During his RIT days, he was known as Hla Myint Thein.
Per advice from his paternal uncle Saya U Win Kyaing, he took Mechanical Engineering.
Graduated in 1975.
Singapore & USA
Worked in Singapore before moving to USA.
Activities
Founding member of RIT Alumni International, which organized the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP.
Wore multiple hats at SPZP-2000
Co-Chair of the Working Committee (with Benny Tan)
Financial Controller
Logistics Chief
Publisher of commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter
Past President of BAPS. During his tenure, he used his culinary skills to host lunch meetings. His ancestors ran a top rated restaurant. He learned the recipe for Dan Bauk from his father, and has improved it. He would use different meat for his Dan Bauk.
Founding member & Past VP of NorCal RIT Alumni Association
Gave a seminar (e.g. on PE) at Mechanical Engineering Department, YTU
Donated books. Helped others (Daw Mu Mu Kin & Victor Wong) to donate books to YTU
With the help of some YTU sayas, he helped find eligible recipients for the scholarship offered by Daw Mu Mu Kin.
Mg Mar Ga wrote:
တကယ်အားကိုးရတဲ့ကျောင်းတော်သားပါ
Updates
Lost his father U Wah Kyu in September 2015
Lost his mother-in-law in September 2019
Lost his mother Daw Khin Khin Hla in September 2026
Memories
SF Bay Area Alumni
Meetings & Gatherings at Benny’s house
Welcome Sayas & Alumni to the SF Bay Area
SF Bay Area AlumniGathering at Benny’s houseGathering 2Gathering 3Gathering 4
SPZP-2000
Co-Chair, Working Committee
Several Subcommittees
SPZP-2000
M75
Reunion & fundraiser in Yangon
M75
Saya U Ba Than
Paid respect to Saya at Winner Inn
With Saya U Ba Than
Reunion of SPZP Organizers
KMZ visiting from Washington State
Benny enjoying retirement after three successful careers
Sea Food Restaurant
SF Bay Area Soon Kwyay
Hayward Kyaung (picture)
Also, Half Moon Bay Kyaung (for Maurice’s retirement, Kuto dana for Maurice’s dad)
Saya U Lin became the latest Tone Kyaw when Mg Mar Ga mistakenly posted that he (instead of Saya U Lay Aung M64) had passed away.
U Han Sein (C69)
U Han Sein
He represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo, Diving & Basketball.
In 1999, the 69ers organized a Reunion and Pu Zaw Pwe for the 30th Anniversary of Graduation. The organizers compiled an address / phone book for the 69ers and also listed GBNF. He was inadvertently listed as GBNF.
Only close friends knew that he was whisked away by Adhamma authorities and sentenced to 20 years in a kangaroo court for his involvement in 8-8-88 related activities. He was released after 17 years when “Lut Nyein Chan Thar Kwint လွတ်ငြိမ်းချမ်းသာခွင့်” was proclaimed.
He was a Tone Kyaw. He suffered losses & relations during and after his imprisonment.
He did not lose heart. He attended 69er gatherings regularly and served as photographer. He tried out camera tricks (e.g. creating twins) and posts the photos on the RIT69ers FB page.
He is active as Leader (“A Pho Gyi အဖိုးကြီး”) for the social & religious activities in the Latha လသာ area.
His birthday is on May 24.
He succumbed to Covid in 2020.
Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63)
Dr. Tin Hlaing
Joined Mechanical Engineering Department in 1963.
His friends called him “Byte” Tin Hlaing or “R” Tin Hlaing, since there was a senior Saya U Tin Hlaing (M59, GBNF) who headed the Agri Engineering sub-Department.
The elder saya passed away untimely because he could not get access to the two dialysis machines (reserved for VIP) and he could not get passport / visa in time to get medical treatment abroad. Those were the days.
Dr. Tin Hlaing moved to Singapore. He co-chaired SPZP-2002.
A few years ago, he became a Tone Kyaw. Another Dr. Tin Hlaing (Marine Technology) passed away in Singapore. A few alumni sent condolences to Saya.
