Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) : Founder / Director; Also, Professor of Mathematics, RASU
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing : Manager of Systems Division; Transferred from RIT
U Ko Ko Lay
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) : Manager of Operations Division; Transferred from PWD
U Myo Min
U Myo Min : Manager of Applications Division; Chartered Accountant; Systems Analyst at IBM (UK); Came back at the request of his mother and Saya Chit to help with the UCC Project
U Tun Aung Gyaw
U Tun Aung Gyaw : Engineer, Systems Division
U Hla Min
U Hla Min (Systems) : Engineer, Systems Division
CO U Hla Min (Top row 2nd from Right)
U Hla Min (“Pauk Si”) : Chief Operator
See “Memories of UCC“
See “UCC Sayas“
RIT Graduates in 1971
Rosie Gyi (Center), Ma Sandar (Right)
Cho Cho Tin (Ma Sandar) : A71 Literary Award Winning Author; Wrote “G-Hall Thu” Spouse : San Maung (A)
Khin Maung Myint & Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) : both ChE71; Members, Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
Saw Lin, KMM, RG
Saw Lin (GBNF) : C71; MES (VP, Technical Publications Manager); Core Organizer, SPZP-2012; Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012; Reprinted 23 RIT Annual Magazines; Provided transportation and welcome dinner
Win Myint (Left)
Win Myint : C71; High School Luyechun; Author; Brigadier General; Dy. Minister
Wunna Sithu : EC71; Rowed for Marine Youth, RIT and RUBC; Swimming & Water Polo
Ma Pwint Than
Ma Pwint Than : EP71; Twice High School Luyechun; RIT EE Association
Myint Thin (Standing Rightmost)
Myint Thin (GBNF) : M71; RIT Luyechun; RIT Rowing Selection (with Khin Maung Myint, Myint Than, Win Kyaw); Sponsor of U Ba Than to SPZP-2007; Friends : Myint Toe, Aung Win (Owen), Bo Bo Oo (Oscar), Soe Khine, Michael Aye, Uttam Singh
During my visit to YTU, I met U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) and Sayama Daw Thida (Physics).
WHO explained about the YTU Library Modernization Project. He took us to the Alumni Association Office & the Saya’s corner. He told us that Swel Daw Yeik Foundation had purchased three wheel chairs for use by sayas attending the SPZPs held at YTU. They will be maintained by the Alumni Association.
Daw Thida joined the RIT Physics Department in 1971. She was a core member of the team for “Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha’s Centennial Birthday” celebration.
Posts
Associations
BIT to YTU
Education Systems
Updates
The pandemic caused disruption to projects. There were restrictions on travel.
Alumni worldwide donated to the YTU Modernization Project. Two phases were completed.
WHO is busy as Maung Mar Ga
Daw Thida & U Oo Khin Maung helped celebrate the Centennial of U San Tha Aung
My saya at RIT. He taught Mechanical Drawing and Strength of Materials.
Gave me rides to RIT in his white Zephyr. Several thought I was his nephew.
My cousin. His father is my mom’s elder brother. His mother is my dad’s elder sister.
Had many photo albums. He would show them to me and former students.
Several years ago, he has a Stroke. His family members hired nurses & assistants to speed up his recuperation.
His son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren provided him with tender, loving care.
His physical and mental health declined in his 90s.
He passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
Brief Bio
U Ba Than 2
Born on October 2, 1930.
He is the second among nine siblings.
Siblings : U Tin U, U Ba Than (GBNF), Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby), Daw Myint Thwe (GBNF), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
Wedding of U Ba Than & Daw Mya Mya
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya
Son : U Ye Than (Winner Inn)
DIL : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grandchildren : Aung Myo Myint & Ei Khine
Family members
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947. Won Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1949, received Gold Medal for Highest Marks in I.Sc (Combined).
Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London University
Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
Colombo Plan Scholar to study Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College
Promoted to Lecturer
Retired as Professor
Early supporter of HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education). Hosted inaugural meeting. Donated photos.
Invited former colleagues & students to his Birthday Soon Kyway
Donated almost all of the Garawa money to selected charities.
Passed away shortly after his 94th birthday.
Garawa
Paid respect to Saya U Ba Toke
Paying respect to U Ba Toke
By 69ers
U Aung Min (M69) & team would organize 69ers to pay respect to Saya around his Birthday.
Earlier events were at Winner Inn.
The photo below was taken at Saya’s new house.
69ers visiting Saya
By M75
Maurice Chee, U Win Khaing (GBNF) and several M75 had a reunion. They then visited Winner Inn to pay respect to Saya.
