Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

Post by Htay Nwe

From left to right:

• U Chan Sein (left flag bearer)
• Daw Khin Mya (Popsy’s mother)
• (MA)Daw Ohn
• Ludu Daw Ah Mar
• Saw Ba Hein (Daisy’s father, right flag bearer)

Saya Nyein

• Alumnus of St. John’s Diocesan
  First school in Burma to have a football team
• Coach of RU First Eleven
• Gave interview to MERB for the RU Diamond Jubilee
• Introduced his players — Nay Win and Aung Tin — to movie directors and producers

U Than Win

• Captain of RU First Eleven
• Studied Physical Education in the USA
• Director of Sports and Physical Education

U Chan Tha

• Captain of the Prome Hall Soccer team which won the Inter-Hall trophy for three consecutive years
• Burma Selected in Soccer
• Past Captain and Gold of RUBC

Collegian Nay Win

• Joined Navy
• Attended RU after matriculating
• Played for RU First Eleven under coach Saya Nyein.
• Burma Selected in Soccer (won Best Player award)
• Interviewed by U Chin Sein (Shwe Nyar Maung) for a movie based on Zawana’s novel
• Won Academy awards
• Spouse : Daw Khin Marlar
• Children : Yazar Nay Win and Hemar Nay Win

Kenneth Shein

• Played for RU First Eleven under coach Saya Nyein
• Joined Burma Railways
• Burma Selected in Soccer
• Daughter : Pale Shein (UCC, Singapore)

Tun Kyi

• Engineer
• Played for RU First Eleven under coach Saya Nyein
• Joined Burma Railways
• Burma Selected in Soccer

Dr. Tint Lwin

• Goalkeeper for RU First Eleven under coach Saya Nyein
• Medical doctor (specialize in Anesthetics)
• After retirement, moved to California, USA

U Aung Khin

• Played for RU First Eleven under coach Saya Nyein
• Played forward in Burma team
• Scored the winning goal in Asian Games

U Ba Maung

• University and/or Burma Selected
• Became Sports Officer at RASU

U Maung Maung

• University and/or Burma Selected
• Became Sports Officer at RIT

Albums

• I have created 30+ albums using the photos from the posts (with credit given to the source where ever possible) and the photos from my archives.
  
• The Primary sources include
  Newspapers (e.g. Kyemon),
  Encyclopedias (e.g. Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan),
  Biographies (e.g. by Maung Aung Mon (a) Win Aung Gyi),
  Books (e.g. Collection of Kabyars),
  Brochures (e.g. Convocation),
  Magazines (e.g. Annual Magazines),
  Sar Saungs.
  
• I have added relevant comments from the posts, and have added additional information.
  
• With the help of specialist volunteers (e.g. Subject Matter Experts), they can be transformed into “Photo Essays” or articles in a digital book or e-books.
  
• I have covered several subjects and departments.
  
• The albums are not exhaustive and may not be mutually exclusive.
  e.g. The photos of Saya U Pe Maung Tin, Saya Dr. Htin Aung, Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and Saya U Wun (Minthuwun) appear in several albums.
  

Geography

L. D. Stamp

• Professor Laurence Dudley Stamp taught Geography at Rangoon University and the University of London.
• He authored several books and articles (e.g. Land Use).
• One book was a prescribed text in Burma in the early days.
• He lectured to the first year students at LSE (London School of Economics) instead of delegating to his assistants.
  His rationale : “A major subject can be taught by any qualified teacher, but a minor subject should be introduced by a motivated, senior teacher. The class could be the sole exposure in their academic career; so it is important to give the students an excellent overview of the subject.”

Geography learned at school

• We had to take World Geography and Burmese Geography in Middle School (then 5th to 7th standard).
  We sat for the last ever Government examination for 7th standard in 1960.
  
• In 8th standard, we learned about Contouring and Climatic Interpretation.

Geography Teachers

• Dr. Daw Thin Kyi is the first native Professor of Geography. She is also one of the early female Professors at Rangoon University.

• U Kyaw moved to Workers’ College as Principal.
  
• Dr. Tin Htoo was a senior lecturer. .
  
• I worked as a volunteer assistant for Saya U Hla Htun Aung, who was in charge of the “Zay Nay Yar Cha Htar Yee Committee” for the Rangoon University Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1970.
  Among those who applied for permits include U Maung Maung Tar (Academy winning actor, trying to sell his line of make up) and the Playboys (Than Naing, Thein Tan, …)
  
• Saya Dr. U Win attended UCC before going for his graduate studies in the US. He is an expert on Geographical Information Systems (GIS). He was the last speaker for the conferences held by Burma Research Society (BRS). The higher authorities entered the room and announced that “BRS has been disbanded”.
  