Hla Min
U Hla Min
My name sake matriculated from St Paul’s High School in 1964 and graduated with EE in 1970. He was one year junior to me at SPHS and RIT. He joined UCC as Chief Operator (CO). He taught Programming at Worker’s College.
He appeared healthy and strong, but unfortunately he passed away at the tender age of 30+.
During his hospitalization, he was taken care of by his former classmate Dr. Min Lwin (SPHS64).
Many were not aware that there were two Hla Min (Old Paulian, RIT alumni, UCC employee/saya).
Two government departments — Coop သမဝါယမ Training School, Trade ကုန်သွယ်ရေး Training School, where I had given guest lectures — inquired UCC how they can send “Lwan Thuu Pann Khwe လွမ်းသူ့ပန်းခွေ wreath) for me.
We went to Kyandaw ကြံတော Cemetery for Ko Pauk Si’s Last Journey. He earned the nickname at SPHS, because he would eat Pauk Si ပေါက်စီ from the vendor who had borrowed money from his father and did not pay back in cash.
Moe Hein (Ajala, ChE69, who represented RIT in swimming & water polo) looked at me as if I was a Ghost. He said, “I had taken the day off to bid you farewell. I did not hear any news from your brother (who worked at DI/HIC) and felt sorry for you. If I don’t show up, there might not be people at your funeral.”
Those who are young might not have heard about the Nigerian rabble-rouser / trouble maker named Ajala. Moe Hein, with his loud voice, can overwhelm supporters from other teams in the Inter-Institute tournaments.
Tin Tun & Tin Htoon
This is not a case of Tone Kyaw. It caused some confusion.
A Burmese name may be spelled differently in English. e.g Tun, Htun & Htoon for ထွန်း
Ko Tin Tun, who married U Tin Htoon’s niece (Aye Aye Khin), passed away in Yangon on the morning of May 22, 2020.
Saya U Thein Tan (C64) and Ko Sann Tun Ni (Sushi owner) asked for clarification. They were relieved to find out that it was not U Tin Htoon (Past Captain and Gold of RUBC, Goenka’s devotee / organizer).
SPHS classmate in Std VIIIA, IXA and XA. He was among the youngest, but also the brightest.
We were in different sections in the lower classes.
Min Oo (Seated left)VIII A
Matric Exam in 1963
SPHS had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
All received Collegiate Scholarships with a monthly stipend of 75 Kyats (net 60 Kyats after the school fees).
Min Oo stood 2nd in Burma. He chose to study Maths.
Language expert
Grapevine says that he was reading a German book before entering the hall to take the Matric exam
Scored distinctions in English, Maths, Physics & Chemistry
Mathematics Genius
A Tuition Saya challenged his students. “Ask your teachers to solve the problem. I will give you free tuition if you can provide the correct answer.” One student asked Min Oo, who was playing cards. Min Oo scribbled the answer during the card game. The Tuition Saya was unhappy; he broke his promise to give the student free tuition.
U Aung Sein (Retired Associate Professor of Maths) saw Min Oo get out of the Tutorial classes after a few minutes and yet had perfect score. Saya decided to give challenging questions for a Tutorial. Min Oo took longer time than the easier Tutorials, but most of the other students could not get a passing grade.
Luyechun Student & Staff
Selected Tekkatho Luyechun in the summer of 1965. We attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
Inlay Luyechun (Min Oo — Seated Right)
He joined RASU Maths Dept. He was chosen as Staff for the Tekkatho Luyechun camp.
As a multiple Luyechun from IM(1), Ko Khin Maung U was present at two camps with Min Oo. He remembers freshly minted Saya Ko Min Oo with a cigar.
Career
Doctorate of Maths from University of Bonn, Germany
Professor Emeritus, McMasters University in Canada; Voluntarily retired in 2015.
Was Visiting Professor in selected US Universities.
Micro-reunion
After retirement, he visited Silicon Valley frequently to see his daughter.
A few years back, we had a lunch gathering in the SF Bay Area.
Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) wrote :
Yes – Min Oo is the brightest. Proud to be his class mate. SPHS VIA group photo Min Oo also Khin Mg U sitting.
VI(A) SPHS
Post by Tin Aung Lwin (Science Scholar for Mathematics)
Ko Zaw Win (GBNF) won Triple Scholarships : Collegiate Scholarship (2nd in Burma), Multiple Luyechun, and Science Scholar for Mathematics. He received his Doctorate from University of Bonn.
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963. Stood 11th in the whole of Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship.
Joined Rangoon Universities’ Boat Club. Our Paulian crew — Mg Mg Kyi, Hla Min, Kyaw Win, Willie Soe Mg and Myint Thein (cox) — was Senior Novices Runners-up in the Monsoon Regatta. All became RUBC Full Green.
Rangoon University was closed citing security concerns after the protests of the 1st Anniversary of 7th July. Mg Mg Kyi and Kyaw Win applied for Government Scholarship to study Engineering at Dresden University.
Mg Mg Kyi received the Masters (equivalent) in Chemical Engineering with specialization in Pulp and Paper.
He worked for PPIC (notably Sittang and Yay Ni Paper Mills).
He found his love Khin May Than (Che72). They raised two sons — Rimon Than & Khemar Than.
The family moved to Wales, UK.
Maung Maung Kyi
Dr. Rimon Than
Rimon
Elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi and Daw Khin May Than.
Medical Doctor / Specialist
Experienced Mountain Climber
Squadron Leader in Royal Aut Force
Accomplished “Rescue Team Leader”.
Sadly, he passed away on February 15, 2013 during a mountaineering training in Scotland due to an avalanche.
Mg Mg Kyi and Khin May Than were visiting Yangon at the time. They had to fly back to Wales to attend the funeral service with military honors.
Ogmore by the sea
Mg Mg Kyi and Khin May Than were deeply hurt by the untimely loss of their elder son.
Their younger son (Dr. Khemar Than) moved back from Japan to be close to his parents.
MMK and KMT gave their house to Khemar, and moved to Ogmore-by-the-sea.
MMK invited me to see his new home.
Visit to Wales
In 2017, we visited UK.
My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) drove us to Wales to visit Mg Mg Kyi and Khin May Than at their new home Ogmore-by-the-sea.
See the posts about the mini-gathering.
Maung Maung Kyi
Updates
Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun (MRCP, Former Associate Dean of OxfordUniversity) was a victim of Covid-19 and the lax Guidelines of NIH. He passed away on April 13, 2020. The news and TV coverage about the sad story led to reevaluation of procedures and support for NIH doctors and staff combating Covid.
Maung Maung Kyi passed away peacefully in November 2024. His younger sisters — Dr. Kyi Kyi Hla, Daw Khin Thitsar and Dr. Khin Sabai — performed Soon Kwyay Dana for the 1st Anniversary of Maung Maung Kyi’s demise.
Soon Kyway
Memories
Khin Sabai, Khin May Than & Mg Mg Kyi Top Matriculates from SPHS 1963SPHS Std VIII (A) Mg Mg Kyi 1 Mg Mg Kyi 2
Matriculated from St. Albert’s High School, Maymyo in 1964.
Had a very high ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate)
Admitted to the first ever 1st BE as Roll Number One.
Selected RIT Luyechun for the 1965 Summer Camp at Inlay.
His outspoken remarks about the Camp drew the ire of higher authorities.
Graduated with Electrical Power in 1970.
After working in the industry, he moved to the USA.
Studied Electronics in the USA
Added “Nawaday” to his name.
Shared his memories of RIT to the Google group of “the Combined Intake of 1st BE for 1964 and 1965”.
Ko Ohn Khine (M70)
Ohn Khine
Matriculated from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay in 1964.
Took a combination of Science and Arts subjects
Had good ILA score to be admitted to RIT.
Graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1970
Worked for Heavy Industries Corporation
Created and maintained the the Google group of “the Combined Intake of 1st BE for 1964 and 1965”.
