We took “Yupa Beda” (Physics in Burmese) in the first ever HSF (High School Final) Only examination in 1962.
The text was authored by Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha and Saya U San Tha Aung.
Chu Pu Thein (SPHS) scored the highest marks in “Yupa Beda”. After matriculation, he left to study in Europe probably due to the 3 NRC rule.
Physics (Matriculation)
We took “Physics” (in English) in the first ever Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
One of the texts was by Sen and Gupta.
SPHS Library had reference books, e.g. Sears and Zemansky
Dr. Khin Maung U scored “only” 99. Grapevine says that the examiners reluctantly took away a point from his perfect score. He stood First in Burma and scored 299/300 in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. He worked as a Medical Researcher and Professor. He retired from FDA.
Examination Systems
My elder brother and his friends had to sit for the HSF and Matriculation (Combined) examination.
After passing the examination, they were admitted to the Intermediate College (e.g. Yankin College) of Rangoon University.
Unfortunately, we had to sit for separate HSF and Matriculation examinations.
We took the subjects for the HSF examination in Burmese (except for English).
We took the subjects for the Matriculation examination in English (except for Burma),
We lost one year in the process, but learned some “Translation”.
For the record, we had to take four Government examinations: the last 7th Standard examination in March 1960 the first 9th Standard (HSF only) examination in March 1962 (which was nullified citing leakage of exam questions) and again in August 1962 the Matriculation only examination in May 1963
Top Matriculates who pursued Physics
Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, Yegyaw Methodist 1953), First in Burma
Dr. Than Myint (Harry Wang, SPHS 1956), Joint Third in Burma
Dr. Htin Kyaw (Sacred Heart 1957), First in Burma
Dr. Htin Aung (Sacred Heart 1957), Sixth in Burma
Robert Sein (SPHS58), Second in Burma
Dr. Frankie Ohn (Hla Ngwe Tin, SPHS59), First in Burma
Saya Kha (Dr. Maung Maung Kha)
He studied in UK for his Ph.D. in Meteorological Physics.
Worked for a while in Meteorology Department.
Joined Physics Department of Rangoon University.
He served as Professor and later as Rector of Rangoon University, RASU and Universities’ Distance Learning.
Accomplished violinist. He and Saya U Ba Kyi sang “Only Two Darling” (rendition of “Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin Hte” in English).
Attended RUBC Regattas and handed over Trophies (during my tenure at RUBC as Treasurer, Vice Captain and emcee/announcer).
His family members and former colleagues and students (Saya U Oo Khin Maung, Sayama Daw Thida, …) celebrated Saya’s Centennial with fund raising concerts and commemorative magazine.
U San Tha Aung
Received A.M (Physics) from Harvard University.
Served as Director of Higher Education.
Passed away after returning from an inspection tour.
Co-author of Saya Kha for Physics Texts in Burmese and English for use in High School.
Dr. Tin Aung
Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung studied in USA for their doctorates. Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung moved to the USA.
Saya Dr. Tin Aung taught the longest at RU and served as Professor.
He was elected as a Patron of the “Saya’s Association” during 8-8-88 movement. He left that day for an education mission to the USA. Upon his return, Saya was “asked to retire” by the higher authorities.
Kan Soe Kan Kaung Sayas
In the late 60’s, several Physics sayas were selected to study in the Soviet Nation and other East Bloc nations. They were not in high spirits. They were surprised to learn that they would eventually study in UK. Grapevine says that four Burmese state scholars in GDR (German Democratic Republic, then East Germany) led protests in front of the Burmese Embassy denouncing BSPP and the government. The higher authorities were alarmed and probably concluded that it was safer to send scholars to UK. According to Saya U Thein Tan (Civil), he was selected to study in the USSR, but did not get visa (due to the political climate at that time). He ended up studying at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
My Physics Teachers
Saya Beatson (at SPHS) Became Uzin after retirement
Mehm Than Thaung (Maurice Tun Thaung, RUBC Gold) in I.Sc.(A) Retired as Rector of Universities’ Distance Learning
Daw Khin Khin Su in I.Sc.(A)
Daw Nyein in 2nd BE Passed away at 100+ years young
Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce) in 2nd BE. Passed away in Singapore within a few months of her husband Saya U Thein Lwin (EE)
Miscellaneous
U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, SPHS59, RUBC Gold) Recruited students and sayas (Dr. Htin Kyaw & Dr. Htin Aung [twins], …) to join RUBC.
