Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) were the Managers of the Systems Division, Applications Division and Operations Division.
U Soe PaingU Myo MinU Ko Ko Lay
Reorganization
After the reorganization, U Soe Paing managed the Operations and Systems Divisions. U Myo Min managed the Business Applications Division. U Ko Ko Lay managed the Scientific Applications Division.
40th Anniversary
The “40th Anniversary of UCC” in 2011 was the Reunion of Staff, Teachers (Past and Present) and Students.
Daw Ngwe Tin, Aye Aye Myint and sisters, Maung Myint, who maintained the UCC building rooms were among the attendees.
Saya Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was represented by his spouse and daughter.
There was fun and laughter, music and dances, and good old memories.
Daw Khin Lay Myint (GBNF) joined UCC as Secretary and then became an Administrator Officer.
U Soe Myint (M72, GBNF) joined UCC as Operator. He served as Shift Lead, expert in Mechanical Drawing and AutoCAD, and retired as Pro-Rector of ICST. He came to see me during my last visit and shared his knowledge about U Lokanatha and Sayadaw’s financial support to buy the land for Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung. He gave me a “Chone Hte” (for monk). On the fateful day, he made two trips to the monastery, because he forgot his donation. He also visited his nephew and niece who had to have dialysis. May be because of his karma or because of the trips he tool that day, he passed away around 3 AM.
U Soe Myint (3rd from Right)
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) wrote :
Ko Soe Myint Gyi was one of the very humble people I have ever known. He spoke very soft, never see him angry nor heard him raise his voice. Even though I am some years junior to him (he’s M72 and me EC76) he always treated me with dignity and respect. I really miss him, may his beautiful soul rest in peace.
Saya U Soe Paing scanned selected magazines from the University Central Library.
U Soe Paing
In 2010, Ko Thein Swe (GBNF) emailed an old and asked if people can recognize the names and faces in the photo.
Thein Swe (Rightmost)
From Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
I went to the Univ Central Library on Tuesday and managed to get scanned photos from the Eng Student Annual Magazines 51-52, 52-53, 56-57 and 60-61. Photos include photos of Sayas, students of that year. From these when can know about the Sayas at that year. We can also identify the students at that year.
U Sein Hlaing (Prof EE) was a final year student in 1951-52 and became an A/L starting 1952-53.
Saya U Tin Swe was a student in 1951-52 and 52-53. He was a member of the Eng Student Union and the victorious Prome Hall football team.
Ex-Burma Selected Footballer U Chan Tha (Chief Engineer, Roads, Rangoon Municipal) was the Captain.
U Khin Si husband of RIT Finance Officer Daw Yin Yin Htway and part time lecturer Textile; U Tin Si, U Khin Si’s brother and tennis doubles partnership that won RU as well as national championships were members of the Prome hall team.
The 1956-57 magazine contains photos when the new Leik Khone Engineering Buildings were inaugurated in 1956 Nov by the Prime Minister at that time U Ba Swe.
In the 1952-53 magazine I found out that Mr. Robert Hole (ex-EE, Highways, PWD,PWC,CC; uncle of Percy Maung Maung and uncle Bobby to me) was the English editor. I called Uncle Bobby and requested him to write something about his engineering student days, his teachers and fellow students. He agreed and asked for about three weeks time.
I need to go back and to the UCL to get more info from the RIT handbook 1966-67 and photos from the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung.
U Ba Than has donated some of his Engineering College photos to the MES library and I need to go there to check up on the photos.
Best wishes
SP
Editor’s notes
An academic year usually spans two years. To save space and time, I had loosely used the end year (e.g. 69) instead of the start year and end year (e.g. 68 – 69).
In the early days, there were no “Instructors” (but only “Assistant Lecturers”) for the Faculty of Engineering. They are Gazetted officers.
Some of our sayas applied for States Scholarship before graduation. Some joined the faculty and were selected to do post-graduate studies.
The Halls would aggressively seek outstanding athletes (footballers, tennis players, rowers, …).
