UCC — Brief History

by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Introduction

In the early days, there were no computers in Burma. IBM (International Business Machines) based in the USA and ICL (International Computers Limited) based in the UK had presence in Burma. Both companies were not ready to introduce computers to Burma. They were supposedly content with leasing unit-record equipment (calculators, tabulators, …) using punched cards. The managers (U Aung Khin and U Kyaw Tha) and their staff were highly paid compared to the Government employees.

In the early sixties, Burma Railways wanted to upgrade to an ICL computer, but the Coup d’etat in 1962 and subsequent restriction of foreign currency exchange (and budget planning rules) effectively derailed the project.

In the mid sixties, Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF, Head of the Mathematics Department at IE (Institute of Economics). proposed the need of a computer for teaching and research to a Dr. Nyi Nyi (GBNF, Secretary / Deputy Minister of Education). Dr. Nyi Nyi suggested the scope to be extended for a computer to serve the staff and selected students of the Universities and Institutes. Thus, the UCC Project was conceived. It was approved in 1970 with UNDP as the Funding Agency and UNESCO as the Execution Agency.

Dr. Chit Swe later became Professor at Mathematics at RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University). He offered space at the Mathematics Department for the early volunteers of the UCC Project. He then obtained permission to use Mandalay Hall for use by the UCC Project before the UCC Building could be completed in Thamaing College Campus.

UCC Founders

Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing, U Myo Min and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) co-founded UCC.

Dr. Chit Swe served as the Founder/Director of UCC. He initiated the academic and training programs. He stressed the importance of technology transfer, leapfrogging technology, knowledge sharing (internally and externally), and challenging the staff and students to try their best.

He requested U Soe Paing (RIT Electrical Engineering) to help design and implement the UCC project. He inquired the mother of Saya U Myo Min (Chartered Accountant working as Systems Analyst at IBM UK) if U Myo Min would be interested to come back to Burma and help with the UCC project. U Soe Paing recruited his friend Saya U Ko Ko Lay (PWD, GBNF) to help with the UCC project in general and with the UCC Building Design and Implementation in particular.

On April 1, 1971, U Soe Paing transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division; U Myo Min joined UCC as Manager of Applications Divison; and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) transferred to UCC as Manager of Operations Division,

I was a member of Generation Zero along with my mentors and U Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69), who was the earliest and longest volunteer of the UCC Project.

Dr. Chit Swe retired as Rector of RASU. He moved to Bangkok and Sydney. He passed away in 2019.

U Soe Paing left UCC in the eighties to pursue a career as Technical Adviser and Consultant for the UN projects in several countries.

U Myo Min migrated to USA. He taught briefly at the Nanyang Technical Institute in Singapore. He retired after serving as a Principal for Seagate Technology and Conner.

Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC. During his tenure, the Department of Computer Science (DCS) was established at RASU. U Ko Ko Lay served as Professor and Head of the Department.

Subsequently, the Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) was established with Dr. Tin Maung as Rector. U Ko Ko Lay served as Professor and Head of Information Technology. U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor and Head of Hardware Technology. U Hla Min served as Associate Professor and Head of Software Technology. Some sayas from UCC and RASU taught Computational Mathematics.

Courses at UCC

Dr. Chit Swe was Founder/Director of UCC and Professor of Mathematics Department at RASU. He arranged UCC to conduct degree and post-graduate diploma courses under the aegis of the Department of Mathematics, RASU. UCC also conducted training courses for computer users. Dr. Chit Swe was succeeded as Director of UCC by Saya U Tin Maung.

Several distinguished Professors from US, UK and Europe lectured at UCC.

The postgraduate degree and diploma courses given under the aegis of Department of Mathematics include M.Sc. (CS) and DAC (Diploma in Automatic Computing).

The Courses for computer users include

• COC (Computer Orientation Course)
• CPC (Computer Programming Course)
• Elective for Honors and Post-graduate in other disciplines
• Intensive training (e.g. for the Population Census Data ProcessinSpecial training (e.g. for those selected as State Scholars)
• Planning (e.g. for departments intending to purchase computers)

Teaching & Training

Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and U Hla Min wrote

• Introduction to Computers
• Introduction to Computer Programming
• Lecture Guides
• Manuals Books

UCC Gatherings

Over the years, I attended several mini-gatherings and gatherings hosted by UCC sayas and alumni.

Yangon

Saya U Soe Paing regular hosts gatherings (usually dinner meeting) at his house. Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my class mate. She also attended CPC course. U Thein Oo, Daw Than Than Tint, Daw Tin May Lwin and several others help organize the gatherings. U Thein Oo, U Htin Kyaw, U Aung Aung and several others provided us transportation to or from Saya Paing’s house.

UCC 40th Anniversary Gathering

The “40th Anniversary of UCC” was the Reunion of Staff, Teachers (Past and Present) and Students. Saya Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was represented by his spouse and daughter.

There was fun and laughter, music and dances, and good old memories.

Daw Ngwe Tin, Aye Aye Myint and sisters, Maung Myint, who maintained the UCC building rooms were among the attendees.

Among those present at the gathering, U Soe Myint, U Aung Myint, Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, Daw Khin Lay Myint and several others are GBNF.

UCSY Gathering

In January 14, 2018, I attended the 5th UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe as “Generation Zero” representative and the “Most Senior” (not by age). Several attendees started their studies and/or careers at UCC.

Sao Yan Naing, son of Dr. Saw Naing (Wesley, SPHS59), gave me a ride to the Pu Zaw Pwe. He is a nephew of Dr Myo Khin (C70) and a cousin of Soe Lin Maung (UCC).

