Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2026

• Terms
  Some terms (e.g. Class, Intake, HCF) that are used in my posts are defined and elaborated.
• Language
  The are natural languages and programming languages. In our student days, there were only a handful of programming languages.
  It is important to understand and master concepts.
• Meaning
  Some words have multiple meanings. Meanings change over usage and time. A harmless word in American English might have bad connotation in British English, and vice-versa.
• Vocabulary
  It is advantageous to have a good vocabulary. One may listen to a podcast (e.g. Merriam Webster’s Word of the day).
• Luyechun
  The Ministry of Education ran the “Outstanding Students” program from the Summer of 1964 to 1988.

Class

• The term generally refers to the year of graduation.
• The Class of 69 refers to the alumni from the academic year 1968 – 69, who graduated in 1969.
  The Class of 69++ will also include some alumni who took “sabbatical” (“waso”) and graduated a year or two later.

Intake

• The term generally refers to the year when the group was admitted to RIT, YIT, or YTU.
• Most from the 1st BE Intake of 64 graduated in 1970. Most from the 1st BE Intake of 65 graduated in 1971. The Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 has held Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for nearly two decades.
• Some Intakes unfortunately lost three years of their schooling, since the institute was “closed” for three years (from 1988 to 1990).

Burma Institute of Technology (BIT)

• The engineering school moved to the Gyogone Campus in 1961. BIT was still under the aegis of Rangoon University.
  U Yone Mo was Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
• Note: AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) might have been dubbed SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) School of Engineering (or equivalent).

Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)

• BIT was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1964.
• The intention was to have Mandalay Institute of Technology and more.
• Under the then New Education System, RIT became an independent Institute along with other professional Institutes. Rangoon University was renamed as RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University)
• I am not sure why it was not renamed as BIT (Rangoon Campus) a la IIT [Indian Institute of Technology]

Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT)

• Another name change occurred to be in line with the Naming Policy to refrain from using names from the Colonial Era.
• Note: The Naming Policy did NOT have a grandfather clause. Some “old” books could not be re-published without the name changes. For example, “Trials in Burma” was forced to be re-titled “Trials in Myanmar”.

Yangon Technological University (YTU)

• There was another name change to YTU.
• It may be to sound similar to NTU in Singapore.

Swel Daw Yeik

• It is a synonym for RIT and the engineering schools preceding and succeeding it. The term became established at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Rangoon University in 1970, when the Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shins of RIT took part as “Swel Daw Yeik Troupe [Ah Nyeint]”.
• During the Adhamma Era, Swel Daw Bins were razed from the so-called “Tha Bone Kyaung” (which is a disparaging term to describe “Thamudaya Kyaung”).
• With the dawning of the “Pwint Linn Era”, 50 Swel Daw Bins were planted to commemorate the Shwe YaDu in 2014.
• There are many artifacts with “Swel Daw Yeik” in their name and spirit.
  They include :
  Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
  Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
  Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)

Health Care Fund (HCF)

There are several HCFs. They include :

• Steeve and Helen Kay Heath Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
• U Khin Maung Tun’s Family’s Eye-care for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
• SDYF which now also handles to two funds described above
• Class-wide HCFs (e.g. Class of 69, Class of 70 & 71, Class of 72, and Intake of 83)

There has been some changes with to the Health Care of Sayas and Sayamas.

• Hospitalization still has the highest priority
• Case-by-case consideration for sayas and sayamas who have to visit clinics frequently
• Eligible sayas and sayamas (age 60+) can have Annual medical check ups
• If funds are available, spouses of eligible sayas and sayamas can also have Annual medical check ups.

Alumni Association of RIT/YIT/YTU (RITAA)

• The Association has provided SAYA’S CORNER. Tea and coffee are served.
• Life membership dues is K60000.
• The Association is coordinating the “Library Modernization Project”

Languages

There are natural languages (e.g. English, French, German) and programming languages (e.g. Java, Scala).

