In the dining hall, there is an album about Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa’s early years in the US (e.g. meditation retreat at a church, dhamma classes at a Zen Buddhism Temple).
There are also photos about the Summer Camp for children and young adults.
There are two cabinets of books: one for dhamma dana distribution, and another for sale.
Newsletter
The “Dhamma Bell Newsletter” was edited by volunteers (U Theikdi & Maureen O’Brien).
It was published quarterly.
It featured dhamma talks given at TMC and also recipes (e.g. vegetarian spring rolls).
Sayadaws
Panditarama Sayadaw
Panditarama Sayadaw
Sayadawgyi conducted Annual Meditation Retreats.
Later, he assigned Sayadaws to conduct the Retreats on his behalf.
Beelin Sayadaw
Beelin Sayadaw
Spent over a decade as Chief Resident Sayadaw at TMC
Back in Myanmar, Sayadaw resided at Hse Mile Gone and Panditarama
Passed away on June 18, 2025.
TMC will have a ceremony on July 19, 2025 starting at 2 PM to honor Beelin Sayadaw.
U Dhammika (Tharmane Kyaw Sayadaw)
Sayadaw taught Pali courses at TMC
He wrote “Pali Sikkha ပါဠိသိက္ခာ” (Practicing Pali) texts.
Saya is the eldest of five siblings. Youngest brother & youngest sister predeceased him. Younger brother is in Yangon. Younger sister in the US East Coast.
Thingyan
Thingyan
C58
Graduated with Civil Engineering in 1958
Classmates : Dr. San Hla Aung, Dr. Win Thein (GBNF), Khin Mg Win (Sid, GBNF), Oscar Sharazee
C58
RIT Saya
Joined Civil Engg Dept as Assistant Lecturer
Masters from Harvard; Also took courses at MIT (e.g. “SCHEME” / Lexically scoped Lisp)
Programmed his calculator using Reverse Polish Notation
Promoted to Lecturer
President, RIT Photography Association
Supervised C73 Final Year project, where his students — Dennis Mackey & George Peters — used UCC computer.
UN Project
Advisor in Bengladesh
SF Bay Area
SF Bay Area Alumni Group
Leader of SF Bay Area Group, which formed “RIT Alumni International”
SF Bay Area Alumni
Founding member & President of RIT Alumni International
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Core Organizer of SPZP-2000. His article “Brother, can you afford $500 and more?” saved the organizers from U Nyo Win’s Act.
Took me to BAPS picnic. Demonstrated “Burmese Goodbye” by taking an hour to greet alumni on the way back to his car.
To avoid monotony, he took a different route going out and coming back. He did not mind missing an exit; he would simply make a turn at the next one.
He, Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt, U Ko Ko Aye (GBNF), Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) and me would meet monthly to have Coffee / Tea & Dosa တိုရှည် and chat.
Sometimes, Dr. San Lin would come down from Santa Rosa to see Saya U Soe Khaw (GBNF). Saya Allen & I would join them for lunch gathering, which extended until dinner.
With Dr. San Lin
Saya is interested in Comparative Religion & Culture. Saya U Aung’s anecdote mentioned Saya’s visit to a mosque & Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore.
Saya retired twice.
Was coaxed by his former students to un-retire twice. Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) requested him to work at the Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley. Later, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) requested him to work as Consultant for CalTrans.
Passed away before his final retirement.
Health
Survived two Strokes.
Succumbed to the Stroke at the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. He accompanied his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the Reunion.
Did not live long enough to see his four grandsons. Two have “Allen” in their names.
May he rest in peace.
Donations
In Saya’s memory, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Sayas’ books to YTU Library. She also offered scholarship to eligible YTU students via NorCal RITAA.
Two Sayas
Brief Bio
Saya Allen Htay and Daw Mu Mu Kin
Born in Mandalay, attended St. Joseph English Convent and St. Peter’s Boys’ School in Mandalay and the Methodist High School in Rangoon.
Graduated B Sc (Engg) in Civil Engineering in 1958 from Rangoon University and joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer in the same year at the invitation of Prof T Ba Hli, then Dean of Engineering.
Awarded the Burmese Government State Scholarship for study in the United States from 1960 to 1963, and the US Government Fulbright Travel Grant.
Received the degree of Master of Engineering from Harvard University in 1963, specializing in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.
Returned to Burma and joined the newly formed Rangoon Institute of Technology in Gyogon.
Served as Lecturer in Civil Engineering from 1964 to 1975, except from 1966 to 1968 which was spent on advanced study in Hydraulics Engineering in the Netherlands at Delft Technical University under UNESCO assistance program for Burma.
Immigrated to USA in 1975. Currently working at the California Department of Transportation as Project Engineer.
Married to Mu Mu Kin in 1971 and have two surviving children, Myo Lynn and Thuzar Kin. Mu Mu works at TIBCO Software Inc in Palo Alto to supplement the family income.
