Several sayas & alumni accepted to be Moderators of “RIT Updates” FB Group. They are Organizers, Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins, Technology & Education Experts and more.
In alphabetical order
U Aung Myaing, Saya (Okpo Maung Yin Maung)
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ)
U Ko Ko Kyi, Saya (Kenneth)
Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie)
U Moe Aung, Saya (Tekkatho Moe War)
U Myint Pe (Seik Kyee, Cartoon)
U Nyunt Htay, Saya (Ah Htet Min Hla)
U Ohn Khine (Gaing Gyi)
U San Lin (Maung Lu Pay)
San Lin
Dr. Soe Thein, Saya
U Thein Htut (Mandalay)
Thein Htut
U Thein Ngwe (Ko Thein Tokyo)
U Tin Aung Win (Oscar)
U Tin Lin, Saya (ChE)
U Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu)
U Wynn Htain Oo (Maung Mar Ga)
Provider of Photos, Info & Comments
Dr. Freddie Ba Hli, Saya (EE)
U Soe Paing, Saya (EE, UCC)
Allen Htay, Saya (C58)
U Myo Myint Sein, Saya (A58)
U San Tun, Saya )M59)
U Tin Htoon (A60)
U Aye (M62)
U Moe Aung, Saya (EE63)
U Myo Myint (EC67)
U Than Htut (M67)
U Htun Aung Kyaw, Saya (ChE68)
69ers
U Tin Aung Win (M69)
Frederick Thetgyi (M69)
Daw Tin Tin Myint, Sayama (ChE70)
U Myint Than (M71)
U Khin Maung Myint (M71)
M72 Group
Daw Tin Aye (C73)
Thanks to Saya U Moe Aung and EP/EC83 group for providing photos of the group’s Garawa.
Several classes (69, 70 & 71, 72, … 76, 77, 84, 87 & 91, …) used to have Reunion and/or PZPs.
Was offered as an Option by the Economics Department, Rangoon University.
Became a separate Department under the Faculty of Social Science
Later became a Department of the Institute of Economics.
Saw William Paw
Professor William Paw
During our University days, Professor William Paw was President of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). As Treasurer, I had to go to his office several times .
The earlier RUBC Presidents were Sir Arthur Eggar (founder), Commodore Than Pe, U Tun Thaung and Sithu U Tin.
He was also President of the RU Sports Council.
Dr. Khin Maung Kyi
He attended Rangoon University as a monk.
He is known for his debates and writings.
He taught at Commerce Department and later headed the Research Department.
He later taught in Malaysia and Singapore. I visited Saya in Singapore to hand over a parcel/present by Saya U Myo Min (UCC).
Dr. Khin Maung Kyawe (Jimmy)
It is his preferred spelling over “Kywe”.
I first met him when my cousin uncle Saya U Than Lwin (Eric, GBNF) took me to the Social Science Library. My uncle taught Economics and also served as Librarian. He would give rides to the sayas including Sayas Jimmy and Dr. Maung Shein.
I met him again in the mid 80’s as Head of BERB (Burma Education Research Bureau). I attended several meetings at BERB.
Dr. Mya Than
Dr. Mya Than & Daw Yee May Kaung
He taught at PBRS before going for postgrad overseas.
His spouse Daw Yee May Kaung is the younger daughter of Sithu U Kaung. She was the last Treasurer of Burma Research Society.
They moved to Singapore and later Thailand.
U Myo Min (UCC)
U Myo Min
He won medals for standing first in I.Com and also in B.Com. (Accounting).
He became a Chartered Account and worked for IBM UK.
Per request from his mother and Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe, he came back to Burma to help with the UCC Project. He co-founded UCC with Sayas Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing and U Ko Ko Lay. He taught classes at the Institute of Economics.
He later taught at Nangyang Technical Institute in Singapore and worked for Seagate Technologies & Connors in California, USA.
U Mya Thein & U Thein Oo
They transferred to UCC as Business Application Programmer/Analyst.
U Mya Thein (GBNF) retired as Manager of Business Applications. He also taught ITBMU.
U Thein is Founder & CEO of Ace Computers.
Commerce Graduate Association
Per request of Ko Kyi Soe and Ko Aung Myin, I helped with a course (Mathematics of Finance & related topics) conducted by Commerce Graduate Association (CGA).
U Chan Min
Uzin Chan Min
He represented Institute of Economics in Rowing and Chinlon.
He was the de facto leader for the Institute of Economics Rowing teams (including former President U Htin Kyaw).
He attended courses at UCC. He worked at EPC and later moved to USA.
After retirement, U Chan Min decided to become a monk. For the transition, he asked me to be a temporary monk with him for a week (or so).