U Chan Tha is also RUBC Past Captain and Gold.
Bohmu Percy Maung Maung and his younger brother Ko Hugh are old crocs. Ko Percy is a class mate of Saya U Soe Paing at SPHS and Stanford.
Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin used to have a copy of the “Burmese state scholars in ’54”. The list includes Saya U Sein Hlaing, and Saya U Tin Swe.
Ko Benny Tan (M 70) used to have a copy of the “RIT Handbook” for 6x. I published the list of permanent and part-time sayas and sayamas in one of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” updates.
Saya U Moe Aung (EE) used to have old copies of “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung” and RIT Annual magazines. He served as Chief Editor for both publications.
The late Saya Charlie Kaw (Tex) is believed to have brought along with him the projects of his final year students.
Hope sayas, sayamas and alums might be able to contribute to the “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” project.
Mr. Robert Hole had memory loss and was not able to write for HMEE-2012. His daughters taught at UCC, ICST and UCSY.
First native Professor at the Department of Geology.
Served as Interim Dean of Engineering.
Served as Rector, Rangoon University.
Retired after serving as UN Advisor in several countries.
Found jobs for several Burmese expatriates in Thailand.
Known for his discipline and integrity.
U Thadu, famous writer & director, tried to get “concession” from the Film Censor Board. Saya refused. U Thadu had to resubmit the film. U Thadu was surprised to learn that his movie received the Academy award (with the “blessing” of Saya). Saya told U Thadu that the two incidents are different, and that he had no grudge or bias.
Gave lessons on drinking. Told his guests, “You can choose whiskey, beer or any drink from the cabinets, but don’t let ‘Ah Yet’ become your master. Don’t add water/soda in the whiskey if you want good taste.”
Led by example. His jeep drove to meet the rowdy students trying to follow Ajala, the Nigerian agitator and was able to calm them.
Fought for his colleagues and students. When a Minister (in charge of the State Scholar Board) tried to “blacklist” is student Dr. Nyi Nyi for his political views, Saya offered to resign if his student was “punished”. During the minister’s trip overseas, the State Scholar Board selected Dr. Nyi Nyi.
Dr. Maung Thein
Informed his students (including Ko Soe Myint) about the Computer Science degree courses being offered at UCC (under the aegis of RU Mathematics Department) and encouraged them to study Computer Science and Applications.
Transferred to Mandalay University. He asked Ko Soe Myint and me to give lectures for his staff (during the summer vacation). We overheard some young sayas thinking out loud, “Why is Saya Thein asking the two UCC guys to waste our free time?”
Became Professor at RASU. He asked UCC to conduct a short course at Mandalay Hall. Ko Soe Myint, I and a few others ran the course. Rumors spread that a young Minthamee from UCC would be teaching. Wonder what the reaction was when Pale Shein (Pearl), daughter of soccer star Kenneth Shein, showed up.
U Ba Maw
Met Saya U Ba Maw, a lecturer, during our short course conducted at MASU.
Learned that U Ba Maw was being chastised by the higher authorities for collaborating research with foreigners. U Ba Maw and his students came cross ancient fossils (of Ramapiticus …) during their survey trip near Kyaukse. A US researcher, who heard the news, flew in to Burma, took photos and published about U Ba Maw’s findings. The news broke to US magazines (Time and/or Newsweek).
Dr. Nyi Nyi
Dr. Nyi Nyi
Protege of Dr. Tha Hla
Served as Deputy Minister of Education
Chair, UCC Project Implementation
Retired after working for UN
Pen name : Oak Aw
U Ba Than Haq
Served as Professor.
Retired as Pro-Rector.
RASU Geology
Geology Sayas
Miscellaneous
Geology offered “Gems” specialization. U Khin Maung Lay (GBNF) was an early graduate with the specialization.
Geology Department offered Diploma in Applied Geology (DAG) in the Thamaing Campus.
U Soe Myint (UCC) and Daw Win Win Than (UCC) studied Geology and Computer Science.