M75
78th Birthday in 2008
78th birthdayMessage
He distributed his Memoirs.
A page from his memoirs
82nd Birthday in 2012
82nd birthday in 2012Birthday Soon Kyway in 2012
90th Birthday in 2020
He received a Photo Album from his younger brother U Tin Htoon (A60).
Photo Album
Double Dana
He donated the Garawa money that he had received from the SPZPs to charities
Provided seed money for designing memorabilia to be given to sayas & sayamas attending SPZP-2000, commemorative T-shirts to the organizers and volunteers, and to raise fund by selling the surplus items.
Attended SPZPs in USA, Singapore and Yangon.
With Steeve Kay (Ko Thaung Sein, EC70)
Around 2019, he had medical problems. He could not travel far, but continued conducting his business & philanthropy from home.
Multiple projects to implement (including writing books), but he finally succumbed to Jara, Byadi & Marana.
May he rest in peace.
Best Friends Forever
69ers meet monthly for breakfast at Taw Win Hnin Sni (Royal Rose).
There was a pause during the pandemic. About 20 members passed away (mostly due to Covid).
Annual Dinner gatherings at Panda, M3 and U Aung Min’s former office in PWD compound
Celebrated Anniversaries in 1999, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
Pu Zaw Pwe in 2019Golden Jubilee of Graduation
They have gatherings to welcome 69ers from overseas. e.g. Daw Myint Myint (C69) hosted a lunch gathering at Kandawgyi Westin Park Hotel to welcome Daw Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie, T69).
During my visits, U Ohn Khine (M70) gave me rides to SPZP & HMEE-2012 meetings and selected 69er gatherings.
With 69ers and Ko Ohn Khine (M70)
SPZP-2016
Both the Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and the Alumni Reunion & Entertainment were held at the Gyogone Campus.
Free food was provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner to all attendees.
Kudos to the Organizers, Sponsors, Donors, Volunteers and Supporters for making SPZP-2000 unique & memorable.
At SPZP-2016
All Mech Gathering
U Thant Zin (M82, GBNF, son of Saya U Sein Shan) invited me to All-Mechanical Gathering held at Dolphin.
U Hla Win and Daw Mar Mar Yee were co-emcee at the event.
At All Mech Gathering
Sayas & Sayamas at SPZP
U Tin U, Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily), Daw Myint Myint Khaing at SPZP
U Tin U matriculated in 1946. He received BSCE from the University of Oregon and MSCE from Yale University. Upon his return, he taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department at the RU Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon. He is the most Senior Past Captain of RUBC. He is the oldest of nine siblings. Two younger brothers Saya U Ba Than (Gold Medalist in 1948) and Dr. Myo Tint (3rd in Burma in 1952 Matric exam) have passed away.
U Ba Than (Leftmost)
Daw Khin Swe Aye graduated with Physics Honors in 1962 along with Daw May Than Nwe (GBNF) and my elder sister Daw Khin Than Nwe. Sad to learn that she had vision impairment.
Daw Myint Myint Khaing is the daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khaing. She transcribed the interview tapes recorded by her spouse Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char, GBNF) for the book on Sayagyi U Ba Toke and his life journey. Sayagyi gave autographed copies of the book to U Ohn Khine and me. Sayagyi is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the First RU Students’ Strike in 1920. Sayagyi passed away on 2nd December 2020 (a few days short of his Centennial birthday).
The photos were taken by several 69ers : Aung Min, Bobby Myo Tun (Ashin Pannagavesaka), Han Sein (Ah Pho Gyi, GBNF), Kyaw Min (Albert), Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Myo Nyunt, Sein Myint, Tin Aung Win (Oscar), Tin Maung Aye, Tin Htut (Harry), Tint Lwin (Danny), Zau Lai (Duwa) …
Types of Gatherings
Monthly Breakfast Gathering
Ad hoc Lunch Gathering to welcome alumni from overseas
Annual Dinner and Entertainment
Anniversaries : 30th Anniversary of Graduation in 1999, 40th Anniversary of Graduation in 2019, 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) of Admission in 2014, 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) of Graduation in 2019
New and Old — Now and Then
Lately
9 Sponsors — Record
Photographer — Tin Aung Win (Oscar)
Earlier
Some are no longer with us.
