HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • RU 6

    Sayas and Sayamas who are 100 years (or so)

    • Sayagyi U Ba Toke is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the First RU Students’ Strike. He passed away on December 2, 2020. It was a day after the RU Centennial, but a few days before his 100th Birthday (December 26).
    • Sayama Daw Hla May (Anne, English) passed away earlier. She was 100 (or so).

    Golden Jubilee

    Saya Dr. Soe Win (retired Rector of YUFL) and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (retired Professor of Chemistry) celebrated their Golden Anniversary on November 7, 2020.

    Contributors

    Nice to read the memories of

    • Dr. Daw Khin Kyi (OG, daughter of former RU Vice Chancellor Justice U Bo Gyi, sister of former BIT Registrar U Sein Hla …),
    • Dr. Maung Maung Nyo (National Literary Award winner, Life time achievement Award …),
    • Dr. Khin Maung Nyo (Chemistry, Author, …)

    and the writings (articles, kabyars …) by numerous “Not so young, not so old” readers

    Early contributors include

    • Po Shwe Kyu
    • Thit Yaing
    • U Khin Zaw
    • U Tin Aye
    • Dr. Myo Thant
    • Dr. Nwe Oo
    • Min Oo
    • Yadanar Thu
    • Win Myint (Myeik)
    • Hazel Kyaw Zaw
    • Padamyar Winhtein

    Gone But Not Forgotten (GBNF)

    Several sayas and alumni passed away recently.

    They include

    • U Khin Aung Kyi (former Rector of RIT)
    • Dr. Kyaw Thein (former Rector of ICST)
    • U Ngwe Tun (former Lecturer of Civil Engineering)
    • U Han Sein (C69, Prisoner of Conscience)
      He was sentenced to 20 years and served 17 years

  • Sayas at Harvard University

    • In the early and mid 50s, 400+ Burmese State Scholars studied in the USA.
    • There were programs to cover several disciplines : Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, …, Sports and Physical Education, Movie Technology.
    • Under the “Twinning Program between the Faculty of Engineering and the prestigious universities in the USA” proposed by Sayagyi U Ba Hli, first native Dean of Engineering and Professor of Civil Engineering, engineering students (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Khin Aung Kyi) and engineering sayas (e.g. U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe) were selected as State Scholars to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies at US Universities.
    • Two prestigious universities (MIT and Harvard) are quite close.
    • Several sayas attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
    • Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF) received Sc.D (Doctor of Science) in EE (Electrical Engineering).
      He mentored Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Wun.
      He served as DG of UBARI, Advisor at the Ministry of National Planning, and Board Member and External Examiner at UCC.
      He passed away in Sydney, Australia.
    • U Sein Hlaing (GBNF) received MSEE from MIT.
      He retired as Professor and Head of the Electrical Engineering Department at RIT.
      He passed away a couple of years after retirement.
    • Dr. Aung Gyi received BSCE and MSCE from MIT.
      He retired as Rector of RIT.
      He moved to Canada.
    • U Min Wun received BSCE from MIT and MSCE from Cornell University.
      He retired as Professor and Head of the Civil Engineering Department at RIT.
      He moved to California, USA.
    • U Khin Aung Kyi (GBNF) received BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from MIT.
      He retired as Rector of RIT.
      He passed away at the tender age of 89.
    • Later MIT alumni include Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) and U San Tun (M59).
    • Several sayas attended Harvard University.
    • U Ba Toke received AM in Mathematics from Harvard University.
      He served as Professor of Mathematics at RASU and Rector of MASU.
      He voluntarily transferred to RIT as Professor of (Engineering) Mathematics.
      He will celebrate his 100th birthday on December 26, 2020.
      His life journey and achievements have been recorded in a book by his former student and colleague Tekkatho Maung Thin Char (Dr. Khin Maung Swe, GBNF).
    • U San Tha Aung (GBNF) received AM in Physics from Harvard University.
      He passed away while serving as Director General of Higher Education.
    • Later Harvard alumni include U Allen Htay (C58, GBNF).