Volunteer for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016, HMEE-2012, HMEE-2018, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and several RIT-related activities.
Gave me rides during my visits to Yangon.
Co-author
Filled the missing pieces in Ko Zaw Min’s accounts.
Ko Hla Min (EC69)
Hla Min
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963.
Stood 7th in the whole of Burma
Received Collegiate Scholarship
Top in the Science Option of I.Sc.(A) examination
Admitted to the first ever 2nd BE in November 1964 as Roll Number One.
Selected Luyechun for the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the Summer of 1965
Graduated with Electrical Communications in 1969.
Started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in 1989 and have maintained it for 27 years.
Administrator or Moderator of selected Facebook pages.
Own web site hlamin.com
Had the honor to edit the draft version of “Memories by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday & Ko Ohn Khine” which was first posted as Google Docs for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Published the edited document as a series of articles in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates”.
Introduction
Intakes in 1964
There were three intakes at the Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) when the new education system started in 1964. Eligible students were admitted to the 1st BE, 2nd BE and 3rd BE classes. They are also known as
Class of ’70 (1st BE Intake in 1964) Matriculates were admitted using the ILA
Class of ’69 (2nd BE Intake in 1964) Those who had passed I.Sc.(A) with Science Option were admitted in order of merit
Class of ’68 (3rd BE Intake in 1964) Those who had passed I.Sc.(B) with Science Option were admitted in order of merit
The RIT Rector was U Yone Mo and the Registrar was U Soe Thein.
The Class of ’70
It comprised of the first year intake students in 1964. There were 494 registered students, of which 67 were female. Most graduated in 1970. Some took sabbatical for a year or two. A few left RIT before graduation. The GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) reached 138 at the end of May 2025.
Matriculates entered the first ever 1st BE classes. ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) was used for the vetting of applicants. In the system, a score of 1 to 20 was assigned to map the marks for each subject. The ILA score (rather than the raw marks) was used to determine the eligibility of the students admitted to an institute.
Under the old education system, matriculates had to attend I.Sc. (A) classes. There were restrictions on the subjects taken at Inter classes to be eligible for Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, etc. For example, one must pass the I.Sc. with at least 50 marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry to attend the 1st Year Engineering Classes (3rd BE in the new system).
Under the new education system, there were no restrictions on the subjects taken in Matric exam. As such, many students who passed Matric with combined Science and Arts subjects and even those with pure Arts subjects were able to attend RIT. For example, Ko Ohn Khine passed the Matric exam with an odd combination of Maths, Chemistry and Geography.
From the 7th standard to Matriculation I remember the following:
Saya Ba Myaing (Physics), Saya Tun Shwe and Saya Sein (Burmese), Bro Hubert (Chemistry), Bro Felix, Bro Charles, and Bro Gerald (English). Mr Machado and Saya Dawson (Math), Mr Barker and Mr Illife (Physics).
Editor’s Notes:
The Paing siblings — Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54), U Soe Paing (SPHS56), U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, SPHS64) and U Kyaw Paing (SPHS67) — attended SPHS.
U Soe Paing taught at RIT Electrical Engineering. He co-founded UCC and transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division. He is a UN Retiree.
U Aung Win (Owen)
I read many articles about the old staff of SPHS but I never came across anyone mentioning Bro. Charles. During our KG days in SP, we had one Bro. Charles, if you all remember him. He was a very kind-hearted Bro. and he loved the school kids and treated us well. Whatever happened to him, I wonder, after we left SPHS.
Owen Khoo (Aung Win, M71, SPHS 1953 – 1957)
Editor’s notes :
Three siblings — U Than Win (Alan Khoo, SPHS54), U Kyi Win (Eddie Khoo, SPHS57) and U Aung Win (Owen Khoo) — attended SPHS. Owen also attended Darjeeling before studying Mechanical Engineering at RIT.
I joined SPHS in Std. IV. I do not know the sayas and sayamas who taught KG and Stds I – III. Boarders can add the names of the Brothers and sayas that I have missed.
