Son of Saya Kar (Education Minister in the Care Taker Government; RU Rector)
Joined Maths Department as Tutor
Went for further studies in UK.
Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer.
Later received doctorate from Queen Mary’s College.
Succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC.
During his tenure, DCS (Department of Computer Science) was established. U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) served as Professor. U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor. I was Senior Lecturer.
ICST
In 1987, ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) was established with Dr. Tin Maung as Rector.
There were four Departments : Information Technology (with U Ko Ko Lay as Professor & Head) Hardware Technology (with U Tun Aung Gyaw as Associate Professor & Head) Software Technology (with U Hla Min as Associate Professor & Head) Computational Mathematics (to be taught by sayas from UCC and RU Maths)
Bachelor degree courses in CS and CT were given.
In the first batch, there were 30 CS and 15 CT students. Two later became Rectors.
Events
40th Anniversary of UCC was celebrated at MICT Park in 2011. Saya Dr. Tin Maung’s spouse and daughter attended the gathering. Saya is GBNF.
Due to resources, Acariya Pu Zaw Pwes were not held annually.
The 4th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe took place in 2011.
26 batches (from ICST and UCSY) hosted the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe on January 14, 2018. Saw Yaing Naing gave me a ride.
ICST PZP
The 6th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe took place in December 2019. Daw Mar Mar Soe gave me a ride.
In the old Education System, there were only a handful of female Engineering students
The first batch of five female students graduated in 1961. Four were from Textile : Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin), Julie Han (later Dr.), Yin Yin Kyi and Mi Mi Lay. Pauline Reynolds was the first female Chemical Engineering graduate.
Julie Han Pauline Reynolds
In 1962, Khin Than Nwe (Margaret, Tex) was the lone female engineering graduate.
Khin Than Nwe
Ma Ni Ni Thwin, Ma Khin Thein Yi, Ma Tin Myint, Ma Pyi Aye, Ma Khin Khin Kyu, Nancy Hla Aung, Maywaddy Tun Tun, Ma Yi Yi Aung, Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Nyunt Nyunt Zaw, Ma Cho are grads from 1963 – 68.
Nancy & Yi Yi Aung
The new Education System saw more female students.
There were about 45 female students in the 1st BE intake in 1964, and about 30 female students in the 2nd BE intake in 1964. G-Hall accepted most female students.
There were more in the 1st BE intake in 1965.
Archi
Ushers at RIT Graduation
Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71) Editor for “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” Organizer for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
We all served as ushers at the Graduation Dinner in late 1966.
Graduation took place at RIT as well as the Dinner, at “aw bar lan” area.
Ushers
Right to Left
Sandi Hlaing — Ch 66 intake
Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) — Ch 65 intake
Nila Mya Aung — M 64 intake
Jessie Htwe — M 66 intake
Annie Ba Htaw — Tex65 intake
Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk) Ch 66 intake (UK)
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint) — Ch 64 intake (Singapore)
Than Than Yi (GBNF) Tex 65 intake (my best friend who passed away in Sept 2013, USA)
Photo provided by Daw Tin Aye (C73). Initially took Mechanical Engineering and helped with “Set Hmu Thadin Zin” (founded by U Win Thein). Played Volley for Civil Engineering Volunteered for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016
Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71)
Right to Left
Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk, Ch 66-72, UK)
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, Ch 64-70, Singapore)
Hla Hla Aye (She was as a cover girl at one of the “Shay Tho Sar Saung”, and inside the Sar Saung had an article about RIT activities with photos. I kept that Sar Saung, but unfortunately (after so many years) now I only have a page left with a photo taken at the Chemistry lab, which included Ma Khin Myat Swe (spouse of Saya U Moe Aung), Henry Koe, my spouse Ko Khin Mg Miynt and myself).
Tin Aye (C )
Nelly Khin Myo Win (GBNF) (Ch 65-71, Mandalay)
Could be Margaret Yi (Ch 65)
All are from G -Hall at one of the Tha Din Gyut or Da Saung Taing Pwe at Shwe Dagon Pagoda, organized by G -Hall.
Reunions
Daw Pwint Than
Daw Pwint Than and Daw Cho Cho Tin
Selected High School Luyechun from Loikaw twice : Ngapali Camp in the Summer of 1964 and Inlay Camp in the Summer of 1965.
