Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University & the First RU Students’ Strike in December 1920
Passed away on December 2nd, 2020 the day following the RU Centennial, but a few days before his Centennial Birthday on December 26th.
Obituary
Education & Experience
Graduate of Mandalay University, Rangoon University and Harvard University
Professor of Maths, RASU
Rector, MASU
Professor of Maths, RIT
Associate Dean, Assumption University, Bangkok
RU Sports Council
Leader, Burma Team to Tokyo Olympics
Family 1Family 2ConvocationInvitation
Birthday Celebrations
Saya celebrated his birthdays with his children, grand children and great grand children
U Ba Toke (Birthday)
Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char) interviewed Sayagyis. Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khine transcribed the tapes. The book was published by RU Thin Char Mi Thar Su as a birthday present for Sayagyi.
U Ba Toke (Book)Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char)Daw Myint Myint Khine
U Ba Than’s visits
U Ba Than, retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering, paid respect to his mentor Sayagyi U Ba Toke at least once every year.
The group photo was taken on one visit. Sayagyi’s daughter Pansy Thin (ChE74) provided transportation for Saya U Ba Than, Saya U Tin Htut and me.
U Ba Toke & U Ba Than
Saya Pu Zaw Pwes
Sayagyi attended RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes starting with the inaugural SPZP in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
Sayagyi missed a SPZP in Singapore due to Sayagadaw’s failing health.
Some are unfortunate to lose one or both parents in their youth.
Some are fortunate to have one or both parents in their 90’s and beyond.
A few had a parent over 100.
Mother of Ivan Lee (M69)
Ivan is a Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2000 & SPZP-2007. He is an early supporter of the first RIT web site. He is a major donor for the 69er Health Care Fund.
He lost his father when he was young. His mother raised the children and also managed to stay healthy beyond the Century mark.
Ivan e-mailed us when his mother turned 100. It had the birthday card sent to his mother from the 43rd US President George W. Bush.
Ivan e-mailed again when his mother turned 101. It had the birthday card sent to his mother from the 44th US President Barack Obama.
We heard sad news from Ivan the following year. His mother passed away at the age of 102. She was alert until the final days. She played two hours of Mah Jong daily.
Let Oo Saya လက်ဦးဆရာ
I am fortunate to have parents who lived beyond 80, but not fortunate enough to have them around to see and appreciate my posts.
My Parents
My beloved mother
She lost her mom a few days after her birth. She made up for her loss by giving her metta (unbounded love) and cetana to the children and grandchildren. She kept a list of all the birthdays and anniversaries, and would be usually the first to wish. Even though she had maids, she would get up early & prepare breakfast for us. She also supervised the homework of her children, nephews and nieces.
I paid homage to her in my Newsletter & Updates for SPZP-2000.
My beloved father
My beloved father
He was a youth when he was given only three months more to live by the then best doctors in Rangoon. He had a Near Death Experience. His younger brothers cried thinking that he had died.
My dad told his brothers : “I was walking happily along a bund when a holy man stopped me and said, “Young man, you have to do sasana work. Do not go beyond this point.” Sensing that I was reluctant to end my walk, the man pushed me.”
Luckily, an indigenous medicine man named “Ga Doke Saya Gyi” treated my dad and even parted some of his medical knowledge.
He built pagodas starting with Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Pagoda (ဓာတ်ပေါင်းစုံအောင်မင်းခေါင်စေတီ). His photo hangs in the Hall along with his grandparents who who bought the land where the pagoda was built.
He also helped renovate pagodas.
I paid homage to him in my Newsletter & Updates for SPZP-2000.
My parents
During my school days, they gave me 25 pyas as pocket money. They wanted to make sure that I study hard. They would give bonus prizes only when I excelled in the exams.
They provided us :
Remington English typewriter
Olympia Burmese typewriter
Dictionaries
Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan (Encyclopedia)
Reader’s Digest Magazine & Books
Student’s Companion
A book for Idioms
Grammar : Wren and Martin
King’s English : Fowler & Fowler
How and Why
Fun with Mathematics
Classics Illustrated
Junior Classics Illustrated
Bedin : Saya Maukဆရာမောက်
Palmistry : Cheiro
History : Second World War
Sports equipment
Bicycle
Scooter
Car
My beloved parents would have smiled to hear my grand daughter say, “Who’s your doctor? What happened?” after I returned from a clinic. She added, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. I love you.”
Two lovely grand children
She must have inherited the loving kindness of her great grand parents.
She won the Super Reader and Scholastic Achievement Awards. She loves Swimming, Soccer, Basketball, Singing, Playing music, Dancing and Painting.
My grand son is athletic. He plays competitive Soccer. He loves Cycling, Kung Fu, Basketball, Swimming, Piano and Video Games. He is sociable.
Poem and Song
I would like to share a poem and a variant of a song that I learnt in my youth.
Father (Poem)
Be kind to your father For when you were young Who loved you as friendly as he He caught the first accent That fell from your tongue And joined in the heavenly glee.