    Group Photo

    The group photo of the sayas attending the two universities was taken at Harvard.

    An Education Delegation was visiting Harvard at the time.

    Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Emeritus Professor of Physics, Western Illinois University) wrote :

    When we arrived the US first time in 1955 we had a few days in Boston before leaving for New York. We met all the Sayas you mentioned except Dr. Freddie Ba Hli who had returned to Burma. There were about 140 Burmese State Scholars in 1955 when I arrived.

    The summer of 1955 in August we visited Harvard & MIT again. We met Saya U Ba Toke at Harvard. Also, Daw Thein Nyunt & Daw Tin Saw Mu who were visiting the States.-

  • SEAP Games

    Second SEAP Games

    • Burma hosted the Second SEAP games in 1961.
    • About twenty Rangoon University students represented Burma in the games.
      They include:
      Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra and Tun Naung — Track and Field
      Kyaw Han — Volleyball
      Than Lwin and Mu Mu Khin — Tennis
      Richard Yu Khin — Yachting
      Aye Kyaw and Derek Lynsdale — Swimming

    Fifth SEAP Games

    • Burma also hosted the Fifth SEAP Games in 1969.
    • [Nyunt Nyunt Tin] : I was in the 7th standard at Myoma National High School (Rangoon) and participated Kabyaluk dance.
      The team of 400 high school girl students danced Kabyaluk at the opening ceremony. Never forget, ever.

    Six belles held the signs for the competing nations (visitors in alphabetical order followed by the host nation).

    • Laos
    • Singapore
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Vietnam
    • Burma
    Sign bearers for Fifth SEAP Games

  • Philosophy

    Broadcast on November 2, 2020

    Overview

    Phil means “Love of”

    Sophy means “wisdom”

    Philosophy means “Love of wisdom”

    Ph.D (Doctorate of Philosophy)

    M.Phil (Master of Philosophy)

    Philosophy

    Eastern / Oriental

    • Sasana / Teachings of Buddha
    • Confucius
    • Taoism

    …

    Western

    • Greek
    • Socrates
    • Plato
    • Aristotle

    …

    Roman

    • Aurelius
    • Seneca

    …

    Others

    • Bertrand Russell
    • Nietzsche

    …

    Rangoon University

    Prof. Dr. Mya Bu
    Also headed Psychology Dept.

    H.E. Dr. Khin Maung Win
    BSPP Government

    U San Lwin
    Author, Comparative Religion, …

    Prof. U Thein Zan
    Author (Nandar Thein Zan)
    Taught Logic … to monks

    U Win Myint (UCC)
    High school Luyechun from Myeik
    Due to ILA score, was assigned to study Philosophy
    Need study and persistence to become IT professional

    Miscellaneous

    Academic studies

    Practice (e.g Stoicism)

  • ChE 80

    Chemical

  • Lillian Penson Hall

    From a post by Dr. Khin Tun (Peter), son of Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (Cherry)

    Both are now GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)

    In 1967-68, there were three Burmese scholars at the Lillian Penson Hall, University of London, (15-25 Talbot Square Paddington, London, W2 2TT)

    • Khin Kyi Nyunt
    • Khin Mya Than
    • Cho Nwe Oo

  • A Glimpse of Mount Meru

    Author : Dhammaberi Sayadaw

    Translator : Hla Min

  • Lwan Pyay Aung

    Poem

    • Poem by Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73)
    • Composed for SPZP-2012
    • Published as back cover of a souvenir

