HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • Birthday

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    Twins

    Most twins share the same birthday (Day, Month, Year).
    An exception occurs when one twin is born before midnight and the other is born after.
    Another exception occurs when one twin is born on New Year’s Eve and the other is born on New Year.

    February 29 born

    Do they celebrate only in Leap Years?
    Do they celebrate every year on February 28 or March 1st?

    Same Month

    If there are more than 13 people, then at least two must share the Month in their birthdays.
    It follows the Pigeon Hole Principle.

    Same Month and Day

    If there are more than 30 people, then there is a high likelihood that at least two share the Day and the Month in their birthdays.
    It follows from Probability and Statistics.

    Distribution

    In a group, the birthdays are not equally distributed. For instance, my two sisters and I are August born. There are seven siblings.

    Freebie

    Some restaurants do not charge the Birthday Person (Boy, Girl) if there are three more persons in the group. They will ask and verify the ID.

    Happy Birthday

    “Happy Birthday” song is one of the most played songs. In the early days, the song received a lot of royalties. It is now in the free public domain.

    Different Calendars

    Some celebrate their birthday twice : using the Gregorian Calendar and the Myanmar luni-solar Calendar.

    Birthday Person paying respect to Elder Brother

  • Age

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    Dr. San Hla Aung visiting U Ba Than

    Minimum age requirement

    There was a minimum age requirement for admission to the University of Rangoon.
    Saya Dr. Hla Aung (C58) had to wait one year to enter Rangoon University because he was under age.

    No minimum age requirement

    At some universities, young talented students (12 – 16 years young) graduate.
    Robert Floyd (ACM Turing Award winner) received his BA (at age 16) and BS from the University of Chicago. He retired as Chairman of Computer Science Department at Stanford University.

    Transfer students

    Some who transferred to St. Paul’s High School had to re-do some classes. They may become the senior members of their class.
    Some complete the High School Curriculum at a Chinese School, but cannot afford to attend a university overseas (e.g. in China). They join the regular schools and sit Government exams. They may become senior members of their class.

    Time off

    A few decide to work for a couple of years after Matriculation usually as a teacher. When they later join the University, they may become the senior members of their class.
    Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) was the youngest in his class. A classmate, who joined Rangoon University after serving as a high school teacher, was 7 years older than him.

    Kyaung Pyaw

    There were some “Kyaung Pyaws”. They enjoy their university life so much that they try to stay as long as possible. Some repeat every class.
    When Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) returned from the USA after completing his BS and MS, he had to teach one of his former classmates.

    Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :

    During the good times of having factions of students for student “politics”, “Tat Oo” and “Ye Gaung“, some students either defer or deliberately fail exams so that they could stay in as university students.
    Some take BL (Bachelor of Law) and Diploma classes so that they can continue as EC (Executive Committee) members in the student associations.

  • Symbol X

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Mar 2026

    • 24th letter of the English Alphabet
    • Roman Numeral with the value Ten
    • Unknown, e.g. X-ray
    • Check Mark
    • In Red written by a teacher means “Incorrect” or “Wrong”
    • X and O are symbols used in Tic-Tac-Toe.
    • Planet X could mean the Tenth Planet or Unknown Planet
    • XL — Extra Large
    • XML — eXtensible Markup Language
    • XP — eXtreme Programming; Windows Operating System
    • XS — Extra Small
    • XSL — eXtensible Style Language
    • XSLT — XSL Transform
    • XXL — Extra Extra Large
    • XXS – Extra Extra Small

    U Maung Maung wrote :
    Madam X

    U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
    There was a joke from one comedian when the movie ‘Malcolm X’ came out. [Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister famous in the 1950s and 1960s and was assassinated Feb 21, 1965.] The joke was that he, the comedian, has been away from the movies for quite some time, he did not know and therefore missed the Malcolm I through IX.

  • Alumni Association

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    Background

    • Many universities have “Alumni Relations Department” and “Alumni Association“.
    • They have personnel to reach out to alumni and hold alumni events.
    • Notable and successful alumni support their alma mater in various ways. e.g. establish new Departments, Chairs, Research facilities, Mentoring programs, Internships

    Sad story

    • After the fateful Coup D’etat in 1962, all organizations (except BSPP and related ones) were banned.
    • The practice continued to the Adhamma Era, when our alma mater was branded as “Thabon Kyaung” and the Swel Daw Bins were destroyed.

    Perseverance

    • With the dawning of the Pwint Linn Era, steps were taken to bring back the alma mater to former glory.
    • In February 2016, U Wynn Htain Oo, U Tin Latt and U Than Htay proposed to U Aye Myint (then Rector of YTU) the establishment of an alumni association. The Rector gladly agreed.
    • A core group helped with the registration of RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association.