U Kyaw Myint (Director, DHE) Fellow Guest Speaker at the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in 1988 Has a Foundation named after him
U Tin Oo Hlaing and U Kaung Nyunt served as Principals of College
U Kyaw Mya Thein retired as Pro-Rector from ICST.
Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win became Registrar of RASU.
U Saw Hlaing, U Kin Sein, and Mehm Than Thaung transferred to the administrative positions user the Ministry of Education.
U Hlwan Moe and U Tha Hlaing succeeded Sayamagyi Daw Nyein as Head of RIT Physics.
Paying respect to Sayas is a tradition that is unique to Myanmar.
The tradition is alive and well.
There have been seven world wide SPZPs : SPZP-2000 (US) SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, SPZP-2010 (Singapore) SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016 (Yangon)
I was fortunate to be a Core Organizer for SPZP-2000 and a Coordinator for the remaining SPZPs.
SPZP-2000
Alumni
Many alumni are active in the following:
SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
NorCal RITAA (in the US)
MES
MEC
HMEE-2018
History
“History of Myanmar Engineering Education” was published in 2012.
The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni (See Acknowledgement in the Book)
Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team compiled the book.
Ko Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE-2012 book
The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
Ko Ohn Khine translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2. The translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.
Saya U Aung hla Tun gave the copyright to RITAA.
HMEE-2018 project is headed by Saya U Aung Hla Tun. Project will revise / enhance the HMEE-2012 book. Will cover the History of Engineering and Industries.
YTU Library Modernization Project
A decent Library is a requirement of the accreditation of YTU by Asean (and beyond).
Donations — large and small — are coming in. Thanks to U Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and team.
The donors include
U Khin Maung Tun (T78)
Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (C73)
Daw Myint Myint (C69)
Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
James Shwe (M76) and Annette Shwe (A75)
NorCal RITAA
Alumni from Singapore, Australia and New Zealand
Archive
The Library could have a section to help remember our beloved alma mater, our sayas and alumni activities.
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi endorsed Ko Benny Tan’s proposal to archive the mementos.
Requested class representatives to record gatherings / activities.
Health Care Funds
“Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas”
“Eye examination and assistance Fund provided by U Khin Maung Tun”.
Balance of both funds have been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Other funds include 69er HCF, EE69er HCF, and those administered by the classes and groups (e.g. Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65)
Resources
RIT related Facebook pages
RIT related Google groups
hlamin.com
Saya Allen Htay (C58)
Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group
Co-founded “RIT Alumni International” which hosted SPZP-2000 and served as President.
His article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” is a classic.
Daw Mu Mu Khin hosted a lunch in memory of Saya on December 31, 2017.
In memory of Saya Allen, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to the YTU library. Also sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students.
Golden Sponsors
U Thaung Sein (Steeve, EC70)
U Benny Tan (M70)
U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67)
U Maung Maung Than (M79)
The five Golden sponsors and other donors made sure U Nyo Win’s Act (requiring the organizers to chip in if SPZP-2000 will not have the minimum number of attendees) will not be needed.
2019
Completed two decades as Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter
Compiled posts for the Golden Jubilee of 69ers Attended both events on December 14, 2019
2020
Writing and revising posts in hlamin.com
Request help to transform into digital and/or printed books for posterity
He is a classmate of U Tin Htoon and U Aung Kyee Myint.
He is a fellow artist of U Paw Oo Thet and Director Win Pe.
He loves Classical Music and Modern Art.
He directed the movie “Hna Ma Let Shawt Nay Lay Dawt”. The movie was hard to appreciate by most Burmese. Grapevine says that some foreigners tried to purchase the movie.
Another movie produced by Daw Khin Mar Lar (spouse of Collegian Nay Win) was traditional
U Naung Tun Lwin (M75, GBNF)
He directed several movies.
He is a classmate of Daw Mar Mar Yee, U Hla Myint Thein (Maurice), …
Thamankyar
U Aung Myint (Min70) and U Than Win (T70) are close friends and cousin brothers-in-law.
The former became known as “Thamankyar Ko Myint”.
Thamankyar Ko Myint
The latter wrote the script for the movie “Thamankyar”.
The movie was directed by A1 Than Htut and A1 Thein Htut (twin brothers).