Be kind to your father For now he is old His hair intermingled with grey His footsteps are feeble Once fearless and bold Your father is passing away.
The version that we learned at school use archaic words like Thee, Thou, Thy and Locks. I have replaced them by the current usage : You, You, Your and Hair.
Mother (Song)
M is for the mercy she possesses O means only that she’s growing old T is for her tender sweet caresses H is for her heart of purest gold E means every thing she’s done to save me R means right and right she’ll always be
Put them all together They spell MOTHER A word that means a world to me.
M is for the million things she gave me O means that I owe her all I owe T is for the tears she shed to raise me H is for the hands that touch and hold E means every thing she taught me R means rare and special she’ll always be
Put them all together They spell MOTHER A word that means a world to me.
In some countries, there is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
For us, everyday is Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Parent’s Day.
Dear beloved parents, I’m sure you will be in the good abodes. I want to thank you for your unbounded love and for your belief “Every thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well”.
In the early days, there were no computers in Burma. IBM (International Business Machines) based in the USA and ICL (International Computers Limited) based in the UK had presence in Burma. Both companies were not ready to introduce computers to Burma. They were supposedly content with leasing unit-record equipment (calculators, tabulators, …) using punched cards (which were “reused” as wrappers of “zee thee htokes”). The companies maintained the machines with their staff. U Aung Khin was the IBM representative in Burma. U Kyaw Tha was the ICL representative in Burma. They were highly paid compared to the Government employees. Due to the policies then in place, IBM might not have “incentives” to introduce computers and computing technology to Burma.
In the early sixties, Saw McCarthy Gyaw (Burma Railways) wanted to “upgrade” to an ICL computer, but the Coup d’etat in 1962 and subsequent restriction of foreign currency exchange (and budget planning rules) “effectively derailed” the idea of “computerization in Burma”.
In the mid sixties, Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe) was Head of the Mathematics Department at IE (Institute of Economics). Saya Chit proposed the need of a computer for teaching and research to Saya Nyi Nyi (Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Secretary [Deputy Minister] of Education). Saya Nyi Nyi suggested the scope to be “extended” for a computer to serve the staff and selected students of the Universities and Institutes. Thus, the UCC Project was conceived”. Saya Chit later became Professor at Mathematics at RASU. Saya offered space at the Mathematics Department for the early volunteers of the UCC Project. Saya later obtained permission to use Mandalay Hall for use by the UCC Project before the UCC Building could be completed in Thamaing College Campus.
Saya Chit served as the Founder/Director of UCC. He initiated the academic and training programs. He stressed the importance of technology transfer, leapfrogging technology, knowledge sharing (internally and externally), and challenging the staff and students to try their best. Saya Chit requested Saya Paing (U Soe Paing) to help design and implement the UCC project. Saya Chit also inquired the mother of Saya Myo (U Myo Min), who was working at IBM UK after completing his CA (Chartered Accountant) if Saya Myo would be interested to come back to Burma and help with the UCC project. Saya Paing “recruited” his friend Saya Lay (U Ko Ko Lay, GBNF) to help with the UCC project in general and with the UCC Building Design and Implementation in particular.
It took a long time for UCC up and running. UNDP would be the Funding Agency. UNESCO would be the Executing Agency. Saya Paing’s articles can be downloaded from SCRIB-D.
Note : For several years, Saya Paing tried to recruit his top students — including my cousin U Thaung Lwin (EC66) — to help with the project and become the pioneer computer engineers.
U Thaung Lwin, who was “Top of his class”, received an offer to join IBM BURMA. It was Good News and Bad News. The Good News was that he was offered a reasonably high salary (based on the then salary of engineers joining the Government Departments). The Bad News was that he would have to wait a long time until the first computer was purchased and installed at the CSO Computer Section, He had to maintain the “leased” Unit Record Machines for several years.
Saya TAG (Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw, EC69) was the first and longest volunteer for the UCC Project. Saya Paing transferred from the Department of Electrical Engineering (EE) at RIT to UCC as Manager of the Systems Division. Saya Lay transferred from PWD to UCC. Saya Myo joined UCC. The three served as Managers for Systems, Operations, Applications (Scientific, Business …) .
I was fortunate enough to be a member of GENERATION ZERO along with my mentors and Saya TAG. Saya Paing left UCC in the eighties to pursue a career as Technical Adviser and Consultant for the UN projects in several countries. Saya has documented his experiences from the early States Scholarship in the USA to the UN assignments.
Since there are blanks to be filled in the history of UCC, DCS ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon), several people asked me to take the challenge or at the very least motivate others to share their experience and journey regarding IT in Burma. Relying on (a) my memory, which is reasonably good but imperfect, (b) my story telling skills which I inherited from my father, “THIN SAYA”, “MYIN SAYA”, and “KYAR SAYA”, (c) my training in “Communication and Leadership” from Toastmasters International to become a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster), (d) my experience as a freelance writer, editor, translator, editor, coach, mentor, I have tried my best to prepare material in the form of readable chunks. I am confident that other interested sayas and alumni will help enhance the document with photos and anecdotes.
