It was founded by San Francisco Bay Area Alumni led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) and several interested alumni (notably U Khin Maung Zaw, EC76, webmaster based in Seattle Washington).
The founding members include Saya K C Chiu (ChE63), Saya U Nyo Win (M65), Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66), U Hla Min (EC69), Benny Tan (M70), Saya U Thein Aung (Met72), Maurice Chee (M75), U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) and Gordon Kaung (M83).
The primary objective was to host the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP).
In the early days, we had volunteers to collect data and activities for selected Classes and Areas. The Class representatives include Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) and U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69). The Area representatives include U Thet Tun (Henry, M75) for Australia, and Dr. Myo Khin (C70) for Japan.
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) worked four-hour days, spent weekends and nights on the RIT website project. It was a reason for the success of SPZP-2000. KMZ moved to Microsoft and later founded a loving family. Version 2.0 of the promised web remained a vaporware.
Some of the costs for the web site were donated by the founding members of RIT Alumni International, U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) from New Jersey, U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) and Saya U Aung Myint (M69) from Singapore
Organizers for SPZP-2000
The founding members of RIT Alumni International were the core organizers. Benny Tan and Maurice Chee were co-chairs of the Working Committee. Saya Allen Htay and Saya U Nyo Win headed the Steering Committee. Selected sayas and alumni from NorCal and SoCal served as members of the committees.
Saya U Nyo Win (M65) proposed a law saying that the core organizers would pitch in as much as $500 if there were insufficient attendees for SPZP-2000. Thanks to Saya Allen Htay’s classic article, “Brother, can you spare US $500?”, U Nyo Win’s Law was not enacted.
Five Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000 showed up. The first was U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, SoCal) f, who donated $3000. The next were Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70, NorCal), U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, NorCal, GBNF) and U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69, New Jersey), who each donated $1000. Last but not the least was U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas), who donated a round-trip ticket to sponsor a saya to attend SPZP-2000.
Three Groups sponsored Sayagyi U Ba Toke (Maths, saya of our sayas), Saya U Khin Aung Kyi (ChE, former Rector) and Saya Dr. San Tint (EE) to attend SPZP-2000. Sad to note that all three sayas are GBNF.
Sayagyi Dr. Ba Hli, Saya Allen Htay (C58), Saya U San Tun (M59), Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67), Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67) and several other sayas and alumni contributed photos to the Photo Gallery.
Sharing memories were enable in the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and ex-rit.org web pages. The features include: Letters to the Editor; Looking for; GBNF for Sayas and Sayamas; GBNF for Alumni; GBNF for Spouses
Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli, Sayagyi U Aung Khin, Sayagyi U Min Wun, Saya Allen Htay, Saya Dr. San Hla Aung, Saya U Soe Paing, Dr. Myint Thein (M73) and several other sayas and alumni wrote articles for the Newsletter and web site.
I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post-Reunion”. I incorporated the emails and correspondences from sayas and alumni.
Benny Tan designed mementos (mugs, tee-shirts, calculator/clocks, …) for SPZP-2000. He ordered them with special discount from his suppliers (of his Gift Shop at the SFO International Airport). Some were given to eligible attendees (per request of Steeve Kay, who provided the seed money for the project). Others were put on sale for fund raising.
There was a Commemorative Issue of the RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000. Hla Min served as Chief Editor. Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) and Henry Lim volunteered as Associate Editors. U Thein Aung compiled the biographies of sayagyis.
SPZP-2000 would not have been possible with the support of spouses, family members and well-wishers. Several provided the Culinary expertise for pre-SPZP and post-SPZP activities
Saya U Aung Khin is Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Saya U Win Kyaing and Saya U Tin Hlaing (M59) are GBNF.
Saya U Aung Hla Tun headed the HMEE-2012 project and is continuing with the HMEE-2018 project.
Saya U Phone Myint (Workshop Superintendent) is enjoying post-retiring by visiting his children overseas.
Saya U Tin Htut (M60, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) taught Industrial Management. The subject was earlier taught by Visiting Lecturers from the Institute of Economics. He moved to the USA where he worked most of the time except for a stint with the UN project overseas. He co-founded BASES with U Tin Htway (M59) and U Tun Tin (David, who studied in the USA as a Burmese States Scholar). During his visits to Myanmar, Saya donated K100 Lakhs for the YTU Modernization Project, K10 Lakhs for Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and to the All-Mechanical Gathering.
