and guiding principles
The full eligibility criteria are provided with the application package. Contact the Secretariat Office to receive it.
Membership fees
Membership fees are a primary source of operational funding for APSEM. The fee structure is designed to be accessible and proportionate to the size and capacity of member institutions, reflecting APSEM’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
Full and Associate Member fee scale
| Institution size | Definition | Full Member fee (USD/yr) | Associate Member fee (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 1–50 students enrolled per cycle | 100 | 75 |
| Medium | 51–200 students enrolled per cycle | 200 | 150 |
| Large | 201+ students enrolled per cycle | 300 | 225 |
All fees are quoted in USD. Equivalent amounts in local currencies may be agreed with the Secretariat Office at the time of payment.
Fee waiver principle
No institution shall lose its membership status solely due to inability to pay fees, provided it communicates its situation to the Secretariat Office in good faith and in advance.
The Association is committed to ensuring that financial capacity is not a barrier to meaningful participation.
Founding Member fees
How to apply — five steps
All membership applications follow a consistent five-step process. The Secretariat Office coordinates each step and keeps all applicants informed of progress.
Expression of Interest
The applying institution contacts the Secretariat Office to express interest and receive the relevant Application Form and information package.
Application Submission
The institution completes and submits the Application Form with all required supporting documents, including evidence of eligibility and at least one endorsement from an existing member institution (for Full and Associate applicants).
Governing Board Review
The Secretariat Office presents the application to the Governing Board for review and assessment against the eligibility criteria. The Governing Board may request additional information or a consultation meeting with the applying institution.
General Assembly Recognition
Upon Governing Board approval, the new membership is presented to the General Assembly for official recognition at the next GA meeting.
Agreement Signed
The Secretariat Office coordinates the signing of the Initial Institutional Membership Agreement. Full formalization into a Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Agreement follows in due course.
Timeline
The Governing Board aims to complete its review of a completed application within 30 days of receipt. Applicants are notified of the outcome in writing within 7 days of the Governing Board’s decision. Official GA recognition occurs at the next scheduled GA meeting.
Rights and privileges summary
A consolidated overview of rights and privileges across all membership categories.
| Right / Privilege | Founding | Full | Associate | Observer | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA attendance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | By invitation | By invitation |
| Full voting rights | ✓ (2026–28) | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Limited voting rights | — | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Governing Board eligibility | ✓ (2026–28) | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Committee eligibility | ✓ (2026–28) | ✓ | ✓ | Consultation only | — |
| Full program access | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | Selected | Selected |
| Propose agenda items | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Formal recognition | ✓ (permanent) | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
✓ = Full entitlement | Partial = Limited access as defined by the Governing Board | — = Not applicable
Become an Affiliate/Partner
The Affiliate/Partner category is for external organizations — education networks, NGOs, research bodies, academic institutions, technical service providers, and funding agencies — that share APSEM’s mission and wish to collaborate with the Association on common goals. Affiliate/Partners are strategic collaborators, not institutional members, and hold no governance rights.
Organizations seeking Affiliate/Partner status shall:
- Express interest to the Secretariat Office through a written proposal or letter of intent describing the nature and purpose of the proposed collaboration
- Engage in a consultative discussion with the Secretariat Office and the relevant Committee to assess alignment and scope
- Co-develop and sign a formal Affiliation or Partnership Agreement — in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Agreement — with APSEM, defining scope, duration, mutual obligations, and expectations of the collaboration
- Have the Agreement reviewed and approved by the Governing Board
Affiliate/Partner status takes effect upon signing of the formal Agreement and Governing Board approval.
Ready to join the network?
Start with an expression of interest to the Secretariat Office — we will send you the Application Form and information package.