In July 2015, Ivan Lee (M69) invited us to stay at his home in New Jersey. Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma were also invited to spend a few days before going back to Canada.
Conversation with Sayagyi and Ivan was interesting. Ivan had an expensive hearing aid, but he did not use it. So, several questions and answers had to be repeated.
Ivan took us to selected places in New Jersey & New York. We saw a victory parade of the victorious US women soccer team.
Ivan hosted the RIT-UCC gathering at his house.
Ivan asked Fred to join us in the whirl wind tour of Canada and US East Coast.
Ivan provided his car (Mercedes) & gas for the trip. Fred drove most of the trip.
Stopped at Buffalo & Niagara Falls before heading to Windsor.
Niagara
Visit to Canada
Windsor
Windsor 1Windsor 2
We arrived at the house of Sayagyi U Aung Khin a few hours late. Sayagyi was calm and smiling. We had a brief conversation before Ivan and Fred left for a nearby hotel. Sayagyi graciously let my spouse and I spend the night in his guest room.
Sayagyi prepared Mohinga and Ah Kyaw for breakfast for all of us.
We paid respect to Sayagyi.
He asked us to choose a souvenir from Windsor.
Ottawa
We went to Ontario, but did not have the time to visit Saya Des.
We drove around and headed to Napean (in Ottawa Province) to visit Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma.
DAG 1
Sayagyi shared his memories and jokes.
We all stayed at Sayagyi’s house.
Sayagyi showed us around Ottawa.
DAG 2
He then took us to a Thousand Islands for a boat trip.
Massachusetts
TAG 1
On the way back, we visited Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) and Daw Khin Maw Maw in Massachusetts.
They live about 50 miles from Boston.
Since they were renovating their house, they put us up at a hotel.
TAG 2
We visited MIT, Harvard and selected places in the area.
Connecticut
Toung 1
The next leg took us to Trumbull, Connecticut. U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint hosted us.
Toung 2
They took us to see Yale and a restaurant where Bill Clinton used to hang out.
Rest of the Stay
Then, it was “Home Sweet Home” for Ivan.
Side Trip
Fred later took us to see his second sister in Philadelphia. Sad to note that Ma Kathleen passed away recently in November, 2021.
We stayed at Fred’s house.
He showed us around. We bought souvenir coins from Liberty Bell.
He drove us to Maryland to see my lone remaining uncle.
Saya U Po Thon (Director of Education & Author of High School Maths Texts) recommended Dr. Nyi Nyi to recruit Tin Aung Lwin as a Science Scholar.
He had published a book based on his blogs.
In a recent blog, he shared his memories about Saya U Aung Sein, Dr. Min Oo and Dr. Zaw Win.
Science Scholarship
In the old education system, there were minimal requirements to attend courses at the University.
Among those who stood First in Burma, Dr. Soe Win (Matric 58) chose to study Chemistry and Dr. Hla Tin Ngwe (Frankie Ohn, Matric 59) chose to study Physics. Sayagyi U Ba Khin chose to work and later became Head of four Departments and a renowned Vipassana Teacher.
The disruption took in several forms (a) the use of the controversial ILA system (b) competition to enter professional courses (c) discrimination of those who are not 3-NRC.
The “Science Scholarship” (SS) program was introduced to lure brilliant students to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Deputy Minister of Education, “promised” that SS holders will be sent for further studies (may be even before they graduate).
Twenty Scholarships were reserved for each discipline, but they were never filled due to lack of student interest.
For the first batch, there were four Science Scholars for Maths (including Ko Tin Aung Lwin & Ko Win Naing) and two for Physics (including Ko Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing).
For the second batch, Zaw Win (Second in Burma in 1970) was Science Scholar for Maths.
There were two more batches.
Silver Lining
Reality struck.
There were few scholarships for the Ministry of Education.
But, there’s a silver lining in every cloud. Some SS scholars gained wealth and fame as Tuition Sayas.