U Cho Aye (M70, GBNF) finished First in every year in Mechanical Engineering. He and U Win Lwin took part in climbing Mount Victoria.
Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng, M70) is a successful entrepreneur in the USA. He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for the SPZPs. He is a major donor for the Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
U Ohn Khine (M70) is a volunteer for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016, SDYF events, and HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 Projects. He is the moderator for the Google Group of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65. He translated Section One of the HMEE-2012 book and summarized Section Two of the book. During my visits to Yangon, he gave me rides to attend the meetings for SPZP and HMEE.
Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing Founder of Peace Movement Principal of National College
U Thant
U Thant United Nations Secretary General Third UNSG First Asian UNSG
Bogyoke Aung San Architect of Burma’s Independence
U Thein Han (Zawgyi) Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library Laureate Poet Co-founder, Khit San Sar Pay
U Wun (Minthuwun) Professor, Burmese Department, RU Head of RU Translation Department Lexicographer Visiting Professor at Osaka University Laureate Poet Co-founder, Khit San Sar Pay
Dr. Maung Maung Kha First native Professor of Physics Rector of Rangoon University (with longest tenure)
Ludu Daw Ah Mar (Amar) 1936 RU Students’ Strike Author and Publisher Spouse : Ludu U Hla
U Khin Maung Latt Taught English at RU and at his private school Chief Editor of Working People’s Daily Spouse : Daw Khin Myo Chit
Daw Khin Myo Chit Participant in the struggle for Burma’s Independence Award winning Author and Translator Spouse : U Khin Maung Latt
Rangoon University
The University of Rangoon was established in December 1920.
Silver Jubilee (in 1945) Most of the schools were closed for three years. The University of Rangoon reopened in 1946. There were make-shift classes on Mogul (Shwe Bon Tha) Street during that period. Saya U Ba Toke was lucky to receive his Masters during the war (thanks to his supervisor).
Golden Jubilee (in 1970) I used to have a commemorative issue. I also had a small part as a volunteer of the “Zay Nay Yar Cha Htar Yay Ah Phwe”.
Diamond Jubilee (in 1995) Saya Dr. Soe Win has posted a picture.
Centennial (in 2020) “Yar Pyay Ah Kyo” celebrations kicked off in December, 2019
EC Members of the “Tekkatho Kalaung Ah Thin (1958 – 1962)” published a Kabyar book and a commemorative issue.
Miscellaneous
Centennial for “Amyotha Aung Bwe” in 2020 uses Myanmar date
Centennial for “Myanmar Yoke Shin” in 2020
Centennial for “Engineering Education” in 2023
Centennial for “Rangoon University Boat Club” in 2023 I was a Contributing Editor for the 90th Anniversary
At the centennial celebrations of some universities, the alumni and staff were asked to nominate events and people to be honored as the 100 items associated with the school.
Sayama Julie Han (T61) was among the first batch of female engineering graduates. Her contemporaries include
Sayama Daw Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin, T61)
Daw Yin Yin Kyi (T61)
Ms. Pauline Reynolds (ChE61)
Daw Khin Than Nwe (Margaret Than Maung, T62).
Sayama completed her Doctorate in the US.
Sayama served as the Vice President of Theravada Buddhist Association of America (TBSA) and headed the fund raising for the first Dhammananda Vihara in Daly City, Northern California.
She passed away several years ago. She has a daughter.
Saya U Htin Paw (EE 58, Past President of TBSA) donated to the new Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay in memory of Sayama Julie.
SPZP-2000
Sayama attended SPZP-2000. She stayed with her elder sister Polly Han.
The following is what she wrote for SPZP-2000.
Here is a brief description of my years after leaving RIT.
I spent 6 years at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, getting a M.S. degree in Textile Chemistry and Ph. D. in Materials Science.
The companies that I worked for in chronological order are: Burlington Industries, CIBA-GEIGY, Sears Roebuck, Levi-Strauss, Raychem Corp, Tacan Corp, Johnson Matthey Inc, Xytronyx Corporation.
At present I am working as a sales manager for an optoelectronic company IPITEK, which is a division of Tacan Corp. Since 1980 I left the field of textile engineering and have been working in opto-electronic field.
Look forward to seeing you at the Reunion. Best regards. Julie
Saya U Min Wun matriculated from Taung Dwin Gyi in 1949.
