SPZP-2007 was hosted by the alumni in Singapore in April, 2007. It was the Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. The previous three were
SPZP-2000 (San Francisco, October 2000)
SPZP-2002 (Singapore, December 2002)
SPZP-2004 (Yangon, December 2004)
Yangon was designated to hold the SPZP in 2006, but due to changes in the political climate, Yangon requested Singapore (the alternate host) to take over. Subsequently, the two-year interval between the SPZPs became 2.5 years.
Kudos
to the Core organizers — Nyan Win Shwe, Maung Aunt, Zaw Tun Naing, Zaw Win Htut & team
and to the Advisers: Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing, Saya U Tin Lin, …
No EC members were elected for the vacant positions of Secretary and Treasurer.
It signaled the beginning of the end of the system for democratically electing EC by the voting members.
Changes
The Inter-Hall and Inter-Faculty events now belong to the past.
On a bright note, female members were admitted. RUBC became a co-ed club. Several will later become RUBC Gold.
Inter-Institute competitions for men and women were contested keenly.
Anniversaries
We attended the 40th Anniversary Dinner held at a Kandawgyi Hotel in 1963.
In 2013, I served as a Contributing Editor for the 90th Anniversary Issue. I wrote a Prelude for each section. I also wrote three articles.
In 2019, I attended the 96th Anniversary Regatta of RUBC.
I met Old and Not so old Members. I talked with several Patrons of the YUBC OMA.
I learned that the restaurant owner (which had “possessed” the Club House) finally agreed to move out.
We no longer use the Regatta Island. Probably RUBC no longer has access to the Regatta Island.
We see lots of current and old members competing, but we do not see many fans, families and friends rooting for the crews.
We see lots of trophies (may be 28 sets), but there was an unintentional mix up in one event.
We see new boats and flags, but we wonder how students from the many universities and institutes (some far away) have passion, time and energy to take up competitive rowing without sacrificing their academic achievements.
Some old members are looking forward to the Centennial Celebrations in 2023.
The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by RIT Alumni International in October 2000. It was a formal two day event. On October 29, the Reunion Dinner and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held at Embassy Suites Hotel. On October 30, a lunch gathering was held for the sayas, alumni, volunteers and family members.
Archives
Set of DVDs Converted from the VHS Tape (recorded at SPZP-2000)
Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” Chief Editor : U Hla Min Associate Editors : U Thein Aung and Henry Lim
RIT website : Special web pages for SPZP-2000 Webmaster : U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) Content Provider and Editor : U Hla Min
Countdown to the Reunion 64 posts by U Hla Min
Post-Reunion 36 posts by U Hla Min
Photos by official photographers and volunteer alumni
Organizers
RIT Alumni International President : Saya Allen Htay
Working Committee Co-chairs : Benny Tan and Maurice Chee
HlaMin 