In the early days, there were no computers in Burma. IBM (International Business Machines) based in the USA and ICL (International Computers Limited) based in the UK had presence in Burma. Both companies were not ready to introduce computers to Burma. They were supposedly content with leasing unit-record equipment (calculators, tabulators, …) using punched cards (which were reused as wrappers of “zee thee htokes”). The companies maintained the machines with their staff. U Aung Khin was the IBM representative in Burma. U Kyaw Tha was the ICL representative in Burma. They were highly paid compared to the Government employees. Due to the policies then in place, IBM might not have incentives to introduce computers and computing technology to Burma.
In the early sixties, Saw McCarthy Gyaw (Burma Railways) wanted to upgrade the unit-record system to an ICL computer, but the Coup d’etat in March 1962 and subsequent restriction of foreign currency exchange (and budget planning rules) effectively derailed the idea of “computerization in Burma”.
In the mid sixties, Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe) was Head of the Mathematics Department at the Institute of Economics. He proposed the need of a computer for teaching and research to Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Secretary [Deputy Minister] of Education, Saya Nyi Nyi suggested the scope to be extended for a computer to serve the staff and selected students of the Universities and Institutes. Thus, the UCC Project was born.
Saya later became Professor at Mathematics at RASU. He offered space at the Mathematics Department for the early volunteers of the UCC Project. He later obtained permission to use Mandalay Hall for use by the UCC Project before the UCC Building could be completed in Thamaing College Campus.
Saya served as the Founder/Director of UCC. He initiated the academic and training programs. He stressed the importance of technology transfer, leapfrogging technology, knowledge sharing (internally and externally), and challengingthe staff and students to try their best. Saya Chit requested Saya Paing (U Soe Paing) to help design and implement the UCC project. Saya Chit also inquired the mother of Saya Myo (U Myo Min), who was working at IBM UK after completing his CA (Chartered Accountant) if Saya Myo would be interested to come back to Burma and help with the UCC project. Saya Paing recruited his friend Saya Lay (U Ko Ko Lay) to help with the UCC project in general and with the UCC Building Design and Implementation in particular.
It took a long time for UCC up and running. UNDP would be the Funding Agency. UNESCO would be the Executing Agency.
Note : For several years, Saya Paing tried to recruit his top students — including my cousin U Thaung Lwin (EC66) — to help with the project and become the pioneer computer engineers. U Thaung Lwin, who finished at the Top of his class, received an offer to join IBM Burma. It was Good News and Bad News. He was offered a reasonably high salary (based on the then salary of engineers joining the Government departments), but he would have to maintain the leased Unit Record Machines. It took a long time before an IBM computer was purchased by CSO.
U TAG (Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw, EC69) was the first and longest volunteer for the UCC Project.
Saya Paing transferred from the Department of Electrical Engineering (EE) at RIT to UCC as Manager of the Systems Division. Saya Lay transferred from PWD to UCC. Saya Myo joined UCC. The three served as Managers for Systems, Operations, Applications (Scientific, Business …) .
I was fortunate enough to be a member of Generation Zero along with my mentors and U TAG.
Saya Paing left UCC in the eighties to pursue a career as Technical Adviser and Consultant for the UN projects in several countries. He has documented his experiences from the early States Scholarship in the USA to the UN assignments. His articles can be downloaded from SCRIB-D.
Saya also gave an interview to MASTAA (Myanmar American Science and Technology Alumni Association).
UCC and Successors
- UCC — Universities’ Computer Center
- DCS — Department of Computer Science
- ICST — Institute of Computer Science and Technology
- UCSY — University of Computer Studies Yangon
Paying Back
There are blanks to be filled in the history of UCC, DCS, ICST and UCSY.
Several people asked me to take the challenge or at the very least motivate others to share their experience and journey regarding IT in Burma.
Relying on
- my reasonably good associative memory
- my story telling skills which I inherited from my father, Thin Sayas, Myin Sayas and Kyar Sayas
- my training in “Communication and Leadership” from Toastmasters International to become a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)
- my contributions — Docent at the Computer History Museum; Language Expert for the Burma Language Project by National Foreign Language Center at University of Maryland (College Park); Contributor for the Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife; Founder & Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter; Member and Contributor of HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education); Editor of High School Mathematics Project; Administrator and/or Moderator of websites and Facebook Groups
- my experience as a writer, editor, translator, interpreter, editor, coach, mentor
I will try my best to repay back to my alma mater and mentors.
I request sayas, alumni and readers to enhance my writings photos, anecdotes and suggestions.
HlaMin 