69ers — BFF & Young at Heart

by Hla Min

Updated : Oct 2025

Old Education System

• Matriculates had to study two years of Intermediate Classes.
• Those aspiring to become Engineers had to pass the I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science) classes with 50+ marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry. They then study four years at the Engineering College for their B.Sc. (Engg) degree.

RU

Rangoon University was opened on 1st December 1920 with Rangoon College and Judson College as constitutent colleges. There were only three Faculties: Arts, Science and Law.

First Strike

The First RU Students’ Strike started on 5th December 1920 to protest the deficiencies of the 1920 RU Act. It led to the opening of National Schools and National College. It also forced amendments to the RU Act (notably in 1923).

Engineering Classes

In 1924, the inaugural engineering classes were opened.

Details can be found in the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) book published in 2012. Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF, National Literary Award winner, former Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazine) served as Leader and Principal Auhor of the book. U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE book.

Engineering students have to attend

• I.Sc.(A)
• I.Sc.(B)
• 1st Year of Engineering
• 2nd Year of Engineering
• 3rd Year of Engineering
• 4th & Final Year of Engineering

Engineering Departments

• Architecture
• Chemical
• Civil
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Metallurgy
• Mining
• Textile.

Civil was the earliest Discipline.
Mechanical and Electrical Disciplines were offered next.
In the mid and late 1950s, five more Disciplines were added.

New Education System

In November 1964, RU was reorganized. Several Faculties became autonomous Institutes.

RIT

The Faculty of Engineering (known also as the Burma Institute of Technology) became Rangoon Institute of Technolgy with U Yone Moe (former Dean of BIT) as Rector and U Soe Thein (former Ta-Ka-Tha Leader) as Registrar.

Three Batches

In November 1964, three batches of students were admitted to RIT.

ILA (Intelligence Level Agregate) was used to admit 400+ Matriculates to the 1st BE. ILA was controversial.

300+ students who had passed the I.Sc.(A) examination were admitted to the 2nd BE.

About 200 students who had passed the I.Sc.(B) examination were admitted to the 3rd BE.

Classes

In the New Education System, the Classes are called

• 1st BE
• 2nd BE
• 3rd BE
• 4th BE
• 5th BE
• 6th & Final BE. BE stands for Bachelor of Engineering.

For Architects, the Classes are called BArch (Bachelor of Architecture).

RIT69ers

Guinea Pigs

The Group is jokingly eferred to the Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems.

• Most took the Last ever 7th Standard Government exam in March 1960.
• They took the First ever 9th Standard (HSF/ High School Final Only) exam in March 1962.
  Those from Rangoon had to take the exam with Security Forces patroling the streets after the Coup d’etat on March 2nd by the Revolutionary Council.
  They had to retake the HSF exam in August 1962 because the Higher Authorities said that there were question leakage.
• They took the 10th Standard (Matriculation Only) exam in May 1963.
• In sum, they had to take three or four Government exams before being admitted to the University.
  In contrast, my older brother had to take only two exams : 7th Std. exam in March 1955, and the HSF & Matriculation exam in March 1957.
• They took the Last ever I.Sc.(A) exam at various schools, since most classes at Rangoon University, Mandalay University and Intermediate Colleges were suspended (for an unspecified period).
• Some classmates (e.g. Maung Maung Kyi (GBNF, SPHS63, 11th in Matric) applied Scholarship to study abroad, since he was the eldest in the family and did not want to burden his parents.
• After a long wait, some of my Leik Khone classmates (e.g. Aung Min (M69)) were admitted to 2nd BE in November 1964. There were 300 + students. The admission was based on the I.Sc.(A) exam marks. A few decided to study BArch.
• For the 2nd BE, the students had to study English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Drawing, Surveying, Materials and Processes, Sociology & Workshop.
• Starting with the 3rd BE, the students had to choose their Discipline. Civil and Mechanical were the top choices with 100+ students.
  Electrical had 70+ students.
  Chemical and Textile had 15+ students. Mining, Metallurgy and Architecture had 10 (or so) students.
• For 5th BE, EE students had to chose the Option: EP (Electrical Power) and EC (Electrical Communications)
• Most 69ers graduated in 1969 after passing 6th BE. Some took sabbatical, and graduated a year or two later.
• The 69ers worked mainly in the Government departments and Industry. Some worked for private companies and family business. A few moved abroad.
• Some 69ers (e.g. Dave Saluja and Win Maung) left before graduation.

