In Burmese, it means child. Kha Lay Ba Wa means childhood. The days of the innocent childhood became a theme of the song composed by Sai Kham Leik and sung by Sai Htee Saing. We had a Kha Lay Ah Thinn (Children’s Club).
Kindness
Random acts of kindness may be reciprocated even by seemingly bad people. My father volunteered at a “Bain Phut Ah Thin” for rehabilitating opium addicts. He gave a rehabilitated addict some money to pay for the fare back home. It was an act of random kindness. During the Second World War, my parents and his siblings decided to take refuge at Neikbeinda Hills in Prome. My father sent his assistant ahead of him. Unfortunately, the assistant encountered a group of bandits. He pleaded the bandits not to take away his saya’s possessions. When the bandit leader learned that the saya was my father, he decided to guard the assistant on the way to the Neikbeinda Hills. The leader also offered a surprise gift — a box of condensed milk — for my father.
Language
Burmese language Spoken language : Myanmar Sagar Written language : Myanmar Sar Burmese language processing
Chomsky hierarchy of languages
Classification
Computer language
Dictionary
Font — Zawgyi (not Unicode compliant); Pyidaungsu & others (which are Unicode compliant)
Make as many mistakes as possible (to gain experience)
Pull (instead of Push)
Servant leader
Learning
Fun with Learning
Life Long Learning
Tips
Level
Advanced : High
A-level (GCE) : Advanced Level
AP : Advanced Placement
Basic : Beginner : Introduction : Low : Primary
General Honors
Intermediate : Medium : Middle
O-Level (GCE) : Ordinary Level
Special Honors
Library
Private
Public
University
National
Like
Before Facebook introduced emojis, some users overused the “Like” button.
I was puzzled to see Likes in an Obituary posting. Shouldn’t one be sad?
Are some users clicking “Like” without reading if the posting is current or old, and if the contents are really likeable.
Literary Talks
Myanmar
Irrawaddy Literary Festival
Logic
2VL : Two Valued Logic
3VL : Three Valued Logic
ALU : Arithmetic Logical Unit
Fuzzy Logic
Logic Theorist
Logical constant
Logical expression
Logical variable
Predicate : Predicate Calculus
Proposition : Propositional Calculus
Lokathana, Venerable
U Lokanatha
U Lokanatha (1897 – 1966) was an Italian Chemist in USA.
He received a book (containing Dhammapada) from his supervisor for Christmas present.
After reading the Dhammapada, he decided to quit his job and become a Buddhist monk in Asia.
He spent his life practicing and preaching in Burma & going on Dhamma Duta missions to neighboring countries.
My grandmother donated a monastery in Bawdigone, Rangoon.
Loss
Loss of manuscripts Daw Khin Mya Mu
Lossless compression
Lossy comprehension
Win-Lose
Win-Tie-Lose
Agony of some second place finishers Buzz Aldrin Post-doc in Physics at the University of Iowa
Malware
Malicious software industry is responsible for losses (in down time, data corruption, identity theft) in the billions.
According to one report, the industry is more profitable and safer than the drug dealing.
The penalty of offenders for malicious software is “peanuts” (e.g. little or no jail time) compared to drug dealers (e.g. life imprisonment and death penalty) in most countries.