Brother Benedict (who taught a younger class) was a good soccer player.
Brother Gerald was the SPHS Band Master. He often rode a horse.
There was a Brother in charge of the SPHS Book Shop, and several Brothers in charge of the Boarders.
Some Brothers went on “rotation duty” to St. Peter’s HS (Mandalay), St. Albert’s HS (Maymyo), St. Patrick’s HS (Moulmein), …
After nationalization, Bro Charles moved to UK. There is a post by U Kyaw Win (Thonegwa) about his visit to see Bro Charles.
Brother Clementian
Bro Clementian
He was Brother Director at St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay.
At St. Paul’s High School, he taught Mathematics. He would not allow Bro Director and Sub-Director to come near his class.
He gave class work, home work and tests (e.g three questions for an hour). Since the government exam had six questions for three hours, many Paulians finished the exam early and still got Distinction.
He would hold special session for those who failed his tests.
When he passed away, many former students paid respect. The funeral cortege spanned from SPHS to Tamwe Christian Cemetery. Some cars had not left SPHS when the service began at the Cemetery.
Brother Austin
Bro Austin (standing 3rd from left)
He was our Class Teacher for Std. X(A) and also the School Library.
He taught us English using the “Carrot” technique.
He would take us to the SPHS library (with books donated by Ford Foundation, Asia Foundation …). Everyone has to borrow a book and write a critique.
He also taught the “Morals and Manners” class. Anyone who can recite the selected poems is free to “skip the remainder of the class”. The top reciters were rewarded: a book from the Class Library, and on a rare occasion a ticket to “1960 Rome Olympics” (special show at Thamada Cinema).
He abhors plagiarism and unprofessional work. “Don’t waste my time and your time”.
After nationalization, he moved to Malaysia to continue teaching at a De La Salle School.
Brother Xavier
Bro Xavier
He was our Class Teacher for Std IX(A), and English teacher for Std VIII and Std IX using “the stick” technique.
He would penalize students for making grammatical and spelling errors. For grading a test, he would start with 100 marks and then subtract 10 marks for each mistake. A classmate had -230 marks shown in his report card.
According to Ko Zaw Min, Brother Xavier would not continue his “brash style” at St. Albert’s.
After nationalization, he moved to UK and presumably left the order.
Brother Felix
Bro Felix
He was Brother Director.
After nationalization. he moved back to Germany. He had e-mail communications with some Old Paulians (notably Richard G. Boudville, Australia, son of Sayama V. Boudville).
There is a post by U Kyaw Win (Thonegwa) about his visit to see Bro Felix.
Two Sibling Brothers
After nationalization, the native Brothers remained in Burma.
Brother Joseph decided to become Father Joseph.
His younger brother remained Brother Anthony and was one of the “senior sayas” at SPHS Saya Pu Zaw Pwes along with Saya U San Thein and Saya Beatson.
Authors
Saya George Chapman published notes for English.
Saya U Htay Myint (Patheda) published notes for History.
Distinguished Paulians
U Ba Khin stood first in Burma his Matriculation class. He became the first native Auditor General. He is an outstanding Vissapana teacher. His dhamma lineage starts with Ledi Sayadaw and Saya Thet. His dhamma students include Saya S. N. Goenka.
ICS U Tin Tut was the first ICS by Invitation. He accompanied Bogyoke as Advisor to UK. He served as Finance Minister.
Dr. Ba Han was Dean of Law and Lexicographer
Dr. Ba Maw was Lecturer in English at RU. He was Adipati.
U Chan Tun was Patron of OPA (Old Paulians’ Association).
According to Dr. Win Aung (M62), his father Saya C. Ping Lee (EE, GBNF) was a Paulian and a student of Saya U Than Aung (father of Saya Alphonso [Mg Nge, Mg Aung] and Charlie [Ko Cho]). When U Than Aung became Minister of Education in the AFPFL Government, he recruited his former student Saya C. Ping Lee to head the Technical & Vocational Department.
St. Paul’s Museum has a display of eminent Old Paulians.