His close friends called him “Kyit In”.
His brothers include Dr. Kyi Soe and Dr. Aung Win (BDS).
His early sayas include U Mu, father of Daw Khin Maw Maw (spouse of Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69)).
Saya U Min Wun, Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Maung Maung Than were the first group of engineering students to benefit from the “Twinning Program” to attend prestigious universities in the USA.
Saya U Min Wun did his BS at MIT and his MS (specializing in Photogrammetry) at Cornell University.
Upon their return to Burma, Saya joined Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer and was promoted a year later to Lecturer.
Saya retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering and relocated to the USA.
Per request of his former students, Saya worked at CalTran (California Transportation) until he reached 80.
In our 2nd BE in 1964, Saya taught “Surveying”. He used the “reverse” seating plan (starting with Roll Number One from the back row to the highest roll numbers in the front row. He enforced a strict attendance policy. Some students joking said, “Min Win yin Nga htwet”. “
Saya was one of the early readers of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”. He wrote several articles for the Newsletter.
Saya is healthy. He practices Vipassana meditation. But his spouse who has a medical problem requested Saya not to go on long trips (e.g. PZPs in Myanmar). His former students sent Garawa money to saya via those traveling to Southern California.
Contributions
Advisor, Myanmar Pyeikkadein Ah Kyan Pay Ah Phwe
Supplement to the Kyaik Hti Yo Project (The original original photo essay was done by Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF)).
Bagan Restoration
History of RIT Civil Engineering Department (The article appeared on the CD supplement of HMEE-2012 book)
Interview by Aung Zay Internet TV (based in Southern California)
He had excellent communication skills (reading, writing, speaking).
He won essay and translation contests.
His mother requested him to study only for two years at the University of Rangoon and then return home and work.
He became a Saya at the Pantanaw National School. For accreditation requirements of the school, he requested help from U Nu (who was a Principal)
Later, U Nu (leader of AFPFL and Prime Minister) asked U Thant to help the party and the government in various capacities.
U Thant succeeded Mr. James Barrington (ICS, RUBC Gold) as the Permanent Secretary of the Burmese Delegation to the United Nations. The post would later be called “Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations”.
UNSG (United Nations Secretary General)
Daj Hammerjold, the second United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) perished in an air crash during a UN mission.
In trying to find a successor to Hammerjold, the two super powers USA and USSR could not agree.
USSR refused to accept USA’s candidate.
USA refused to accept USSR’s proposal of Troika (a three member committee from each of the Three Blocs).
They agreed to have U Thant (who hailed from Burma, a co-founder of the Non-Aligned Movement) as the Interim UNSG.
The General Assembly later ratified him as the third UNSG.
U Thant became the first Asian UNSG.
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 and make it a temporary (may be final) resting place for U Thant.
Details can be read in the book by Htein Win (Dat Pone).
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. A few never had a chance to graduate.
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.
Ko Tin Maung Thant
Ko Tin Maung Thant (“Ah Pho Gyi”, U Thant’s son) was my sister’s classmate at the Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS).
He left the school to join his father (then Permanent Secretary of the Burmese Delegation to the United Nations).
Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly during his visit to Burma in 1962.
His funeral service was grander than that of Commodore Than Pe (Minister of Health and Education), the first member of the 17-man Revolutionary Council to pass away.
Centennial Birthday
At the Centennial Birthday Celebration for U Thant held a few years back in the San Francisco Bay Area a few years back, I was a guest speaker.
According to Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his Bagyi (father’s elder brother) U Tin Tut was the first Burmese ICS (by invitation). U Tin Tut has four daughters. The youngest Daw Mya Saw Shin (Molly) is a lawyer and author. ICS examinations were held in UK and India.
ICS U Sein Tin
ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa) co-founded Khit San Sar Pay with Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and Saya U Wun (Minthuwun).
HE U Htin Kyaw (Dalaban) and Daw Htar Cho posted photos and writings (e.g adoption of Burmese terms by RU in 1930) of their father Saya Minthuwun.
ICS James Barrington
ICS James Barrington (RUBC Gold) served as Permanent Representative (equivalent to Ambassador) of the Burmese Delegation to the United Nations. He was succeeded by U Thant, who went on to become the Third UNSG and the first Asian UNSG.
