UCC — Application Division

Written by

by Hla Min

Update : 23rd October 2026

Graduated with Mathematics from RASU
M.Sc. from the University of Lancaster in the UK
Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, USA
Taught at Virginia Military Institute (VMI)
He is currently working in the Washington, D.C.
His friend Sayama Daw Swe Swe Than asked U Soe Than to tutor her sister Daw Wai Wai Than. The rest is history.

Mra is a Rakkhine spelling for Mya
Mathematics major
Joined UCC as an applications programmer
There were some difficulties in finding a suitable university for Mra in the UK. He received an offer from the University of Belfast, but there was violence notably in connection with IRA (Irish Republican Army). He ended up migrating to the USA.

He owns a set of equipment (Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Audio) to form a band.
He was leader of TAMPS band (formed with the initials of the members): Tin Aung, Austin Xavier, Mra Tun, Pierpont Morgan and Sidney Sann Aung.
In the USA, he often jams with the local music bands.
He and Ricky Zaw (brother of Daw Nyunt Nyunt Zaw (T68)) performed a duet at the BASES Annual Dinner in Los Angeles.
He worked as an independent consultant and as a contractor for IBM. Most of his projects are related to COBOL.

Taught Numeral Methods at the UCC courses
Studied in the UK
He was athletic and played Football and Volleyball
He had a kidney problem
His “Ah Nar Dei” attitude (to use the health fund provided by former colleagues) led to his demise.

He is known as Japan Sayagyi. His wife worked for Foreign Ministry and was assigned to Japan. He accompanied her and worked as a COBOL programmer.

Saya U Soe Paing met him during his training (sponsored by Japan International Cooperating Agency and implemented by Fujitsu and other Japanese computer companies). Saya asked him if he would like to join UCC upon his return to Burma.
He became one of the COBOL teachers
He later moved to Australia

Also known as Joe Thein
He had a disability, but that did not prevent him to have a good life and career. He completed training from ICL including COBOL programming.
He joined UCC as an “off-line” operator
He transferred to the Application Division
He became one of the COBOL teachers

Transfers

Some Operations Division staff transferred to other divisions (e.g. Scientific Applications Division) and/or Teaching. They include U Myint Swe and U Soe Myint (GBNF).
Some transferred from other Government departments to UCC. They include U Win Myint (SLR) and U Tin Win.
Several student volunteers joined UCC after completing their M.Sc. and DAC courses. They include U Win Naing (GBNF), Daw Tin May Lwin and Daw Thin Thin Aung.