Prolific writer, an outstanding lecturer, and a teacher of teachers
Lay people in Burma were not known to teach Vipassana meditation
The Ledi tradition has a lineage of Vipassa teachers who are not ordained monks: Sayagyi U Thet, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Sayagyi S. N. t
Mingun Jetawun Sayadaw U Narada (1868 – 1955)
Credited as one of the major revivers of Vipassana meditation
Went to one Mingun Sayadaw, who presumably had studied meditation under Thee Gon Sayadaw, and asked for guidance. Was told to study Sattipattha (from the Scriptures) deeply and then practice meditation
Prominent disciples : Mahasi Sayadaw and Taung Pulu Sayadaw
Sayadaw U Thittila (1896-1997)
U Thittila
Did missionary work in UK
Came back to Burma and taught at the Pali Department for several years before continuing his missionary work abroad
Lectured in 25+ countries (including US, UK, France)
Ovadacariya to Sanagha Maya Nayaka, trustees of renowned pagodas
Outstanding teacher and writer
Played an important role in reviving Buddhism in India and propagating the study of Abhidhamma
Very modest; rarely talked about his many achievements
Patamagyaw scholar of all Burma (1918) : selected from among 5000 candidates
Panyattisasanahita (1923) : among the 4 out of 150 entrants who passed the toughest monastic examination
Studied Sanskrit in India; English in India and England
Translated Vibhanga (second of the seven Adbhidhamma texts) from Pali to English : published by the Pali Text Society in 1969 under the title of The Book of Analysis
Mahagandaryone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa
Mahagandayone Sayadaw
Wrote several books in Pali and Burmese
Several of his students including Thamane Kyaw Sayadaw and U Hla Myint are teaching “Pali Sikkha (Training)” to lay persons without overwhelming with Pali Grammar
Mahasi Sayadaw U Sobhana
Sixth Buddhist Council Mahasi & Mingun SayadawsMahasi Sayadaw
Renowned Meditation Master and author
Served as Questioner at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at Kaba Aye, Rangoon, Burma
Chief Resident Monk of Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha
Mentees : Sayadaws U Pandita, U Kundala, U Janabhivamsa and many meditation teachers
Panditarama Sayadaw U Pandita
U Pandita
Senior disciple of Mahasi Sayadawgyi
Renowned Meditation Master and author
Succeeded Mahasi Sayadaw U Sobhana at Sasana Yeiktha
Established Panditarama
Saddhamaransi Sayadaw U Kundala
Senior disciple of Mahasi Sayadawgyi
Outstanding meditation teacher
Made Dhamma Duta missions abroad (until his health forced him to stop going on long, tedious trips).
Practiced vipassana meditation with the instruction of Mahasi Sayadawgyi in 1953-54
Served as Palipatiwisodhaka (editor of Pali scriptures) at the Sixth Buddhist Council.
Meditation teacher at the Sasana Yeiktha from 1967 – 1977.
Member of Mahasi Sayadaw’s Dhamma Dhuta Mission to Europe and US in 1978 – 80
Established the Chanmyay Yeiktha Buddhist Meditation Center in Myanmar chanmyay.org Branches in several countries (e.g. US, Singapore, Australia)
Mingun Tipitaka Sayadaw Ashin Vicittathara
Two Sayadaws at Sixth Buddhist Council
The Guinness Book of World Records listed Sayadaw as having an outstanding memory — the best at that time [in 1954].
Served as the Chief Reciter (a la Ashin Upali and Ashin Ananda at the First Buddhist Council) at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma from 1954 – 1956.
Could memorize, recall, and give exposition on 8027 pages of the Buddhist Scriptures known as Tipitaka [“Three Baskets”] : Vinaya – Rules of monastic conduct Sutta – Buddha’s discourses Abhidhamma – Ultimate reality)
Mogok Sayadaw U Vimala (1899 – 1962)
Mogok Sayadaw
Renowned Vipassana meditation master
500 (or more) audio tapes of Sayadaw’s recordings have been transcribed into books (some e-books), and CDs Available at the Mogok Vipassana Meditation Centers
Featured in “Yahanda Hnit Poke Ko Htoo Myar” book by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing
Dhammananda Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa
U Silananda U Silananda
External examiner for the Pali Department
Rector of ITBMU
Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara
Spiritual Advisor of several monasteries and meditation centers
Wrote books in Pali, Burmese and English
Served as Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Myanmar Dictionary for the Sixth Buddhist Council.