GBNF
The following is a partial list of GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) from UCC. Some descriptions are brief. Some entries have been covered in detail in other posts.
Dr. Chit Swe — Founder-Director of UCC; Saya passed away in Sydney Australia in 2019
Dr. Chit Swe
Dr. Tin Maung — Succeeded Saya Chit as Director of UCC; During his tenure, Department of Computer Science & Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) with Saya as Rector were established.
U Ko Ko Lay — Co-founder of UCC; Saya served as Operations Manager, Scientific Applications Manager, Professor at DCS and ICST
U Aung Zaw — Wrote lecture guides and manuals with Saya Paing and me; Taught at UCC, CSO, Asssumption Univeristy and Sydney; Passed away in Sydney, Australia in 2021.
U Mya Thein — Transferred from the Department of Commerce, Institute of Economics to UCC as Business Applications Programmer; Retired as Business Applications Manager; Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST, but also at ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University).
U Kyaw Nyein — Scientific Applications Programmer; Taught Numerical Methods and/or Numerical Analysis; Joined UN; During a UN assignment, his team was relocated due to war/conflict in the area.
U Win Naing — Science Scholar; 1st batch of M.Sc. (CS) with Systems Option; Scientific Applications
U Hla Min (EP70) — Chief Operator; Attended post-graduate course in UK, where he met his beloved; Early casualty (passed away at the tender age of 30+).
U Soe Myint (M72) — Retired as Pro-Rector of ICST
U Khin Maung Aye (M73) — 1st batch of M.Sc. (CS) with Applications Option; Railways
U Myint Aung (Admin) — Would often drive the E-2000 ferry.
Daw Khin Lay Myint (Admin) — Joined UCC as Secretary; Became BC.
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) — Served in various capacities (Engineering, Teaching …); Passed away in Singapore while doing his Ph.D.
U Thein Tan — Attended M.Sc.; Close friend of U Zaw Tun.
U Aung Aung Thein — served in various capacities at UCC (Engineering, Teaching)
Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin — Ad hoc Tutor for Mathematics; Operator / Job Assembler; Transferred to SSB (Social Security Board) Computer Section.
Daw Win May Thaung — Operator / Job Assembler; Cousin: Ronnie Hla Maung (SPHS)
Daw Khin Mya Swe — M.Sc. (CS); Passed away in Lesotho
Daw Khin Toe Nyein — M.Sc. (CS); Classmate: Daw Pale (Pearl) Shein.
Daw Khin San Hlaing (Cynthia) — UCC Librarian.; M.Sc. (CS); Worked at (or attended) AIT; Passed away in Australia
Daw Nge Ma Than — Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST; Prisoner of Conscience; Spouse : U Myint Swe.
Daw Aye Aye Kyi — Operator / Job Assembler;Spouse: U Han Nyunt (SPHS)
U Maung Maung Gyi — Chief Operator
U Maung Maung Lay — Computer Operator
U Aung Myint — Computer Engineer
U Soe Thein — Business Applications Programmer
Courses at UCC
UCC Course
Saya Chit was Founder/Director of UCC and Professor of Mathematics Department at RASU. Saya Chit arranged UCC to conduct degree and post-graduate diploma courses under the aegis of the Department of Mathematics, RASU. UCC also conducted training courses for computer users. Several distinguished Professors from US, UK and Europe lectured at UCC as part of the “UCC Project”.
Saya Chit was succeeded as Director of UCC by Dr. Tin Maung (son of U Kar).
Academic courses
The courses given under the aegis of Department of Mathematics include :
M.Sc. (CS)
DAC
Courses for computer users
COC (Computer Orientation Course)
CPC (Computer Programming Course)
Elective for Honors and Post-graduate in other disciplines
Intensive training (e.g. for the Population Census Data Processing)
Special training (e.g. for those selected as State Scholars)
Planning (e.g. for departments intending to purchase computers)
Three Win Myint
There were three people at UCC (Universities’ Computer Center) named Win Myint.
Win Myint (1)
U Win Myint and U Maung Maung Lay
He was a High School Luyechun from Beik (Mergui). He was caught off guard when the then new Education System used the ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) to determine the admission to the Universities and Institutes. He found himself studying Philosophy along with others who supposedly had “low” ILA scores.
Instead of using the marks directly, the ILA uses a “distribution” of the marks for each subject and gives a score from 1 to 20. The ILA system helped students with balanced marks. By having marks in the top tier for each subject, a student can get a good score.
But a student with low marks in a subject (e.g. Burmese or English) would be penalized by the ILA system.
Philosophy is derived from Phil (love of) and Sophy (Wisdom). The highest degree is called Ph.D (Doctorate of Philosophy). It is ironic that students with low ILA scores were forced to major in Philosophy.
Ko Win Myint is an exception. He was determined to pursue a challenging career. Since he wanted to learn and work with computers, he enhanced his typing skills for both English and Burmese. It was a requirement for the position of Secretary at the newly formed UCC.