    Issues

    • Many alumni were not aware of the association and its objectives
    • Only a few (mostly members of the “80000 YaThay”) actively participated in the formative events
    • There was virtually no fund to operate (let alone assist the alma mater)

    Help and Resolution

    Then, things started to click

    • An office space for the Alumni Association was provided by YTU
    • The association received nice Logo and Banner.
    • Donations — large and small — were received (mostly for the YTU Library Modernization Project which is a requirement for the Accreditation).
      Donations were received from well-wishers (who are not alumni).
    • Membership grew by leaps and bounds.
      Even alumni overseas joined the association.
      Currently, Life membership costs K60000.
    • Saya’s Corner was established.
      Wheel chairs are available (especially for use by Sayagyis attending SPZPs).
    • Staff and Volunteers helped with the regular and ad hoc projects (such as clean-up).
    • The Annual General Meeting (AGM) was attended by alumni spanning three (or so) decades.
      Several young alumni came forward to take leadership roles.
    • The association helped with YTU Library Modernization Project, z”Honoring matriculates of alumni” and the vetting of YTU students applying for financial aid.

  • Dr. Daw Hta Kyu

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    • Dr. Daw Hta Kyu (Betty Chu) passed away in Yangon on February 13, 2020.
    • She was 89+ years young.
    • Siblings :
      U Wah Kyu
      Saya U Win Kyaing
      Dr. Josie Chu
      U Kyaw Nyein (Franklin Chu)
    • Nephews and Nieces :
      Hla Myint Thein (Maurice Chee, M75)
      Dr. Zaw Lin (David Chee, IM 79)
      San Yin Myint (Samantha, ICST 2nd batch)

  • Disaster

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    It is sad to learn about disasters happening around the world.

    Several are natural disasters. A few are man-made disasters.

    Despite advantages in technology, there is no reliable and cost-effective system yet to predict and/or prevent disasters.

    There are general predictions like “the coming of Doom’s Day”.

    Some are serious about “nuclear wars” (and similar scenarios of “Apocalypse”) and spend exorbitant money to order or build underground hideouts in remote places and also extensive “evacuation plans”.

    There are some predictions based on past data. e.g. “The next big earthquake is due. You should take extra care since you are living on a fault line.”

    A few could not and would not leave their homes even when the authorities issued “mandatory evacuation”. Some evacuated, but they when they returned they found their houses missing or being vandalized.

    Disaster recovery is not simple.
    The countless lives lost to Cyclone Nargis and its aftermath could have been minimized with proper planning and mobilization of the rescue teams.

    Kudos to the individuals and organizations that offer “disaster relief funds”. But, disaster relief is at the tail end.

    U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) added :

    Disasters, by nature or man – made, happen all over the world, more so as the so-called climate change and population explosion exacerbated the conditions.

    In the US, several governmental, NGO and private/public organizations are stepping up their efforts to educate, prepare, assist and mitigate the people impacted by all forms of disasters.

    I just opened up my disaster backpack this morning, in the process of inspecting, refreshing and refilling the contents in there.

    There are several websites, ready.gov/kit, Red​cross, FEMA Apps which will explain what items you would need in this emergency kit, survival and medical supplies, food among others.

    Some years back, there was a website called threefoldthreeway, explaining these items as well. They initially thought you would need at least three days with off supplies & food before the rescue folks contact you.

    Some disasters in the past decade taught us that three days may not be enough in many circumstances, and now recommend to have two-weeks worth of supplies and food.

    The region that I live has been overdue for severe, 8.0+, earthquake by the experts.

    I do have enough supplies of food and water but I need to collect toilet facilities, like cardboard toilet, shower facilities among several items.

    Update

    Some Disasters

    • Cyclone Nargis
    • Earthquake — Sagaing & Mandalay
    • Wild Fires — Southern California

  • Universities and Institutes

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    Brief history

    • The RU Act of 1920 was passed on December 1, 1920 to establish the University of Rangoon with Rangoon College and Judson College as the constituent Colleges. There were only three Faculties: Science, Arts and Law
    • On December 5, 1920, some RU students staged a strike to protest the 1920 RU Act for not being overreaching. The first RU Students’ Strike was later celebrated as “Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay”. The Strike gave birth to National Schools and “Ah Myotha Kaw Leik (National College)”. The Strike also caused the higher authorities to amend the “RU Act of 1920”.
    • In 1924, some Faculties (Engineering, Forestry, Social Science and Medicine) were added.

    Celebrations

    • Due to the war, the RU Silver Jubilee could not be celebrated in 1945. It was celebrated in the 1950s.
    • In 1970, the Golden Jubilee of the founding of RU was celebrated. A magazine was published to commemorate the event.
    • In Deember 2019, the pre-Celebration for the RU Centennial took place. In 2020, due to Covid, the RU Centennial was celebrated with restrictions.

