Started by Ko Myint Pe (M72) and team with the Patronage of Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (“Phone Ko”, C65) and Saya U Aung Myint (“Kyant Ba Hone”, Pet69)
“Phone Ko” was known for his “Vietnam cartoon”
“Kyant Ba Hone” superficially looked like “Nick Kelly”, but the contents are different.
Maintained by three (or more) generations of Cartoon Boxers
Cartoon Box was “ordered close” after 1988
History is published in the Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012
Collection of RIT Cartoons published in time for SPZP-2012
Pamphlet of RIT Cartoons distributed at Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016
Some (e.g. “Aw Pi Kye”) became professional cartoonists Exhibited in Myanmar and beyond (e.g. Asian Cartoon Exhibition)
Early Cartoonists
Shwe Ta Lay
U Ba Gyan
U Heng Soon
U Aung Shein
U Pe Thein
U Than Kywe
U Ba Htwe
U Kyaw San (“Ka Sa”)
Published in Burmese and English newspapers, magazines and books.
The “Cartoon Festival” was held in U Ba Gyan Street (around Tazaung Daing).
Comics
During our times, we read
Beano
Dandy
Topper
Beezer
Film Fun
Joke and Humor books D. S. Saluja collected 200 books including Annual / Special Issues
U Myo Myint (M73)
Designed covers for the RIT Annual Magazines and the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazines.
Expert in “Pon Tu” (Portrait) and “Oil Paintings”.
Also draw cartoons. U Myint Pe (M72) has posted some of them.
They remind me of three female friends who were fondly known as Half Size, Full Size and Double Size.
Miscellaneous
Ko Win Thein (M67, GBNF) suggested to name RIT Main Gate as “U Lu Paw Gate”.
Ko Myint Soe (C68, GBNF) and Ko Myint Thein (M69, GBNF) are fondly called Maung Kabar (or Kabar for short)
About a decade ago, my spouse paid K10,000 for a copy of “old” cartoons published in the Rangoon Times. Some are political satire.
In 1958, there was a rift between the two factions of AFPFL. Some cartoonists took sides and a “price war” started. The cartoons, which sold for 60 pyas, were then given away at bargain prices (any where between 10 and 50 pyas).
We have seen private shops like Smart & Mookerdam gave way to the government owned stationery and book stores.
After the tragic death of Daj Hammarskjold, the United Nations Security Council selected U Thant (Permanent Representative of the Union of Burma, which co-founded the Non-aligned Movement) to succeed Hammarskjold as the Third UNSG and the first Asian UNSG.
USSR vetoed USA’s nominee for UNSG.
USA vetoed USSR’s proposal for Trioka (a three member committee from each of the Three Blocs).
U Thant retired after serving two terms as UNSG.
Post retirement
After retirement, U Thant started writing his memoirs but was interrupted by failing health.
His younger brother U Thaung was by his side in the final days, and helped bring U Thant’s body home.
The higher authorities were told explicitly or implicitly not to pay respect to U Thant’s body.
The Deputy Minister who paid respect to U Thant was dismissed effective immediately.
Most people expected a decent ceremony (if not a State Funeral befitting the Head of the World Organization), but they learned that U Thant’s body was to be placed at the Kyandaw Cemetery.
This led students to take U Thant’s body to the Main Campus and …
There were three dissenting votes by the student representatives for the higher authorities’ proposal to have U Thant buried in the Mausoleum (in Cantonment Park), and they lost by 8-3 margin.
The dark moments resulted in students being jailed or debarred, and some having to wait more months for their graduation ceremony.
One participant had already distributed invitation for the wedding, but ended with the loss of his freedom (for a few years) and his love.
Book
Htein Win Sar Pay published a book about the “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin”.
The book contains rare photos (most of them recovered from an archive overseas). Many photos (that were in Burma) were destroyed “out of fear” for harassment / punishment.
Met Ko Htain Win at the 5th ILF (Irrawaddy Literary Festival) in Mandalay in November, 2019. He was promoting another book 8-8-88.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
The sad thing I discovered at my last visit to Myanmar in Nov/Dec 2018 was that the tomb of U Thant has been closed and in disrepair. The entrance was padlocked, the compound was unkempt.