Grapevine says that his interview at PSC (Public Services Commission) was fast and smooth. When he said, “I am Bet Thar (or similar meaning ‘I am from Beik (Mergui)’”, the PSC Chairman who was from Beik validated Ko Win Myint’s appointment as Secretary.
He not only typed very fast, but he learned Computer Science and Applications quickly and proficiently. He became a programmer.
Win Myint (2)
He majored in Mathematics and received Masters.
He was from SLR Settlement and Land Record dept.
He got appointment in UCC as programmer and then got UNV post at PG.
Win Myint (3)
He operated the cyclostyle (Gestener). The lecture guides were printed mostly on Sittaung paper and some on the Ye Ni paper.
Lecture Guides
“Introduction to Computers”, “Introduction to Computer Programming” and several Guide Books were written by Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Zaw and me. We thank Ko Win Myint (1) and Ko Win Myint (3) for the production.
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :
I had a different story about getting a job. I had only done 8 month internship, one of the tutors in medicine was transferred out. When Saya U Ba Than asked whom the professors wanted to replace her, they asked for me. I was called in by the Rector about posting me as tutor. When I told him I could not join not having finished my internship, he was so upset that “You want to erase with your feet, what I has written by hand”. I was made to report for duty. I went back and with the professor’s permission, I returned to finish my internship to get my medical registration.
Soon, my friends and I had to go for interview with PSC. The Chairman of PSC was U Khin Maung Phyu. Both he and Dr U Ba Than were classmates with my father. As I went in U Ba Than said to U Khin Maung Phyu, “Ko Khin Maung Phyu, he is Ko Kyaw Myint’s son and I have already posted him to Department of Medicine.” U Khin Maung Phyu said, “How is your father?” I replied that my father was good. Then he said that I could go !!! Must be the shortest interview in PSC.
History
I love history including History of Computing and History of Myanmar Engineering Education.
Why should we study History? Dr. Than Tun said, “So that one would not be stupid or dumb.” There’s an old adage, “History repeats itself”.
A historian presents facts. He should not give his opinion.
The historian from Smithsonian said, “There is no single correct history. There are often multiple competing histories.”
I am grateful to my spouse, who said “You should pay back to your alma mater and your country.”
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) said that I should record my oral stories and put them to print for posterity. UCSY sayamas requested me to write for 30th Anniversary of ICST/UCSY.
My beloved parents said, “Any thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well”.
I have shared my memories about the early days of Computing in Burma.
I am revising the posts.
I hope that the readers will help “fill in the blanks” and correct errors and inconsistencies. Collectively, we can turn the posts into a reasonably good document worthy of printing (or at least publish as an e-book).
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :
When we conducted the Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Study, the data analysis was from me at UCC. Ko Ronnie Myo Min and many UCC staff helped us with the data analysis.
Dr. TOKM added :
The next project we did was “Risk Approach in Delivery of MCH Care”. We did a prospective study on the risk of mothers dying during pregnancy and child birth. As the outcome was measured by “relative risk” and “absolute risk” it was much easier to analyse the data.
Our team used 1MB handheld Sinclair computer for our study. Our team did not have monitors nor printers. Your nephew Peter (Khin Tun) worked out RR and AR on Sinclair, read the result on Saya U Tin U’s old TV and copied out the results by hand. Peter still had a copy of the final report. I left my copy at home and got lost.
UCC Gatherings
Over the years, I attended several mini-gatherings and gatherings hosted by UCC sayas and alumni.
Yangon
Saya U Soe Paing regular hosts gatherings (usually dinner meeting) at his house. Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my class mate. She also attended CPC course.
U Thein Oo, Daw Than Than Tint, Daw Tin May Lwin and several others help organize the gatherings.
U Thein Oo, U Htin Kyaw, U Aung Aung and several others provided us transportation to or from Saya Paing’s house.
UCC 40th Anniversary Gathering
It was the Reunion of Staff, Teachers (Past and Present) and Students.
Daw Ngwe Tin, Aye Aye Myint and sisters, Maung Myint, who maintained the UCC building rooms were among the attendees.
Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was represented by Sayagadaw and Saya’s daughter.
There was fun and laughter, music and dances, and good old memories.
Daw Khin Lay Myint joined UCC as Secretary and then worked as Administrator Officer. She is now GBNF.
U Soe Myint (M72) joined UCC as Operator. He served as Shift Lead, expert in Mechanical Drawing and AutoCAD, and retired as Pro-Rector of ICST. He is also GBNF.
UCSY Gathering
In January 14, 2018, I attended the 5th UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe as “Generation Zero” representative and the “Most Senior” (not by age). Several attendees started their studies and/or careers at UCC.
Sao Yan Naing, son of Dr. Saw Naing (SPHS59), gave me a ride to the Pu Zaw Pwe. He is a nephew of Dr Myo Khin & a cousin of Soe Lin Maung (UCC).
Sydney in 2006
During my visit to Sydney in 2006, I met several UCC alumni.
Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and Daw Kyawt organized a Reunion and mini-PZP for Saya Dr. F Ba Hla (GBNF) & Saya Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF). They were helped by U Sein Myint Maung & Daw Khin Aye Mu, U Htay Aung (Victor) & Daw Tin Tin Hlaing to name a few. I met Daw Thanda Htwe and “UCC Pha Yaung Daing”.
U Sein Tin hosted a dinner and also created a short music video.
USA
Dr. Raiful Ahad (Fremont), U Khin Zaw (Cupertino), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) and Daw Thida Khin (Fremont), U Sein Myint (EC76) & Daw Sao Mon Sint (New Jersey) and U Toung (EC69, Connecticut) hosted UCC gatherings (especially to welcome and alumni visiting US).
Ivan Lee (M69) hosts an annual joint gathering for UCC and RIT sayas and alumni at his home in New Jersey.
Singapore
U Tin Aung Win (C80), U Zaw Tun and Daw Pale Shein organized buffet gathering. U Aung Aung, & Daw Kyin Mya are regulars at the gatherings.
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) is GBNF.
Some (e.g. U Win Latt, Daw Myint Myint Thein) have moved from Singapore.
Activities
Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
U Saung Tin (CSO) and U Thein Oo are excellent players.
Volleyball
Rafiul Ahad (who was 3rd in Burma in Hurdles) hurt his knee. Daw Nwe Nwe Win (Judy) is often the sixth member of an all-male team.
Soccer
UCC team (including Saya U Ko Ko Lay & U Kyaw Nyein) played against other teams in and around Hlaing Campus.
UCC Dobat
U Win Hlaing played the Dobat. Others (e.g. Maung Myint, U Hla Pe) would play Wah Let Khote (bamboo clapper) and Ya Gwin.
Donlaba
UCC used to celebrate Thingyan and Su Paung Donlaba.
Dr. Chit Swe, Win Maung, Hla Min, Tun Aung Gyaw, Soe Myint, Khin Maung Aye, Daw Khin Khin Latt
UCC had a Su Paung Donlaba for several years at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung and other monasteries.
The Donlaba monks would be offered Soon at the UCC Thingyan.
There would also be Water Throwing and occasionally “Ye Pet Khan” to selected mandats.
Ad Hoc Trips
U Aung Zaw led some trips (e.g. to Maw Tin Zun).
Soul Mates
Some found their soul mates while working or studying at UCC.
Aung Aung & Kyin Mya
Aung Myint Oo & Thida Khin
Boe Ba Shan & Phyu Phyu Win
Kyaw Zwa Than (Jaws) & Khin Khin Kyu (K-cube)
Htay Aung & Tin Tin Hlaing
Myint Oo & Tin Tin Hla
Myint Swe & Nge Ma Ma Than
Myint Zaw & Nwe Nwe Win (Judy)
Sein Myint (Bei Gyi) & Sao Mon Sint (Cindy)
Sein Myint Maung & Khin Aye Mu
Soe Than & Wai Wai Than
Than Maung Maung & Khin Si Thoung
Thaung Tin & Tin Tin Aye
Thein Oo & Than Than Tint
Win Hlaing & Thida Kyi
Win Myint & Nu Nu Aung
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) wrote :
Ko Soe Myint Gyi was one of the very humble people I have ever known. He spoke very soft, never see him angry nor heard him raise his voice. Even though I am some years junior to him (he’s M72 and me EC76) he always treated me with dignity and respect. I really miss him, may his beautiful soul rest in peace.
Anniversary Soon Kway
U Thein Oo and Daw Than Than Tint Soon Kway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Kayung Daik.
Attendees include
Saya U Soe Paing and Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69)
U Myint Swe
Daw Tin Moe We (Sweetie)
Daw Myint Myint Thein (Susan)
Soon Kyway
Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (GBNF)
He matriculated from SPHS in 1968. Hewas admitted as Roll Number One to 1st BE. He was selected RIT Luyechun.
He graduated among the top of the EP74 class.
He studied Computer Science at UCC.
He received a Ph.D. in EE from Syaracuse University, New York.
His final job was as Part Time Professor at San Jose State University (SJSU).
He used the spare time for his hobbies : (a) Tinkering old cars (b) Painting (c) Cooking (d) Stock Market (e) Writing movie scripts
He did not miss a class. When he did not show up for a few classes, the students were alarmed and requested SJSU authorities to check his home. They found the doors locked. After a few days, they broke in to find him lifeless on his bed. Postmortem indicated an aneurysm.
Since he was single and had no next-o-kin in the USA, SJSU asked the Burmese Community to help. Members of the “RIT Alumni International” and BAPS helped with the fund raising for the final journey of HLN.
I was honored to push the incinerator, and later to scatter the ashes in the ocean. There was no next-of-kin of HLN in the USA. KMZ remembered that Kyaw Swa Than (Jaws, UCC) was HLN’s cousin. The missing link was supplied by some alumni (including Ko Ko Kyi). KMZ set up special web page for HLN. My poem was also posted there. I wrote about HLN’s Sea Burial for BAPS Newsletter.
HLN Memorial Pages
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, KMZ) set up the “HLN Memorial Pages” in the ex-RIT web site (which is now defunct). I wrote a poem “HTAY LWIN NYO“.