He stays mostly at Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California. Per request from his brother Dr. Patheda Tin (NASA), Uzin spent vassa (waso retreat) at the Chan Myei Yeiktha in Springfield, Illinois.
Some of his former B.Com classmates include U Kun Pe (brother of Dr. Nyi Nyi), U Ohn Myint, U Kyi Khin, U Soe Myint (GBNF) and U Ye Myint (father of Zayanda).
Feedback by U Aye (M62) & Dr. Richard Yu Khin (MEHS61)
Prome Hall Soccer
For two successive years, the Prome Hall Football Team won the Championship at Rangoon University.
U Chan Tha (Class of 53) was Captain of the team. He is a Past Captain and Gold of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club).
Saya U Tin Swe (EE, Class of 53) was also a star player. Retired as Lecturer, EE Department, RIT.
Two athletic brothers (U Khin Si and U Tin Si) were members of the Champion team. They also were Tennis Doubles Champions at Rangoon University and at the National level.
The photo was scanned from a RUESU Annual Magazine by Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) for the “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”. Saya U Ba Than (M) and Saya U Thaw Kaung (retired Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library) were proud supporters and enablers for the project.
U Aye (M62) wrote :
In the photo of Prome Hall football team,
Extreme left standing- Jimmy Sein (U Tint Swe, C55, GBNF) Dy. DG of Vocational and Technical Schools. He was from St. Patrick’s HS, Mawlamyine.
Sitting extreme left- U Taik Ain (C54, GBNF), SE at PWD(CC), from Mudon. He was also a RU tennis champion. He passed away recently in 2020.
S. Mahindar (C52), Standing back row center, goalkeeper was from Moulmein. SE, PWD ( Retired). His younger brother B. Singh, was RU and Tennessarim division selected goalkeeper. B. Singh was my classmate at St. Patrick’s HS, Moulmein.
U Win Kyu (C52), SE, PWD (Retired). Sitting second from right. He was from Taunggyi.
U Thaung, (C55), SE, PWD ( Retired). Sitting extreme left, He was from Taunggyi.
Dr. Richard Yu Khin (MEHS61) wrote :
My father [U Yu Khin] was Warden of Prome Hall in 1946-1947 and their football team (green shirts) became my favorite.
In 1946, former President of Burma Peter Wun [UHtin Kyaw] was delivered by my mother [Dr.Daw Phay] at Prome Hall at our residence. Mrs. Wun and my mother were classmates at ABM (American Baptist Mission) High School in Mandalay.
The residences on Pagan Road was reserved for British in pre-war Burma. A few months before Independence on January 4, 1948, these residences became available to Burmese. U Wun (Minthuwun) had the residence in front of us which had the same floor plan. Dr. Maung Maung Kha‘s residence had the same floor plan as U Thein Han (Zawgyi). All of these two storey residences are built on one acre lots.
It is on this day 23rd April 1958 that I got married to my wife Khin Khin Htway (Flora) at the Strand Hotel. We stayed two nights with her parents and left for our honeymoon to Tokyo, Japan.
April 25, 1958
We arrived Tokyo 0n the 25th and was met at the airport by Mr Fonseka, Ceylon (now Siri Lanka) Ambassador to Japan. He was was a friend of my wife father when he was Ceylon Ambassador to Burma. He took us to a restaurant for lunch and later dropped us at a Hotel near the Imperial Palace.
April 26, 1958
The next day we took the high speed bullet train to Osaka to visit Mr Fukutomi who is a friend and was once an IBM Engineer in Burma. He lived in Takarazuka, a suburb of Osaka. He took us to see the famous Takarazuka Kabuki show performed by women artists only, the men parts were also performed by ladies and not a single men was involved in it.
Trips
We stayed one night in Osaka and then left for our trip to Kyoto, Nara,Yokohama, and Kamakura where there is a Huge BUDDHA sitting statue, it is also a popular beach resort and returned to Tokyo.
Back to Tokyo
In Tokyo we saw a modern topless show at Asakusa Theatre, did some shopping at Diamaru Department store and took a stroll on GINZA street.
We left Japan after three weeks of our memorable honeymoon in Japan.
Hong Kong
From Tokyo we flew to Hong Kong, we stayed at at the famous Peninsular Hotel on Kowloon side where the airport is.
One day while shopping in Hong Kong we met four Burmese gentlemen on the street and they were Executive Members of Rangoon Turf Club, they were in Hong Kong at the invitation of Hong Kong Turf Club. One of them, U Chit Khaing saw my wife in her longyi and came to talk to us, he then invited us for a cruise on the Hong Kong Harbour which the Hong Kong Turf Club had arranged for them in the evening. The cruise was during sunset and it was a beautiful ride relaxing on the boat, breathing the fresh air of Hong Kong Harbour and watching the colored lights of Skyscrapers opened one by one, twinkling on the hill. We returned to Rangoon the next day.