Grapevine says that there are the reincarnation of two Japanese pilots.
The movie was produced by the studio of U Nyi Pu, Ko Myint’s grand uncle.
U Nyi Pu is considered to be the first Burmese movie actor.
Myanmar Ah Swe / A1
Daw Khin Myint, A1 U Tin Nwe, U Nyi Pu, U Maung Maung Soe (U Tin Pe), A1 U Tin Maung (winner of two Academy awards) and their extended family members had several film companies.
Notes
According to Ko San Lin (M87), YIT/YTU produced some movie stars including the following :
Ko Htin Lin , B.E (EP)1993 batch (aka) Dway ( GBNF )
Ko Aye Thein , B.E (EC) 1987 batch (aka) Min Oo.
Feedback
Aung Win (C87) wrote : Pyi Ti Oo also is an actor. Civil.
Nang Khaming (A70) wrote : Most of the people did’nt like the movie Hna ma let shawt nay lay dawt because of no dialog in the movie except ‘ pea pyout’. Mostly can’t appreciate that kind of movie,but I like that movie and appreciate .
Wint Khin Zaw (A79) wrote : Architect UKMY must be too advanced for the period. I think he directed another movie called Ba Hman Ba Zan Akyaung which was appreciated a bit more by some audience.
Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69) wrote : Today, 21-04-2018 happens to be Thamankyar Ko Myint’s 71st birthday! Happy birthday, Ko Myint
Many Myths have been debunked, but they still appear in posts.
Do not share Myths without verifying them first.
U E Maung is not Bagyi Aung
A post wrongly said Professor U E Maung was “Bagyi Aung”. It was liked and/or shared by thousands of readers even after U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) had given TEDx InyaLake talk about his mother (Daw Khin Saw Mu), father (ICS U Ba Tint), his Bagyi (ICS U Tin Tut) and Minthuwun (Saya U Wun). U Nay Oke mentioned that the four main characters in “Bagyi Aung Nyar De” have all passed away.
The three younger sisters were in the charge of ICS U Tin Tut especially during the school / university holidays.
ICS U Ba Tint was U Tin Tut’s deputy.
Dr. Htin Aung is not Bagyi Aung
The earlier wrong version said that Dr. Htin Aung was Bagyi Aung.
At least the names share “Aung”.
ICS U Tin Tut is Bagyi Aung
U Tin Tut
The knowledge was a family secret, but it was later known by close friends.
U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) gave a TEDx InyaLake talk on the subject.
In the US, second Sunday of May is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
For multi-generational families, it would also be Grandmother’s Day and Great Grandmother’s Day as well.
U Hla Min, spouse and two grandchildren
Some countries and cultures celebrate “Mother’s Day” on a different day. In Myanmar, it is celebrated on the Full Moon Day of Pyatho.
The first words that most people learn in their lives include the following and their variants. Mum, Mummy, Mom, Mommy, Mah Mah, May May, …
We extend the term Mother to our schools (e.g. Alma Mater) and our country (e.g. Motherland).
In idiomatic usage, Mother is “the hand that rocked the cradle”.
Mother’s unbounded love is honored in many real-life stories (e.g. “Toe Aye” ship wreck).
The following song has been recorded by many artists.
I have reprinted a sample verse. The verses may have variations.
M-O-T-H-E-R (song)
M is for the Mercy she possesses (Variant: Million things she gave me)
O means Only that she’s growing Old (Variant : that I Owe her all I owe)
T is for her Tender sweet caresses (Variant : for the Tears she shed to save me)
H is for her Heart of purest gold (Variant: her Hand that touch and hold)
E means Everything she’s done to save me
R means Right and Right she’ll always be
Put them all together
They spell MOTHER
A word that means a world to me
My Beloved Mother
My beloved mother
I would like to acknowledge my beloved mother. When we were young, she would wake up before her housemaids at 4 a.m. to prepare breakfast for us. She supervised our homework when we were in primary and middle school. She bought us cameras (e.g. Yashica and Kodak), bicycles (e.g. Rayleigh and Hercules), scooter (e.g. Silver Pigeon), cars (e.g. Datsun and Dodge Jeep), two typewriters (e.g. Remington for English, Olympia for Burmese), musical instruments (e.g. guitar, harmonica), comics (e.g. Beano, Dandy, Topper, Beezer), Classics Illustrated and Junior Classics Illustrated, “How and Why” series, “Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan” (Burmese Encyclopedia), Reader’s Digest and other periodicals, to name a few.
