5.3 Capacity building 5.3.1 Capacity building for LIRNEasia In the past, LIRNEasia worked with qualitative research partners such as CKS India, who would in turn subcontract with a local (Myanmarese) firm to do the local language moderation, translation/interpretation and respondent recruitment. But for the study on ICTs and gender, , LIRNEasia liased directly with Myanmar Survey Research (MSR), the field research agency, when carrying out the qualitative study, instead of having a third party such as CKS in the middle. The lack of a third party led to knowledge creation for LIRNEasia in terms of sample design and instrument design in a much more direct and thorough form than previously. Furthermore, capacity was built on an organizational level due to learning to use the Nvivo, a qualitative data analysis computer software. LIRNEasia staff are also taking a larger role in the conduct of an impact evaluation using the survey data. A large portion of the work in the latter stages of the analysis will be conducted by the LIRNEasia researchers under the guidance of Jorge Garcia Hombardos. 5.3.2 Capacity building for MIDO Phyu Phyu Thi, Research Director for MIDO joined LIRNEasia in the field during the quantitative research in both 2015 and 2016. Her capacity in all aspects of qualitative research was developed – including quality control, because she was tasked specifically with calling back randomly selected respondents to validate their answers. She also moderated the focus group discussions in the qualitative research on free and subsidized data. Other MIDO employees have also become more involved in the research conducted in Myanmar. Htaike Htaike Aung and Hnin Nu Nu Niang joined in the observation of fieldwork for the 2016 survey, and other staff also conducted the back checks on the survey (calling a randomly selected number of survey participants to verify their answers to survey questions, in order ensure quality of the field work teams). With LIRNEasia’s guidance MIDO staff also recruited participants for the free and subsidized data research (co-funded by Mozilla and Google) and also conducted the focus groups and provided translation services. MIDO staff also assisted in recruitment and testing for the BB QoSE testing under the guidance of LIRNEasia staff. MIDO’s communication officer, Myo Min Aung, is the contact point for LIRNEasia’s work in Myanmar and has worked with LIRNEasia staff to organize multiple dissemination events and courses. He has also worked on disseminating the 2016 survey research and has given interviews to media outlets at dissemination events. Prashanthi Weragoda (Senior Finance Manger, LIRNEasia) and Priyadarshini Liyanage (Account, LIRNEasia) spent a week in Yangon in April 2016 to conduct financial training for MIDO’s financial officer and senior staff. The finance experts assessed the status quo of financials on subjects such as petty cash, bank transactions, salaries, fixed assets. The importance of petty cash procedures were explained and forms handed over. The existing purchasing procedure was reviewed and changes were suggested. Cash management procedures were discussed with the finance officer. It was recommended that a professionally qualified accountant was hired and that a MIDO officer was trained on an accounting software. MIDO has subsequently reported that their financial officer had attended training on Quickbooks- an accounting software, and spoken of their intention to hire an accountant, at least one part time basis.