  U Win blogged about his former sayas and sayamas.
  
• After the Education System changes in 1964 and post-1988, there are many more Rectors and Professors.

• Myint Myint Khine and her friends have posted photos of the senior sayamas and sayas.

Honor

• I am trying to honor Outstanding Burmese in general, and RU Alumni in particular.
  
• Enhanced the list compiled by Saya U Wun (Minthuwun) of “Outstanding Burmese who are First in their field”.
  
• Enhanced another list “Early Female Scholars who did post-graduate degrees (mainly in the UK)” with those who studied in USA and elsewhere (using information and feedback from my sayas and friends).
  
• Continually updated the list of Top Matriculates (from the Old System).
  
• Wrote about outstanding athletes (in Soccer, Swimming, Rowing, Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton, …)
  
• Need Subject Matter Experts (SME) to help payback to our alma mater:
  Photo Exhibitions / Photo Essays
  Books / Kabyars / Cartoons / Movies / Songs related to RU
  Digital books (PDF files, e-books)
  Commemorative Magazines and Sar Saungs

Fresher Welcome

• Pat Tin-Win had the courage to request Sayagyi Dr. Ba Than (who was Medical Superintendent of the Japan Khit Say Yone Gyi, Rector of IM(1) and founder of the Zwe Ah Nyeint) to play Myamangiri on the harp, and allow the recording to be used for her friend Rosie to dance at the 1964 Chemistry Fresher Welcome.
  Sayagyi complied.
• Related posts
  Gatherings

Extracurricular Activities

• Those who chose to stay in hostels have fond memories of the various functions (e.g. by Thahaya and Sar Phutt Ah Thinn — Social and Reading Clubs), the Inter-Hall and Inter-Institute Sporting Events (e.g. at Aung San Stadium).
  
• Per Daw Nyunt Nyunt Tin, she was a Day Scholar, but she spent a lot of time at Marlar Hall (known not just for beauties but for the excellent sports teams).
  
• Some tried Rowing at the Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC).
  The pioneer female rowers were from the Institute of Economics and RASU (partly because they are close to RUBC). They were later joined from other Institutes (e.g. RIT, IM(1), Education).
  RUBC was founded by Sir Arthur Eggar (Law Professor) in 1923. Details of RUBC can be found in the 90th Anniversary Issue (published in 2013). RUBC allowed female members in the mid 1960s. Pioneer female members were mostly from Institute of Economics (e.g. Ma Khin Mya), RASU (e.g. Jill Gaudoin /Aye) and some from other institutes.

• Some remember the musical evenings and nights by Pho So Chins.
  Tekkatho Tun Naung (then a Dental College Student, Luyechun for the Summer Camp of 1965 at Inlay) would play mandolin in front of the Ladies’ Halls (e.g. Inya Hall). He would later co-found the Stereo Khit.
  
• Related posts
  Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins
  RUBC
  Social and Reading Club
  
  

Suggestions

There are several ways to help navigate the large repository of topics.

• The Admin can pin a post as an announcement.
  The announcement can be updated with “What’s new?” or similar messages.
• The posts can be classified into appropriate topics.
  Then, a reader can view posts related to a selected topic.
• One may search posts using an appropriate keyword.
• One may save a post.
  One can later access the saved post.
  Note, however that Facebook will send reminder of unopened saved posts.
• One may share a post.
  One can add additional information about the shared post.

Some posts

Thann Htutt Aung wrote some posts (e.g. landmarks including buildings and roads) and shared several posts (including the Hostels and their notable occupants, victorious RU soccer team from the prewar days, memories of former Soccer Selection U Aung Khin, logo from the RU Golden Jubilee).

Some remembered their classmates who were denied admission to the professional institutes because of the 3-NRC rule.

Several took three more years to complete their studies. The schools were closed following the 8-8-88. There were no convocations for 1988, 1989 and 1990.

Some remembered attending Thabawa Theikpan (Natural Science) Campus in Thamaing. The name fell out of use. It was later known as RC(2), one of the three Regional Colleges in Yangon.

The admission procedures change with the several “New Education System”. The controversial ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) was used to admit matriculates in 1964. The three year performance (Matriculation and Two years in Regional College) was used to decide the study of the students.