A Pho Gyi — Han Sein
Chit Pe
Thein Maung
Garawa to U Ba Than
Graduation
Time flies
Chit Pe, Kyaw Nyunt, Aung Gyi Shwe … are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
2014
2015
2017
2018
2019
Graduation Golden Jubilee
Dec 2022
August 2023
September အလှူရှင်
ဦးငွေထွန်း၊
ဦးတင်ရှိန်၊
ဦးသန်းဝင်း၊
ဦးချမ်းငြိမ်း၊
ဒေါ်ခင်သန်းမြင့်တင်၊
ဦးစောမြင့်နိုင်၊
ဦးဖေဟန်ထွန်း
U Zaw Win (Thailand)
Albert Kyaw Min
Dear RIT 69++friends
ဖိတ်ကြားအပ်ပါတယ်
September breakfast gathering သို့ မပျက်မကွက် ကြွရောက်ကြပါခင်ဗျား။
RU was founded in December 1920 with Rangoon College and Judson College as Constituent Colleges.
Golden Jubilee in 1970
RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins took part in the Entertainment Program with “Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint စွယ်တော်ရိပ်အငြိမ့်”, “Htee Yein ထီးယိမ်း” and “Ta Bin Daing Ah Ka တပင်တိုင်အက”. Saya U Moe Aung and Saya U Saw Tun headed the Swel Daw Yeik Troupe.
RIT performers at RU GJ
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and U Thet Lwin were Chair and Secretary of a Committee. They later reunited as Rector and Registrar of RIT.
I was a volunteer member of “Zay Saing Nay Yar Cha Htar Yay” committee.
Diamond Jubilee in 1995
MERB (Myanmar Education Research Bureau) produced a documentary about RU Sports (Soccer, Track & Field, Weightlifting).
U Tin Nyo was the Producer.
Saya U Nyein (RU Soccer Coach) was the Commentator.
Hemar Nay Win shared memories of her father Collegian Nay Win.
Mra Brithers
U Tun Mra was Captain of RU Track & Field Association. He, his brothers Kyaw Mra & Soe Mra, and Tun Naung competed in the First and Second SEAP Games. They won medals.
2nd SEAP Games
U Myo Nyunt represented Burma in Weightlifting.
RU Centennial in 2020
U Aung Mon, Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin and friends created a Facebook group for the Centennial. I was a Moderator and Contributor.
Saya U Moe Aung and former members of RU Ka Laung Shin Ah Phwe published two Kabyar books.
RU Centennial MagazineCentennial MagazineRU Centennial Book Promotion
“Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo” was sung at the opening ceremony.
Composer Maung Ngwe Hlinne (U Thet Lwin)
Due to the pandemic, there were mostly Virtual Presentations.
Rangoon Institute of Technology
Shwe YaDu in 2014
Renovation of Gyogone Campus
Planting of 50 Swel Daw Bin
Shwe YaDu Lann Kabyar by Tekkatho Moe War Translation by Hla Min
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine Cover by Bagyee Myat Myo Myint
RIT69ers
30th Anniversary in 1999
I reported the event and other news in my e-mails (which became known as RIT Alumni Newsletter).
40th Anniversary in 2009
See Post for Group Photos
EE69ersM69ers at 40th Anniversary (2009)
Shwe YaDu (of Admission) in 2014
2014 Shwe YaDu
50th Anniversary (GJ) in 2019
GJ of 69er Graduation 1GJ of 69er Graduation 2
Ma Tin Tin (EC69, USA) had a Homecoming. She donated to the event and 69er HCF.
Ko Aung Min (M69) & team published a magazine
Rangoon University Boat Club
RUBC was founded in 1923 by Law Professor Sir Arthur Eggar, who pledged a third of his salary for the operating costs.
RU Estate built the Club House with the funds provided by U Nyo.
40th Anniversary in 1963
The Annual Regatta was canceled citing Security concerns.
The Anniversary Dinner was held at a hotel in Kandawgyi.
The Souvenir Magazine was compiled by Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon and U Tin Htoon (A60).
The Souvenir Magazine Committee comprised of U Tin Htoon (A60, Chair), U Myo Myint (EC67, Vice Chair), U Htaik San (Henry, M81, Secretary) and members.
I was a Contributing Editor. I wrote three articles and Prelude for each section.
Centennial in 2023
U Tin U, the Oldest and Most Senior Past Captain, presided at the Opening Ceremony.
Universities’ Computer Center
Golden Jubileein 2021
After several years of preparation (starting from the mid-1960s), the UCC project was approved in 1971.
Sayas U Soe Paing, U Myo Min and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) found Universities’ Computer Center.
Other Anniversaries
Centennial of First RU Students’ Strike (in 2020)
Centennial of Engineering Education in Burma (in 2024)
