Textile Engineering

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Video Broadcast on January 1, 2021

Discipline

• Design and production of fabrics
  Natural
  Synthetic
• Current offerings in universities include a multi-disciplinary program (e.g. Textile, Chemical and more)

Textile Sayas

U Maung Maung Than (GBNF)

• Matriculated in 1949
• States scholar to study undergraduate and graduate degrees in Textile Engineering
• Alumnus of Clemson University
• Former Professor, Textile
• Former Rector, YTU
• Former DG
• Chair, RIT Sports Council
• Expertise : Chinlon, Harp

U Shwe Yee (GBNF)

• Early graduate
• Former Professor, Textile
• Daughter-in-law : Writer, speaker

U Hla Shwe (T69, GBNF)

• Former Associate Professor, Textile
• Resisted “pressure” from Adhamma Authorities
  e.g. end class teaching and pay respect to “visiting” Taing Hmu
• Received donations from former colleagues and students and some unknown alumni for his Medical / Health Care
• Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) wrote about him and U Tin Shwe (EP66) in “Shwe Hnit Shwe”; I translated the poem as “To the Shwe Duo”

Female Engineers

• The First batch include Sayama Amy, Sayama Julie, Daw Yin Yin Kyi and Daw Mi Mi Lay
• The Second batch : Daw Khin Than Nwe (Margaret)

Daw Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin, T61, GBNF)

• Joined Faculty upon graduation
• Father : U Thwin (Principal, Boundary Road Technical School)

Dr. Julie Han (T61, GBNF)

• Joined Faculty upon graduation
• Attended SPZP-2000 and provided a brief bio
• Former Vice President, Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA); Led fund raising to establish Dhammananda Vihara
• Upon her demise, Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, former TBSA President) donated $2000 to Dhammananda Vihara in her memory

Daw Yin Yin Kyi (T61)

• Worked in industry
• Met her twice : in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Sydney, Australia
• Spouse : U Aung Gyi (Simon, ChE62)

Naw Mu Mu Aye (T69)

• Former Professor, Textile

Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69)

• Worked in industry
• She and Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) hosted gatherings for UCC alumni visiting Yangon
• She and Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) sent photos and reports of the “30th Anniversary of Graduation of the Class of 69”.
  They are partly responsible for Yours Truly to started the RIT Alumni International Newsletter in 1999.

Miscellaneous

• Jimmy Kyin (T69, GBNF)
  Represented RIT in Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Weightlifting and Body Building)
• Hla Tun (T69, GBNF) fondly known as Japun Gyi
  Spouse : Dolly Gale / Ma Swe
• Textile factories before Nationalization (and the decline of economy) include
  Khit Ah Kyaik Nylon : Parents of Saya U Tin Htut (M60) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (Eng)
  Hun Tha Aye Nylon : Parents of Daw Than Than Yi (T61) and Dat Pone Sann Aung (M74)
  Fabric display and sales by celebrities on trains (Yangon – Mandalay lines)
• Various kinds of fabrics
  Including those used by NASA astronauts
• Modern technology
  Computers, Automation, Nanotechnology …
• Poem in memory of Saya U Hla Shwe (T69)and U Tin Shwe (EP66)

“To The Shwe Duo”
by Tekkatho Moe War

Translated by Hla Min

SHWE duo
Blossom in unison
Disappear together
Free from complaint
Even with thin breath
Showed mark [of courage and wisdom]
Never ever wavered …
Pressed by burden
At the awaited turn [of journey’s end]
Body — inheritance [from previous lives]
Succumbs [to failing health]
Yet, “Wei-nyin” is fresh, alive and hovering.

• @hmin3664