“Special” Honors courses took five years (Intermediate followed by three years of specialization in a subject).

“General” Honors courses took four years (Intermediate followed by two years of specialization in a subject).

General Honors (Options : Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)

Physics Honors

Saya Mehm Than Thoung was top in 1960 – 61.

Sayama Daw May Than Nwe was top in 1961 – 62. Her classmates include Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye, Sayama Daw Khin Than Nwe, Saya Dr. Sein Tun and Robert Sein.

Dr. Hla Ngwe Tin (Frankie Ohn, First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1959), Dr. Tun Than, Dr. Soe Yin and U Kyaw Kyaw Shein were from the final batch 1962 – 63.

Mathematics Honors

Need info for 1960 – 61.

Saya Dr. Kyaw Thein was top in 1961 – 62.

Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing (daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khaing), Sayama Daw Kyi Kyi Aung, Saya Dr. Sein Win and U Oo Tha were from the final batch 1962 – 63.

Chemistry Honors

Need info for 1960 – 61.

Saya Dr. Soe Win was top in 1961 – 62.

Need info for 1962 – 63.

Sein YaDu (Diamond Jubilee in 1995)

At that time, the four family members were affiliated with different Universities and Institutes.

• Saya Dr. Soe Win (YUFL)
• Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (Chemistry, RASU)
• Ko Aung Mon (EC, YTU)
• Ko Nyi Thet Lwin (IM 1)

At present, Saya and Sayama are retired. They will celebrate their Golden Jubilee soon. Ko Aung Mon did graduate studies in IT and works in Singapore. Ko Nyi Thet Lwin is a surgeon in UK.

• Saya U Khin Maung Thint (Jimmy Tin) taught the early batches.
  
• The first batch of Architects including Saya U Myo Myint Sein graduated in 1958.
  Saya did Masters postgraduate studies in the US.
  U Myo Myint Sein (Raymond) succeeded Saya U Tha Tun as Head of the Architecture Department.
  After retirement from RIT as Professor, he moved to the USA.
  
• The second batch including Saya Dr. Lwin Aung and U Bo Gyi graduated in 1959.
  Dr. Lwin Aung worked in the industry for several years before joining the Faculty. Saya Dr. Lwin Aung (A59) served as Professor of Architecture, and Pro-Rector of YTU (Yangon Technological University). After retirement, he became a monk.
  
• The third batch including Koon Yin Chu (Phillip), U Tin Htoon, U Aung Kyee Myint and U Kin Maung Yin graduated in 1960.
  
• Koon Yin Chu (Phillip Chu, SPHS54) stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1954. He stood First again in the graduating class of Architects in 1960.
  
• U Bo Gyi (A59), U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Aung Kyee Myint (A60) founded Architects Incorporated.
  
• U Bo Gyi was an accomplished pianist and modeller (e.g. sculpture) and was the senior of the three partners.
  He designed the Daw Khin Kyi Mausoleum., and was “set aside” by higher authorities for his work.
  After retirement, he become a monk.
  
• U Tin Htoon (Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) is an ARAE Champion. He and Dr. Harry Saing won the Venables Bowl for coxless pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta. He, Dr. Harry Saing, Victor Htun Shein, Sunny Teng and U Sein Htoon won the Willingdon Trophy for coxed fours at the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo. He and U Hla Khin (Navy / Defense) won Silver medal for Yatching at the SEAP Games.
  U Tin Htoon retired after working in Myanmar, Singapore and USA.
  
• A few years later, the company was folded. The three Amigos joined PWD (Public Works Department).
  
• U Aung Kyee Myint retired as Chief Architect of PWD.
  
• U Kin Maung Yin (Modern Art, Director of “Hna Ma Let Shor Nay Lay Dawt”), Paw Oo Thet, Director Win Pe and several artists frequented Architects Incorporated.
  
• U Kin Maung Yin used Black and White imagery, Classical Music and minimal dialog in his movie “Hna Ma Let Shawt Ney Lay Dawt” (which attracted some Westerners), but it was the first occurrence where the “First Day First Show” did not sell out.
  

Cartoonists

Table Tennis

• Badminton
• Botany
• Burmese / Myanmar Sar
• Cartoonists
• Chancellor
• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Graduation
• Landmarks and Symbols
• Library
• Literary Clubs and RU Magazines
• Ma Chit Swe’s Autograph
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Poems
• Rangoon University Boat Club / RUBC
• Rectors and Registrars
• SEAP Games
• Table Tennis
• UCC, DCS, ICST
• Zoology