Work Experience:
Soils Engineer: Mueser Rutledge Wentworth and Johnston, New York, NY, 1975-1978.
Washington DC Metro Subway Project. Civil Engineer: International Engineering Company, Inc, San Francisco, CA, 1978-1983.
USAID Bangladesh Fertilizer Warehouses Construction Project.
Senior Staff Engineer: Morrison Knudsen Corporation, San Francisco, CA, 1984-1996.
DOE Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project.
Principal Research Associate: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 1997.
DOE Yucca Mountain High Level Radioactive Materials Repository Project.
Transportation Engineer: California Department of Transportation, Oakland, CA, 1999-.
My dear parents gave me birth and brought me up to be a good son. My teachers taught me everything else I know. My land of birth, Myanmar, through the sweat and hard work of its citizens supported and paid for my engineering education and my studies abroad. To each and everyone I am obligated and I give my thanks. For it is narrated in Al-Hadith that one who does not thank one another in this life even for little favors is unworthy to thank the Lord for the big favor.
Civil 1958
Class photo was sent by Saya Allen
Dr San Hla Aung helped to identify classmates
U Khin Maung Win (Sidney Chen, GBNF) supplied the photograph.
Class of Civil 58
Sitting: (1) U Pu (2) Dr. Aung Gyi (3) U Min Wun (4) U Ba Hli (5) Mr. Redpath (6) U Ngwe Thein (7) Mr. Eswara (8) Mr. Num Kock
1st Row: (1) Khin Maung (2) Than Aung (3) Htay Aung (4) Khin Maung Lwin (5) Kyaw Tin (6) Win Thein (7) Chit Pe (8) Shwe Tun Maung (9) Win Maung (10) Thein Lwin (11) Tun Yi (12) Than Pe
2nd Row: (1) V. Kumar (2) Kyaw Hoe (3) Allen Htay (4) Ba Hnin Chit (5) Kyaw Mya (6) Kyaw Din (7) Irwin Myaing (8) Chit Aye (9) Maung Maung (10) Nolan Wu (11) Morgan Singar
3rd Row: (1) Patrick George (2) Oscar Shirazee (3) Hla Shwe (4) Aung Par Thein (5) Saw Lwin (6) San Hla Aung (7) Shwe Win (8) Douglas Hoe (9) Sidney Chen
Notes
There was a mini-gathering at SPZP-2000. The attendees include
Mr. Num Kok (Portland, Oregon, GBNF)
Dr. Aung Gyi (Ottawa, Canada)
U Min Wun (Los Angeles, California, GBNF)
Allen Htay (Mountain View, California, GBNF)
Dr. San Hla Aung (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Oscar Shirazee (Middle East)
When Sidney Chen’s health was failing, his daughter requested us to let his classmates and friends know that he was eager to regain contact with them. Sadly, he passed away.
Mr. Oscar and U Aye Win Hlaing used to work in Iran many years ago. Mr. Oscar’s spouse is the sister of U Ngwe Zoe (Peter, SPHS57, GBNF).
Due to schedule conflicts, Saya Dr. San Hla Aung could not attend some SPZPs. He retired at the age of 80. He is now free to attend many SPZPs.
Saya Dr. Win Thein (GBNF) succeeded Saya U Min Wun as Professor & Head of the Department. Except for a warning sign from an early Medical check up, he was healthy. He passed away in Yangon. His sister has donated Saya’s Garawa money to selected Charities.
Brother, can you afford Five Hundred Dollars?
And many weekends spent away from your family as well? If you can then you probably are a member of the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe organizing committee.
It all began one day several months ago when we met over lunch at Benny Tan’s home in Hillsborough. Ko Hla Min and Ko Khin Maung Zaw among the lunch party had started the RIT Alumni website and were receiving enthusiastic responses. Hearing that the duo were carrying on the project all by themselves we decided to throw in our moral and financial support to assure its survival, realizing that it was providing a needed service for the RIT alumni to locate and communicate with each other. Every one present, ten of us at that time, took out our checkbooks and wrote out one hundred dollars each, with promises of more as needed. We informally called ourselves the RIT Alumni Bay Area Group. I was asked to be the group leader.
After that fateful event we continue to have regular meetings, hosted in turn at the homes of some among group members: Ko Hla Min, Maurice Chee, Ko Myat Htoo, Ko Thein Aung, and most recently Dr Nyo Win. Did I leave out any one? Ah yes! Ko Myint Swe and San San Swe. All the while the membership continues to grow and our objective keeps on changing from support of the website to some vague dream of a future RIT alumni organization on a global scale and finally settled on a plan for RIT Alumni Grand Reunion at the beginning of the 21st Century. Ko Hla Min broached the idea to include Saya Pu Zaw Pwe as part of the Grand Reunion in keeping with the Myanmar custom of honoring one’s teachers. As our plan jelled we got carried away by our own excitement and started talking about holding the reunion before the end of the Year 2000. After all, ending one millennium successfully augers well for success in the next millennium.