Although my parents were devout Buddhists, they sent their children to SPHS (St. Pauls’s High School) and SJC (St. John’s Convent) — run by the Roman Catholic missionaries — to get a good education.
The seeds that were sown by my beloved parents have bloomed allowing me to pay back to my alma mater and my community.
I have served as
Organizer, SPZP-2000
Chief Editor of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and Editor of several other newsletters (BAPS Newsletter, Dhammananda Newsletter)
Contributor to the Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklife and Folklore (published by ABC CLIO)
Burmese Language expert for a course developed by the National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland (College Park)
Docent at Computer History Museum
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) at Toastmasters International
Translator/interpreter at meditation retreats (e.g. at Tathagata Mediatation Center)
Editor of books and magazines Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa Collection of dhamma talks by Sayadaw U Silananda Three books by Sayadaw U Jotalankara 90th Anniversary Issue of RUBC.YUBC) Bawa and Dhamma Cetana Thi Thar Kan
Without my mother’s exhortation “Eyes have you and you see not, Ears have you and you hear not, …”, and “Any thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well”, I would not be here today.
There are two forms of Myanmar / Burmese language.
Myanmar Sagar (Oral / spoken)
Myanmar Sar (Written)
Alphabet
The Alphabet has 33 Eik Khaya (loosely rendered as letter or character).
Grouping
There are several groups (Wagga) of five letters.
Linguists and phonologists refer to the groups as
Gutturals (Ka group)
Palatels (Sa group)
Cerebrals (Ta-ta-lin-chaik group)
Dentals (Ta group)
Labials (Pa group)
The first group (known as “Ka” wag [or wagga]) consists of Ka (Ka gyi), Kha (Kha Gway), Ga (Ga Nge), Ga (Ga Gyi) and Nga. Note that the 3rd and 4th members have the same sound.
Basic Rules
There are some basic rules for “Pa Sint” (where one letter is placed on top of the other).
One rule says “Eik Khaya Tu, Wag Tu Sint”. It means the two letters forming a “Pa Sint” must be the same, or from the same group. So, it is a “No No” to have a Ka on top of Sa.
Another rule says, “Even for letters within a group, the ordering must be preserved”. So, Ka can be put on top of Kha, but not the other way. Also, Ga Nge can be put on top of Ga Gyi, but not the other way.
Byee and Thara
Ah is used as a Byee (Consonant) and sometimes as a Thara (Vowel).
A Burmese word can be formed with a Byee and one or more Thara.
Typewriter Keyboard
When the Burmese Keyboard was implemented for a typewriter (e.g. Olympia), the keys are labeled Red (keys that prevent the shifting of the carriage to type Thara) and Black (keys that signal the completion of the word and allows the carriage to advance).
Word Processing
The early Burmese word processing systems use
transliteration (e.g. on Apple Macintosh computers)
Thara before Byee (as in the typewriter)
Byee followed by Thara (which requires processing to delimit the words and to have a canonical ordering for representation).
Issues
The Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe published two major revisions for spelling. It forced publishers to use “Tit” instead of “Ta” (without exception) with a fine of ten pyas for each “violation”. Scholars pointed out the ancient pagoda had “Bo Ta Htaung” and not “Bo Tit Htaung” in its inscriptions, but the group who wanted to please Number One prevailed.
There was a rush to implement Burmese type faces and type fonts. The implementations did not have consensus and did not address compliance (e.g. with Unicode). They led to the incompatibility issues in the current computer systems, smart phones and devices.
Short Messaging Systems inadvertently degraded the spelling prowess.
Their motto : “Anything that’s worth doing is worth doing well“.
My mother would scold me lightly by saying “Eyes have you and you see not. Ears have you and you hear not.”
She would tell the story of Robert Bruce and the spider, and remind us “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.”
RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
Motto : “Row Till You Are Dead.”
The background story is covered in Sir Arthur Eggar’s autobiography and in the commemorative issues for the 40th and 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC.
RUBC members are used to the shout “Give her a ten” during a race (especially near the finish line), and also at the Close of the Awards Presentation at the Regatta.
After a long day, in the tradition of RUBC, I shout, “Give her a ten”. 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 -1 followed by EASY OARS.