He is a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000. His classic article resulted in five Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000.
10th Anniversay of RIT Alumni International
Saya’s spouse and grand children
In memory of Saya Allen, Daw Mu Mu Khin has donated Saya’s books to the YTU Library and has sponsored scholarships to eligible YTU students
Donation of Saya’s books to YTU
Donation of Saya Allen’s Books
Brother, can you afford US$ 500?
And many weekends spent away from your family as well? If you can then you probably are a member of the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe organizing committee.
It all began one day several months ago when we met over lunch at Benny Tan‘s home in Hillsborough. Ko Hla Min and Ko Khin Maung Zaw among the lunch party had started the RIT Alumni website and were receiving enthusiastic responses. Hearing that the duo were carrying on the project all by themselves we decided to throw in our moral and financial support to assure its survival, realizing that it was providing a needed service for the RIT alumni to locate and communicate with each other. Every one present, ten of us at that time, took out our checkbooks and wrote out one hundred dollars each, with promises of more as needed. We informally called ourselves the RIT Alumni Bay Area Group. I was asked to be the group leader.
After that fateful event we continue to have regular meetings, hosted in turn at the homes of some among group members: Ko Hla Min, Maurice Chee, Ko Myat Htoo, Ko Thein Aung, and most recently Dr Nyo Win. Did I leave out any one? Ah yes! Ko Myint Swe and San San Swe. All the while the membership continues to grow and our objective keeps on changing from support of the website to some vague dream of a future RIT alumni organization on a global scale and finally settled on a plan for RIT Alumni Grand Reunion at the beginning of the 21st Century. Ko Hla Min broached the idea to include Saya Pu Zaw Pwe as part of the Grand Reunion in keeping with the Myanmar custom of honoring one’s teachers. As our plan jelled we got carried away by our own excitement and started talking about holding the reunion before the end of the Year 2000. After all, ending one millennium successfully augers well for success in the next millennium.
Before we fully realized what we were up to we have found an ideal site, the Embassy Suites Hotel conference hall near the San Francisco International Airport, and found ourselves making a commitment for a definite date, 28 October 2000 and a attendance fee of fifty dollars, a modest amount to encourage maximum number of Alumni to participate. The minimum capacity of the conference hall is 200 seats and we were required to make down payment and sign a rental and service agreement based on 200 seating. Our most optimistic estimate at the time was 100 attendees. If the attendance is low that means the Bay Area Group, as the Organizing Committee was not in force at the time, will have to make up the short fall. Which could amount to as much as five thousand dollars, or five hundred dollar from each group member. We hesitated a moment to reflect on what that means to us individually in terms of diminished spending power. But, in the end our attachment to RIT and the engineering profession, our sincere desire to meet the Sayas and class mates from whom we were separated for long over came us. We will accept the risks.
Thus was born the preparations in full swing for the Grand RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Others must tell the rest of the story – of struggles, compromises, and elation along the way and from participants themselves what it means to be present at the defining moment in the history of RIT Alumni.
Allen Htay, RIT Alumni International – Bay Area Group RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe Organizing Committee
Birthday : October 1, 1931 Spouse : Ma Ma Pat Children : Chit Saya (and Win Maw), Michael (and Jenny) Grandchildren: Ashton …
He has nine brothers and two sisters. They include Kyaw Tun Sein, Thawda Sein, Kyi Win Sein, Tin Htoo Sein, TinHtet Sein, Ko Ko Sein. Five brothers and a sister have passed away. Among the siblings who are alive, he is the most senior. Most brothers attended De La Salle Schools.
Education / Experience
President of the RU ConBro Association.
Captain of the soccer team.
Graduated in 1958 (first batch of Architects from the University of Rangoon)
Received Masters at Michigan University in the USA
Succeeded Saya U Tha Tun as Head of the Architecture Department
Retired as Professor before moving to the USA
Author
Invited to lecture in Japan, Australia, New Zealand …
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine and HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education),
Attended SPZP-2000 and said that his American colleague would gladly exchange all his awards to attend a SPZP.