Context

• Noam Chomsky, a famous linguist, defined the Chomsky Hierarchy for languages and grammars.
• Natural languages are usually Context Sensitive. A word often has multiple meanings based on the context.
• Most programming languages are Context Free.

Language

A language has

• Syntax : rules for forming well defined constructs
  Sample syntax : A sentence is a sequence of (a) Subject (b) Verb (c) Object.
• Semantics : meaning
• Pragmatics : usage

We had to study English Grammar books (e.g. Wren and Martin) and Myanmar Thaddar မြန်မာသဒ္ဒါ by U Pe Maung Tin.

The Burmese language has a structure similar to the Japanese language, but has a structure quite different to the English language.

• Kyundaw Kyaung Thoe Thwa Thee (in Burmese) ကျွန်တော်ကျောင်းသို့သွားသည်
• I School To Go (word for word translation into English is not correct).
• I Go To School (slightly different structure is needed for the correct translation).

Meaning

The meaning of words can change with time.

In the early days, a computer is a person who computes (e.g. tables for firing artillery). Even in some NASA projects, astronauts ask expert mathematicians (including a black female) to compute trajectories to check against the calculations made by electronic computers in the space capsule.

Also, a compiler is a person who compiles data (e.g. historical data).

During our UCC days, several computer books were ordered through the Trade Corporation (and related departments). Some one sent a book “Compiler Construction for Digital Computers” to the Ministry of Construction, and another book “The Anatomy of a Compiler” to the Institute of Medicine.

iPad and iPhone are designed and manufactured by Apple.

The trademark iPad belongs to Fujitsu. Former colleagues of mine worked on Fujitsu’s Intelligent Pad (iPad). The trademark was transferred to Apple.

The trademark iPhone belongs to Cisco, which experimented with “Internet Phone” (or equivalent). The trademark was transferred to Apple.

Vocabulary

Children are not shy and tend to pick up words — often in multiple languages — quickly and easily.

As people grow older, most tend to live within their comfort zone.

Such people probably add only 10 – 20 new words a year.

Effort

To expand or refine one’s vocabulary, one must take extra effort.

In our younger days, we learn from a Reader’s Digest section “It pays to increase your word power” by Wilfred Funk, co-compiler of a dictionary.

We read Vocabulary Books which cover a lesson a day for three to six weeks. We also get tested along the way.

With the rise of Broadcasting and Internet, it is much easier to grow one’s vocabulary.

We can

• subscribe to Merriam Webster for “Word of the Day”.
• listen to “Word for the Wise” by NPR (National Public Radio).
• use “Visual Dictionary” and “Visual Thesaurus”.

Lu Ye Chun

Beginning

The Lu Ye Chun (Outstanding Student) Program was established in 1964.

Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Lu Ye Chun Camp.

The Lu Ye Chuns include

• Ko Win Aung (M70)
• Ma Pwint Than (EP71)
• Ko Kyaw Zaw (EP72)
• Ko Win Myint (UCC)

Extension

The Lu Ye Chun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes.

There were three Camps
(a) Inlay Camp for high school and university students
(b) Ngapali Camp for middle school students
(c) Rangoon “Combined” Camp

Inlay Lu Ye Chun

I was selected as RIT Lu Ye Chun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).

Grapevine says that a 3rd BE student had schedule conflicts to attend the Lu Ye Camp.

As a senior student, Ko Sein Shwe was given one Bar. I received three Stripes. Margaret received two Stripes.

Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U and Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry) were selected as Lu Ye Chun for IM(1).

Ko Soe Aung (IM2, elder brother of Ko Soe Myint [UCC], Ko Aung Kyee Myint (Agri), Ko Tun Naung (BDS), Ko Min Oo (Mathematics), Ko Ye Myint (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein (Physics), Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were Lu Ye Chun for their respective disciplines.

Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint, Ko Aung Win, Uttam Singh, and Ma Pwint Than. They joined RIT.

Others include :
Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, and Nelson Kaw.

Multiple Lu Ye Chun

Some were selected Lu Ye Chun for two or more years. They include

• Dr. Khin Maung U
• Dr. Thynn Thynn Lin
• Dr. Pe Thet Khin

Camp Staff

In the beginning some officials from “Lu Nge Ye Yar” လူငဇယ့်ရေးရာ served as Camp Commander and staff (for Logistics).

Selected University teachers (e.g. Dr. Daw May May Yi, Daw Po) and High School teachers (e.g. U Aung Gyi, U Khin Aung) were assigned to manage the Lu Ye Chun students. Some (e.g. U Than Tun Aung Hlaing, U Khin Maung Htwe) were chosen to lead some activities (e.g. Volleyball).

A medical doctor (e.g. Naing Tint San) was assigned to take care of the health of the Camp attendees.

Later, Sayagyis (e.g. U Ba Toke) served as Camp Commander.

Visiting Lecturers

U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and Dr. Nyi Nyi are among the Visiting Lecturers for our Inlay Camp.

In 1988, I was invited to be a Visiting Lecturer at the Ngapali Camp along with Saya U Kyaw Myint (Physics, DHE).

End

The Lu Ye Chun Program ended in 1988.

Reunion

A few years back, a formal Reunion of Luyechuns from 1965 – 1988 took place.

I met Saya Ko Aung Win at Yangon SPZP.

I had phone contact with Dr. Uttam Singh (known as Uttam S Gill, NASA).

I had a surprise reunion with Ko Win Myint at the dinner hosted by Ko Wai Lwin and Ko Nyan Tun U for Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and selected sayas attending the SPZP in Yangon. Ko Wai Lwin invited Ko Ohn Khine and me to attend the gathering.

Bogyoke Win Myint was then Deputy Minister of Construction. He told me that he was inspired by Ko Sein Shwe to join RIT and that he had published some books.

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2026

First Pagoda in the USA

Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Saya U Thilawunta (also fondly known as “Mon Sayadaw”) built the first pagoda in the USA on the Alleghany Mountains.

The American devotee, who permitted the pagoda to be constructed on his land, passed away.

Grapevine says that there were plans to contact the current owners to ask permission to renovate the pagoda or to relocate the pagoda.

Later pagodas include the ones at Kaba Aye Taung Pulu monastery in Boulder Creek, California.

Food For Thought

• Listening, evaluation and feedback are important for effective communication.

• The salutations are context and culture dependent.
• A visiting Professor from Germany wanted to be addressed as “Professor Doctor”.
• Saya Allen Htay told us that he could not use “Mr” during his stay in Netherlands. He was asked to use “Ingr” (based on his profession).
• Grapevine says that the early surgeons in the UK were not necessarily doctors, and so they did not force people to address them as Dr.

• Some overuse the “Like” button in Facebook. It is puzzling to see many Likes in an Obituary posting.
• One should be aware of “opt-in” versus “opt-out” options.
• Malicious software industry is responsible for losses (in down time, data corruption, identity theft, …) in the billions. The penalty of offenders is “peanuts” compared to drug dealers in most countries.

• “To err is human. To forgive divine.” I like another version. “To err is human. To really goof, use a computer.”
• I have made intentional and unintentional errors. Thanks to my colleagues, friends and readers for catching and correcting them.
• Word processors also introduce some errors by correcting legal Burmese words and names. e.g. “Nwe” becomes “New” when auto-corrected. A work around is to add such words to a private dictionary for use by the word processor.
• Without analysis of context, a program cannot decide whether you meant “goal” (objective) or “gaol” (alternative spelling for jail).
• Inconsistencies are not easy to detect. For example, if I write about Saya U Shwe Hlaing for two posts : “Names — Shwe” and “Names — Hlaing”, the contents may not be exactly the same. I use FB for convenience (e.g. getting rapid feedback), but it is not designed for cross-referencing posts.
• When I am not sure about an alumnus’s year of graduation or discipline, I use X for “unknown or unsure”. Most of the time, I get corrected by the readers.
• There is no “hard and fast” rule for including or excluding names in my posts. The coverage may not be uniform for the names mentioned. My posts are not complete for “Who’s who in Burma and Myanmar?”
• I am not consistent in tagging friends in my posts.