Membership

The members include
(a) those who entered 2nd BE in 1964
(b) those who graduated in 1969
(c) those who studied a year or more with the above

The Group is also known as 69ers, the RIT Class of 69 and the Class of RIT 69++ .

Gatherings

The first formal Reunion of the Group occurred in 1999. It also was instrumental for the development of the RIT Alumni Newsletter, the inaugural ex-rit website, and the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000).

30th Anniversary in 1999

In 1999, Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel), Ko Sein Myint, Ko Sein Win (“Nar Yee”),  and several 69ers organized the reunion for the “30th Anniversary of Graduation” and also a mini-SPZP. Ko Tint Lwin e-mailed me a report. Ma Saw Yu Tint (Alice) e-mailed me photos.

Saya U Soe Paing e-mailed me about several mini-gatherings in Yangon (e.g. with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi).

Ko Tint Lwin (M69) wrote :

Thank you very much for your write-up about our 1999 “30th Anniversary of Graduation”. Actually. it all started in 1996 when I visited Burma and had dinner with a few of my close friends, including, Ko Shwe, Ko Win Mg, Ko Ye Pinn, Gabar Ko Myint Thein, etc. During dinner somebody mentioned that in 3 years time it would be 30 years since we graduated. Out of the blues I suggested to have a reunion in 1999. Everybody laughed as it was so far away. When I came back to Singapore and told Ko Sein Myint and Dickie they also laughed and told me that I must be crazy to think about so far away. However, time flies and in either late 1998 or early 1999 at Ko Win Htein’s funeral wake, some of our friends remembered the reunion proposal. They quickly formed a committee and organised the very first reunion at ‘Sait Taing Kya Restaurant. After the event I wrote you a report, Alice sent you a few photos and the rest is history.

40th Anniversary in 2009

The Class of 69 organized the “40th Anniversary of the Graduation” in 2009.

Golden Jubilee of Admission in 2014

The “Golden Jubilee of the admission to 2nd BE” was celebrated in 2014, because the 69ers were concerned with the declining health of members and that some may not be able to make it to the True Golden Jubilee of graduation in 2019.

Golden Jubilee of Graduation in 2019

The Class of 69 celebrated the true Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary of Graduation) in December 2019.

Acariya Pu Zwe Pwe was held at the Assembly Hall on Gyogone Campus.

The Reunion Dinner and Entertainment was held at the former Office Compound of Ko Aung Min.

Ma Tin Tin (Anne, EC69) had a “Home Coming” after her graduation.

Many were unaware that the gathering would be a final one for some (especaially those who would succumb to Covid).

My Contributions

RIT Alumni Newsletter

• I started “RIT Alumni (Abroad) Newsletter” to share RIT-related news (such as the mini-gatherings) and solicited contact information (in the form a spread sheet) from interested sayas and alumni.
• “RIT” stands not only for Rangoon Institute of Technology, but all the engineering schools that precede or succeed it.
  RIT is a place holder for the RU Faculty of Engineering, Burma Institute of Technology, Yangon Institute of Technology, Yangon Technological University and various Technological Universities in Myanmar.
• The name was changed to “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” to include alumni in Burma and the rest of the world.
• A commemorative issue was published for SPZP-2000.

RIT Web Site

• Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) designed and implemented the first RIT web site.
• I served as Content Provider and Editor of the web site.
  I composed the “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” poem. I posted 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post Reunion”.
• Ko Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69), Ko Aung Myint (M69, Singapore) and the San Francisco Bay Area Group led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) provided some financial help to operate the web site.
• “RIT Alumni International” hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) in October 2000.

