HlaMin

Alumni

Written by

Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

in

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Usage

  • There were four Latin terms for “old student” — based on gender (male, female) and number (single, multiple)
  • Currently, Alumni is used to cover all four terms

Scope

  • I belong to various circles: PPBRS, SPHS, RU, RIT, UCC, DCS, ICST
  • In this post, we will cover RIT Alumni.

Engineering Alumni

I use “RIT” to represent not only my alma mater Rangoon Institute of Technology, but all Engineering Colleges and Institutes which precede and succeed RIT.

Many alumni are active in the following:

  • HMEE
  • SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
  • RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
  • NorCal RITAA (in the US)
  • MES
  • MEC

Paying Respect

  • Paying respect to Sayas is a tradition that is unique to Myanmar.
  • The tradition is alive and well.
  • The term Saya Pu Zaw Pwe is preferred to Saya Ga Daw Pwe (which has religious connotation). SPZP allows alumni who profess different beliefs to pay respect to their mentors.
  • There have been seven world wide SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) : SPZP-2000 (US);
    SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 (Singapore);
    SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016 (Yangon)
  • I was fortunate to be a Core Organizer for SPZP-2000 and a Coordinator for the remaining SPZPs.
SPZP-2000

History

  • “History of Myanmar Engineering Education” Book was published in 2012.
  • The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni. (See Acknowledgement in the Book)
  • Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team compiled the book.
  • Ko Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE-2012 book
  • The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
  • Ko Ohn Khine translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2. The translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.
  • Saya U Aung Hla Tun gave the copyright to RITAA.
  • HMEE-2018 was headed by Saya U Aung Hla Tun. His demise affected the progress of the project.

YTU Library Modernization Project

A decent Library is a requirement of the accreditation of YTU by Asean (and beyond).

Donations — large and small — came in. Thanks to U Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and team.

The donors include

  • U Khin Maung Tun (T78)
  • Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (C73)
  • Daw Myint Myint (C69)
  • Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
  • James Shwe (M76) and Annette Shwe (A75)
  • NorCal RITAA
  • Alumni from Singapore, Australia and New Zealand

Archive

  • The Library could have a section to help remember our beloved alma mater, our sayas and alumni activities.
  • Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi endorsed Ko Benny Tan’s proposal to archive the mementos.
  • We requested alumni (esp. class representatives) to record gatherings / activities.

Health Care Funds

  • Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
  • Eye examination and assistance Fund provided by U Khin Maung Tun
  • The balance of both funds had been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
  • Other funds include 69er HCF, EE69er HCF, and those administered by the classes and groups (e.g. Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65) mn

Saya Allen Htay (C58)

  • Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group
  • Co-founded “RIT Alumni International” which hosted SPZP-2000 and served as President.
  • His article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” is a classic.
  • Daw Mu Mu Khin hosted a lunch in memory of Saya on December 31, 2017.
  • In memory of Saya Allen, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to the YTU library.
    Also sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is allen-htay-1.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is allen-htay-2.jpg

Golden Sponsors

  • U Thaung Sein (Steeve, EC70, GBNF)
  • U Benny Tan (M70)
  • U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
  • U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, GBNF)
  • U Maung Maung Than (M79)
  • The five Golden sponsors and other donors made sure U Nyo Win’s Act (requiring the organizers to chip in if SPZP-2000 will not have the minimum number of attendees) will not be needed.

2019

  • Completed two decades as Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter
  • Compiled posts for the Golden Jubilee of 69ers
    Attended both events on December 14, 2019

2020

  • Broadcast educational videos

2021 – Present

  • The pandemic caused the demise of several sayas and alumni. Eighteen 69ers succumbed to Covid.
  • Due to restrictions, I managed to make only short trips (to Singapore, Thailand and Laos).
  • I am writing and revising posts in hlamin.com
  • Request help to transform into digital and/or printed books for posterity

Resources

  • RIT related Facebook pages
  • RIT related Google groups
  • hlamin.com

Update

  • The majority of alumni reside in Myanmar.
  • USA had RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000. It was succeeded by NorCal RITAA. The alumni also served as President and EC in professional organizations such as BEA, BAPS, BASES and MASTAA.
  • The Alumni in Singapore helped with SPZP-2002, 2007 and 2010.
  • The Alumni in Australia participate in activities by the Myanmar Australian Engineering Association.
  • RITAJ (in Japan) is inactive.

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