U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :

One of the issues with Burmese names, is that there are more than one way to spell it in English, like Tun vs Htun. We used to have two ထွန်းအောင်ကျော် (I left U/Ko on purpose of clarity not for the lack of respect). One spells his name as Tun Aung Gyaw; the other as Htun Aung Kyaw. Hence they are been distinguished as TAG and HAK.

I used to have a god-grandmother here in US in the early days – she passed some years back, may her soul RIP. We, myself and U Min Maung (EP68), jokingly told her to make sure she spelled our name MAUNG in her will. Khin Mg Zaw may not be the same as Khin Maung Zaw in legalese.

First RIT Alumni Website

Posted in 1999 by Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, M75)

As the Treasurer of the Bay Area RIT Alumni Group, I am pleased to announce the names of financial supporters whose donations have been helpful in taking care of the RIT Alumni web site maintenance.

• Saya U Nyo Win (a) Kim Chen (M65) US$ 120
• Saya Allen Htay (C58) US$ 120
• Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) US$ 120
• Saya U Thein Aung (a) James Wu (Met72) US$ 120
• U Benny Tan (M70) US$ 120
• U Maurice Chee (M75) US$ 120
• U Gordon Kaung (M83) US$120
• Saya K. C. Chiu (a) Dr. Tin Aung (ChE63) US$ 120
• Saya George Chan (a) U Maung Maung (ChE66) US$ 120
• U Hla Min (EC69) US$ 120
• U Daniel Tint Lwin (M69, Singapore) US$ 100
• U Ivan Lee (a) U Khin Maung Oo (M69, New Jersey) US$ 360
• Saya U Soe Paing (EE,), Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69) US$ 120

Note: –

Saya U K. C. Chiu’s donation included U Htin Paw (EE58), Mr. Patrick Chin (M70), and U Kyi Kong Tham (C63)

U Hla Min’s donation included S$50 donated by Saya U Aung Myint (M69, Singapore Polytechnic)

Webmaster’s Note :

The hard cost of hosting the RIT Alumni website with a hosting company is US24.95 per month. This costs does not include time and efforts put in by various people. The initial set up and programming effort took about five to six weekends, remember we do have day jobs. It takes an average of three to ten hours a week for routine content maintenance and program enhancements.

Editor’s Note:

U Khin Maung Zaw designed and maintained the web site. He was then working four 10-hour days and spent nights and weekends to get the sayas and alumni connected virtually and later physically at SPZP-2000. He was one of the eligible bachelors. He was then employed by Microsoft. He also found his true love and set up a loving family. It was a loss for RIT Alumni International.

He is now retired and is providing feedback on my posts.

Professor Robert W (Bob) Floyd
(June 8, 1936 – September 25, 2001)

He received his BA at the age of 17, and another BS in 1958 (working and studying part time) from the University of Chicago.

He taught and researched at two prestigious universities : Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Stanford University.

He was recommended to by Professor Donald Ervin Knuth (winner of Grace Murray Hopper Award, and ACM Turing Award) to become the Chairman, Department of Computer Science, Stanford University.

Knuth said, “any of the papers he had written could be taken as a doctoral dissertation “. Floyd’s pioneering papers included graph algorithms, compiling techniques, tree data structures, and proof of program correctness.

He supervised several doctoral students.

He was also awarded the prestigious ACM Turing Award, which is considered the Nobel Prize in Computing.

His biography, citation for the ACM Turing Award and the Award Lecture can be read from the ACM web site.