Companies
The motto may change over time.
International Business Machines (IBM)’s slogan was “Think“.
General Electric (GE)’s claim to fame was “Built to last.“
There are two forms of Myanmar / Burmese language.
Myanmar Sagar (Oral / spoken)
Myanmar Sar (Written)
Alphabet
The Alphabet has 33 Eik Khaya (loosely rendered as letter or character).
Grouping
There are several groups (Wagga) of five letters.
Linguists and phonologists refer to the groups as
Gutturals (Ka group)
Palatels (Sa group)
Cerebrals (Ta-ta-lin-chaik group)
Dentals (Ta group)
Labials (Pa group)
The first group (known as “Ka” wag [or wagga]) consists of Ka (Ka gyi), Kha (Kha Gway), Ga (Ga Nge), Ga (Ga Gyi) and Nga. Note that the 3rd and 4th members have the same sound.
Basic Rules
There are some basic rules for “Pa Sint” (where one letter is placed on top of the other).
One rule says “Eik Khaya Tu, Wag Tu Sint”. It means the two letters forming a “Pa Sint” must be the same, or from the same group. So, it is a “No No” to have a Ka on top of Sa.
Another rule says, “Even for letters within a group, the ordering must be preserved”. So, Ka can be put on top of Kha, but not the other way. Also, Ga Nge can be put on top of Ga Gyi, but not the other way.
Byee and Thara
Ah is used as a Byee (Consonant) and sometimes as a Thara (Vowel).
A Burmese word can be formed with a Byee and one or more Thara.
Typewriter Keyboard
When the Burmese Keyboard was implemented for a typewriter (e.g. Olympia), the keys are labeled Red (keys that prevent the shifting of the carriage to type Thara) and Black (keys that signal the completion of the word and allows the carriage to advance).
Word Processing
The early Burmese word processing systems use
transliteration (e.g. on Apple Macintosh computers)
Thara before Byee (as in the typewriter)
Byee followed by Thara (which requires processing to delimit the words and to have a canonical ordering for representation).
Issues
The Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe published two major revisions for spelling. It forced publishers to use “Tit” instead of “Ta” (without exception) with a fine of ten pyas for each “violation”. Scholars pointed out the ancient pagoda had “Bo Ta Htaung” and not “Bo Tit Htaung” in its inscriptions, but the group who wanted to please Number One prevailed.
There was a rush to implement Burmese type faces and type fonts. The implementations did not have consensus and did not address compliance (e.g. with Unicode). They led to the incompatibility issues in the current computer systems, smart phones and devices.
Short Messaging Systems inadvertently degraded the spelling prowess.
Mangala is usually rendered as Auspices or Blessings. Myanmar call it Mingalar
Mangala Sutta describes 38 Blessings, which are related to both Loki (mundane) and Lokotra (supramundane). First of the 11 Suttas covered in Paritta Pali / Protective Verses.
For lay persons
U Thu Kha wrote a book discussing the Mangala Sutta (using lay people’s terms).
At PPBRS, we had to study “Mingalar Kabyar” (poem) by Saya Dagon U Tun Myint. Received a Thermos flask for successfully reciting the Kabyar.
Cartoon U Pe Thein illustrated the 38 Blessings.
Highest Blessing
From Paritta Pali and Protective Suttas by Sayadaw U Silananda
Not to associate with fools, to associate with the wise and to honor those who are worth of honor.
To live in a suitable place, to have done meritorious deeds in the past, and to keep one’s mind and body in a proper way.
To have much learning, to be skilled in crafts, to be well-trained in moral conduct and to have speech that is well-spoken.
Caring for one’s mother and father, supporting one’s spouse and children and having work that causes no confusion.
Giving, practice of what is good, support of one’s relatives and blameless actions.
Abstention from evil in mind, abstention from evil in body and speech, abstention from intoxicants and non-negligence in meritorious acts.
Respectfulness, humbleness, contentment, gratitude and listening to the Dhamma on suitable occasions.
Practice that consumes evil states, a noble life, seeing the Noble Truths and realization of Nibbana.
The mind of a person (an Arahant) who is confronted with worldly conditions does not flutter, is sorrowless, stainless and secure.
Having fulfilled such things as these, beings are invincible everywhere and happiness everywhere.
HlaMin 