Mathematics
Discipline
Curriculum
Development (Concrete Mathematics, Computational Mathematics)
Mechanical Engineering
Discipline
U Aung Khin
U Ba Than
U Kyin Soe
U San Tun
U Tin Hlaing
Medical Pioneers
U Ko Gyi
U Maung Maung Gyi
U Ba Than
Memory
Short term memory
Long term memory
Associative memory
Memory Feats (Tipitaka Sayadaw)
Metallurgy
Discipline
U Thit
Dr. Saw Pru
Dr. Khin Maung Win
Mining Engineering
Discipline
U Soe Khaw
U Soon Sein
U Win Kyaing
Models
Physical model
Mathematical model
Computational model
Movies
Myanmar
Foreign
Myanmar Movies Centennial in 2020
Music
Discipline
Musical Instruments
Computer applications
My Dreams
Dream big; Others can fulfill
RIT Alumni International
Saya Pu Zaw Pwe / SPZP
Oral and Written History
Myanmar
Myanmar Sagar : Spoken Burmese
Myanmar Sar : Written Burmese
Word Processing
Unicode compliance
National Foreign Language Center
Projects
Burmese Language Project (Reading, Listening)
News
Breaking news — Stop Press in early newspapers
Censorship
Current news
Does not stand for “North, East. West, South” or “Notable Events, Weather, Sports”
Facts Fact checking
Fake news Biased report Rumor
Internet
News Agency AFP Reuters UPI
News Agency Burma (NAB) Burmese section English section
News Media
Newspapers Burmese Newspapers English Newspapers
Noun (not plural of “New”, which is an adjective)
Online
Radio
Reliability
Television
Number
Binary number
Complex number
Decimal number
Exponent
Fermat
Hexadecimal number
Hindu-Arabic numeral
Imaginary number
Index
Integer
Irrational number
Logarithm
Mantissa
Negative number
Non-negative number
Notation
Number Systems
Number Theory
Numbered lists
Octal number
Positive number
Power
Prime number
Quotient
Ramanujan
Rational number
Real number
Remainder
Roman numeral
Signed
Symbol
Ternary number
Unsigned
Value
Zero
NorCal RITAA
The EC and BOD of Northern California RIT Alumni Association met (at least) quarterly for face-to-face meetings.
The photo is taken together with spouses and supporters.
The background vinyl displays our alma mater.
November
Background
Events
Obsolescence
Technical Obsolescence
October
Calendars
World Teachers’ Day
Saya U Ba Than’s birthday
Halloween and Pumpkin Festival
Ockoberfest
Occasional (Thadinkyut and Deepavali)
Option
One should be aware of “opt-in” versus “opt-out” options.
For HMEE-2012 project, U Myo Myint (EC67, RUBC Gold) submitted several photos including the “Reunion of the Class of 48 and 49” photo. The class included
U Boon Pin Graduated with Mech/Elect combined major Retired Deputy Chief Engineer, Burma Railways Father of Ko “Robert” San Lin, EC 73)
U Soe Aung Chief Engineer, PWD Father of Daw “Janet” Thynn Thynn Khaing, EP 70)
U Po Han Deputy Minister Father of Saya U Khin Aung Han
U Min Han Father of U Nyein Min (C79)
U Gym Kho Uncle of U Myo Myint, EC 67)
Early Sayas
Many are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
U Kyaw Tun is a saya of our sayas. He started teaching Electrical Engineering at BOC College. Father of Dr. Elizabeth Kyaw Tun (Daw Tin Nu, English) and Daw Dorothy Kyaw Tun Saya jokingly said that his son-in-laws must be doctors. Ko Tin Aung Win recounted in one of the “Countdown to the Reunion” how he became known as Dr. Tin Aung Win.
C. Ping Lee taught EE at BOC College. He transferred as Director of Technical and Vocational Training. Dr. Win Aung (M62) wrote an article in memory of his father.
H Num Kok taught Civil Engineering at BOC College. President of RIT Track and Field Association Line Judge at RUBC Regattas Elder brother of H Num Fatt (EE60) and H Num Pon (Myint Lwin, C61)
U Soe Khaw was Head and Part-time Lecturer of Mining at BOC College. Moved to Thailand and USA.
U Soon Sein took over as full-time saya and Head of Mining department. Moved to USA
U Ba Hli First native Dean of Engineering Proposed the “Twinning Program” between RU and prestigious universities in the USA Dr. Freddie Ba Hli wrote an article in memory of his father.
