During my visit to Yangon, some UCC colleagues hosted a Lunch gathering at Kone Myint Tha, 8th Mile.
Four of them have MYINT in their names.
The hosts were U Sein Myint and U Soe Myint. Both are UN Retirees.
The guests included U Aung Myint (GBNF), U Win Myint and Daw Nu Nu Aung.
U Aung Myint was caught in the traffic. So, he is not in the picture. In a previous visit U Aung Myint and his son Ko Aung Khine Cho took us to Tanyin (Syriam).
Thanks to all the four MYINTs.
After the lunch gathering, we walked to Saya U Soe Paing’s house and paid respect to Saya.
Group Photo posted by U Aung Chaw (Victor, Uzin Okkantha, SPHS63, C69)
5th row : Myint Swe, Phillip Ba Mg (GBNF), Henry Aye, Aung Kyi Myint, George Khoo, John Hoe, Hoke Kyin, Tyron Hla Mg, Peter Hoke Wan (Than Soe, Volleyball), Victor Chaw(Aung Chaw, C69, Sayadaw)
4th row : Richard Than, George Htun, ? , Thein Tun, Victor Nyi, Kauk Leong, Eric Hoe, Mg Mg Kyi (Dip Ing, Wales, GBNF), Khin Mg Tun, ? , Thomas Kyaw Sein
3rd row : Kyaw Khin (SPED, GBNF), Eddie Nyunt, Mg Mg, Edward Aung, Zaw Minn, Victor Nyunt (Nyunt Wai), Charlie Htoon, Brownie Way (Aung Thu Yein, GBNF), Atom Hla, Mg Mg Thaik
2nd row : Stanley Leo Min, Hla Thaung, Than Soe, Sayar San Thein, ? , Stanley Boon, Edwin Ngwe (Aye Ngwe), Tin Shwe
1st row : Than Win (M69), Tyron Kyaw Sein, ? , Walter Su, Kyaw Win, Allan Saw Mg (Khin Mg Bo, EP69, GBNF), Thein Wai (USA), Eric Thaung, ?
Thanks to Atom Hla for his memorization
Editor’s Note:
After retirement, Phillip Ba Maung became a Sayadaw. He passed away.
Aung Kyi Myint was selected as Luyechun from Agri (Yezin) in the Summer of 1965.
Peter Hoke Wan was Burma Selected for Volleyball.
After retirement, Victor Chaw became a Sayadaw. He resided in Sagaing Hills before moving to the Delta region.
Mg Mg Kyi (GBNF) stood 11th in the Matriculation of 1963 and won Collegiate Scholarship. After retirement, Mg Mg Kyi moved to Wales, UK.
Kyaw Khin (GBNF) was Track and Field Champion for Hurdles and 1500m. He became National Coach.
Victor Nyunt stood 4th in the Matriculation of 1963 and won Collegiate Scholarship. He retired after teaching in Myanmar and Malaysia.
Brownie Way (GBNF) stood 13th in the Matriculation of 1963 and won Collegiate Scholarship.
Atom Hla and friends organized a Soon Kwyay for Uzin Saya Beatson (High School Physics, Scout Master).
Met Edwin Ngwe at the Birthday Soon Kyway gathering at “Shwe Ba” by Kyaw Win.
Met Than Win at 69er and SPHS63 Gatherings.
Kyaw Win hosted a Birthday Soon Kway Gathering at “Shwe Ba”. He offered Nawa Kamma to Uzin Aung Chaw.
Met Allan Saw Maung (GBNF) at 69er and SPHS Gatherings.
Thein Wai stood 5th in the Matriculation of 1963 and won Scholarship. He graduated from IM(2). He moved to USA.
He had to wait one year after passing the Matriculation exam in 1951 to attend the University of Rangoon because he was underage.
C58
He graduated as a Top Civil Engineering student in 1958 and was awarded the U Kyaw Sein prize.
Convocation in 1958
He joined the Civil Engineering Department in 1958 as Assistant Lecturer.
He received Scholarship to do his Masters at MIT.
Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer.
He is Past President of RIT Swimming and Water Polo. He is Past President of RIT Rowing. He served as Line Judge at RUBC Regattas with Sayagyi U Num Kok and Saya U Sein Win.
He received his Ph.D. from Tulane University, New Orleans, USA.
He retired as Professor at Tulane University.
He taught almost six decades in Burma/Myanmar and USA.
Contributions
Saya donated K10 lakhs from the Garawa mony received at SPZP to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF).
He wrote “Memories of the days at the Faculty of Engineering, RU”
He helped Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) with the caption of the Group photo of C58.
After retirement, Saya spent his time in Myanmar, with his daughter in New York and with his son in San Francisco.
Saya U Htin Paw (EE58) taught at RIT. He studied his Masters at the University of Michigan under the UBARI scholarship. After working at UBARI, he joined the Electrical Inspectorate.
The Chief Electrical Inspectors (e.g. U Aung Than) and Chief Engineers of ESB/EPC taught part-time (mostly on Electrical Safety Procedures) at RIT.
U Moe Aung
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) has given several refresher courses at EI on the various aspects of Electrical Power & Distribution. Saya had also wrote articles on electrical hazards (e.g. electrocution, downed power lines).
Safety Risk
110-120V systems (used in the US) pose less risk to users than 220-240V systems (used in Myanmar).
To minimize tragedies
Main and auxiliary circuit breakers
Proper earth connections
Using electrical devices that are certified to conform to safety regulations
Replacing and repairing faulty electrical devices
U Aye Win Kyaw and Son
U Aye Win Kyaw (in the middle)
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) sent me a voice message.
Sad to hear the voice of Saya U Aye Win Kyaw recounting the “bad experience” that led to his son’s untimely death.
He pleaded to the clinics and the hospitals to prioritize safety for the patients and their caretakers.
Class Teachers in lower grades (KG and Primary School)
Relieving Teachers from other sections
Comments
U Tin Aung Win U Nyunt Maung was our Mathematics teacher for us at that time [at Sacred Heart]. Another Mathematics teacher was Mr. Lazarus.
U Nyunt Tin Our Sayars from SPHS. U Nge was my teacher in 7th Std. U Sein was Burmese Teacher in Matric Class (1963-1964). I have a great chance to pay homage online to our Sayars & Brothers of SPHS. I matriculated in 1964 and entered R I T as a first year student. Graduated in 1970 (Civil ). I was in SPHS from 1955 to 1964, as a boarding student.
U Aung Kyaw Myint (Eddie Shein), U Sein Myint, Daw Mar Mar Yee, Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma)
U Aung Kyaw Myint(M70)
He is an Old Paulian. He did not enjoy studying medicine, so he transferred to RIT. His hobby includes astrology. He visits Australia and Singapore.
U Sein Myint (EC69)
He represented RIT in Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo. He is a major donor to the 69er Health Care Fund and the EE69er Health Care Fund. After retirement, he visits his children in USA and Myanmar.
Daw Mar Mar Yee (M75)
She is a vocalist and Minthamee. Her spouse U Tin Tun (M70) is a pianist. They are core entertainers for the SPZPs held in Singapore and Yangon. She served as Master of Ceremonies for the M75 Gatherings and All-Mechanical Gathering.
Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70)
She is fondly known as “Rocket” (during her RIT days”), “ageless Minthamee” (as entertainer for SPZPs) and Mae Daw Gyi (by the young monks sponsored by Dana Sri Lanka). She made frequent visits to Yangon to take care of her mother (who finally passed away peacefully). She visited USA as a teenager for winning an essay contest. She has traveled to several countries. She joking said that she married U Yu Swan (Don Min Sayagyi) so that she would be a Minthamee and a co-leader of the Pon Chan Chan Group.
He matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1946. He entered Rangoon University in along with Dr Pe Nyun (GBNF), Dr. Pe Thein (GBNF) and U Sein Hlaing (GBNF).
He represented RUBC at the Independence Day Regatta in Kandawgyi and became RUBC Gold.
