Civil Engineering

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Early Days

First classes offered in 1924 to two sets of students : B.Sc. graduates for a “compressed” 3-year course and eligible I.Sc. passed for a regular 4-year course. Details can be found in the article by U Hla Maung (1928 grad) for RU Golden Jubilee Magazine in 1970; and the History of Myanmar Engineering Education book published in 2012. The early sayas were British and Indian.

RIT Alumni Newsletter

RIT Alumni Newsletter and ex-rit.org published several articles by Civil alumni & sayas. They include articles by U Aw Taik Moh (C54), Dr. San Hla Aung (C58), Mr. Allen Htay (C58, GBNF), U Myint Khine (C63), Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, …

Civil Engineering Sayas

U Ba Hli

• First native Dean of Engineering
• Former Professor of Civil Engineering & Principal of GTI
• Proposed “Twinning Program” between Faculty of Engineering and prestigious US Universities

U Mya Han

• Professor before moving to industry
• His company interned & hired Civil Engineers

Dr. Aung Gyi

• BS and MS from MIT, and his doctorate from University of Alberta.
• Retired as Rector
• Gave a key note speech at SPZP-2000 emphasizing the importance of Health and Emotional Intelligence.
• I was an Ei Hmyaung at two dinner gatherings in Myanmar given to Saya and Daw Emma.
• Hosted us during our visit to Canada.

U Min Wun

• Taught Surveying in our 2nd BE class in 1964
• Retired as Professor & Head of Civil
• BS from MIT; MS from Cornell — Photogrammetry
• Founding member & VP of BARB. His expertise include Astronomy and Astrology.
• Early supporter of RIT Alumni Newsletter

C58

Saya Allen Htay (GBNF), Saya Dr. San Hla Aung and Saya Dr. Win Thein (GBNF) are C58

Allen Htay

• MS from Harvard University
• Leader, SF Bay Area Alumni Group
• President, RIT Alumni International
• Organizer, SPZP-2000)
• His article “Brother, can you afford $500?” resulted in Golden Sponsors & Donors for SPZP-2000.
• President, RIT Photography Association
• Retired & unretired twice in the USA.

Dr. San Hla Aung

• MS from MIT
• Doctorate from Tulane University
• Taught until the age of 80.
• Line Judge at RUBC regattas.
• President of RIT Rowing
• President, RIT Swimming

Dr. Win Thein

• Retired as Professor & Head
• Several batches of students donated medical expenses for Saya
• His sister donated most of the Garawa money to charities in Saya’s memory

C61

Dr. Aung Soe (C61)

• Led Practical sessions for our 2nd BE Surveying
• Saya soccer team
• Attended SPZP-2000

U Myint Lwin (C61)

• Younger brother of Saya H Num Kok
• Rowed for Engineering
• Attended SPZP-2000

C62 – C63

• U Tauk Lin — moved to USA
• U Kyi (C63) — moved to USA
• Kyi Kong Tham (C63) — moved to USA
• Christopher Maung
• U Tin Maung
• U Ngwe Tun (GBNF)

C64

U Thein Tan (C64)

• Rowed for Engineering
• Retired as Rector of MTU

U Khin Maung Phone Ko (C64)

• Phone Ko — famous cartoonist
• Patron of RIT Cartoon Box

Dr. Ohn Myint (C64)

• Moved to Irrigation
• Worked for World Bank

U Win Maung (C64, GBNF)

• Organizer, Lanzin Lu Nge

C65 – C68

• U Myint Soe (C68, GBNF)
• U Myat Htoo (C68) — moved to USA

Organizers

Saya U Hla Myint Thein (C69), Saya Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and U Saw Lin (C71) served as Secretary of the RIT Civil Association.

U Hla Myint Thein entered family business. He is Advisor to Hse Mile Gone monastery.

Dr. Myo Khin and Daw Mya Nwe (C73) donated K100 lakhs for YTU Library Modernization.

U Saw Lin was a Core Organizer for SPZP-2012. He wore multiple hats : Head of Security & Logistics, Chief Editor of commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine, Coordinator for Reprint of 23 RIT Annual Magazines …

Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) served as President of TBSA and BADA. He is a founding member of RIT Alumni international and served as emcee for SPZP-2000. He is also a founding member of Norcal RITAA and Chair of BOD. He wrote, played and sung a parody of “Lost Neikban” at 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.

C69ers

Several C69ers joined the faculty. They include U Nyi Hla Nge, Dr. Htin Aung, Dr. Khin Maung Win, U Khin Maung Tint, U Hla Myint, U Hla Myint Thein …

U Nyi Hla Nge — Professor, Rector, Dy. Minister

Dr. Htin Aung — Chinlon selection; Played badminton and soccer; Retired as Professor

Dr. Khin Maung Win — Retired as Associate Professor; Taught in Malaysia

U Khin Maung Tint —- Secretary of RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin; Found a Minthamee as his soul mate

U Hla Myint and U Hla Myint Thein have successful business. They Consult selected monasteries

Daw Myint Myint — Major donor to 69er Health Care Fund & 69er activities; Donated K150 Lakhs to YTU Library Modernization proj

U Han Sein (GBNF) represented RIT in Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Basketball; Sentenced to 20 years by Adhamma authorities; Served 17 years. Since most 69ers were unaware, he was listed as GBNF in the Group’s Address Book (for the 30th Anniversary of Graduation); Became a Tone Kyaw; Succumbed to Covid

GBNF List

GBNF list include Sayas :

• H Num Kok
• Allen Htay
• Dr. Win Thein
• U Ngwe Tun
• U Win Maung
• U Myint Soe
• U Aye Win Kyaw
• Madan Chand
• U Khin Maung Maung
• …

Miscellaneous

• Part time sayas include U Tin U, Percy Lao, Dr. San Lin, U Kyaw San (GBNF) …
• Burma selected include Kyaw Htin (soccer) …
• U Aye Win Kyaw (C70, GBNF) was a founding member and EC of BARB.
• U Aung (C70, Maung Aw) was involved in providing help to selected schools.
• Madan Chand (C70) was wrongly assigned to G-hall.
• Dr. Soe Thein (C75) was organizer and web master for SPZP-2007.

Posts

• Dr. Aung Gyi
• U Ba Hli
• BOC College Graduate
• Brother, can you afford $500 and more?
• C58
• Civil Engineering
• U Min Wun
• SPZP