Before we fully realized what we were up to we have found an ideal site, the Embassy Suites Hotel conference hall near the San Francisco International Airport, and found ourselves making a commitment for a definite date, 28 October 2000 and a attendance fee of fifty dollars, a modest amount to encourage maximum number of Alumni to participate. The minimum capacity of the conference hall is 200 seats and we were required to make down payment and sign a rental and service agreement based on 200 seats. Our most optimistic estimate at the time was 100 attendees. If the attendance is low that means the Bay Area Group, as the Organizing Committee was not in force at the time, will have to make up the short fall. Which could amount to as much as five thousand dollars, or five hundred dollar from each group member. We hesitated a moment to reflect on what that means to us individually in terms of diminished spending power. But, in the end our attachment to RIT and the engineering profession, our sincere desire to meet the Sayas and class mates from whom we were separated for long over came us. We will accept the risks.
Thus was born the preparations in full swing for the Grand RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Others must tell the rest of the story – of struggles, compromises, and elations along the way and from participants themselves what it means to be present at the defining moment in the history of RIT Alumni.
Allen Htay, RIT Alumni International – Bay Area Group RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe Organizing Committee
Appreciation of SPZP-2000
Hello All:
Thanks and Congratulations for a well organized and well executed event. I believe we all went to bed early Sunday night irrespective of the change back to Standard Time (from Daylight Savings Time according to the rule “Spring forward, Fall back”) , and no doubt slept soundly and very happy, knowing full well what happened during the past three days is more than what we dared to dream. I for one took the Monday off and forgot lunch because I woke up so late. But what is one missed lunch!
Allen Htay
____
Dear Ko Maung Maung Than (M79):
Thanks for your note of appreciation for the RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Everybody chipped in: the sayas, organizers, committee members, helpers, supporters like you which we were very fortunate to have, the alumni and general guests and well-wishers. We won’t be able to host an event of this magnitude and importance if any of the components were missing.
Success belongs to everyone.
Thanks again for your generous support
Allen Htay
Remembering Saya Allen Htay
From Saya U Thit
Dear Colleagues and students
I am very sad to hear that Allen Htay passed away.
I have known Allen Htay since the early 1950s when we were both students at Methodist High School, Yegyaw, East Yangon. He was one year junior to me.
We were together again in the late 1950s when we were both Assistant Lecturers at B.O.C. Engineering College. During that time he and I together with Saya Num Kock and Saya U Aung Khin went for an excursion to visit Lawpita Hydroelectric Plant construction site near Loikaw, in Kayah State.
While I was living on the R.I.T. campus in the early 1960s he moved to a house just across the street from us.
I will always remember him coming to our house many times in the evenings for a chat with my family.
The last time I saw him was at the 2004 Saya Puzawpwe in Yangon.
He will be sadly missed by many of his friends and students.
May his soul rest in Peace.
Maung Thit (Metallurgy) Melbourne, Australia
From alumni in Australia
By Ko “Henry” Thet Tun
Our sincere and deepest condolences to Saya U Allen Htay & family for the demise of Saya.
From the RIT Alumni Australia & Myanmar Engineering Association of Australia Inc.
From Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) & Lily (T72)
Dear Ko Hla Min,
We are very much saddened by the departure of Saya Allen Htay. Please convey our heartfelt condolences to Daw Mu Mu and family. His good nature and kind demeanor will always live in our memory and that of those who loved him.
While we will all miss Saya Allen very much, I hope all his loved ones can find some slight comfort in knowing that his suffering has ended.
Very Sincerely, Tin Win and Lily.
From Ko Kyaw Thu (Dennis Mackey)
Dear Ko Hla Min,
Without the RIT Alumnu Updates, I would not have known about the passing of our (me and George Peters) final year thesis supervisor Saya U Allen Htay.
Thank you for your regular as well as supplement updates.
Please convey our deepest condolences to Daw Mu Mu and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of great loss and sadness.
Best regards, Dennis (Kyaw Thu) (C73) & Alice U
Editor’s Notes: Dennis & Alice moved to Canada.
From Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint
My friend Allen Htay (GBNF)
Some years ago I wrote an article for the ex-RIT.org about my saya friends at RIT which included Allen Htay.
I met Allen Htay when I joined the 1st Year BSc (Engg) class at the Faculty of Engineering at Leikkhone in 1958 .Ko San Hla Aung was our drawing instructor for the main majors (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), and Allen Htay was the instructor for the rest.