In April of 1979, Mahasi Sayadawgi made a Dhamma Duta mission to the US. At the request of the devotees, Sayadawgyi agreed to leave behind Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa and Sayadaw U Kelasa as “trail blazers” for the promulgation, preservation, and the promotion of Sasana.
There were no Burmese Buddhist monasteries and/or temples, but the Sayadaws were determined to sacrifice their blissful lives back in their homeland to do whatever they can to do the Sasana work.
The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017. U Aung Min organized the visit.
Sayagyi’s birthday is October 2.
U Ba Than
The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayargyi. The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.
Sayagyi U Ba Than
Sayagyi usually performs dana with the Garawa money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.
Sayagyi has supported various charitable associations for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people and “Nar Ye” . They include
Little Sisters for the Poor
U Hla Tun Foundation
Jivitadana ဇီဝိတဒါန
Hnin Si Gone Bo Bwa Yeik Tha နှင်းဆီကုန်းဘိုးဘွားရိပ်သာ
Mary Chapman
Kyaw Thu Nar Ye (နာရေး အဖွဲ့)
Medical Clinics
On his Birthday every year, Sayagyi offers “soon kwyay” ဆွမ်းကျွေး at Yaw Sayadaw’s monastery.
The Soon kwyay held on October 2, 2017 was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.
Updates
During the pandemic, physical gatherings were put on hold. Celebrations were done virtually, e.g via Zoom
U Tin Htoon compiled a Photo Album for Sayagyi’s 90th birthday in 2020.
U Ba Than
Sayagyi passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
Saya U Yone Moe was the Dean (since BIT was then Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University).
U Sein Hla (MIT alumnus) was the Registrar.
Dr. Aung Soe (C61), Dr. San Tint (EE61) and U Maung Maung Win (M61) joined BIT as Assistant Lecturers.
Mao Toon Siong (M62), S Arya (M62), Dr. Tin Win (M62), U Aye (M62), U Tin Win (M62), U Hla Myint (M62), U Than Se (Richard, ChE62), U Aung Gyi (Simon, ChE62), Chow Seik Lim (EE62), and Daw Khin Than Nwe (T62) are some of the students who attended the Final Year classes at BIT.
U Aye (M62) and U Shwe Kyaw (M63, GBNF) represented RU and BIT in Volleyball.
BIT Volleyball
Coup d’etat occurred on March 2, 1962. The final exam for the Class of 62 was delayed for an hour or so.
Hall Tutors & Warden
U San Tun (M59) was a Gold Medalist in his class and joined the Faculty. He studied for his Masters at MIT. Upon his return, he taught at BIT and also served as a Hall Tutor.
U Kyaw Tun (EE, saya of our sayas) was the Hall Warden.
U Myo Kyi (EE59), U Tun Shwe (EE60), U Maung Maung Win (M61), Dr. San Tint (EE61) and Saya U Shwe Yi (T61) were Hall Tutors.
Social and Reading Club
BIT S&R Club
BIT had “Social and Reading Club” (သဟာယနဲ့စာဖတ်အသင်း Tha ha ya and Sar Phut Ah Thinn).
Most halls in Rangoon University have Social and Reading Clubs. For example, Shwe Ku May Hnin described S&RC and the notable members (who became known in the Literary Circle in Burma and beyond) in her book, “Nga Doh Khit Tone Ga Tekkatho”. She gave me an autographed copy during her visit to the US.
Rangoon Institute of Technology
BIT was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT).
The name change took place in 1964 with the introduction of the New Education System.
RIT became an autonomous Institute. U Yone Moe became the Rector.
The degree was renamed as B.E.
First Intakes at RIT in 1964
In November 1964, there were three Intakes.
450+ students were admitted to the 1st BE based on the ILA system.
320+ students were admitted to the 2nd BE based on the marks from the I.Sc.(A) exam.
About 200 students were admitted to the 3rd BE based on the marks from the I.Sc.(B) examination. They were joined by a few students who took sabbatical in the last First Year of Engineering (in the old system).
Engineering Departments
In 1964, there were eight engineering departments.
