During our younger days, three sayas — Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, First in Burma in 1953 from Yegyaw Methodist), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung — came back after completing their doctorate in Physics from the USA. Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung founnd their way back to the USA. Dr. Tin Aung stayed.
He served as Professor and Head of the Physics Department at RU.
During the 8-8-88 movement, Saya was in the USA as a member of the Education Delegation (with U Tun Aung Chein, Professor of History). Saya might not be aware that he was made a Patron (in absentia) by the “Boycott / Strike Committee” of Sayas and Sayamas of the various Universities and Institutions.
Upon his return, Saya attended the meeting of the Department Heads of RU. I was present at the meeting as a Proxy for my Head of Department.
Sometime later, we had the sad news. Saya was asked to resign effectively immediately.
Saya’s health was reasonably good except for his need of a Pace Maker. A couple of years back, he had to replace the Pace Maker. His former students worldwide donated for his medical expenses.
One photo is from the RU Centennial Facebook Group.
Two photos are from Sayama Daw Thida (who helped publish the RU Physics Centennial Book).
Shwe Than Thida wrote : Dear Saya U Hla Min,Thank you very much for your valuable compilations.
For the Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010, I wrote about the 14 EE Sayas in the Photo.
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War, Chief Editor) suggested the title : “A Short and Sad Clip : EE Sayas”.
At the time of writing, Seven sayas — U Kyaw Tun, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min and U Chin Way — had passed away. There was no information about U Nyi Nyi who went for studies in the UK.
A few years back, U Thein Lwin and his spouse Daw May Than Nwe passed away in Singapore within a few months of each other.
The remaining Sayas from the Photo are U Moe Aung, U Sein Maung, U Ba Myint, Dr. Win Tin, and U Soe Paing.
Note that four EE sayas did not appear in the Photo. Three were studying abroad (On Deputation). One missed the Photo Shoot.
U Moe Aung (Pon Tu)U Moe Aung (Caricature)U Ba Myint (Pon Tu)
U Tin Htoon (Stroke) Past Captain Compiler for 40th Anniversary Magazine Chair for 90th Anniversary Magazine
Sunny Teng (3) Left before graduation to US and/or Canada
U Sein Htoon (Cox) Past Captain Retired as President of Burma Rowing Federation
Victor Htun Shein (2) Joined BAF Perished in an air crash
Dr. Harry Saing (Bow) Past Captain Retired as Professor / Pediatric Surgeon in Hong Kong Passed away (and his ashes are scattered near the HK Yachting and Sailing Club.
The RUBC Team won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE (Amateur Rowing Association of the East) Regatta held at Colombo.
1958 ARAE Champions
U Tin Htoon (S) and Dr. Harry Saing (B) won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta held at Calcutta.
Father and Son
U Sein Htoon and U Zeyar Linn form the Second Father/Son Pair who are Past Captain and Gold of RUBC.
U Maung Maung Than Tun and U Aung Khine form the first Father/Son Pair who are Past Captain and Gold of RUBC.
U Maung Maung Than Tun is the Oldest among the Past Captains who are alive. He is a few months older than U Tin U who is the Most Senior among the Past Captains who are alive.
Five Past Captains
Photo shows
U Sein Htoon (Cox)
U Tin U (Stroke)
Dr. Myo Tint (3) Passed away in 2021
U Tin Htoon (2)
U Thaung Lwin (B)
U Tin U is the most Senior among the Past Captains who are alive.
U Tin U, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon and U Thaung Lwin are four of the six brothers who are Past Captain and Gold of RUBC. The two remaining brothers U Ba Than and U Myo Min are Full Green.
U Sein Htoon (M63) is Past Captain and Gold of RUBC. He is a cousin of the above.
1954
Tha Din (Bow)
Tin Htoon (2)
Tun Aung (George, 3)
Ronnie Hare (Stroke)
Aung Nyunt (Arthur, Cox)
1963 – 64
The Group Photo of RUBC Captains was taken in 1963 – 64.
A few Past Captains are missing in the picture. They include
U Ba Tun
Commodore Than Pe
Dr. Harry Saing
Dr. Tin Wa
The most senior living Captain is U Tin U (1948 – 49), and the oldest Captain is U Mg Mg Than Tun (1953 – 54), who is older than U Tin U by a few months. They are both 90+ years young.