In December1958, I went on State Scholarship to Stanford University. When I returned home after completing my studies, I found myself on the same ship S S Warickshire from Liverpool to Yangon with Allen Htay, Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri Eng) and Ko Ko Lay (UCC). There was also another Myanmar Ko Than Pe, a Chartered Accountant, on the ship. Those days it was customary for the Government to send the returning scholars by ship.
We normally had our meals together seated at the Chief engineer’s table. After dinner we would play bridge to spend the time. Ko Ko Lay partnered with Ko Tin Maung Nyunt and Allen Htay and Ko Than Pe took turns as my partner against them. We played almost every night after dinner and all of us became very good friends.
We got back to Yangon in October 1963. Allen Htay rejoined RIT. I was posted to RIT in January 1964 and Ko Tin Maung Nyunt in March 1964 and so we were together again. When I got married and moved into the RIT staff quarters I was at 16F, Allen Htay at 16E and Ko Tin Maung at 16D. We visited each others house very often. We also became friendly with Allen Htay’s brothers and sisters.
I have attached a photo taken during Thingyan 1966 with Allen Htay (2nd from left) and his youngest brother (extreme right).
I left RIT for UCC and the UN, and Allen Htay and Ko Tin Maung Nyunt went to the United States. All of us met gain in the Bay Area in 1985, 2001 and 2010. I saw Allen Htay at the RIT reunions in 2004 (Yangon), 2007 and 2010 (Singapore).
He could not make it to the 2012 reunion in Yangon because of his health. He was a mild mannered soft spoken gentleman and we will all miss him. May he rest in peace.
Daw Mu Mu Kin (Saya’s Spouse)
“Let me count the ways [to love]” by Elizabeth Browning is a poem present by Ma Ma Mu to Saya Allen.
Donations in Saya Allen’s Memory
In memory of Saya, Daw Mu Mu Kin
donated Saya’s books to YTU Library
provided cabinets for Saya’s books
sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students
Ko Maurice Chee (M75) coordinated the donation of books.
NorCal RITAA and some volunteer alumni from Yangon coordinated the selection of scholarship recipients.
Less than 10% passed the Matric exam in the early days.
A few (e.g U Ba Khin who stood First in Burma) chose to work instead of attending RU.
It was an honor to prefix one’s name with Tekkatho တက္ကသိုလ် or University.
Khin Nyo wrote: Absolutely right. I think in 1957 only 2% Passed and the total is 20000. Even dancer AmarSein was conferred with the title Thekkatho Amar Sein by the Rector Dr Tha Hla.
Tekaktho Moe War (U Moe Aung)
U Moe Aung
Student Days
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio.
EC, RU Kalaung Ah Thin
RU Association
Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine for 1960 – 61
RUESU Magazine
RIT Days
Electrical Engineering Saya at RIT
EE SayasU Moe Aung & U Sein Maung
Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine
Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
Co-leader, Swel Daw Yeik Troupe (Ah Nyeint, Htee Yein, Ta Bin Daing Ah Ka) at RU Golden Jubilee in 1970
Singapore Days
Worked in Singapore
Chair, SPZP-2002 & SPZP-2010 (in Singapore)
Editor / Publisher, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
Organizer, Alumni Activities (e.g Thingyan)
Post Retirement
Moved back to Myanmar
Taught refresher courses (e.g. Electrical Saftey) at Electrical Inspectorate
Kept mind alert by writing poems & articles in weekly publications
Patron, SDYF; Composed & performed SDY Song
Entertainment for SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016
Publications
Distinguished Writer, Poet, Editor & Publisher
Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine
Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine for more than a decade
Chief Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 in Singapore
Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu in 2014 & SPZP-2016 in Yangon
Kabyars — solo; with RIT poets; with former EC members of RU Kalaung Ah Thinn
Book 1Book 2Book 3Book 4
Books — Collection of articles; Collection of poem
We use GBNF for those who are Gone But Not Forgotten.
Some use RIP (Rest in Peace), BFHA (Bound For Heavenly Abode) and similar terms.
GBNF Posts
GBNF by Calendar Year
GBNF of RIT Sayas
GBNF of RIT Alumni
GBNF of Organizers
GBNF of Sponsors & Donors
GBNF for SPHS
GBNF for UCC
GBNF (General — Sayadaws, Doctors, Family members, Friends)
Some Groups (e.g 69ers, 1st BE Intake of 64) maintain GBNF lists.
Class of 58
Saya U Htin Paw (EE), Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE), Saya Allen Htay (C), Saya Dr. Win Thein (C) & U Khin Maung Win (Sid, C) are some GBNF from the Class
Class of Civil 1958
Saya Allen Htay (C)
Saya Allen Htay
Founding member & President of RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000.
Passed away in California, USA.
See Posts
Dr. Win Thein (C)
Dr. Win Thein
Retired as Professor & Head of Civil Engineering.
His sister donated Saya’s Garawa money to various charities.