Saya Pu Zaw Pwes
After nationalization, SPHS became No. 6 SHS Botathaung.
There used to be two SPZPs: one for the “Paulians” and another for SHS(6).
Some (e.g. Eddie Ba Oo / Tin Aung Moe) who were in the lower classes when SPHS was nationalized would attend both gatherings.
In July 2015, Ivan Lee (M69) sponsored a whirlwind trip from New Jersey to Canada and the East Coast of US. Provided car & gas. Drove part of the trip.
Fred Thetgyi (M69) drove most of the way. Volunteered as the group’s photographer.
U Aung Khin
Former Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering at RIT.
U Aung Khin
The plan was to meet Saya at his house in Windsor around 7 PM.
We were a few hours late.
Saya was patiently waiting for his former students.
We chatted for a while.
Saya hosted my spouse and I to spend the night.
Ivan & Fred joined us for breakfast the following day.
All were thankful to enjoy Mohinga and Ah Kyaw.
Saya gave us mementos from Windsor.
Souvenir
Dr. Aung Gyi
Former Rector of RIT.
Dr. Aung Gyi 1
Visited Saya & Daw Emma at their house in Napean.
Spent two nights.
Dr. Aung Gyi 2
Saya drove us around the town.
Daw Emma prepared delicious dishes.
Thousand Islands
The following day we visited Thousand Islands. Daw Emma bought a present for my Myee.
Myingyan Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw U Kavi (ဆရာတော်ဦးကဝိ)
U Kavi
Biography and dhamma talks
Myingyan SunLun
First KabaAye Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw U Vinaya (ဆရာတော်ဦးဝိနယ)
U Vinaya
Early devotees of Sayadaw include U Khin Maung Latt, Daw Khin Myo Chit, U Thein Nyunt and U Win Pe
Wrote a book “The Yogi & Vipassana (Buddhist Meditation : The Sunlun Way)”
Passed away in his late 90s
Book by U Vinaya
“The Yogi and Vipassana” BUDDHIST MEDITATION : THE SUNLUN WAY Author : Sunlun Shin Vinaya Publisher : Sunlun Buddhist Meditation Center 7 1/2 Mile, Prome Road, KabaAye P.O., Rangoon
CONTENTS The Yogi and Vipassana (Page 1 – 18) The Sunlun Way of Mindfulness (Page 19 – 33) Explanatory Notes for Beginners and Those Proceeding Along the Sunlun Way of Vipassana (Page 34 – 50)
KabaAye Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw U Wara
(ဆရာတော်ဦးဝရ)
U Wara
U Win Paing won Golf trophies (some with his younger brother U Kyaw Paing).
Meditated at KabaAye Sunlun.
He gave away his Golf Set. Entered monkhood after the Final exam for Chemical Engineering in 1970.
Served as Taik Oke Sayadaw of Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung for nearly four decades.
Succeeded Sayadaw U Vinaya as Chief Resident Monk.
Passed away on August 26, 2021
Siblings : Dr. Myo Paing (Medical Research & Malaria), U Soe Paing (RIT EE, UCC co-founder, UN), U Kyaw Paing (Lawyer, Entrepreneur, Champion Golfer)
U WaraObituaryFour Paing Brothers
Vipassana Retreats
KabaAye Sunlun Gu Kyaung
Kyauk Pa Daung
Pyin Sar
Hong Kong
Devotees / Yogis
U Khin Maung Latt and Daw Khin Myo Chit hosted early meditation retreats. Their son Dr. Khin Maung Win (Maths) later published “Notes on Vipassana Meditation”
U Win Pe authored an early document on Sunlun Meditation
U Thein Nyunt & family; Tekkatho Shwe Yi Win (Mrs. Khin Maung Win); U Soe Myint
U Aung Thaw & family; Dr. Myo Thaw & Dr. Thinn Thinn
U Tin Htut & Daw Min Min
UCC
Yahan Khan
In the 1970s, the staff and students of Universities’ Computer Center hosted “Donlaba Yahan Khan” for Thingyan at selected monasteries.
HlaMin 