Architecture (Acting Head : U Tha Tun)
Chemical (Head : U Khin Aung Kyi)
Civil (Acting Head : U Min Wun)
Electrical (Head : U Sein Hlaing)
Mechanical (Acting Head : U Ba Than)
Metallurgy (Head : U Thit)
Mining (Head : U Soon Sein)
Textile (Head : U Maung Maung Than)
Supporting Departments
Several departments were placed in-house.
English (Head : Daw Yin Yin Mya)
Burmese (Head : U Tein Kyi)
Maths (Head : U Sein Shan)
Physics (Head : Daw Nyein)
Chemistry (Head : U Kyaw Tun)
There were several Visiting Lecturers (e.g. for Sociology, Industrial Management, Electrical Inspection) and Part-time Lecturers.
What’s in a name?
We are not sure if “BIT Rangoon” was considered as an alternative to RIT.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has several campuses. The five oldest IIT campuses and their establishment dates are: (a) IIT Kharagpur IITKGP 1951 (b) IIT Bombay IITB 1958 (c) IIT Kanpur IITK 1959 (d) IIT Madras IITM 1959 (e) IIT Delhi IITD 1963 [founded in 1961]
Many IIT graduates continue their studies at the prestigious universities in the USA.
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) presumably was designed as a school for South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO).
Some states (e.g Massachusetts, Illinois, California) in USA are known for their Institutes of Technology.
Dr. Freddie Ba Hli received his Sc.D. in EE from MIT. He was an informal adviser to Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Wun, who were among the first three engineering undergraduates to be chosen under the “Twining Program” initiated by U Ba Hli, first native Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
Further Name Changes
RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology) and later as YTU (Yangon Technological University).
Placeholder
In 1999, I started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” partly because my alma mater was called RIT during our days, but I have mentioned repeatedly that “RIT” is simply a placeholder for all the engineering schools in Burma/Myanmar that precede RIT and succeed RIT.
Highlights and Lowlights
Adhamma Era
Our alma mater had its ups and downs. The classes were forced to close citing “disturbances”. There were no convocations for the years 1988 to 1991. It was branded as “Tha Bone Kyaung သူပုန်ကျောင်း” during the “Adhamma Era”. The classes were relocated to far away places, and “Swel Daw Bins” were decimated. The A to G Halls were transformed into make-shift quarters. Wall clocks stopped. Bushes sprang up. A video of that time brought tears and anger, and the notion that “we might not live to see our alma mater in its former glory for decades to come”.
Pwint Linn Era
With the dawn of the some-what “Pwint Linn Era”, our alma mater rose from the ashes. Per request from H.E. U Aye Myint (EP 72), the alumni — young and old, near and far — provided physical, monetary, and spiritual support to help the alma mater in every way possible.
Home Coming
The first true “Home Coming” took place in December 2012. There were tears of joy.
3000 copies of the Swel Daw Yeik Magazine were sold out in a couple of days.
Limited reprints of the 23 RIT Annual Magazines were also sold out.
Autographed copies of “Selected RIT Cartoons” were also sold out.
Some copies of “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” were donated to RU Central Library and YTU Library.
RUESU
Six Annual Magazines published by RUESU (Rangoon University Engineering Student Union). Saya U Moe Aung learned and refined his publication skills as an editor/publisher of the magazine.
Ban by BSPP
The student unions and all professional organizations were banned following the coup d’eat in March 1962. Censorship increased with subsequent regimes.
Alumni Association
We now have an official alumni association. It sponsored the Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in 2016.
Shwe YaDu
Shwe YaDu Celebrations were held in 2014. Fifty Swel Daw Bins were planted and maintained. The sayas and alumni donated for the Shwe YaDu Lann, Shwe YaDu benches and much more.
SPZP
The world wide SPZP scheduled for December 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Library
YTU Library Modernization Project was launched to satisfy a requirement for the accreditation of YTU. There were hiccups in the design and implementation, but thanks to the generous supporters — young and old, far and near — the first phase of the project was completed recently. Students will be provided access to the new YTU Library.
Acknowledgement
Thanks to the Ko Htu’s and Ko Hta’s ကိုယ်ထူ ကိုယ်ထ our alma mater မိခင်ကျောင်းတော်ကြီး is on track to achieving its former glory.
Kudos to the sayas and alums for keeping the RIT (Swel Daw Yeik စွယ်တော်ရိပ်) Spirit alive and well.
HlaMin 