SPZP

The term “Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” was chosen over “Saya Ga Daw Pwe” (which has religious connotation) so that alumni professing various faiths can pay respect to their former sayas / mentors.

• There has been seven world wide SPZPs:
  SPZP-2000 in USA,
  SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 in Singapore,
  SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 in Yangon.
• Due to COVID-19 pandemic, SPZP-2020 was cancelled.

I have been an Organizer and/or Facilitator for the SPZPs.

My “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” poem was published in the Commemorative Newsletter for SPZP-2000.

Saya U Moe Aung reprinted the poem as the Back Cover of Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002.

My poem “SWE DAW YEIK” was published in the Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2007.

My article “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” was published in the Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010.

Zau Lai (EP69) wrote :

Thank you, Ko Hla Min, for your writings. If it’s not for you there will be no records and history of RIT. I am reading interestingly all your writings all the time. When we all are gone your writing will live on.

Aung Min (M69) wrote :

So thanks for your recordings.
Appreciations.

Food For Thought

Aging, Health and GBNF

At one moment, the Class of 69 had a median age of 69, and the list of GBNF has 69 members.

That symmetry no longer holds. The Class of 69 has a median age of 79, and the list of GBNF has 128!(or so) members. Over 40% have passed away.

In the latter half of 2021, twenty 69ers passed away. 18 were victims of Covid.

Declining Health

The attendees at the mini-gatherings have decreased. Some could not drive, and had to ask their family members to take them to the gatherings. Some had major or minor operations, and need time to recover fully. Some had medical problems for some time (e.g. a year or two).

Retirement

Most are retired or semi-retired. A few did not retire or did not have the chance to retire.

• Ko Tin Maung Lay (M69) worked in Europe and Middle East. So he came back to California only on home leave.
• His spouse wanted him to retire.
• He agreed but his boss requested him to perform a meticulous “hand-over” before retiring.
• He had daily work outs and supposedly had no known major health problems.
• He passed away in Dubai on a Friday (holiday in the country). His company and colleagues tried extra hard to make sure that his body could be flown back to Southern California, USA.

69er HCF (Health Care Fund)

U Aung Min (M69, Chair), U Shwe (EP69, Secretary) and team are the core volunteers for the 69er HCF. The team sends out monthly, quarterly and annual reports (including Donations, Income, Expenditure, GBNF)

Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69), Daw Myint Myint (C69) and U Sein Myint (K K Wong, EP69) are some of the major donors to HCF.

Most 69ers donate at the 69er Gatherings (e.g. Monthly Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si / Royal Rose Restaurant).

Ko Ivan Lee (M69) wrote :

Dear Classmates,

Recently rather than optimistic good news, we heard spreading pessimistic health concern news mostly.
It clearly indicates that we are aging higher and health is going down lower and lower.
I can imagine 5 years from now how many will be terribly survived.
I am kind of depressed that sooner or later we will be meeting THERE.
At this moment all I can express is to wish our classmates who are in sickness to recover ASAP.

Ivan Lee (M69)

Paying Homage to Saya U Ba Than (GBNF)

U Tin Maung Soe (Tommy, EP69, GBNF)

Khin Maung Win (EP69, GBNF)

• Known fondly as “Sargalay” and “Nutty”
• Usually finished Mechanical drawings in about an hour and still get Grade 5.
• Later changed his name to “Lada” and “Galon”
• Training partner for Sai Kham Pan (EP69, Burma Selected in Badminton)
• Badminton selection at the Township level