See Posts
Class of 59
U Bo Gyi (C), Saya U Tin Hlaing (M) are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
U Bo Gyi
Class of 60
U Kin Maung Yin (A), Saya Dr. Maung Maung Win (ChE), U Than Tin (M) … are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
Dr. Maung Maung WinKin Maung Yin
Class of 61
Dr. San Tint (EE), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T), Dr. Julie Han (T) … are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
Dr. San Tint
Class of 62
Saya S. Arya (M) … are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
S Arya
Class of 63
U Myint Lwin (Henry, C), Saya U Soe Lwin (M), U Shwe Kyaw (M), U Soe Min (EE), U Nyi Nyi (EE), U Chin Way (EE) … are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
EE Sayas
Class of 64
U Than Tun (A), Saya U Win Maung (C) … are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
Class of 65
Saya U Kyaw Sein (M), Saya U Myo Win (M) … are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
U Kyaw Sein
Class of 66
U Ne Win Myint (ChE) …
U Saw Lwin has a list of GBNF for C66
See Posts
Ne Win Myint (Center)
Class of 67
Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A), U Win Thein (M), U Kyaw Oo (M), U Aung Myint (M), Saya Dr. Chan Nyein (M), Saya U Tin Maung Oo (M), Daw Nancy (EC), U Myint Kyaw (EC) are some GBNF from the Class
See Posts
U Win Thein (M)
Win Thein
Founded Set Hmu Thadin Zin.
Organizer for Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thinn and several RIT events.
Class of 68
Saya Sai Yee Leik (A), Saya U Myint Soe (C), Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE), U Tun Aung (Jeffrey, EC), U Thein Zaw (Joe, EC), U Soe Myint Lwin (EP), U Saw Win (EE), Daw Mya Mya Than (EP) are some GBNF from the Class
See posts
U Tun Aung (Jefferey, EC)
U Tun Aung (GBNF)
Founding member and past President of BASES.
Passed away on October 5, 2021.
See Posts
U Soe Myint Lwin (EP)
Memorial Service for U Soe Myint LwinSoon Kwyay Invitation for U Soe Myint Lwin
Played Soccer for Burma, RU & RIT.
Was EC of the Burma Women’s Soccer Federation.
Passed away in 2017.
See Posts
69ers
U Aung Min
In November 1964, three Intakes were admitted to RIT.
Most from the 2nd BE Intake graduated in 1969.
They and former classmates — some who left earlier & some who Sabbatical — are called 69ers (or RIT Class of 69++).
69er GBNF
U Aung Min (M69) & team maintain the GBNF list for 69ers.
Over 40% of the 69ers are GBNF.
About 20 members succumbed to Covid.
See posts
U Han Sein (C)
Han Sein
Represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo, Diving & Basketball.
Prisoner of Conscience for 17 years.
U Aye Lwin (M)
Aye Lwin
Secretary of RIT Annual Magazine Committee & RIT Mechanical Engineering Association.
Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
Class of 70
(Intake of 64)
U Ohn Khine
U Ohn Khine (M70) and team maintain the GBNF list the Group.
About 140 members are GBNF.
Four top students from the Intake — Tommy Shwe, Cho Aye, Peter Pe & Steeve Kay — are GBNF
See posts
Class of 71
Did not receive official GBNF list
U Myint Thin (M71), Daw Than Than Yi (T71) are some GBNF from the Class
See posts
Class of 72
M72
Mg Mar Ga occasionally posted the GBNF list.
Kham Shan
Khin Maung Myint (John Tint)
Khin Maung Oo
Khin Maung Tin
Khin Maung Toe
Kyaw Kyaw Aung
Kyaw Kyaw Maw
Kyaw Moe
Kyaw Myint Than
Kyaw San Tun
John Tint
Soe Myint (Phone Gyi)
Soe Myint (Shwe Thwar)
Soe Myint Aung
Soe Than
Tha Tun
See Posts
ChE72
Myo Myint Pe
Aye Aye Kyaw
See posts
EE72
Nyunt Nyunt Yee
Khin Soe
See Posts
Class of 73 – 76
U Khin Maung Aye (M) … from the Class of 73
Sai Aung Thurein (EC), Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (EP), U Sann Aung (M)… from the Class of 74
U Win Khaing (M), U Than Po (M), U Myat Swe (Benedict) … from the Class of 75
U Aung Myint Thein (C), U Wynn Myint Aung (EC) … from the Class of 76
Sayagyis
Several passed away in their 90s
Some former Head of Departments — U Tha Tun (A), U Min Win (C), Dr. Win Thein (C), Khin Aung Kyi (ChE, Rector), Dr. Maung Maung Win (ChE), U Sein Hlaing (EE), U Sein Win (EP), Dr. San Tint (EC), U Ba Than (M), Dr. Chan Nyein (M), U Thit (Met), Dr. Saw Pru (M), U Soe Khaw (Min), U Soon Sein (Min), U Maung Maung Than (T) — are GBNF
See posts for each Department
Mr. H Num Kok (C)
H Num Kok 1H Num Kok 2
Saya of our Sayas.