BAPS Newsletter
I also wrote “A Sea Burial for Professor Htay Lwin Nyo” for the BAPS Newsletter and the RIT web site.
Ko Ko Kyi (EC72) wrote :
Ko Hla Min, sad to read about Htay Lwin Nyo’s sea burial. I played a small part in notifying his first cousin Myo San Than in Toronto, when my brother called me from Birmingham, UK and informed me about HLN’s demise. Apparently, someone from California had contacted a friend of my brother’s and asked him to inform me, as he knew that HLN had a cousin living in Toronto. I informed HLN’s cousin Myo San Than, who called his elder brother living in Winnipeg, Canada. Subsequently, this cousin went to the US for HLN’s funeral. HLN was a good friend of mine, although he was two years my junior at RIT.
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
I was actually a former classmate of HLN’s younger brother Aung Lwin Nyo in St. Paul’s High School [SPHS (6) Botataung]. All their brothers were OPs, HLN was 2 years senior to us, Old Paulians. I did not know HLN that well until we met again, the third time, at UCC. Of course he was part of our rival group while at RIT. Both of us ended up in US, he was several years earlier than me.
We met again when he moved to West Coast, namely San Jose, California while I was in Seattle. We visited him in San Jose, went Yosemite among other places, he visited us in Seattle, went up to Vancouver, Canada. Couple of years moved, he became upset with me for a reason unknown to me at the time, refused to take my calls. I eventually met him on one of my visits to California, forced him to tell me why he did not want to talk to me any longer. According to him, there were some rumors back in Yangon about his demise, his parents were very upset and he surmise that it could have been me who spread these rumors. I had to swear to him that those were nothing to do with me at all, as I lost contact with everyone, family and friends, back in Burma at that time.
So one could imagine my despair when I received a call, a year or so later, from Maurice Chee (M75) that HLN was found dead in his apartment, asking me if I knew him and also requested me to make an announcement on www,ex-rit,org site. I had to explain Maurice the background story, told him I would not do so until I have a solid information. I ended up calling HLN’s head of department at SJSU, San Jose State University. She assured me that they went to HLN’s apartment, broke it inside with the help of the Police. Sad news indeed. While Maurice Chee, Ko Banny Tan (M70), U Hla Min and RIT Alumni at BAPS, Bay Area alumni group, started working on the funeral, I called a friend, HLN’s cousin, in Manitoba, Canada, Kyaw Zwa Than (ex-UCC), to get the contact of HLN’s family back in Rangoon. I finally spoke with the elder brother, Ko Kyaw Lwin Nyo, who requested us to proceed with the funeral.
PS: I met HLN’s elder brother for the first time, this passed November 2018, at the OPA, Old Paulians’ Association, dinner. My OP friends told me that Aung Lwin Nyo met similar fate, passed away while in his bed some years back. Myo San Than (as mentioned in U Ko Ko Kyi’s comment) is the younger brother of Kyaw Zwa Than. KZT’s family : KZT, his wife KCube (Khin Khin Kyi) and their two sons, Alex and Nicholas, have since moved to Denver, Colorado, USA.
Daw Nge Ma Ma Than (GBNF)
Ma Nge (Theresa, GBNF) is the youngest child of U Aung Than (brother of Boyoke Aung San & Arzanee U Ba Win).
She matriculated from MEHS.
She graduated from RASU.
She studied and taught at UCC, DCS and ICST.
At UCC, she and Judy (Nwe Nwe Win) were considered as “UCC Twins”. Grapevine says that some guy approached them and gave each a copy of his “Yee Zar Sar” (love letter).
She found her love life U Myint Swe (ex-UCC).
During the Adhamma Era, she, her brother and U Myint Swe were detained by the higher authorities.
She became a Prisoner of Conscience.
I last met her at the 5th Acariya Puzaw Pwe of ICST.
Her health declined, but she kept on smiling. She did not complain about the aches and pains.
U Myint Swe reported the journal of her hospitalization and medical treatment.
Even in her final days, her thoughts were with former Prisoners of Conscience.
Ma Nge at the hospitalMa Nge and her cousin
U Soe Myint (M72, GBNF)
M72 friends call him “Phone Gyi Soe Myint”. At UCC, he is known as “Sunlun Soe Myint”.
His father U Thein Nyunt (Retired Secretary of Religious Affairs) was a friend and an early devotee of Sayadaw U Vinaya. U Soe Myint also served as Kappiya from his younger days.
He came to see me during my last visit and shared his knowledge about U Lokanatha (Italian American monk) and how he provided financial support to buy the land for Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung. He gave me a “Chone Hte” (for monk) to take back to the US.
On a subsequent visit to Yangon, we were sad to learn of his untimely demise.
On the fateful day, he made two trips to the Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung monastery, because he forgot his donation on his first trip. He also visited his nephew & niece who were having dialysis treatment. May be because of his karma or because of the trips he took that day, he passed away around 3 AM.
