Age

by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Minimum age requirement

There was a minimum age requirement for admission to the University of Rangoon.
Saya Dr. Hla Aung (C58) had to wait one year to enter Rangoon University because he was under age.

No minimum age requirement

At some universities, young talented students (12 – 16 years young) graduate.
Robert Floyd (ACM Turing Award winner) received his BA (at age 16) and BS from the University of Chicago. He retired as Chairman of Computer Science Department at Stanford University.

Transfer students

Some who transferred to St. Paul’s High School had to re-do some classes. They may become the senior members of their class.
Some complete the High School Curriculum at a Chinese School, but cannot afford to attend a university overseas (e.g. in China). They join the regular schools and sit Government exams. They may become senior members of their class.

Time off

A few decide to work for a couple of years after Matriculation usually as a teacher. When they later join the University, they may become the senior members of their class.
Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) was the youngest in his class. A classmate, who joined Rangoon University after serving as a high school teacher, was 7 years older than him.

Kyaung Pyaw

There were some “Kyaung Pyaws”. They enjoy their university life so much that they try to stay as long as possible. Some repeat every class.
When Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) returned from the USA after completing his BS and MS, he had to teach one of his former classmates.

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :

During the good times of having factions of students for student “politics”, “Tat Oo” and “Ye Gaung“, some students either defer or deliberately fail exams so that they could stay in as university students.
Some take BL (Bachelor of Law) and Diploma classes so that they can continue as EC (Executive Committee) members in the student associations.