U Yone Mo First Rector of RIT Father of Kyaw Moe (M72, GBNF)
Dr. Aung Gyi Rector Moved to Canada Gave a key note speech at SPZP-2000
U Khin Aung Kyi Rector At SPZP-2000, he paid physical respect to his sayas: Saya H Num Kok and Saya U Ba Toke.
U Maung Maung Than Rector Chair, RIT Sports Council
U Tin U attended Rangoon University in 1946. He is a Past Captain and Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club. He studied BSCE at Oregon State University and MSCE at Yale University. He taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department, U Tin U (C) gave an interview to Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and U Htin Myaing (A66) for the HMEE-2012 project.
Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (retired Adviser of National Planning, retired Director General of UBARI) taught part-time at EE department and also served as external examiner at UCC. He wrote an article about his father in the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP 2000.
U Min Wun did his BSCE at MIT along with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi. He thanked Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (ScD) for helping and encouraging them during their stay at MIT. He did his MS at Cornell University and specialized in Photogrammetry. His interests also included Western and Eastern astronomy and astrology. He served as Adviser on the “Myanmar Pyeikkadein Ah Phwe”. He was an early contributor to the newsletter updates.
Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char) published a book on the life/journey of Sayagyi U Ba Toke (retired Rector of MASU, retired Professor of Mathematics at RIT). It has a section about Sayagyi missing the March exam due to his participation in a student strike camp and passing all the subjects in the supplementary/compartmental examination in June/July. Since the stipends/scholarships were considered only for those who passed the March exam, Sayagyi decided to forgo his dream of becoming an engineer and instead pursue an Honors program in Mathematics. Sayagyi is a “Phwa Bet Taw” of Rangoon University Act (1920) and the first RU Student Strike (1920).
U Aung Hla (Maths), his spouse (Daw May Than), and his son (Ko Mya Than) are all talented musicians. Sayagyi also annotated Burmese music.
U Kar (Maths), father of Saya Dr. Tin Maung (Maths, UCC/ICST, GBNF), served as Minister of Education in the Caretaker Government.
U Hla Maung (Burmese) taught Abhidhamma in his spare time. Several of the courses were held at the premises of Daw Khin Than Nwe’s parents. Saya served as member of the “Myanmar Sar Commission” and as “Naing gan daw kaung si win”.
Notes
Several pioneer engineers (e.g. Saygyi U Kyaw Tun, EE) studied at UK for associate and full membership of the organizations (e.g. AMIEE). Some did their B.Sc. and/or Special Honors (which is a requisite for entering the Masters program).
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (WIU) had a copy of the Burmese/Myanmar state scholars studying in the US universities and institutes around ’54 – ’55. The list was published in a very early update and includes Saya U Sein Hlaing (EE) and Saya U Tin Swe (EE).
Worked for Joint Venture Corporation (JVC) formed by relatives
Found an advertisement in a newspaper to apply for a Government Scholarship.
Selected to study Agricultural Engineering in USA
Received Masters from Virginia Tech
Came back to Burma on an Ocean Liner with Saya Allen Htay (GBNF), Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) & U Than Pe. They became close friends on the two-month long journey.
M/Agri Saya at RIT
Upon his return, he was assigned to Agricultural Institute in Yezin. Before reporting for duty, he visited RIT.
Sayagyi U Ba Than asked if he would like to join Agri Sub-Department of Mechanical Engineering. Sayagyi said that some students were not at ease following lectures given by visiting Soviet lecturers via interpreters.
President, RIT Thaing
Played Defender on RIT Saya Soccer team
Life after RIT
Worked in Thailand & USA
USA
Attended RIT Alumni Gatherings
U Tin Maung Nyunt 1
Donated $500 for the Training Component of YTU Library Modernization project.
U Tin Maung Nyunt’s Donation
He is a day older than Saya Allen. Their birthdays are December 30 & 31.
Monthly Breakfast Gathering with Saya Allen, U Ko Ko Aye, Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) and me. Saya Allen & U Ko Ko Aye are now GBNF.