    Positions and Pay Scales

    • The list is not exhaustive.
    • The pay scales are samples for the early days.

    Gazetted Officer

    • Those who earn 350 (and CLA) or higher
    • 450 (Base Pay) in the newer system
    • Promotion, deputation, transfer, and leave are published in the [Burma] Gazette

    Selection Grade

    • Those who earn 800+ Kyats
    • Entitled to buy 10% of salary at “Staff Shop”

    Administrators

    • Chancellor : Prime Minister or his appointee; U Nu attended Convocations and gave speeches.
    • Vice-Chancellor : Chief Justice U Bo Gyi served for two terms at Rangoon University. U Ko Lay (Zeyar Maung) was the Vice Chancellor of Mandalay University.
    • Rector : Dr. Htin Aung was the first native Rector of Rangoon University. Dr. Hla Myint, Dr. Tha Hla, U Kar and Dr. Maung Maung Kha were the early Rectors.
    • Pro-Rector : introduced in the 80s. U Ba Than Haq was the first Pro-Rector of RASU.
    • Principal : in charge of a College; U Pe Maung Tin was the first native Principal of Rangoon College.
    • Dean : in charge of a Faculty; U Ba Hli was the first native Dean of Engineering.
    • Registrar : U Htin Si and U Yu Khin were the early Registrars of Rangoon University.

    Head of Department : (e.g. at RIT in the 60s)

    • Large departments are headed by a Professor
    • Sub-departments are headed by a Lecturer
    • Supporting departments may be headed by an Assistant Lecturer.

    Professor : 1300+ Kyats

    Associate Professor : introduced in the 80s
    (1000 – 50 – 1200 Kyats)
    for minimum, annual increment and maximum

    Lecturer :
    800 – 50 – 1200 Kyats (for Lecturers before the 80s)
    800 – 50 – 1000 Kyats (for Lecturers in the 80s)

    Assistant Lecturer : 350 (and CLA) – 25 -700 Kyats
    and CLA (Cost of Living Allowance) was 89 Kyats (or so)
    The “adjusted” pay was 439 Kyats (or so)
    So, Assistant Lecturer : 450 – 25 – 700 Kyats (after the period when CLA was dropped)

    Instructor : 450 – 25 – 700 Kyats (introduced for the Institutes in the 60s)
    The pay scale is the same as Assistant Lecturer.
    It takes longer to become a Lecturer.

    Demonstrator :
    Early days : 200 (and CLA) => 297 Kyats (or so)
    Later : 320 Scale
    Supervises lab

    Tutor :
    Early days : 200 (and CLA) => 297 Kyats (or so)
    Later : 320 Scale
    Supervises lab and/or tutorials

    Lecturing Tutor :
    100 Kyats additional

    Ad hoc Tutor :
    Early days : 100+ Kyats

    Editor’s Notes :

    • For better or for worse, there have been several changes to the Education System. Pro-Rector and Associate Professor were introduced in the 80s.
      Some departments now have several Professors. There are Universities with a single Institute of College. There are 30+ Technological Universities.
    • Due to the decline in the buying power of the money, it is difficult for most teaching staff to survive with the salaries (and occasional pay raises). In 2018, a Professor told me that she earned about K5 Lakhs, of which a sizable amount is spent on transportation.

  • Moderators, Providers & Organizers

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    Moderators

    Several sayas & alumni accepted to be Moderators of “RIT Updates” FB Group. They are Organizers, Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins, Technology & Education Experts and more.

    In alphabetical order

    • U Aung Myaing, Saya (Okpo Maung Yin Maung)
    • U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ)
    • U Ko Ko Kyi, Saya (Kenneth)
    • Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie)
    • U Moe Aung, Saya (Tekkatho Moe War)
    • U Myint Pe (Seik Kyee, Cartoon)
    • U Nyunt Htay, Saya (Ah Htet Min Hla)
    • U Ohn Khine (Gaing Gyi)
    • U San Lin (Maung Lu Pay)
    San Lin
    • Dr. Soe Thein, Saya
    • U Thein Htut (Mandalay)
    Thein Htut
    • U Thein Ngwe (Ko Thein Tokyo)
    • U Tin Aung Win (Oscar)
    • U Tin Lin, Saya (ChE)
    • U Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu)
    • U Wynn Htain Oo (Maung Mar Ga)

    Provider of Photos, Info & Comments

    • Dr. Freddie Ba Hli, Saya (EE)
    • U Soe Paing, Saya (EE, UCC)
    • Allen Htay, Saya (C58)
    • U Myo Myint Sein, Saya (A58)
    • U San Tun, Saya )M59)
    • U Tin Htoon (A60)
    • U Aye (M62)
    • U Moe Aung, Saya (EE63)
    • U Myo Myint (EC67)
    • U Than Htut (M67)
    • U Htun Aung Kyaw, Saya (ChE68)
    • 69ers
    • U Tin Aung Win (M69)
    • Frederick Thetgyi (M69)
    • Daw Tin Tin Myint, Sayama (ChE70)
    • U Myint Than (M71)
    • U Khin Maung Myint (M71)
    • M72 Group
    • Daw Tin Aye (C73)

    Thanks to Saya U Moe Aung and EP/EC83 group for providing photos of the group’s Garawa.

