Science Scholar

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Tin Aung Lwin

• Scored 100% in the သင်္ချာချွန် exam.
• Saya U Po Thon (Director of Education & Author of High School Maths Texts) recommended Dr. Nyi Nyi to recruit Tin Aung Lwin as a Science Scholar.
• He had published a book based on his blogs.
• In a recent blog, he shared his memories about Saya U Aung Sein, Dr. Min Oo and Dr. Zaw Win.

Science Scholarship

In the old education system, there were minimal requirements to attend courses at the University.

Among those who stood First in Burma, Dr. Soe Win (Matric 58) chose to study Chemistry and Dr. Hla Tin Ngwe (Frankie Ohn, Matric 59) chose to study Physics. Sayagyi U Ba Khin chose to work and later became Head of four Departments and a renowned Vipassana Teacher.

The disruption took in several forms (a) the use of the controversial ILA system (b) competition to enter professional courses (c) discrimination of those who are not 3-NRC.

The “Science Scholarship” (SS) program was introduced to lure brilliant students to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Deputy Minister of Education, “promised” that SS holders will be sent for further studies (may be even before they graduate).

Twenty Scholarships were reserved for each discipline, but they were never filled due to lack of student interest.

For the first batch, there were four Science Scholars for Maths (including Ko Tin Aung Lwin & Ko Win Naing) and two for Physics (including Ko Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing).

For the second batch, Zaw Win (Second in Burma in 1970) was Science Scholar for Maths.

There were two more batches.

Silver Lining

Reality struck.

There were few scholarships for the Ministry of Education.

But, there’s a silver lining in every cloud. Some SS scholars gained wealth and fame as Tuition Sayas.