Silicon Valley

In the early days of computing, manufacturers of magnetic devices (core memory, tapes, disks and drums) than silicon [dioxide based] devices. Some said that “Magnetic Valley” might be a more appropriated name than “Silicon Valley”.

Several factors are attributed to the birth and the culture of Silicon Valley.

Professor [later Dean] Frederick Terman joined Stanford University instead of the more established ones in the East because of his health. He is known for (a) encouraging his students such as Hewlett, Packard and the Varian brothers to become entrepreneurs (b) leasing land owned by the University to the fledgling companies (c) making agreements with the companies to hire his students and/or send employees to attend courses at the University.

The oft-told story is about William Shockley (Nobel Prize winner for co-inventing the transistor) and his decision to set up “Shockley Labs”. He was brilliant but not so good at nurturing his employees. This led the “Traitorous Eight (including Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore)” to join Fairchild semiconductors. Noyce and Moore later co-founded Intel (Integrated Electronics) with Andy Grove.  The ability to move around companies is a good aspect of the Silicon Valley culture.

The entrepreneurship (initiated by Professor Terman) lives on. Yahoo, Google and several other companies were founded by Stanford alumni.

Some pointed out Harvard, MIT, and Cornell produced early computers (e.g. Mark I) and disciplines (e.g. Time sharing system, AI Lab, Computer Graphics, Machine Vision).  Their alumni also founded computer companies (e.g. DEC).

So, what defines “Silicon Valley”?

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2026

U Lun (Thakin Kodaw Hmaing)

• Principal, Ah Myo Tha Kaw Leik (အမျိုးသားကောလိပ် National College)

U Than Tun

• Father of Ashin Pannagavesaka (Bobby Myo Tun, A69)
• He passed away in his late 90s.

U Han Zaw

• Retired minister
• Spouse: Daw Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi (A69)

U Ba Khin

• He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School and was First in the whole of Burma.

• He was the first native Auditor General. He also managed four Directorates.
• He is a renowned Vipassana teacher. His teacher was Saya Thet. His disciple was Goenkaji.

U Thein Oo

• He transferred from Commerce Department to UCC.
• He founded MCC with U Tin Win Aung, and Ace with his spouse Daw Than Than Tint.
• He is Past President of MCF.

Dr. Thein Htut and Dr. Nyunt Win

• Dr. Thein Htut is the son of Colonel Min Sein and Dr. Daw Yin May (first Triple FRCS). He is RUBC Gold.
• Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie, GBNF) is the grandson of U Po Sa.
• They moved to Australia.

Theikpan Maung Wa

• ICS U Sein Tin
• First student in Masters course for Burmese
• Author
• Cofounded Khit San Sar Pay with Zawgyi and Minthuwun

San Shwe Myint

• Character created by Cartoon Myint Thein

Pathan

• By Ashin Nandamarlabhivansa (Ph.D)

Pediatricians

• Credit: Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint

RASU Rowing

• Credit: Dr. Nyan Taw

Roll of Honor

• Donors for YTU Library Modernization

UNSG (United Nations Secretary General)

• U Thant was the 3rd UNSG and the First Asian UNSG.

University Athletes

• They represented Burma in the Second SEAP Games (Rangoon, December 1961)
• Credit: Dr. Richard Yu Khin

U Wun

• Laureate Poet — Minthuwun
• Lexicographer — မြန်မာအဘိဓာန်
• Cofounder of Khit San Sar Pay with Zawgyi and Theikpan Maung Wa
• Head, RU Translation
• Professor at RU; Visiting Professor at Osaka University

U Kyaw Mya Thein (Phy, ICST)

• He wrote “Kar Ku La Thinchar” (Calculus in Burmese).
• He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.

U Kyaw Myint (Phy, DHE)

• He retired as DG of DHE.
• The photo was taken at a fundraiser for his Foundation.