A69

• Aung Khin
  After working in Botswana, he and Tin Tin Hla (A70) moved to Seattle, Washington, USA to be near their daughters and grand children. He attended the Golden Jubilee on December 14, 2019 in Yangon
• Kyaw Kyaw
  He belonged to an elite group who married before graduation.
• Myo Tun (Bobby)
  Won essay contests as Errol Than Tun. After retirement from PWD, he became Ashin Pannagavesaka. He is an editor of Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books and a dhamma librarian at the Mawlamyine Pa Auk Taw Ya. He went on dhamma dhuta missions (e.g. to Vietnam).
• Tobias K. Ku, Saw (Tobi, GBNF)
  He attends 69er monthly breakfast gatherings.
  Passed away in 2021.
• Thet Htun
  He moved to Taiwan.
• Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi, Daw (Olive)
  Used to play chinlon with her classmates.
  Spouse : U Han Zaw.
  Met both last at the lunch gathering at Crystal Jade in 2012 (preceding SPZP-2012).
• Tin Maung Hla (GBNF)
  Had some medical problems (which hopefully had gone away).

ChE69

• Aung Min Oo
• Aung San
• Aye Aye Kyu, Daw
• Ceril Shair (USA) ?
• Khan Za Lan
• Khin Maung Win
• Kyaw Minn (Ei Kun, Singapore)
• Kyaw Min (Albert)
• Moe Hein (Ajala, Swimming and Water Polo)
• Myat Tun
• Myint Ko
• Myint Myint Aye, Daw
• Myo Khin, Dr. (Japan)
• Mehm Myo Min
• Soe Win
• Swe Swe Oo, Daw
• Taing Oke, Dr. (Japan)
• Yi Yi Khaing, Daw (Vilma, Singapore)

C69

• Aung Chaw (Victor, Ashin Okkantha)
• Aung Kyaw Nyein (USA)
• Aung Myint
• Aung Than
• Aung Win
• Ba Than Chit (Saw Myint Naing)
• Han Sein (“Tone Kyaw”, Swimming and Water Polo, GBNF)
• Hla Myint
• Hla Myint Thein (Patrick Aye)
• Htay Aung (Canada)
• Htay Myint
• Htin Aung, Dr. (Chinlone)
• Khin Aung (Taiwan)
• Khin Maung
• Khin Maung Aye
• Khin Maung Myint (Mandalay)
• Khin Maung Tint
• Khin Maung Win, Dr. (Donald Ba Pe)
• Kyaw Min Thein (Kenneth)
• Kyaw Naing (Kyaw Thwin)
• Kyaw Thein
• Kyaw Tint
• Li Li Wai, Daw
• Maung Kyaw
• Myint Aung
• Myo Khin, Dr. (Japan)
• Myo Nyunt
• Myo Win
• Myo Chit
• Myint Myint, Daw
• Nyi Hla Nge
• Ngwe Tun (Tun Tun)
• Phone Kyaw (Mandalay)
• Phor Daw Khan
• Sam Nithang (Samuel, USA)
• Saw Lwin
• San Linn
• Saw Yan Naing (GBNF)
• Sein Tun
• Soe Myint
• Soe Tint
• Than Htwe
• Than Oo
• Thaung Htay
• Thaung Htwe, Daw