U Tin Maung Nyunt & Saya Allen
Saya U Soe Paing visited him in Milpitas, California. We had a lunch gathering at a restaurant.
U Tin Maung Nyunt 2
He enjoyed Hiking & Tennis, but had to suspend due to Jara and Byadi
Volunteer for establishing Taungpulu Kaba Aye Monastery in Northern California.
Updates
He had operations (one quite early and another a few years back).
Maurice Chee (M75) organized a Birthday Soon Kyway at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay in August 2016.
He prepared electronic & hard copy of the birthday wishes.
Another set was for attendees, who had not sent wishes by e-mail.
Thanks to the sayas, colleagues and friends for a memorable gathering.
Appreciation from Sayas and Alumni in US and Canada
Award 2
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi could not attend the soonkyway, but he requested Ko Maurice to donate a food dish for him & his family. Sayagyi’s message was read by Ko Maurice.
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the appreciation award at Half Moon Bay soonkwyay and gathering (August 2016).
September 2016
Alumni Appreciation Award from NorCalRITAA
Award 3
The award was signed by
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair, BOD)
Gordon Kaung (M83, President)
U Thaung Nyunt (M87, Secretary)
Award 4
Saya U Myat Htoo presented the award to me at the NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner, 2016.
From SPHS in 1963
Collegiate Scholarship winners from SPHS in 1963
There were five Paulians in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
SPHS637th in Burma
Khin Maung U (Retired from FDA, USA) – 1st
Min Oo (Retired Maths Professor from McMasters University, Canada) – 2nd
Myo San (Freddie, Surgeon, GBNF) – 3rd
Nyunt Wai (Victor, Professor, IM & Malaysia) – 4th
Thein Wai (Migrated to USA after graduation) – 5th
Hla Min (Lifelong Learner, Retired Software Engineer) – 7th
Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, Retired Doctor in UK) – 17th
Three are GBNF
Luyechun
Summer of 1965
Attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp
LYCLYC 1LYC 2
From Toastmasters International
Awards
ToastmastersDTM 1
CC (Competent Communicator)
ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze)
ACS (Advanced Communicator Silver)
ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold)
CL (Competent Leader)
ALB (Advanced Leader Bronze)
ALS (Advanced Leader Silver)
DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)
Triple Crown
DTM 2
I served as
Club Officer
Area Governor
Club Coach
Contest Chair
Ambassador
Guest Speaker
Test Speaker
Team Builder (for Excellent Leadership)
From my Life Savers
Coffee mug with photos
Coffee Mug
My beloved grandchildren gave me a present for Grand Father’s Day.
Drawings
On several occasions
Book Presents
For editing and proof reading
I edited or proof-read books by
Sayadaws (U Silananda, U Jotalankara)
U Jotalankara
Sayas (Saya Des Rodgers)
Friends (Saya U Aung Zaw)
Dhamma & Bawa
They provided me copies of their books.
From colleagues and friends
I also received copies from others. They include
“Myanmar in my life-time” Book by BBS U Khin Zaw air mailed from Australia by U Wint Khin Zaw
Book by K
Book honoring Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint air mailed from Australia by Dr. TOKM
Book by TOKMDhamma Q&A
Centennial for U Khin Maung Latt & Daw Khin Myo Chit Two books given by Junior Win, twin sister of Maung Yit
Books by U Ye Sint (former Editor of Dhammanda Newsletter) His works Pathan Dethana (Dhamma Dana by his siblings)
U Kesala (Chief Resident monk, Alodaw Pyie Monastery in Arizona) Dhamma Q&A Several other books
“Nga Doh Khit Ka Tekkatho” Book by Shwe Ku May Hnin Given to me at the San Francisco Bay Area Talk
Book by Shwe Ku May Hnin
Books by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) Collection of Poems Collection of Articles
Book by Tekkatho Moe War
Book by Saya U Nyunt Htay Collection of Swel Daw Poems
Book by RIT Poets
Books by Nyan Oo Maung Currently known as “Mudita Shwe Kyaung” Sayadaw U Nyanika
Books by various sayadaws in the Bay Area & beyond U Dhammapiya U Gosita Dhamma Bheri Sayadaw Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw Thamanay Kyaw
Books by Dr. San Oo, Daw Than Yi & family
“Yahandar and Poke Ko Htoo Myar” Book by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing (in the 80’s for translating several of his “Dhamma Duta” articles)
Books by Sayawun Tin Shwe Given by his daughter Tyn Tyn Aye during her UCC studies
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) mailed me two books that he bought in Myanmar. U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin Collection Bagan poems (by Zawgyi, translated by Ah May Thar).