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2026

Teaching and Learning

Teaching is only one aspect. A teacher learns by teaching and receiving feedback from the students. A teacher should be a life long learner.

Learning is another aspect. We should not encourage Rote Learning and mindless repetition. “Learning how to learn” and similar courses propose efficient and effective techniques.

Degree

Liberal education is usually offered at the Bachelor’s level.

A university degree was necessary for getting decent jobs. Now, there are some companies that do not mandate a university degree for selected jobs.

Disciplines

In the beginning, there were no computers and no Computer Science. Among the computer pioneers were engineers, mathematicians, physicists, psychologists, and linguists.

Edgser W. Dijkstra, who won the ACM Turing Award (equivalent of Nobel Prize in Computer Science), had to put “Theoretical Physicist” in his marriage license instead of “Programmer” or “Computer Scientist”.

The same is true for any emerging discipline.

Research and Development transcends multiple disciplines. It requires collaboration.

Main Facebook pages

• For relatives and close friends
• For not-so-close friends
• RIT Updates

Member of selected pages

• Old Burma
• RIT Updates
• Lifelong Learning
• Memories
• Myanmar

I used to be a member of the following:

• ကံ့ကော်မြေ (ရာပြည့်တက္ကသိုလ်)
• စကားပရိယာယ်
• စွယ်တော်ရိပ်ဖေါင်ဒေးရှင်း
• NorCal RITAA
• P.B.R.S Group
• RIT 69ers
• Team Old School IT
• YUBC Old Members
• Buddhism Q&A

Proper use of “Like” button

• Some users use the “Like” button indiscriminately.
• Puzzled to see Likes in an Obituary posting. Shouldn’t one be sad?
• Before clicking “Like”, check if the posting is current or old, and determine if the contents are really likeable.

Malware

• Malicious software industry is responsible for losses (in down time, data corruption, identity theft) in the billions.
• According to one report, the industry is more profitable and safer than the drug dealing.
• The penalty of offenders for malicious software is “peanuts” (e.g. little or no jail time) compared to drug dealers (e.g. life imprisonment and death penalty) in most countries.

Option

• One should be aware of “opt-in” versus “opt-out” options.
• Many do not read “fine print”.

Retire vs. Re-tire

• U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70) is a Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs.
• He told me, “You should not retire. You may re-tire (as in re-threading a tire). We will try to support you and your projects
• I am retired from working to make ends meet.

• I am re-tiring as long as my physical and mental health permit.
• Took a few on-line courses (for credit) Too taxing and slow; Opted to audit 100+ courses (covering many subjects)
• Listen to one Blinkist every day
• Listened to Merriam Webster’s Word of the day (WOTD) Podcast every day.
• Ride stationary bike for 30 minutes every day.
• Write or revise several posts every day.

Salutation

• Context and culture dependent.
• We call some old unrelated people as “Uncle” and “Auntie”.
• At St. Paul’s High School, we call our sayas without the formal U. e.g. Saya Sein
• I was reprimanded by a reader for writing Saya Aung Khin instead of Saya U Aung Khin or Sayagyi U Aung Khin.
• A visiting German wanted to be addressed as “Professor Doctor” (not just Professor or Doctor).
• Saya Allen Htay was told not use “Mr” in Netherlands. He was asked to use “Ingr” (for Engineer).
• Early surgeons in the UK were not necessarily doctors. So they did not force people to address them as Doctor
• People who have Honorary Doctorates usually put “Honoris Causa” (meaning the degree was awarded for esteem).

Speed and Scope of Writing

• A friend said, “You write too fast and too much. Slow down.”
• A few said, “We have read every post”.
• One said, “Cover topics of interest to the general reader, not just engineers and scientists”.

• One can please some readers all of the time, and all readers some of the time, but one cannot please every reader all of the time.
• I am just disseminating the teachings of Thin Sayas, Myin Sayas, Kyar Sayas