Taught Drawing to Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun & U Khin Aung Kyi.
Attended SPZP-2000 and selected PZPs & Reunions
Passed away in his late 90s in Portland, Oregon, USA
See posts
U Ba Toke
U Ba Toke 1U Ba Toke 2
Saya of our Sayas.
Taught Maths to U Ba Than, Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun & U Khin Aung Kyi
Rector of MASU
Voluntarily asked for Transfer to RIT Maths Dept
Associate Dean, Assumption University
Passed away on December 2, 2020 — the day after RU Centennial, but a few days short of his Centennial Birthday on December 26.
See posts
U Ba Than
Saya U Ba Than
Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Early supporter of HMEE project
Annual Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’ Kyaung on October 2. Before the pandemic, invited colleagues & former students to the Soon Kyway.
69ers (mostly Mech) paid homage to him annually around his birthday.
Donated Garawa money to charities & associations
Passed away shortly after his 94th birthday
See Posts
U Min Wun
Saya U Min Wun
Retired Professor of Civil Engineering
Member of Myanmar Pyet Ka Dein Ah Kyan Pay Ah Phwe.
Advisor for the Regional College Project & Pagan Restoration Project.
Attended Annual Lunch Gathering of sayas and senior alumni (mostly from Southern California).
Passed away a few days after the “farewell” Lunch Gathering
See Posts
HMEE
HMEE
Team published HMEE book in 2012
Saya U Aung Hla Tun, Ko Aung Moung (M73) and Ko Thant Zin (M82) are now GBNF
See posts
U Aung Hla Tun (Met)
Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF)
Retired Associate Professor of Metallurgical Engineering
Passed away in February 2022.
Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine
Led the History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project.
Won the National Literary Award.
See Posts
Sponsors
There were five Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000
David Ko (Tin Myint, M67) and Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein, EC70) are now GBNF
David Ko (M67)
David
Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2000
$3000 for SPZP-2012
Sponsor & Donor for NorCal RITAA
Steeve Kay (EC70)
Steeve Kay
Had successful careers as IC Designer, Founder & CEO of QTC, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZP
Chair, Kay Family Foundation
Donated more than $200000 to RIT related activities.
See Posts
Family Members
Ma Ma Pat (GBNF)
Ma Ma Pat
Spouse of Saya U Myo Myint Sein
Passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2022.
The day before, Saya Myo celebrated his 91st birthday.
See Posts
U Tin U’s Family
Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt, Dr. Peter Khin Tun
Three family members passed away within a few months.
Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (spouse) — November, 2019
Dr. Peter Khin Tun (elder son) — April 13, 2020
U Tin Tun (son-in-law) — May 2020
See Posts
Sports
U Soe Myint Lwin (EP68), U Kyaw Sint (T69er), John Tint (M72), U Thein Lwin (M72) are some Soccer Selected who are GBNF
U Han Sein (C69) and U Aung Gyi Shwe (EE69er) are some Multiple Sports Athletes who are GBNF
U Aung Gyi Shwe (EE69er)
Aung Gyi Shwe
Secretary of RIT Track and Field Association.
Played soccer and enjoyed weightlifting.
U Khin Maung Myint (John Tint, M72)
John Tint
Soccer selected for Burma, RU & RIT passed away in 2020
U Kyaw Phone Myint (Victor Kyaw Phyo) passed away in Myanmar.
KPM 2 Kyaw Phone Myint 1
Singapore
Maurice Chee’s mother-in-law passed away in Singapore.
Soon Kyway
Soon kyway at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California, USA in memory of U Wah Kyu (father of Maurice Chee) who passed away four years ago.
Attendees include Saya U San Tun (M59), Walter Tan (M70), Charlie Tseng (EC70), U Aung Thein (John, M72), U Aye Tun (Anthony, M76) and U Khin Zaw (UCC)
NorCal RITAA
Saya U Myat Htoo invited selected sayas and alumni (who were active with RIT-related activities in California) to attend the NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner on November 16, 2019.
Gordon Kaung (Past President) has RSVPed and also pledged donation.
U Ba Than
Saya U Ba Than will celebrate his 89th birthday on or around October 2, 2019.
Publications
Original writings are being solicited for the magazine to be published in February 2020 for the Centennial of the founding of Rangoon University. The deadline is mid-October 2019.
Selected old poems will be compiled into a Kabyar Book to commemorate the RU Centennial
Golden Jubilees
Class of 69 (for the GJ of Graduation in 1969)
Class of 75 (for the GJ of Admission to RIT in 1969)
I am trying to emulate their philanthropy by sharing my knowledge & expertise.