Four Decade Old Photo
Win Hlaing
Henry Maung Maung (Census, GBNF)
Kyu Kyu Lwin (GBNF)
Khin Si Thoung (Busi Baung – USA)
Khin Khin Win (Five Star Line – USA)
Phyu Phyu Win (Singapore)
Win May Thaung (GBNF)
Tin Tin Yi (Port Authority)
Hla Hla Win (Wa – GBNF)
Aung Myint (AM, GBNF)
Soe Myint (Sunlun, M72, GBNF)
Seven of the eleven in the photo are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
Annotation by KMZ, AM, Judy, Sweetie
Epilog
Computer Science and Technology is continually evolving.
There are two (or more) early definitions of Computer Science.
Computer Science is the study of phenomena surrounding Computing.
Computer Science is the study of Algorithms and Data Structures.
The first definition has the same flavor as a definition of Physics. It is general to say, “Physics is the study of natural phenomena.”
The second definition might sound restrictive, but it still covers a lot of topics and application.
There is a book called “PROGRAM = ALGORITHMS + DATA STRUCTURES”.
Professor Donald Knuth (Stanford University) thought that he could finish his 7-volume book “THE ART OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING” in a couple of years. It was an under-estimate of the growth of Computers, Computer Science and Applications. It took over two decades to complete and revise the first three volumes and part of the fourth volume. One reason was that his book contributed to the growth of the Design and Analysis of Algorithms.
I have covered some topics in the early days of Computing in general and UCC in particular.
I missed out several people. I mentioned many names, but did not elaborate on some of them.
I did not cover in-depth the PDP configuration and use, the introduction of PCs, and robots.
It would take a long time and I would not be able to fill in all the blanks.
I believe an idea that characterizes Jules Verne. “If one can dream, others can fulfill”.
I had a personal experience to support that idea. In 1999, I started “RIT International Newsletter” and dreamed that sayas and alumni will get reconnected electronically and physically. With the help of sponsors (including five Golden Sponsors), able and dedicated sayas and alumni, volunteers, supporters and well-wishers, the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) was held in San Francisco in October 2000. The world-wide SPZPs were subsequently held in Singapore in 2002, 2007 and 2010, and in Yangon in 2004, 2012 and 2016.
I have paid back to RIT.
I am now paying back to UCC, DCS and ICST.
Thanks to my family members for supporting me in the endeavors to pay back to the institutions and my mentors that helped me develop to where I am today.
I am confident that sayas and alumni of UCC, ICST & UCSY will enhance my posts into a document that historians will envy.
Served as Foreign Minister, Brigadier of a Reserve Army, Journalist and Publisher.
Perished when a bomb (placed under his car) exploded. There were investigations, but no conclusive results were reported.
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint posted photos and articles about his Ba Gyi (e.g. The Empty Tomb).
“Ba Gyi Aung Nyar Dei” (a famous short story by Minthuwun (Saya U Wun) has implicit references to U Tin Tut.
U Kyaw Myint
U Kyaw Myint
Barrister, Judge of Supreme Court, Head of Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Politician, Head of private Law firm that defended several people accused by the BSPP government).
Stood first in Burma from Central with distinctions in all subjects. Sadly, he was expelled from the University of Rangoon for attending his mother’s funeral and earned the ire of the Principal and his father. His saga is recounted in a series of posts by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint.
Dhamma friend of my beloved parents. They built Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung pagoda and supported “Mon” Sayadaw U Thilawanta.
Brief Bio of U Kyaw Myint
U Myint Thein
Chief Justice of the Union of Burma
On March 2, 1962, a Coup D’etat took place. Arrested along the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, several Sawbwas and high ranking officials. During his detainment, he was allowed only one day off to attend the funeral of his spouse Daw Phwa Hmi (an early Burmese female to be called to the Bar in the UK).
Ambassador to China
Outstanding author and translator
Pen name : “MMT” (for Maung Myint Thein). His works were heavily censored.
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Htin Aung
Principal of Rangoon College
First native Rector of the Rangoon University
Prolific writer covering history, folklore and several topics
“Burmese Drama” & “Thirty Burmese Tales” were prescribed texts
Daw Khin MyaMu
Lecturer in Burmese
Thamadu Myo Win (family court judge)
Expert in Kyauk Sar (stone inscriptions)
Spouse : Professor U E Maung
Her handwritten manuscripts were not published due to lack of fonts, and were ultimately lost
Daw Khin Saw Mu
Daw Khin Saw Mu
Early student of Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin
Khit San Poet
Spouse : ICS U Ba Tint
Children : Daw Khin Saw Tint (RIT English, bilingual writer) and U Nay Oke Tint (St. Paul’s, TED-x InyaLake speaker, successful tuition saya, Chair of the Myanmar Board for organizing the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival)
Maurice Chee (M75) organized a Birthday Soon Kyway at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay on August 20, 2016.
He prepared electronic & hard copy of the birthday wishes.
Awards & Birthday Cards
Another set was for attendees, who had not sent wishes by e-mail.
Thanks to the sayas, colleagues and friends for a memorable gathering.