He is the Oldest and Most Senior among the Past RUBC Captains who are alive.
He celebrated his 95th birthday on August 3, 2024.
He lost his spouse (Dr. Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt), elder son (Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun in UK) and son-in-law (U Tin Tun) within a span of several months (starting late 2019 to May 2020).
He received his BSCE from Oregon State University and MSCE at Yale University.
He taught part-time at Rangoon University.
He worked as Director and/or Advisor for Clark & Greig, Inter-Kiln and PWD.
U Tin U
Dr. Pe Nyun (GBNF)
He entered Rangoon University in 1946 along with U Tin U and Dr. Pe Thein.
He represented RUBC at the Independence Day Regatta in Kandawgyi and became RUBC Gold.
He served as Secretary and later as Captain of RUBC.
He was Chief Pediatric Surgeon at the Rangoon Children Hospital.
He and Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, RUBC Captain and Gold) performed the first surgery on conjoined twins (Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San) in Burma.
He passed away in Canada.
His family set up “Dr. Pe Nyun Award” for outstanding Pediatric Surgeons.
Independence Day Regatta
Dr. Pe Thein (GBNF)
He entered Rangoon University in 1946 along with U Tin U and Dr. Pe Nyun.
He represented RUBC at the Independence Day Regatta in Kandawgyi and became RUBC.
Professor
Minister of Health and Education
U Sein Hlaing (GBNF)
U Sein Hlaing
He entered Rangoon University in 1946
He was the Top graduate in Electrical Engineering in 1952.
He joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer.
He received his MSEE from MIT.
He was promoted to Lecturer and later as Professor and Head of Electrical Engineering
In the early days, several Burmese State Scholars studied in UK and USA.
Dr. Hla Myint, Dr. Tha Hla and Dr. Maung Maung Kha received their doctorates in Economics, Geology and Meteorological Physics from UK. They served as Professors and later as Rectors at Rangoon University.
Dr. Hla MyintDr. Maung Maung KhaDr. Tha Hla
Dr. Daw Thin Kyi was early female doctorate from US. She retired as Professor of Geography Department.
Dr. Daw Thin Kyi U Sein HlaingU Min WunU Maung Maung Than
In the 1950s, undergraduate and graduate students were sent to USA under the “Twinning Program” between RU and prestigious universities in the USA. Saya U Ba Hli, first native Dean of Engineering, is credited for the proposal.
Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun and U Maung Maung Than formed the first batch of Engineering students to be sent as State Scholars in the US. After completing their BS and MS, they joined the Faculty of Engineering. They retired as Professors and/or Rectors.
U Sein Hlaing and U Tin Swe were among the Engineering sayas to be sent as State Scholars in the US.
In 1954, there were 400+ Burmese State Scholars in the US. Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Emeritus Professor of Western Illinois University) had a list.
In the 1960s (especially during the BSPP regime), most Burmese state scholars were selected to study in socialist and communist countries.
One day, a group of state scholars (who had been chosen to do their Diplom and Candidate of Science) were surprised and delighted to learn that they will have to do their Masters and Doctorates in the UK.
What happened? Had their luck changed unexpectedly?
Grapevine says that four Burmese state scholars in Dresden, German Democratic Republic (GDR) formed an association and led protests in front of the Burmese Embassy claiming that the “Burmese Way to Socialism” is weak.
The student leaders were routed back to Burma via Moscow, USSR.
The higher authorities decided to send less scholars to the socialist and communist countries to prevent or minimize hard-core cadres.
Saya U Thein Tan (C74, Retired Rector of MTU) added :
U Hla Min, it is not only cause for diverting state scholars to UK and Canada. We engineers and Physics graduates and forestry graduates are chosen to study in USSR. We had our passport in hand and applied for visa . Then there were no reply for about a month. They gave back our passports. Later on I learnt that our government had denounced the invasion of Czechoslovak by Warsaw group is illegal. After some time we and Physics graduates are sent to UK. Forestry graduates are sent to Canada instead of USSR.