Sharing Knowledge & Expertise
Jack of All Trades; Master of Some
Proponent of Youth Leadership
Sharing Knowledge & Expertise gained as
Software Engineer / Craftsman
Consultant
Distinguished Toastmaster
Author & Blogger
Translator & Interpreter
Editor of newsletters & books
Folklorist & Historian
Recording history of our beloved land
Love history
HMEE TeamHMEE Book
Was Member of “History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project”. U Ohn Khine (M70) & I compiled CD supplement for HMEE book.
Was Docent at the “Computer History Museum” in Mountain View, California, USA.
CHM
Published 2500+ posts
Broadcast 220 Short Talks from August 2020 to February 2021. Can be viewed using @hmin3664 on YouTube
YouTube Channel for my videos
Hope that my posts &videos will be helpful to scholars and historians in Myanmar and beyond.
Wrote articles, reviews, poems & translations for
National Foreign Language Center at University of Maryland, College Park : Burmese Language Lessons (Listening and Reading)
Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife ABC-CIO Press : Can access my articles from Google Books.
Encyclopedia
MoeMaKa : Online Publication
RIT Alumni Newsletter : from April 1999 – present
RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung : Poems for SPZP-2002 & 2007; Article in SPZP-2010
SDY Sar Saung for SPZP-2002
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine : Article for Shwe Yadu 2014
SDY Magazine for Shwe YaDu 2014
History of Myanmar Engineering Education : U Ohn Khine (M70) & I compiled CD Supplement for HMEE Book
CD for HMEE Book
BAPS Newsletter : Contributing Editor
BAPS Newsletter
Dhammananda Newsletter : Contributing Editor for Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California & Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)
Dhammananda Newsletter
Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhimvama : Contributing Editor & Member of Publications Committee
Homage to U Silananda
Rangoon University Boat Club : Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue
RUBC Magazine
Guardian Newspaper : Poems (e.g. Men on the Moon); Articles (e.g. Computers and Applications) in English
Men on the Moon
Working People’s Daily (WPD) : Poems (e.g. Phaung daw-u Festival); Translation (e.g. Still So Young) in English
Phaungdaw-u Festval
Forward Magazine : Poems (e.g. To the Fallen Warrior) in English
To the Fallen Warrior
Veda Magazine (ဝေဒ) : Articles for Burma Astro Research Bureau
Pan Magazine (ပန်) : Articles in Burmese
High School Mathematics Project : Member of Editorial Team
Team of System Specialists : Computer Education & Application
Set Hmu Thadin Zin (စက်မှုသတင်းစဉ်) : Short notes
Hlyat Sit Sar Saung (လျှပ်စစ်စာစောင်) : Article for RIT EE
I have volunteered for
Computer History Museum
History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project
Toastmasters International
SF Bay Area ACM Chapter
2010 Census Count Committee
RIT Alumni International
NorCal RIT Alumni Association
Tathagata Meditation Center
Theravada Buddhist Society of America
Souvenirs
Dream Big or Small
“If one person can dream, others will fulfill”
The saying is attributed to Jules Verne who dreamed & wrote about space ships, submarines, and travel around the globe.
My Earlier Dream
SPZP-2000
Was to connect or re-connect Sayas, Colleagues & Friends physically and electronically.
We successfully organized the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in San Francisco, California in October 2000.
Six more World-wide Reunion and SPZP took place. Singapore in 2002, 2007 & 2010. Yangon in 2004, 2012 & 2016. Due to pandemic, SPZP-2020 was canceled.
Started RIT Alumni International Newsletter in April 1999.
Served as Content Provider & Editor for ex-RIT websites : first one by KMZ (UKhin Maung Zaw, now retired from Microsoft) and second one by Wunna Ko Ko (then at SAS).
Both ex-RIT websites are now inactive.
My Later Dream
Was to record Oral & Written History of our Alma Mater and our Beloved Land.
Set up hlamin.com (to archive old posts, add new posts and revise selected posts).
Requested SPZP-2000 Organizers, interested sayas & alumni to record gatherings.
Requested Subject Matter Experts & interested readers to review and enhance selected posts.
Fifth month in the old Roman Calendar, and it had 30 days. The month was given an extra day and renamed in honor of Julius Caesar.
Seventh month in the Gregorian Calendar.
My father’s birthday
My beloved fatherMy parents
Born on 1st July.
Passed away in his 80s.
Men on the Moon
Apollo 11 Mission
Eagle (Lunar Module) landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Neil Armstrong (Mission Commander) was the first to land on the moon.
Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) was the second to land on the moon.
Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot) circled the Moon and waited for his crew mates to return from the Moon.
I wrote a poem “Men on the Moon”. A copy was sent by Mr. Hall (Information Officer, USIA) to NASA. The poem was published in the Guardian.