Sydney in 2006

During my visit to Sydney, Australia in 2006, I met several UCC alumni. Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and Ma Kyawt organized a Reunion and mini-PZP for Saya Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF) and Saya Dr. Chit Swe. They were helped by U Sein Myint Maung, Daw Khin Aye Mu, U Htay Aung (Victor) and Daw Tin Tin Hlaing to name a few. I met Daw Thanda Htwe and “UCC Pha Yaung Daing”.

U Sein Tin hosted a dinner and also created a short music video.

USA

Dr. Raiful Ahad (Fremont, California), U Khin Zaw (Cupertino, California), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) & Daw Thida Khin (Fremont, California), U Sein Myint (EC76) & Daw Sao Mon Sint (New Jersey), and U Toung (EC69, Connecticut) hosted UCC gatherings (especially to welcome and alumni visiting US).

U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) hosts an annual joint gathering for UCC and RIT sayas and alumni at his home in New Jersey.

Singapore

U Tin Aung Win (C80), U Zaw Tun and Daw Pale Shein organized buffet gathering. U Aung Aung & Daw Kyin Mya are regulars at the gatherings. U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) is GBNF.

Some (e.g. U Win Latt, Daw Myint Myint Thein) have relocated.

Activities

Table Tennis (Ping Pong)

U Thein Oo and U Saung Tin (CSO) are excellent players.

Volleyball

U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF), U Kyaw Nyein (GBNF) and U Thein Oo are excellent players.
Rafiul Ahad (who was third in Burma in Hurdles) hurt his knee in a volleyball match.
Daw Nwe Nwe Win (Judy) is often the sixth member of an all-male team.

Soccer / Football

UCC team played ad hoc match against other teams (in and around Hlaing Campus).

UCC Dobat

U Win Hlaing played the Dobat. Others (e.g. Maung Myint, U Hla Pe) would play Wah Let Khote (bamboo clapper) and Ya Gwin.

Donlaba / Yahan Khan

UCC used to celebrate Thingyan and Su Paung Donlaba.

UCC had a Su Paung Donlaba for several years at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung and other monasteries. The Donlaba monks would be offered Soon at the UCC Thingyan. There would also be Water Throwing and occasionally “Ye Pet Khan” to selected mandats.

Ad Hoc Trips

U Aung Zaw (GBNF) led some trips (e.g. to Maw Tin Zun).

Four Decade Old Photo taken at the Convocation Hall

• Ko Win Hlaing
• Ko Henry Maung Maung (Census, GBNF)
• Ma Kyu Kyu Lwin (GBNF)
• Ma Khin Si Thoung (USA)
• Ma Khin Khin Win (Five Star Line – USA)
• Ma Phyu Phyu Win (Singapore)
• Ma Win May Thaung (GBNF)
• Ma Tin Tin Yi (Port Authority)
• Ma Hla Hla Win (GBNF)
• Ko Aung Myint (GBNF)
• Ko Soe Myint (Sunlun, M72, GBNF)

GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)

• Dr. Chit Swe
  Founder/Director of UCC
• U Ko Ko Lay
  Longest tenured Co-founder of UCC; Professor at DCS and ICST
• Dr. Tin Maung
  Director of UCC; Rector of ICST
• Dr. Kyaw Thein
  Rector of ICST
• U Hla Min (SPHS64, EP70)
  Chief Operator
• U Maung Maung Gyi (SPHS64, Phy68)
  Chief Operator
• U Maung Maung Lay (St. Albert’s, Ah Ba)
  Operator
• U Aung Myint (SPHS64, Phy68)
  Maintenance Engineer, Systems Division
• U Soe Myint (M72, DAC)
  Pro-Rector, ICST
• U Shein Soe Myint (EC83, MSc(CS))
  Passed away while doing his doctorate in Singapore
• U Mya Thein
  Business Applications Manager; Visiting lecturer at ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University)
• U Soe Thein
  Business Applications Programmer
• U Kyaw Nyein
  Scientific Applications Programmer; Numerical Methods & Analysis; UNV
• U Win Naing (Maths73, MSc (CS))
  Science Scholar; Scientific Applications Programmer
• U Myint Aung
  Superintendent, Admin Department
• Daw Khin Lay Myint
  Secretary; Branch Clerk, Admin Department
• U Aung Aung Thein
  He served in various capacities at UCC (Engineering, Teaching)
• Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin
  Job controller, Operations Division; transferred to SSB (Social Security Board) Computer Section.
• Daw Win May Thaung
  Offline operator, Operations Division
• Daw Khin Mya Swe (M.Sc. (CS))
  Programmer; Passed away in Lesotho
• Daw Khin Toe Nyein (M.Sc. (CS))
  Programmer
• Daw Thida Aung (M.Sc. (CS))
  Programmer
• Daw Khin San Hlaing (Cynthia)
  Librarian; attended M.Sc. (CS); worked at or attended AIT; migrated to Australia
• Daw Nge Ma Ma Than (DAC)
  Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST; Prisoner of Conscience
• U Khin Maung Aye (M73, M,Sc. (CS))
  Worked for Railways Computer Section

• Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (EP74, M.Sc.(CS))
  Doctorate from Syracuse University; Passed away at SJSU
• Sai Aung Thurein (EC74, M.Sc.(CS)))
  Worked in Singapore and Australia.

Updates

ICST was succeeded by UCSY (University of Computer Studies, Yangon) and COE (Center of Excellence).

Several articles were published in the Souvenir Magazine for the 30th Anniversary of ICST.

Saya U Soe Paing’s articles (e.g. “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” can be read in SCRIB-D.

U Hla Min’s “Memories of UCC” can be read in hlamin.com