U Min Wun

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Brief Bio

Professor Emeritus & Head of Civil Engineering at Rangoon Institute of Technology

Nativity

Born, brought up, and schooled in Taungdwingyi, Magwe Division, Myanmar, by my parents Saw Boon Koke (aka) U Win Myint and Daw Kyin Toke.

Family

Named as Maung Kyit Ing, the eldest son of six, three younger brothers (two Medical Doctors and one Head Master of State High School) and two younger sisters (one Medical Doctor and one Director of Education).

Married to Daw Khin Myint Myint.

Have two sons (Nicholas, a Medical Doctor and Daniel, a Computer Analyst) and one daughter (Penthea, a Medical Doctor), and three grand daughters.

Residence

Currently living with my spouse at 5947 Loma Avenue, Temple City, California 91780-1924, U.S.A.

Academic Career

• School Leaving Certificate from Taungdwingyi State High School and Matriculated, 1948
• University of Rangoon: Intermediate of Science, 1950
• B.O.C. College: 1st Year B.Sc. Engineering, 1951
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): BS (Civil Engineering), 1955
• Cornell University: MS (Civil Engineering) with Major in Geodesy and Photogrammetry, 1956

Employment History

• Hycons Engineering Inc., Pasadena, California, 1957
• Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon, 1957-1961
• Colombo Plan Professor, University College, London, 1974-1975
• Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT), once also known as Burma Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Civil Engineering, 1961-1988

Accomplishments

• Professor & Head of Department of Civil Engineering, more than 31 years of service as educator and administrator at RIT, (1957-1988)
• Director of Regional Colleges Development Project (Burmese Counterpart to Foreign Experts) (1978-1982), helped establish 20 Regional Colleges all over Burma
• Chairman of Civil Engineering Construction Cooperative (CECC) (1976-1982), created job opportunity and On-the-Job-Training (OJT) for RIT and University Graduates, a Consultant Firm engaging the expertise of Faculty and Laboratory Staffs
• Consultant Member of the Myanmar National Calendar Advisory Committee (1972-1988), helped revise and update Traditional Calendar Computation and Compilation Methods
• Member of the Advisory Committee for Restoration of Bagan (1975-1988), helped strengthen Bagan Monuments (Stupas & Pagodas) and establish Photogrammetric Resources for rapid and precise mapping of Bagan Monuments.

Editor’s notes

• Saya taught “Surveying” in my 2nd B.E. course
• He is an expert in both Western & Eastern Astronomy, Western & Eastern Astrology.
• He served on the “Myanmar Calendar Advisory Board” for many years.
• He wrote an article, which complements/augments Kogyi Koung’s narrative of the “Kyaikhtiyo Project”.
• He also wrote about “Bagan restoration” and “Civil Engineering Department”.
• He retired from Caltrans when he was about 80 years young.
• He passed away in Southern California.

Memories

• Attended SPZP-2000 & gave speech

• Alumni mostly from SoCal meet annually for Lunch gathering with Saya. Dr. San Lin invited us to one gathering.

• Dr. Aung Soe led the practical for Saya’s course on Surveying.