EE l69

• Abdul Rauf (GBNF)
• Aung Gyi Shwe (Track and Field, Soccer, GBNF)
• Aung Kyaw Pe (Singapore, Myanmar)
• Aung Than
• Aung Thu Yein (GBNF)
• Aye Thein (Volleyball)
• Ba Oak
• Bishnu Shahi (Badminton, Nepal, GBNF)
• Chit Tin (GBNF)
• Dave Singh Saluja (Thailand)
• Hla Min (Rowing, USA)
• Hla Paik
• Hla Tun
• Khin Maung Hassan (Saudi Arabia. USA)
• Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung, GBNF)
• Khin Maung Soe
• Khin Maung Tint
• Khin Maung Nyo (GBNF)
• Khin Maung Win Sargalay, GBNF)
• Khin Maung Win (Roland)
• Krishnan Lal (Australia)
• Kyaw Sein (Ashley Woo, Kyaukme)
• Kyaw Sein (Singapore)
• Kyaw Soe (GBNF)
• Kyaw Win
• Kyaw Zin (visiting Australia)
• Kyi Shwin
• Kyi Win (Kyaw Gyi)
• Kyin Hwet
• Maung Toung (Tom, USA)
• Maung Kaung
• Maung Ko
• Maung Maung (Volleyball, EE69er HCF)
• Maung Shwe (69er HCF, EE69er HCF)
• Mehm Paw Oo (GBNF)
• Mehm Aung Tin
• Min Aung (Hla Thaung)
• Min Lwin
• Min Thaw (Gilbert, GBNF)
• Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet)
• Myint Maung (Bu, Volleyball)
• Myo Aung (GBNF)
• Myo Hein (GBNF)
• Oo Kyaw Hla (Canada, GBNF)
• Sai Aik Yee (GBNF)
• Sai Kham Pan
• Sai Kyaw Aye
• Saw Aung
• Saw Edison
• Saw Lwoi Lwin Thaw (?)
• Sein Myint (K K Wong)
• Soe Myint
• Soe Myint Thein (GBNF)
• Soe Thein (Peter)
• Tan Chaung Yin (USA)
• Thar Kyaw
• Than Hla (Cyril)
• Than Htay
• Than Lwin (Henry)
• Than Myint
• Thein Swe (GBNF)
• Thein Tun (Michael)
• Thet Lwin
• Tin Maung Soe (Tommy, GBNF)
• Tin Oo
• Tin Shwe
• Tin Tin, Daw (Anne, USA)
• Tun Aung Gyaw, Dr. (USA)
• Victor Lwin
• Win Boh (Robert, Australia)
• Win Maung (Lake)
• Ye Win, Mehm
• Yi Tun
• Zau Lai, Duwa

M69

• Aye Lwin (GBNF)
  Secretary of RIT Mechanical Engineering Association
  Editor of RIT Annual Magazine
  Attended RIT Alumni Gathering in Los Angeles in 2015
• Aung Myint
  Joined Faculty after graduation
  Taught at Singapore Poly
  Lives in New Zealand and Singapore
  Hobbies : Painting, Motivational Messages
• Mehm Aye Chan (Ohn Maung)
  Joined Faculty after graduation
  Worked at sea before founding his own company
• Htay Aung
  Outstanding swimmer.
  Won 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and Cross-lake.
  Burma selected in water polo for 1969 SEAP Games
  Spouse : Than Than (Burma Champion sprinter)
• Khin Maung Aye
  Joined Defense Industries
  Pen name : Maung Hmut
• Khin Maung Tin
  Joined Faculty after graduation
  Taught at RIT and Marine Engineering Institute
• Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee)
  Post graduate studies in USA
  Professional Engineer for New York and New Jersey
  Golden Sponsor of SPZP-2000
  Major donor to 69er Health Care Fun
  Host for RIT-UCC Gathering in New Jersey for more than a decade
• Tint Lwin (Daniel)
  Grad studies in Canada
  Retired Associate Professor from NTU
  Guitarist / Vocalist
• Aung Naing (Bahadhur, GBNF)
• Chit Pe (GBNF)
• Chit Po Po (GBNF)
• Dicky (Win Naing, GBNF)
• Khin Maung Gyi (GBNF)
• Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF)
• Myint Sein (Badminton, HCF, GBNF)
• Myint Thein (David)
• Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF)
• Ngwe Soe (Walter)
• Sein Win (GBNF)
• Soe Win (GBNF)
• Than Myaing
• Than Win
• Tin Aung (GBNF)
• Tin Aung Win (Oscar)
• Tin Htut (Seafarer)
• Tin Htut (Harry)
• Tin Maung Aye (Accordion)
• Tin Myint (John Lee, GBNF)
• Yin Kyu (GBNF)

Met69

• Myint Kyi
• Maung Tun (GBNF)
• Ohn Kyaw
• Sai Aung Win (Mandalay)
• Sai Kyaw Myint
• Tin Aung