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt believes in a “revolving library”. Gave me several books that he enjoyed reading.
8-8-88 Book by Dat Pone Htein Win Given at 5th ILF in Mandalay
Books by Members of Professional Spakers Association (PSA) Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing Kaythri Kyaw …
Magazines
Editor for “90th Anniversary Issue of the Founding of RUBC” (2013)
Wrote poems and articles for
RIT Alumni International Newsletter (for SPZP-2000)
“Swel Daw Yeik Sarsaung” for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010
“Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu”
U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement for HMEE-2012.
CDs
Received raw and formal CDs and DVDs for the various RIT Gatherings.
Received the official DVD of the 40th Anniversary gathering & mini-SPZP of the class of ’69. It took about two hours to view the DVD.
Myint Thein (Maung Kabar, GBNF) — a core organizer who offered the use of his office for the preparation meetings — looked as young as ever.
It is difficult to recognize some faces and remember their real and nick names. Except for thin, grey or dyed hair, a few have changed much over the years.
Ko Aung Min, Master of Ceremonies, appeared to have gained some weight.
Ko Thein Swe (GBNF) described the event in his e-mail.
Sayas who attended the event
U Ba Than (M)
U Khin Aung Kyi (ChE, former Rector)
U Thit (Met, Melbourne, Australia)
U Myo Myint Sein (Arch, California, US),
U Thein Lwin (EE, Singapore)
U Soe Paing (my mentor at RIT & UCC)
U Moe Aung (EE, Tekkatho Moe War, Chief Editor of “Swe Daw Yeik Sar Saung”, “Hylat Sit Sar Saung)
U Ba Myint (EE, former Pro-Rector)
U Khine Oo (EE)
U S. Kyaw Aye (M, elder brother of Abdul Rauf)
U Han Tun (M, GBNF)
Dr. Thaung Myint (Maths)
Dr. Kyaw Win (Pet)
Daw Tin Myint (ChE)
Some sayas (e.g. Saya U Shwe Hlaing) could not make it to the event.
Saya U Khin Aung Kyi, Saya U Thein Lwin and Saya U Moe Aung gave short speeches on behalf of the sayas and sayamas.
In the DVD, the commentator mentioned the name and department of the saya/sayama.
We wish he had thrown in more names of the attendees [not just the presenters & the performers] so that we can match the names and faces of our long lost classmates.
Some words by 69ers
Ko Khin Maung Tin (M69)
Ko Nyi Hla Nge (C69)
Ko Myint Thein (Maung Kabar, M69, GBNF)
Ko Daniel Tint Lwin (M69)
Ko Robert Win Boh (EC69)
Ko Aung Kyaw Pe (EP69)
Ko Aung Myint (Pathein, M69)
Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Magaret Aung Tin, M 69)
Entertainment
Saya U Khin Aung Kyi
Saya U Moe Aung
Albert Kyaw Min (several Burmese & English songs)
Ko Khin Maung Nyunt
Ko Hla Shwe
Maung Kabar Myint Thein
Daniel Tint Lwin
Robert Win Boh
Naw Mu Mu Aye & company
Myo Nyunt
David Myint Thein
Aung Min
Sargalay Khin Maung Win
Aye Lwin
and several organizers took part in the musical/dance entertainment.