Appreciation from Alumni in US & Canada
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi could not attend the soonkyway, but he requested Maurice to donate a food dish for him & his family. Sayagyi’s message was read by Maurice.
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the appreciation award at Half Moon Bay soonkwyay and gathering.
Appreciation Award
From NorCal RITAA Dinner in Dec 2016
Alumni Appreciation Award was signed by Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair, BOD), Gordon Kaung (M83, President) and U Thaung Nyunt (M87, Secretary).
Award 2
Saya U Myat Htoo presented the award to me at the NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner, 2016.
From SPHS in 1963
There were five Paulians in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty. They received Collegiate Scholarship.
SPHS63
Dr. Khin Maung U (Retired from FDA, USA) – 1st
Dr. Min Oo (Retired Maths Professor in Canada) – 2nd
Dr. Myo San (Freddie, Surgeon, GBNF) – 3rd
Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor, Professor in IM & Malaysia) – 4th
Dr. Thein Wai (Migrated to USA after graduation) – 5th
U Hla Min (Retired Software Engineer) – 7th
7th place
Dr. Aung Kyaw Zaw (Cardiologist) – 9th
U Maung Maung Kyi (Dip Ing, GBNF) – 11th
U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69, GBNF) – 13th
Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, Retired Doctor in UK) – 17th
From Toastmasters International
DTM 1DTM 2Hall of Fame
Awards
CC (Competent Communicator)
ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze)
ACS (Advanced Communicator Silver)
ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold)
CL (Competent Leader)
ALB (Advanced Leader Bronze)
ALS (Advanced Leader Silver)
DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)
I served as
Club Officer
Area Governor
Club Coach
Contest Chair
Ambassador
Guest Speaker
Test Speaker
Team Builder (for Excellent Leadership)
MP3 players
Mug & CD Player
Dhamma Talks & Lectures
Received MP3 player with dhamma talks from U Khin Maung Tun, SDYF President at 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Also received MP3 players from
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt
My sisters
Dhamma friends
Each player has Paritta Pali (protective verses) and dhamma talks by different sayadaws.
From my Life Savers
Coffee mug with photos
My beloved grandchildren gave it as present for Grand Father’s Day
Books
Dhamma & Bawa
For writing,translating, editing or proof-reading
I edited or proof-read books written by
Sayadaws (U Silananda, U Jotalankara)
Sayas (Des Rodgers)
Friends (U Aung Zaw).
They provided me copies of their books.
Book Presents
I received books from others. They include
“Life Journey of Maths Professor U Ba Toke” : autographed copy
U Ba Toke
“Myanmar in my life-time” by BBS U Khin Zaw — air mailed from Australia by U Wint Khin Zaw
Book by U Khin Zaw
Book honoring Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint — air mailed from Australia by Dr. TOKM
TOKM
Centennial for U Khin Maung Latt & Daw Khin Myo Chit — Two books by Junior Win
Books by U Ye Sint (former Editor of Dhammananda Newsletter) : His works; Pathan Dethana (Dhamma Dana by his siblings)
U Kesala (Chief Resident monk, Alodaw Pyie Monastery in Arizona) : Dhamma Q&A; Several other books
“Nga Doh Khit Ka Tekkatho” by Shwe Ky May Hnin — Given to me at San Francisco Bay Area Talk
Book by Shwe Ku May Hnin
Books by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) —Collection of Poems; Collection of Articles
Saya Moe
Book by Saya U Nyunt Htay — Collection of Swel Daw Poems
RIT Poets
Books by Nyan Oo Maung (aka Mudita Shwe Kyaung Sayadaw U Nyanika)
Books by various sayadaws in Bay Area & beyond : Beelin Sayadaw, U Dhammapiya, U Gosita, Dhamma Bheri Sayadaw, Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw, Thamanay Kyaw
Books by Dr. San Oo, Daw Than Yi and family
“Yahandar and Poke Ko Htoo Myar” by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing — in the 80’s for translating several of his “Dhamma Duta” articles
Books by Sayawun Tin Shwe — Given by his daughter Tyn Tyn Aye during her UCC studies
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) mailed me two books that he bought in Myanmar : U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin, Collection Bagan poems (by Zawgyi, translated by Ah May Thar).
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt believes in a revolving library. Gave me several books that he enjoyed reading.
8-8-88 by Dat Pone Htein Win — Received at 5th ILF
Books by Members of Professional Spakers Association (PSA) : Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing, Kaythri Kyaw …
Publications
Contributing Editor for “90th Anniversary Issue of the Founding of RUBC” (2013)
Wrote articles and/ or poems for
Guardian
Working People’s Daily
Forward Magazine
Veda Magazine
Pan Magazine
Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
Encyclopedia
BAPS Newsletter
RIT Alumni Newsletter (Special issue for SPZP-2000)
Newsletter
“Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
SDY Sar Saung
“Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” for Shwe YaDu
SDY Magazine
U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement for HMEE-2012.
CDs
Received raw and formal CDs and DVDs for the various RIT Gatherings.
HlaMin 