Men on the Moon
US Independence
4th of July
Martyrs’ Day
July 19, 1947
Bogyoke Aung San, six ministers, a Secretary and a bodyguard were assassinated.
Translation of Invictus Aung San
Nine Arzanis were gunned down on July 19, 1947. Eight perished that day. One succumbed a day later.
Arzanis
Bogyoke Aung San passed away at the tender age of 32 Children : U Aung San Oo, Aung San Lin (GBNF), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Thakin Mya. : Considered as Deputy Prime Minister
Deedoke U Ba Cho : Minister, Journalist ; Grand children : Dr. Khin Hla Cho, Daw Khin Myint Cho
Mahn Ba Khaing : Transported Bogyoke (saved & brought by Marie Hla Taw) back; Daughter : Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing
Mong Pawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun : passed away in the hospital on July 20, 1947; has a hospital named after him; Son Sao Hso Holm
U Ba Win : Bogyoke’s elder brother; Son Dr. Sein Win
U Razak : Nominated by monks; Former Principal of National School; Sons U Tin Myint & U Hla Kyi
ICS U Ohn Maung : Dy. Secy; Was asked to report on behalf of his minister; Sons U Tin Maung Thein, Francis & Dr. Min Min
Yebaw Maung Htwe : U Razak’s bodyguard
There are books (e.g. “Who killed Aung San?”, Eliminate the Elite” by Kin Oung) and documentaries (e.g. “Who really killed Aung San?” by BBC program) about the fateful event.
Eliminate the Elite
Dark days in July 1962
According to the newspapers, 17 died on July 7, 1962.
Ko Aung Khin was stuck by a stray bullet as he was returning from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road. He was listed as the 17th victim.
Anniversary celebration of 7th July in 1963 ended with the closure of Universities with the exception of the Faculties of Medical and Engineering.
The revered Student Union was demolished on July 8, 1962.
A summary was published in the Magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ICST.
Founders
Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe founded Universities’ Computer Center with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min, and Saya U Ko Ko Lay
They led TOSS (Team Of System Specialists), which assisted the computerization of government departments and organizations.
Dr. Chit Swe
Dr. Chit Swe
My mentor at UCC
Alumnus of Mandalay University; Imperial College, London University; University of Glasgow; University of Liverpool
Head of Maths Department at the Institute of Economics when he proposed the UCC project
Became Professor of Maths at RASU and Founder-Director of UCC
Retired as Rector of RASU
Continued teaching and supervising research in Thailand and Australia.
Passed away in Sydney Australia in late 2019.
Obituary
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing
My mentor at RIT & UCC
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in the whole of Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship
In the RU Convocation in 1958, he won two medals: one for highest score for combined I.Sc. (A) and I.Sc.(B), and another for joint highest score for Mathematics in combined I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
While attending classes at the Faculty of Engineering, he was awarded a Government Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
In 1964, he joined EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer.
Helped with the UCC Project. In April 1971, Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
M.Sc. (CS) from University of Southampton, UK
Wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” in a computer magazine in Myanmar. It was re-posted in “Mandalay Gazette”
Retired from UN after working on UN projects in several countries.
In July 2020, he gave an interview to MASTAA.
U Myo Min
U Myo Min
Matriculated as a top student from SPHS in 1958.
Won a Gold medal in 1960 for standing first among the I.Com students.
Won another Gold medal in 1962 for standing first among the B.Com (Accounting) students.
Chartered Account
Worked for IBM UK
Returned to Burma
Joined UCC as Manager of Applications
Masters in System Engineering from the University of Lancaster, UK
Later worked in Singapore and USA
U Ko Ko Lay
U Ko Ko Lay
Classmate of U Soe Paing at SPHS and Stanford University.
While attending classes at the Faculty of Engineering, he was awarded a Government Scholarship to study BSCE and MSCE at Stanford University.
Joined PWD as an assistant engineer.
Dr. Chit Swe & U Soe Paing recruited him to help with the UCC project.
In April 1971, Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Operations Division
Masters in System Engineering from the University of Lancaster, UK
Later served as Manager for Scientific Applications at UCC, Professor of Computer Science at DCS, and Professor of Information Systems at ICST.
Children : Myo Nyunt (SPHS), San San Kyaw (UCC), …
U Kyaw
Dr. U Win
Attended UCC courses
Doctorate from USA
Water Resources
GIS
Dr. U Win
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
U Kyaw – father of Daw San San Kyaw, ex-UCC.
Dr. U Win – first met him when he attended six-month class at UCC. We frequently hang out at the canteens at RASU. Rekindle our friendship here in US, talked to him on the logins several times, yet to meet him face-to-face, hopefully some day soon.
Updates
There are several posts about Geography sayas & students in the RU Centennial FB group
HlaMin 