Blessed to be together for a long time
It is now more than six decades since our honeymoon in Japan and we are fortunate to be still together and is able to take care of each other.
AGTI (Associate of Government Technical Institute)
Graduated from RIT with Mechanical Engineering in 1983
Received MS from CSU (California State University)
Work Experience
Founder/President, Mechanical Solutions
Founder/President, iNapa Winery
Gatherings at iNapa Winery
With RIT Alumni
With RIT Alumni
With David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67, GBNF)
With David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67, Golden Sponsor of SPZP-2000)
Welcoming Dr. Aung Gyi & Metallurgical Engineering Sayas who had attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Daw EmmaWith Saya Dr. Aung Gyi, visiting Metallurgical Engineers and RIT Alumni
Welcoming Saya U Tin Myint (M80)
Welcoming Saya U Tin Myint (M80)
Quick Tour & Long Tour
Donated iNapa Wine for selected events (e.g 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles)
Alumni Organizations
Youngest of the Founding members of RIT Alumni International
RIT Alimni International
Organizer, SPZP-2000
SPZP-2000
Founding member and Past President of Norcal RITAA
NorCal 1NorCal 2NorCal 3
Family members
Father : U Kaung (GBNF) was Head of Mechanical Engineering Department at Insein GTI.
Spouse : Lillian Kaung (EC83)
Two sons
U Ko Ko Zin (AGTI, M84) is the spouse of Thida Kaung (Gordon’s younger sister). He is a founding member, Past Treasurer & VP of Norcal RITAA. He organized the visit to Asian Heritage Museum (where he is Chief Engineer).
Ko Ko Zin & Thida Kaung
Fire
iNapa Winery was lucky to escape the great Fire with slight damage. Gordon and Lillian had to spend three weeks in a hotel before they can return to their home.
iNapa Winery was not so lucky the next time. There was some damage, but with the help of alumni and friends, recovery was smooth.
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Chair of BOD (Board of Directors) and Daw Hnin Maung Maung (“Ma Ku”) hosted the face-to-face meeting on September 23, 2018.
The face-to-face meeting is usually held every quarter.
The next meeting will be held in early November by U Nyunt Than (M86, Joint Secretary) and Daw Htwe Htwe to prepare for the AGM (Annual General Meeting), where the election of the EC (Executive Committee) and BOD will take place.
Activities
An activity of NorCal RITAA is to provide scholarship (some prefer the terms stipend, grant and financial aid) to eligible YTU students.
Last year four YTU students were offered $1000 for a year and three YTU students were offered $500 for a year.
The current recipients should reapply the following years if (a) they have maintained good grades (b) they still need financial assistance.
U San Lin (M87) and family have pledged to support for one student a maximum of six years until graduation.
U San Lin (Rightmost)
Daw Mu Mu Kin, spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) has supported two students. She has pledged to support one student for the following year.
Daw Mu Mu Kin
U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, M83) and Daw Lillian Kaung (EC83), owners of iNapa Wine, have pledged to support one student for the following year.
Gordon & Lillian
Donations
U Thein Tun Aung (Dennis, EP76) donated $600 to the NorCal RITAA Scholarship fund.
Daw Kyu Kyu Lin (Bawlone, T75) donated $300 to the NorCal RITAA Scholarship fund.
Daw Khin Mya Yee (Sarah, C77) donated $200 to the NorCal RITAA General Fund.
King Wong (Victor, C66) donated $100 to the YTU Library Project via NorCal RITAA.
Saya Dr. Nyo Win (M65) donated $50 at the NorCal RITAA Summer Picnic.
NorCal RITAA presented appreciation award (plaque, certificate) to the major donors.
The list of donors is maintained by U Ko Ko Zin (M84), Treasurer.
Updates
Saya U Maung Maung (ChE66), Gordon Kaung (M83) & U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) are Past Presidents.
U Tin Maung Win (C86) is the President.
Stan Liou (M67) is Past Chair of BOD.
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) has been Chair of BOD for several terms.
During the pandemic, several activities were put on hold.
In 2023, activities resumed with the Annual Dinner.
2023
In 2024, NorCal RITAA celebrated the Centennial of Engg Education in Burma, and the 60th Anniversary of RIT. It also revamped the website.
Several sayas and senior alumni mentioned the difficulty of attending Dinner Gatherings.
NorCal RITAA will hold a special Lunch Gathering on August 16, 2025. The entertainment program will feature Tu Tu & Zayanda. The educational program will feature two Speakers.
HlaMin 