    Translation
    by Hla Min

    • One cannot forget the history and sweet memories of one’s alma mater, and one feels that most alumni — near and far — still yearn for the good old days.
    • In front of A Hall, B Hall [C, D, E, F, Halls] friends would tease and prank, yet do no harm. They do not care to find weaknesses in others, and will remain loyal friends. In front of Uttra (North or G) Hall — usually in the evenings — aspiring Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins serenade with love songs aided by guitars, harmonicas and violins.
    • Hear the bells in Building One, Two [Three] ringing once more. Many rush to the classrooms [some spend time on the corridors to enjoy the belles go by]. At night, some “count the numbers” (perhaps playing cards, or actually studying and doing home work).
    • RIT students do not feel outnumbered by RASU [with Burma selected] or Eco at any kind of sports [soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming, water polo …]. RIT has staunch loud-voiced fans [like “Ajala” Moe Hein].
    • Assembly Hall hosted not just presentations and debates. It also is the home of Geeta See Sar [Musical Evening Extravaganza] with outstanding musicians, composers, vocalists and dancers. Swel Daw Yeik Troupe and Ah Nyeint, Pyazat, … melt our hearts.
    • Cartoon Box [former telephone kiosk] nurtured many cartoonists to share their humor, satire and ideas with the readers searching for Sacca (Truth).
    • Aw Bar Lann (precious memories to the graduates attending the graduation ceremony) is known not also for applause but also for the tongue-in-cheek comments and unruly claps and shouts to the unwary treading the Lann.
    • “Nwe Aye”, “Aung Theik Pan”, “Kan Thar Ya”, “U Chit” …
      Memories from those who spend six years or more.
    • As the examinations near, most try their best [by borrowing books and notes from their friends, by attending crash sessions] to pass the hurdle. On the desks are notes [not neat and tidy] scattered all over. Times and systems change, but most RITians are able to decide the essentials (“Ah Hnit”) from the inessentials (“Ah Kar”).
    • Swel Daw Yeik
      One can never forget the history and [priceless] memories.

  • Philosophy

    Broadcast on November 2, 2020

    Overview

    Phil means “Love of”

    Sophy means “wisdom”

    Philosophy means “Love of wisdom”

    Ph.D (Doctorate of Philosophy)

    M.Phil (Master of Philosophy)

    Philosophy

    Eastern / Oriental

    • Sasana / Teachings of Buddha
    • Confucius
    • Taoism

    …

    Western

    • Greek
    • Socrates
    • Plato
    • Aristotle

    …

    Roman

    • Aurelius
    • Seneca

    …

    Others

    • Bertrand Russell
    • Nietzsche

    …

    Rangoon University

    Prof. Dr. Mya Bu
    Also headed Psychology Dept.

    H.E. Dr. Khin Maung Win
    BSPP Government

    U San Lwin
    Author, Comparative Religion, …

    Prof. U Thein Zan
    Author (Nandar Thein Zan)
    Taught Logic … to monks

    U Win Myint (UCC)
    High school Luyechun from Myeik
    Due to ILA score, was assigned to study Philosophy
    Need study and persistence to become IT professional

    Miscellaneous

    Academic studies

    Practice (e.g Stoicism)

  • Psychology

    Broadcast on November 1, 2020

    Early Sayas

    Dr. Mya Bu
    Professor of Psychology and Philosophy

    Dr. Hla Thwin
    President, RU Soccer (Sports Council EC)

    Dr. Kyaw Sein
    Minister, BSPP

    U Khin Maung Tint / Tekkatho Phone Naing

    Daw Khin Khin Htwe / Flora
    Retired as Librarian in charge of Burmese Section, Library of Congress

    Daw Elsie Po Sa (GBNF)

    Computers / Computing

    Psychology of Programming (by Gerald Weinberg)

    Psychology of Computer Vision (by Patrick Henry Winston)

    Experiments

    False Memory

    Stanford University “Prison Experiment”

    Learning by children

    Miscellaneous

    Theories

    Study of Behavior

    Individual

    Group

    Neuroscience

    Clinical Psychology

    Psycho — Movie by Alfred Hitchcock

    Sequels / TV shows

    Span of Attention / Span of Control

    Relevant in many disciplines