2013
Magazine
Committee for the souvenir magazine
U Tin Htoon, Chair
U Myo Myint (EC67), Vice-Chair
U Htaik San (M81), Secretary
U Hla Min (EC69), Contributing Editor : I wrote the prelude for each section, and three articles.
Dr. Tin Wa
Daw Joe Phyu (EE75)
U Khin Zaw
U Zaw Min Sein
Daw San San Myint
U Hla Maw Tun
Dr. Nay Lin Aung
U Yemunn Soe
2018
The 95th Anniversary Regatta was held in 2018. Due to schedule conflicts, several Old Members from overseas could not attend the gathering.
Mini-gathering
Dr. Than Nyun (George Nyun, Past Captain and Gold)
U Tun Shein (Willie Saing, Gold)
U Tin Htoon (Past Captain and Gold)
attended the wedding reception of U Hla Maw Tun’s daughter (Grand daughter of Bohmu Maung Maung Than Tun).
Continued as Researcher, Scholar and Administrator in UK.
There is an Economic Theory with Saya’s name.
Dr. Tha Hla
Studied for a Doctorate in Geology in the UK
Became Professor and Head of Geology Department
Retired as Rector of the University of Rangoon.
Served as UN Advisor in several countries and settled in Thailand.
There are several anecdotes about Saya.
When an AFPFL minister protested the States Scholarship for his mentee Dr. Nyi Nyi, Saya did not back out. He pushed the nomination through during a period when the minister was away.
Saya is highly regarded for “Lead by Example“ Saya calmly requested and convinced the students and crowd (following the agitator Ajala) to disperse
Director Thar Du was unhappy when Saya (as Member of the Movie Censor Board) recommended some parts of the movie to be revised. Thar Du was surprised and delighted when Saya voted the same movie for an Academy Award. Saya explained that the two roles required different consideration.
During his stay in Thailand (while waiting for a US visa), U Tin Maung Nyunt was recommended by Dr. Tha Hla to be a proof reader for the Nation newspaper.
He hosted people with different beliefs and helped them if needed. Saya offered guests (including U Tin Maung Nyunt) his collection of Whiskey and drinks, but added, “Do not spoil Whiskey by adding water or soda. You can drink “Ah Yet”, but never let Ah Yet” drink you.”
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Several posts cover Saya Kha.
Studied for a Doctorate in Metereological Physics in the UK
Became Professor and Head of Physics Department
Served as Rector of the University of Rangoon, RASU and University Distance Learning
Shwe Ku May Hnin remembered Saya Kha’s smile when a student (from the Social and Reading Club) asked him, “Saya, will you continue the tradition of Di Tha Par Mauk Kha Saya giving away his beautiful daughters to brilliant students?”.
A member of the RU Centennial group remembered Saya Kha’s smile and forgiveness when he was inadvertently hit by a student (who had to take classes at Workers’ College and come to the Main Campus for practical sessions). The young sayas U Thein Aung (Micky) and U Thein Htut scolded the offender and his companions for not knowing Sayagyi.
Per Dr. Alvin Oak Soe Kha, his father is the Rector with the longest tenure and is known for his kindness and compassion.
At SPHS, there was a class period when Catholic students had to study Catechism, and Non-Catholics had to study “Morals and Manners”.
Ko Anthony, Ko Myint Thein (B.Com, RUBC) and several others from their class would join us in the “Morals and Manners” class.
Upon graduation in 1968, he joined the Chemical Engineering Department at RIT.
After retirement, he moved to Singapore.
Attended SPZPs.
At one SPZP, we were sad to learn that he was having some medical problems and slight memory loss.
Kudos to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF) for the support of sayas and sayamas for annual Medical Check up, frequent visits to the hospital and clinics, and for non-trivial health care (albeit on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to SDYF’s Garawa Money for Saya U Ohn Maung, several alumni donated for Saya’s medical expenses.
Daw Zin Wai Hlaing, saya’s spouse, acknowledged receipt of the Garawa money from SDYF.
Acknowledgement
SDYF donated K4 Lakhs to Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68), who has a medical problem. The donations will be continued in future years.
U Khin Maung Htwe (ChE72) donated K20,000.
The donations were handed over to Saya U Sein Thaung. He will forward it to Saya U Ohn Maung.
Miscellaneous
His elder brother (a medical doctor) and younger sister (Dolly Sein, spouse of U Thein Swe, EP68) are both GBNF.
After visiting my web site, his nephew (elder brother’s son) regained contact with Saya U Ohn Maung.
HlaMin 