Sithu U Tin
RUBC was founded in 1923 by Law Professor Sir Arthur Eggar. He pledged a third of his salary for operating RUBC. He was elected Life President. His successors include Commodore Than Pe, U Tun Thoung and Sithu U Tin.
Dr. Nyunt Tin, elder son of U Tin, stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1952 from St. Paul’s High School. U Han Tin, younger son, is RUBC Captain and Gold. He also became an Administrator and/or President of YUBC.
ICS U Ohn Maung
ICS U Ohn Maung (father of Saya U Tin Maung Thein, Ko Francis and Dr. Min Min) is an Arzani. He passed away on July 19, 1947 along with Bogyoke Aung San and six ministers in the meeting room.
U Tin Ohn
According to Dr. Tin Wa, his father U Tin Ohn (MA, BL) was in the Secretariat on July 19, 1947. He was a former tutor of Bogyoke Aung San. His boss (a minister) survived the shooting with a slight injury and requested U Tin Ohn to stay in the Secretariat.
Ko Tin Wa was interviewed recently by BBC about that day.
After Burma gained Independence, U Tin Ohn became the Secretary of Kachin State.
ICS U Shwe Mra
ICS U Shwe Mra was Chief Secretary of an early Burmese Government. According to his daughter Mra Hnin Si, U Shwe Mra provided the environment (e.g Pole Vault) for his children to become University and/or Burma Selected. Six brothers (out of the Ten Siblings) are Scholar Athletes.
I last met Ko Tun Mra at the RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta in December 2019. He won medals in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the University and National Championship. He won a Gold for the relay (anchored by Burma Champion Ko Soe Aung) at the 2nd SEAP Games held in Rangoon in December 1961. Ko Kyaw Mra (GBNF) won Silver, and later became National Coach. Ko Tun Mra and Ko Kyaw Mra won the Rag Regatta, but were Senior Novice Runner Up at the Monsoon Regatta. They were awarded RUBC Full Green.
Ko Soe Mra won Gold for Pole Vault at two SEAP Games. Ko Win Mra gave up competitive Pole Vault at the advice of doctors. He is a guitarist, vocalist and a diplomat (Myanmar Ambassador to UN, Chair of Myanmar Human Rights Commission). Ko Maung Maung Mra won Silver for Pole Vault at SEAP. Dr. Aung Mra followed his elder brothers as Pole Vault Champion.
He is a scholar and a distinguished poet. His mentor is Saya U Pe Maung Tin, who successfully proposed to Rangoon University to establish the Burmese Department.
He studied at RU and Oxford University.
He headed the Translation Department, Rangoon University.
He served as Professor of Burmese, Rangoon University and as Visiting Professor, Osaka University, Japan.
He founded “Khit San Sar Pay” with Saya Zaw Gyi (U Thein Han) and Theikpan Maung Wa (ICS U Sein Tin). At one gathering, Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin introduced the trio as “my three bright students, who are more talented than me.”
His friends include Saya Dr. Hla Pe, Professor at SOAS University of London and U Tet Tut, who persuaded the British Museum to return artifacts to Burma for display at the National Archives.
He is a Laureate Poet. Many aspiring poets learned from his poems (“Pyinma Ngoak Toe”, …) and books such as “Su Tu Pyu”. His literary friends led by “K” (BBS U Khin Zaw) and Tet Toe translated and published his poems and his classic short story “Bagyi Aung Nyar De”.
He is a linguist and a lexicographer. His passion was to compile a comprehensive Burmese dictionary. Due to resource constraints, he could only partially complete his pet project.
At the invitation of “Chit Mann Nwe” (Professor Harada, Osaka University), he taught and researched at Osaka University with Professor Harada and his team. His works include the Japanese – Burmese Dictionary and several research papers.
Professor Harada never forgot his roots and used “Mann” (Mandalay) in his pen name. He won a literary prize in Japan for translating “Thway” into Japanese.
He has two sons U Nyan Soe & U Htin Kyaw and a daughter Daw Htar Cho.
U Htin Kyaw
He named his younger son as Htin Kyaw / Peter Wun / Maung Po / Dalaban. U Htin Kyaw wrote with the pen name “Dalaban”. He represented the Institute of Economics in Swimming, Water Polo and Rowing. He also played Tennis. He worked at the Institute of Economics, UCC, HIC and FERD. He helped run Daw Khin Kyi Foundation. He is a former President of Myanmar.
HlaMin 