Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

Former Rector, RIT

Former Professor, Civil Engineering

Born from my parents U Ba Pu and Daw Aye Kyi in Namtu, Northern Shan States, Burma.

Matriculated in 1949 from Myoma High School in Rangoon. After passing the 1st year engineering, BOC College of Engineering, Rangoon University in 1952, went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass., USA as a State scholar to join the second year engineering classes there.

Was in Dean’s list during the studies in MIT; and obtained B.S.(Civil Engineering) in 1955 and M.S.(Civil Engineering) in 1956. After working as a junior engineer in Tippetts- Abbett-MacCarthy- Stratton Engineers, New York and Green Engineering Co., Boston for a year, returned to Burma in 1957 to join the Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University as an Assistant Lecturer. Promoted to Lecturer and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering in 1958.

Got married to Daw Mya Mya Mue in 1959. (Have a daughter and a son and two grand children from daughter who all live in Canada now.)

Went to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Colombo Plan Scholarship in 1963 for further studies. Obtained Ph.D (Civil Engineering) specializing in structural engineering in 1965 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Returned to Burma in 1965 and promoted to Professor and Head of Civil Engineering Department in 1966. Promoted to Rector of Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1971.

Left Burma to join UNESCO as Programme Specialist in Applied Sciences in 1977 in Unesco Regional Office in New Delhi, India.

Migrated to Ottawa, Canada to join the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canadian Research funding Agency in Ottawa as an Associate Director in 1981. Was then assigned to IDRC Regional Office in Singapore as Principal Program Officer from 1989 to 1992. Was transferred to IDRC Regional Office in New Delhi as Principal Program Officer in 1992. Was promoted to Regional Representative for IDRC Regional Office in New Delhi in 1995.
Retired from IDRC in June 1997 and now settled down in Nepean, Ontario, Canada with wife.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

With Metta,
Aung Gyi

Editor’s Note:
Saya U Thein Aung (Met72, Mr. RIT68) volunteered to be Associate Editor for the commemorative issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter for SPZP-2000. He compiled the biographies of the sayas and sayamas attending SPZP-2000. He also served as co-emcee of SPZP-2000.
Sayagyi now have four grandchildren. The elder two are working.
I was a guest on two separate occasions (around the SPZPs) hosted by Ko Wai Lwin in Yangon (a) one for Ma Ma Emma’s birthday (b) another for welcoming Sayagyi DAG and other sayas at U Nyan Tun U’s residence.
Ko Ivan, Ko Fred, my spouse and I stayed at Saya’s house for two nights a few years back. Thanks

Brief Biography

• Matriculated from Taung Dwin Gyi in 1949
• Received States Scholarship to study BSCE at MIT and MSCE at Cornell University under the “Twinning Program” initiated by Sayagyi U Ba Hli.
• Along with Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Maung Maung Than (GBNF), Saya U Min Wun formed the first batch of engineering students to study undergraduate program in the US under the “Twinning Program”.
• Upon return to Burma, he was appointed Assistant Lecturer. After one year, he was promoted to Lecturer.
• He taught at RIT for three decades.
  Retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering Department.
• Vice President, BARB
• Advisor, Myanmar Pyet Ka Dein Ah Phwe
• Advisor, Regional College Project
• Advisor, Bagan Restoration Project

USA

• Worked at CalTran for 22 years.
  Retired at the tender age of 80.
• Attended SPZP-2000

• Saya meditates and chant suttas every morning.
• Passed away in Southern California.

Family

• Sayagadaw is a member of the Ludu family. Her cousins include Saya U Hla Myint (Charlie, M65), Michael Lim (EE7), Dr. Thynn Thyn Lin, , Daw Kyu Kyu Lin (T75), Dr. San Lwin Lin (EC77), Margaret Lim (GBNF) and Daisy Lim.
• Two sons, one daughter and four grand children.

Gathering in SoCal (Southern California)

Date : June 25, 2019

Place : Temple City, Southern California

Attendees :

• Saya U Min Wun (C) – SoCal
• U Tin Htoon (A60) – SoCal (Co-organizer)
• Saya U Tin Htut (M60) – SoCal
• Dr. San Lin (C62) – NorCal (Co-organizer)
• Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) – SoCal
• U Cecil Teoh (C63) – SoCal (Volunteer Photographer)
• Saya U Thauk Lin (Henry Lam, C63) – SoCal
• Saya Dr. Tin Aung (K C Chiu, ChE63) -SoCal
• U Aung Khin (EP68) – SoCal
• U Tin Nwe (EP68) – SoCal
• U Hla Min (EC69) and spouse – NorCal
• U Tommy Chan (C72) – SoCal

Event

• Garawa at Saya U Min Wun’s house
• Lunch Gathering at Seafood Palace

Messages

U Cecil Teoh wrote :

Thanks to Ko Tin Htoon & Dr. San Lin for coordinating this Luncheon & Reunion of RIT Retirees.

Saya U Min Wun wrote :

Lunch Gathering!I have to thank you all , the RIT Alumni from near and far alike, for visiting my home to pay me respect and above all to have nice chats and also to enjoy the delicious lunch at New Seafood Palace. I am so glad to see you all as fit and healthy as can be at the age between 70 and 80. Even I am 88 years old I felt as young as you guys to have this mini-gathering. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Let’s keep up this noble tradition not only in Myanmar but also abroad. 

With Metta. Min Wun

U Aung Hla

• Professor of Mathematics, RU in the early days.
• Spouse : Daw May Than (Vocalist)
• Son : U Mya Than (Guitarist). 
• Saya wrote notes for Burmese songs. 

U Kar

• Minister of Education in the Care Taker Government
• Rector, Rangoon University.  
• Sons : Dr. Thein Maung (EENT), Dr. Tin Maung (Director of UCC, Rector of ICST)

U Ba Toke

• Professor (RU and RIT)
• Rector, MASU
• Taught mathematics to our sayas (then engineering students).
• As a saya of our sayas, he was invited to the SPZP’s starting with SPZP-2000 held in California, US.
• His life and journey can be read in the book authored by Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char).

U Net

• Professor of Mandalay University.
• Daughter : Khin Mar Mar was admitted to RIT, but she left after a few days to join MASU and study Physics. She did her Masters in Computer Science.
• Grandson : Wunna Ko Ko designed and implemented the second RIT web site. He is an expert on NLP (Natural Language Processing).

Dr. Chit Swe

• Professor of Mathematics
• Founder-Director of UCC,
• Rector of RASU.
• Saya founded UCC with the help of U Soe Paing, U Myo Min, and U Ko Ko Lay.
• Saya U Soe Paing wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and several articles.
• I posted 40+ blogs on “Memories of UCC”.

Mathematics Sayas and Educators

As an assistant to Dr. Chit Swe in his projects (e.g. “High School Mathematics”, “Children’s Treasury of Knowledge”, “TOSS (Team of System Specialists”), I worked with several Mathematics sayas and educators (Mathematics curriculum, …)

They include U Tin Hlaing, U Sein Min, Dr. Khin Maung Win, Dr. Khin Maung Swe, Dr. Pyke Tin, Dr. Kyaw Thein, Dr. Saw Tin, Dr. Kyaw Nyunt, U Soe Min, U Soe Nyunt, U Soe Naing and U Sein Win.