Attended the Annual Dinner of RIT NorCal RITAA along with several other sayas from Southern California.
Khamee Khamet of U Win Kyu, a senior alumni
Visited Northern California to see his grandson (studying at UC Davis) Spent some time with Saya U Myat Htoo (C68).
iNapa Winery hosted a gathering for his 90th Birthday
Thanks to U Aye (M62) for providing information & feedback
Architecture
U Myo Myint Sein (A58)
Retired Professor and Head of Department
Soccer Selected
President of RU ConBro (alumni of Convent & Brother Schools)
Author
Guest Lecturer at selected associations and universities
Alumnus of Michigan University
U Tun Thein(A58, GBNF)
Senior Architect
Civil
Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
Joined Faculty as Assistant Lecturer
Received MS from Harvard University
Promoted to Lecturer
President of RIT Photography Association
Moved to USA
Member of BEA and BAPS
Leader of SF Bay Area Alumni
Founding member and President of RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000.
His article “Brother, can you spare $500 and more?” resulted in Golden Sponsors, Donors and Volunteers.
Dr. San Hla Aung (C58)
Joined Faculty as Assistant Lecturer
Received MS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Promoted to Lecturer
President of RIT Swimming Association
President of RIT Rowing Association.
Line Judge at RUBC Regattas.
Moved to USA
Received Doctorate
Retired Professor of Practice at Tulane University, New Orleans
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter and website.
Donated back some Garawa money to SDYF and RIT-related activities.
Dr. Win Thein (C58, GBNF)
Retired Professor and Head of RIT Civil Engineering
U Khin Maung Win(Sid Chen, USA, GBNF)
Helped annotate the C58 Class Photo with Dr. San Hla Aung and Saya Allen
Oscar Sharazee (C58)
Attended SPZP-2000.
Worked in Middle East.
Brother-in-law of U Ngwe Zoe (Peter Gale, GBNF)
Saw Irwin Myaing (C58)
He was from St Patrick’s HS, Moulmein
Electrical
U Htin Paw (USA, GBNF) Double Gold Medalist. Joined Faculty of Engineering after graduation. MS from Michigan University. Transferred to UBARI and EI. President of BEA President of TBSA. Attended SPZP-2000. Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter and website. Donated $2000 to Dhammanda Vihara in memory of Sayama Dr. Julie Han (who served as VP and Fundraiser of TBSA).
U Ba Nyunt (GBNF) : Saya. MS from US. Worked for MOC/MOGE. Attended SPZP-2000 during his visit to see his daughter and grandchild. His spouse is Daw May Su (Physics, GBNF). His son-in-law Thiha played keyboard at SPZP-2000. Thet Win, son of U Shwe Kyaw (M63, GBNF) played drums.
Mechanical
U Kyaw Than (Gwan Leong, M58, GBNF)
Retired Airworthiness Engineer, UBA / BAC
Moved to Canada
Attended RIT Reunion in the East Coast with Rosemary (Spouse)
Matriculated in 1951, but had to wait one year before attending Rangoon University (due to the Minimum Age Requirement)
Won Gold Medal for finishing Top in the Class of Civil 58
Joined RU as Assistant Lecturer.
Received MS from MIT.
Promoted to Lecturer.
Completed Doctorate from University of New Orleans.
Retired as Professor of Practice
Activities and Achievements
President, RIT Swimming Association
President, RIT Rowing Association
Line Judge, RUBC Regattas
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter Student days at BOC College Bio for SPZP-2000 Memory of Saya U Sein Win
Attended SPZP-2000
Missed some SPZPs due to Schedule Conflict (e.g classes and exams)
Notes
Had first mini-reunion in New Orleans (during my visit to CA World)
Had further reunions in SPZPs, and at SF Bay Area gatherings and Winner Inn
Saya retired at the tender age of 80.
After retirement, Saya spent some time in Myanmar. He lives mostly with his daughter in New York. He spent about a year in San Francisco with his son (partly due to the Covid restrictions in NY and California).