RIT aspect
According to U Aw Taik Moh (C54), the Civil Engineering students (living in Prome Hall) had to go to the main Campus to take Geology. Since the students were late and did not pay attention, most of them ended up with C or C-
RIT had Geology as a supporting department.
U Ngwe Thein was Head of Geology.
I had a micro-reunion with Saya [Maung] San (who shopped at the Junior section at a Departmental Store in London during his studies in the UK) at SPZP-2012. He worked at RIT and in Bangkok.
First native Professor at the Department of Geology.
Served as Interim Dean of Engineering.
Served as Rector, Rangoon University.
Retired after serving as UN Advisor in several countries.
Found jobs for several Burmese expatriates in Thailand.
Known for his discipline and integrity.
U Thadu, famous writer & director, tried to get “concession” from the Film Censor Board. Saya refused. U Thadu had to resubmit the film. U Thadu was surprised to learn that his movie received the Academy award (with the “blessing” of Saya). Saya told U Thadu that the two incidents are different, and that he had no grudge or bias.
Gave lessons on drinking. Told his guests, “You can choose whiskey, beer or any drink from the cabinets, but don’t let ‘Ah Yet’ become your master. Don’t add water/soda in the whiskey if you want good taste.”
Led by example. Saya’s jeep drove to meet the rowdy students trying to follow Ajala, the Nigerian agitator and was able to calm them.
Fought for his colleagues and students. When a Minister (in charge of the State Scholar Board) tried to “blacklist” is student Dr. Nyi Nyi for his political views, Saya offered to resign if his student was “punished”. During the minister’s trip overseas, the State Scholar Board selected Dr. Nyi Nyi.
Dr. Maung Thein
Informed his students (including Ko Soe Myint) about the Computer Science degree courses being offered at UCC (under the aegis of RU Mathematics Department) and encouraged them to study Computer Science and Applications.
Transferred to Mandalay University. He asked Ko Soe Myint and me to give lectures for his staff (during the summer vacation). We overheard some young sayas thinking out loud, “Why is Saya Thein asking the two UCC guys to waste our free time?”
Became Professor at RASU. He asked UCC to conduct a short course at Mandalay Hall. Ko Soe Myint, I and a few others ran the course. Rumors spread that a young Minthamee from UCC would be teaching. Wonder what the reaction was when Pale Shein (Pearl), daughter of soccer star Kenneth Shein, showed up.
U Ba Maw
Met Saya U Ba Maw, a lecturer, during our short course conducted at MASU.
Learned that U Ba Maw was being chastised by the higher authorities for collaborating research with foreigners. U Ba Maw and his students came cross ancient fossils (of Ramapiticus …) during their survey trip near Kyaukse. A US researcher, who heard the news, flew in to Burma, took photos and published about U Ba Maw’s findings. The news broke to US magazines (Time and/or Newsweek).
Dr. Nyi Nyi
Protege of Dr. Tha Hla
Served as Deputy Minister of Education
Chair, UCC Project Implementation
Retired after working for UN
Pen name : Oak Aw
U Ba Than Haq
Served as Professor.
Retired as Pro-Rector.
Miscellaneous
Geology offered “Gems” specialization. U Khin Maung Lay (GBNF) was an early graduate with the specialization.
Geology Department offered Diploma in Applied Geology (DAG) in the Thamaing Campus.
U Soe Myint (UCC) and Daw Win Win Than (UCC) studied Geology and Computer Science.
RIT aspect
According to U Aw Taik Moh (C54), the Civil Engineering students (living in Prome Hall) had to go to the main Campus to take Geology. Since the students were late and did not pay attention, most of them ended up with C or C-
RIT had Geology as a supporting department.
U Ngwe Thein was Head of Geology.
I had a micro-reunion with Saya [Maung] San (who supposedly shopped at the Junior section at a Departmental Store in London during his studies in the UK) at SPZP-2012. He worked at RIT and in Bangkok.
HlaMin 