General
The commentator noted that unlike other batches who studied 4 years or 6 years, most intake of 2nd BE in ’64 spent 5 wonderful years at RIT.
Uzin Myo Tun (Bobby) was in good company with Saw Tobius Kittum Ku (Toby) and Ko Khin Maung Hla.
Optimists say they will take part in the Golden Jubilee in 2019.
Conservatives suggest meeting several times before then.
Realists note that the GBNF list has 39 [at that time constituting 11% of the class.]
Kudos to the organizers, sponsors, and well-wishers for keeping the RIT spirit alive and well.
Editor’s Notes in 2021
Posted Group photos (with captions) taken in 2009. Thanks to the organizers who provided the photos.
Several sayas are now GBNF.
Several 69ers are now GBNF. The GBNF list is 113 .
There was a pseudo Golden Jubilee in 2014 to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the Admission to RIT in November 1964.
The true Golden Jubilee for Graduation was celebrated in 2019.
G 1G 2G 3G 4
Updates
Several — Harry Tin Htut, Albert Kyaw Min, Uzin Bobby, Uzin Aung Chaw, Tun Tun, Oscar, Kyaw Zin, Robert — have become Octogenarians. Tin Maung is the oldest.
Several sayas and alumni are now GBNF.
Saya U Ba Than passed away after his 94th birthday.
69er GBNF list has 128 members. Over 40% classmates have passed away. 18 succumbed to Covid.
Offered me rides during my visits to Yangon especially to attend meetings for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016, HMEE-2012, and to selected 69er Breakfast Gatherings.
Spouse is Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (Winnie, ChE70)
Younger sister is Sayama Dr. Khin Swe Myint (Physics).
Other Names : Ohn Gaing & Gaing Gyi
Matriculated in 1964 from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay.
Admitted to 1st BE in November 1964.
Graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1970.
Founder & moderator of the Google Group “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”.
Maintains the GBNF list for the Class of 70.
Joined HIC (Heavy Industries Corporation).
Volunteer for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016, SDYF, Shwe YaDu & HMEE, Reunion &Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
Publication
U Ohn Khine and I compiled the CD Supplement for HMEE-2012.
Translated Section One of HMEE-2012 into English.
Summarized Section Two of HMEE-2012.
Co-authored “RIT Days” article with U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70).
I edited their joint long article and published in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”.
It was also reprinted in the Golden Jubilee magazine by the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Wrote about the SPZP-2000 experience in the Post Reunion series.
U Myat Htoo (Right)NorCal RITAA
Founding member of NorCal RITAA.
Chair of BOD (Board of Directors).
One of the hosts for NorCal RITAA meetings. He would invite the attendees to take a boat ride on the nearby man-made lake. Would also arrange a karaoke session.
Past President of Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)
President of Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) for a decade. Led the procession for the scattering of ashes of Sayadaw U Silananda into the San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Lost Neikan RIT
Wrote a parody on “Pyauk Sone Nay Thaw Neikban Bon” (the song by Sai Kham Leik and Sai Htee Saing).
LA Reunion
Played the Ukelele and sang the song described above at the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
Ukelele
Donation
Donated Life Vests to 20 teachers in the town of Paletwa in Chin Special Division, Myanmar.
The teachers risked their lives daily crossing Kaladan river to teach children on the other side of the town.
One teacher was killed in a boat mishap in surging waters during heavy rains. A life jacket would have saved her life.
Golden Jubilee
On May 20, 2018, the BOD (Board of Directors) and EC (Executive Committee) members of NorCal RITAA threw a surprise party to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair of BOD) and Daw Hnin Maung Maung (Ma Ku, “Nyima Lay”).
According to Saya, he was the youngest in his family and wanted a younger sibling (preferably a sister).
He found an innocent 9 year old neighbor (and family friend).
HlaMin 