Min69

• Aung Win
• Chit Htun (GBNF)
• Khin Kyaw Nyein (GBNF)
• Kyaw Tint (GBNF)
• Khin Maung Gyi
• Mya Win
• Tin Maung (oldest)
• Tin Win (Hosted the lunch gathering at Crystal Jade in 2012)
• Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu)

Pet69

• Aung Myint (Kyant Ba Hone, GBNF)
• Kyaw Din
• Kyaw Than (Magwe)
• Kyaw Myint
• Myint Maung
• Myint Swe
• Paw Mya

T69

• Aung Thein (USA)
• Aye Aye Kyi, Daw
• Cho Cho, Daw
• Hla Shwe (GBNF)
• Hla Thaung
• Hla Tun (Japangyi, GBNF)
• Jimmy Kyin (GBNF)
• Kyaw Min (Mandalay)
• Kyi San (Win Maung, Mandalay)
• Lyo Kyin Sein, Daw (Mabel Lee, USA)
• Lin Lin Aung, Daw (Singapore)
• Myo Myint Thein
• Nan Su Su, Daw (GBNF)
• Naw Mu Mu Aye, Daw
• Nyunt Nyunt Wai, Daw (Millie Hoe, Germany)
• San Kyi, Daw (USA?)
• San San Myint, Daw (Helen Wu, USA)
• Saw Yu Tint, Daw (Alice)
• Sein Sein Maw
• Than Win
• Thet Myint
• Tin Tun Aung
• Tint Swe (Zeegone)

Recollections of a 69er

• I wrote an article for the Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine in 2014 for RIT Shwe YaDu (Golden Jubilee of the then New Education System).
• Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as the Chief Editor.

1969 Calendar

• Published for the Universities and Institutes

Some Memories

Alice visiting the San Francisco Bay Area

• Alice visited her son and family in the San Francisco Bay Area
• She took time off to attend the Literary Talks by Min Ko Naing and Aw Pe Kye

69ers at a gathering hosted by Ivan Lee (New Jersey)

• Ivan has hosted annual gatherings at his house for RIT and UCC Alumni.
• The timing is chosen to conincide with the visits of Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Soe Paing to the area.
• Fred (Pennsylvannia), TAG (Massachussetts), HM (California), Alice (Myanmar), Tom (Connecticut) and Ivan (New Jersey) had a mini-gathering.
• Ivan is co-founder and Patron of MASTAA (based in New York).
  MASTAA has broadcast interviews with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi, Saya U Soe Paing and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung.
  MASTSAA members and friends donated for COVID-19 relief (prevention and treatment) in USA and Myanmar.
• Ivan is a major donor to the 69er HCF (Health Care Fund) along with Daw Myint Myint and U Sein Myint.

Monthly Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si

• Before the pandemic, 69ers had monthly breakfast gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose Restaurant).

Annual Dinner at M3

• For several years, the Annual Dinner and Entertainment was held at M3.
• Albert and Danny are two regular performers (guitar and vocal).

Danny’s visit to San Francisco

• Ko Tin Myint (John Lee) showed Danny around the SF Bay Area.
• Saya Allen Htay and Daw Mu Mu Kin hosted a dinner for Danny at a restaurant in Castro.

Speaking at John Lee’s Memorial Service

• Ko Tin Myint (John Lee) passed away.
• His daughter (a medical doctor) requested me to share my memories.

Maung Maung Kaung (Yi Pinn) in Dawei

• Yi Pinn is busy with his projects in Dawei.
• Some time back, his spouse passed away in Yangon.
  He rushed to Yangon, but had to self-Q.
  He could not be present at his spouse’s last journey.
• He later succumbed to Covid.

Donation by Daw Myint Myint

• Daw Myint Myint is a major donor to the 69er HCF.
• She also hosted or sponsored lunch and dinner gatherings.
  e.g. Welcome Daw Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie) at Westin Park Hotel
• She donated twice for YTU Library Modernization Project.
  e.g. K100 Lakhs once