Several of Saya’s classmates are GBNF Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) Saya Dr. Win Thein (C58, GBNF) Sid Chen (Khin Maung Win, C58, GBNF) Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF) Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE58, GBNF)
Most members matriculated in 1949 and graduated with B.Sc.(Engg) in 1955.
Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun and U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) were among the first engineering students sent to US as State Scholars under the “Twinning Project” proposed by Sayagyi U Ba Hli.
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (C)
Dr. Aung Gyi in Napean, CanadaSaya U Min Wun and Saya Dr. Aung Gyi at Welcome Dinner for SPZP-2000Civil Sayas and Alumni
Matriculated in 1949.
Joined Engineering classes after completing Intermediate of Science.
Received Scholarship to study in the USA.
Received BS and MS from MIT.
Upon return to Burma, joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer and was promoted to Lecturer.
Received Scholarship to study in Canada.
Received Doctorate from the University of Alberta.
Became Professor and Head of Civil Engineering.
Succeeded U Yone Moe as Rector in 1971.
Rector from 1971 – in 1977
Worked for UN and Canadian Agency
Moved to Napean, Canada
Keynote speaker at SPZP-2000
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter and HMEE project.
Celebrated his 91st birthday in October 2022
Saya U Min Wun (C, GBNF)
Saya U Min Wun and Saya DAG in 2000U Min Wun and Dr. Aung Soe
Matriculated in 1949.
Joined Engineering classes after completing Intermediate of Science.
Received Scholarship to study in the USA.
Received BS from MIT and MS from Cornell University
Upon return to Burma, joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer and was promoted to Lecturer.
Succeeded Dr. Aung Gyi as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering Department
Served as Advisor for the Myanmar Pyet Ka Dein Committee
Speaker at SPZP-2000
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter and HMEE project.
Moved to California, USA.
Retired from CalTran (California Transportation) at the tender age of 80.
Stay fit and healthy in his 90s doing Meditation.
Saya U Khin Aung Kyi (Ch, GBNF)
Rectors
Matriculated in 1949. Stood Seventh in Burma, and received Collegiate Scholarship.
Joined Engineering classes after completing Intermediate of Science.
Received Scholarship to study in the USA.
Received BS and MS from MIT
Upon return to Burma, joined the Chemical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer and was promoted to Lecturer.
Became Professor and Head of Chemical Engineering.
Succeeded Dr. Aung Gyi as Rector in 1977.
Rector from 1977 – 1988.
Taught at Rengsit University in Bangkok
Speaker at SPZP-2000
Gave interview to HMEE team member U Ohn Khine (M70)
Saya U Maung Maung Than (T, GBNF)
Matriculated in 1949.
Joined Engineering classes after completing Intermediate of Science.
Received Scholarship to study in the USA.
Received BS from Clemson and MS from Lowell University
Upon return to Burma, joined the Textile Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer and was promoted to Lecturer.
Most members matriculated in 1947 and graduated with B.Sc.(Engg) in 1953.
U Ba Than left before graduation to study at Imperial College, University of London.
U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF)
EE Sayas
Member of the Prome Hall soccer team which won the Inter-Hall tournament for two consecutive years.
Played good tennis.
Joined the EE Department after graduation in 1953.
Studied MSEE at University of Michigan.
Retired as Senior Lecturer of the Electrical Engineering Department.
He was a power user at UCC. He and his former students Dr. San Oo (EP67) and U Aung Kyaw Pe (EP69) developed and ran programs related to power systems.
U Ba Than
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947.
Won Collegiate Scholarship.
Won the Gold Medal for scoring the highest marks in the Intermediate of Science examination.
RUBC Full Green
Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, University of London.
Joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer.
As a requirement for promotion, he did his Masters at Imperial College.
Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE-2012 project. Donated his photo albums. Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow Saya U Soe Paing and his team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.
Before the pandemic, he invited former colleagues and students to his Birthday Soon Kyaw at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
He donated back all of the Garawa Money to various social and religious associations.
Celebrated his 92nd birthday on October 2022.
U Chan Tha (GBNF)
Prome Hall Football Team
Led the Prome Hall soccer team to victory in the Inter-Hall tournament for two consecutive years.
HlaMin 