    Several classes (69, 70 & 71, 72, … 76, 77, 84, 87 & 91, …) used to have Reunion and/or PZPs.

    Members may post photos from their gatherings.

    Organizers

    • SPZP
    SPZP-2000
    • HMEE
    HMEE Team
    • SDYF
    SDYF

  • GBNF 2025

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    U San Tun

    • M59
    • Masters from MIT
    • Former Head, Automobile Engg (Sub-dept of Mech Engg), RIT
    • Past President, BEA
    • Passed away in California (Dec 2025)
    U San Tun

    U Tin U

    U Tin U & Siblings

    Dr. U Win

    Geography

    Obituary for U Win

    Dhamma Friends

    Daw Aye Aye Lyn

    Daw Aye Aye Lyn

    U Kyi Toe

    • Spouse : Daw Than Nyein
    • Children : Su Kyi & Kyi Phyu

    Musicians

    Victor Khin Nyo

    VKN 1
    VKN 2
    Obituary

  • Commerce

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    • Was offered as an Option by the Economics Department, Rangoon University.
    • Became a separate Department under the Faculty of Social Science
    • Later became a Department of the Institute of Economics.

    Saw William Paw

    Professor William Paw
    • During our University days, Professor William Paw was President of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). As Treasurer, I had to go to his office several times .
    • The earlier RUBC Presidents were Sir Arthur Eggar (founder), Commodore Than Pe, U Tun Thaung and Sithu U Tin.
    • He was also President of the RU Sports Council.

    Dr. Khin Maung Kyi

    • He attended Rangoon University as a monk.
    • He is known for his debates and writings.
    • He taught at Commerce Department and later headed the Research Department.
    • He later taught in Malaysia and Singapore. I visited Saya in Singapore to hand over a parcel/present by Saya U Myo Min (UCC).

    Dr. Khin Maung Kyawe (Jimmy)

    • It is his preferred spelling over “Kywe”.
    • I first met him when my cousin uncle Saya U Than Lwin (Eric, GBNF) took me to the Social Science Library. My uncle taught Economics and also served as Librarian. He would give rides to the sayas including Sayas Jimmy and Dr. Maung Shein.
    • I met him again in the mid 80’s as Head of BERB (Burma Education Research Bureau). I attended several meetings at BERB.

    Dr. Mya Than

    Dr. Mya Than & Daw Yee May Kaung
    • He taught at PBRS before going for postgrad overseas.
    • His spouse Daw Yee May Kaung is the younger daughter of Sithu U Kaung. She was the last Treasurer of Burma Research Society.
    • They moved to Singapore and later Thailand.

    U Myo Min (UCC)

    U Myo Min
    • He won medals for standing first in I.Com and also in B.Com. (Accounting).
    • He became a Chartered Account and worked for IBM UK.
    • Per request from his mother and Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe, he came back to Burma to help with the UCC Project. He co-founded UCC with Sayas Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing and U Ko Ko Lay. He taught classes at the Institute of Economics.
    • He later taught at Nangyang Technical Institute in Singapore and worked for Seagate Technologies & Connors in California, USA.

    U Mya Thein & U Thein Oo

    • They transferred to UCC as Business Application Programmer/Analyst.
    • U Mya Thein (GBNF) retired as Manager of Business Applications. He also taught ITBMU.
    • U Thein is Founder & CEO of Ace Computers.

    Commerce Graduate Association

    • Per request of Ko Kyi Soe and Ko Aung Myin, I helped with a course (Mathematics of Finance & related topics) conducted by Commerce Graduate Association (CGA).

    U Chan Min

    Uzin Chan Min
    • He represented Institute of Economics in Rowing and Chinlon.
    • He was the de facto leader for the Institute of Economics Rowing teams (including former President U Htin Kyaw).
    • He attended courses at UCC. He worked at EPC and later moved to USA.
    • After retirement, U Chan Min decided to become a monk. For the transition, he asked me to be a temporary monk with him for a week (or so).
    • He stays mostly at Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California. Per request from his brother Dr. Patheda Tin (NASA), Uzin spent vassa (waso retreat) at the Chan Myei Yeiktha in Springfield, Illinois.
    • Some of his former B.Com classmates include U Kun Pe (brother of Dr. Nyi Nyi), U Ohn Myint, U Kyi Khin, U Soe Myint (GBNF) and U Ye Myint (father of Zayanda).