by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

• Saya Pu Zaw Pwe is a noble Burmese tradition to pay respect to mentors.

Micro-SPZP

• Started school at an early age. I was not enthusiastic.
• My mother said something. magical happened one day. She thanked Teacher Kywe, a Karen Christian with a warm soul & the skill to transform a normal kid like me into a life long learner.
• For several years, my mother asked me to visit Teacher Kywe and pay respect to her. It was an early Micro-SPZP. Her eyes were filled with pride as she introduced her former student to her current students.

SPZP

• Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP) transcends religion.
• Some said that RIT was a dying breed, but there were several who wanted to keep the RIT Spirit alive & well. They wanted to have sayas & alumni get reconnected electronically via Internet, and physically via Pu Zaw Pwes.

• RIT Alumni International was formed by the San Francisco Bay Area Group (and KMZ) with the objective to host the First RIT Alumni Reunion & SPZP in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
• The term SPZP was chosen over Saya Gadaw Pwe — which had religious connotation — to allow sponsors & alumni who profess different religions to pay back to their mentors for their metta and cetana.
• I am honored to be a member of the team that organized SPZP-2000, and SPZPs in Singapore (2002, 2007 & 2010) and Myanmar (2004, 2012 & 2016).
• Singapore has a large number of alumni. Its proximity to Myanmar eased the task of inviting sayas to attend SPZPs.
• SPZP-2012 was the first true Home Coming. Thanks to U Aye Myint (EP72), who did not forget his alma mater.

• SPZP-2016 was the first to have a full day event at the Gyogone Campus. RITAA, Sponsors and Donors provided free food & entertainment.

• The smiles from our beloved sayas and sayamas, and occasional “slap on my back” from my former colleagues, classmates and give me “second wind” even after being a volunteer messenger for 26 years.

U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :

The official name of these “Reunions” was one of the many discussions at the very early days of first Reunion committee members under the leadership of Saya Allen Htay. All of us were aware that the “Saya Gadaw Pwe” could somehow be restrictive where you would have many intakes and graduation classes spanning several decades not to mention people transcending various religions.

SPZP, Saya Pu Zaw Pwe, was officially adopted. It turned out well, and was adopted by the consecutive Reunions.

SAYA PU ZAW PWE (Poem)

S eems like it was only yesterday
A t our alma mater in a land far away
Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry
A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky

P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey
U nderstand concepts, design, display, …

Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day”
A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say
W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay

P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet
W ith memories true, fond, sweet
E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete

• My poem was published on the front page of the commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000.
• Saya U Moe Aung & team reprinted my poem on the back cover of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002 hosted by Singapore alumni.

SPZP-2000 in the USA

SPZP-2000 Organizers

Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, web master) copied the names/tags from the very first posting from his album.

Sitting L-R: Saya U Mya Htoo (Civil 68), U Benny Tan (Mech 70), Saya KC Chiu (Chem 63), U Hla Min (EC 69) Editor Extraordinaire, Saya U Allen Htay (Civil 58) GNBF, Saya U Nyo Win (Mech 65), Saya U Tin Htut (Mech 60), Saya George Maung Maung (Chem 66), Daw San San Nyunt @ Mrs. Thein Aung (Mech 76)

Standing L-R: U Soe Aung (Mech 75), U Gordon Kaung (Mech 83), , U Myint Swe (EP 74), U Anthony Ng (Mech 76), U Phillip Mya Thwin (EP 75), U Maurice Chee (Mech 75), U Thura Thant Zin (Mech 76), Sayalay U Thein Aung (Met 72), U Myint Lwin @ Henry Chee (Civil 63), Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76), Daw Yi Yi Khaing @ Audrey Wong (Civil 84), Daw San San @ Mrs Myint Swe (EC74)

All of them, except KMZ, live in cities across Northern & Southern California. KMZ lives in a city near Seattle, Washington State.

Golden Sponsors

We appreciate the cetana of the following alumni who felt that the RIT Alumni International should have activities beyond the First ever RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.

They are honored as “Golden Sponsors” of SPZP-2000.

• Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California) :
  Donated $1000 initially and later gave an additional $1800.
• Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey) : Donated $1200 for the General Fund of RIT Alumni International and for SPZP-2000. Earlier donated $360 for one year’s operating expense of the ex-rit.or web site
• David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67, Northern California) : Donated $1000 for SPZP-2000
• Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng, M70, Northern California) : Donated in cash and kind. Designed the memorabilia (Banner, Mug, Calculator/Clock & Tee-shirt). Since he had gift shops, he obtained most memorabilia from his vendors at discount prices.
• U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) : Donated a Round-trip ticket to Myanmar. By popular acclaim, the ticket was given to Sayagyi U Ba Toke.

Updates

Steeve Kay

• Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs.
• Established the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas. In 2019, the balance of the Fund was handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
• Founded Kay Family Foundation. KFF sponsored a delegation from Myanmar to visit Universities & Research Institutions in California. KFF provided a matching fund of $30000 for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.

• Donated $200,000+ over the years to RIT-related activities.
• Sponsored the Centennial Publication of Hwa Kyone School.
• He is now GBNF

Ivan Lee

• Hosted the annual RIT-UCC Gathering in New Jersey

• Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2007
  Sponsored Naw Mu Mu Aye to attend the SPZP
• Co-founded MASTAA. Was CEO

David Ko

• Donated US $3000 to SPZP-2012

• Sponsored Dinner Tables at NorCal RITAA Dinner
• He is now GBNF

Benny Tan

• Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs

• For SPZP-2000, he used Steeve’s donation as seed money to raise funds. He designed memorabilia to give to sayas, sayamas and selected organizers / volunteers. Some memorabilia were put on sale for attendees at SPZP-2000.

U Maung Maung Than

• Could not attend SPZP-2000, but he comunicated with Saya Allen Htay
• Supported Saya Dr. Tin Win’s “Run LA Marathon to raise fund for SPZP-2007”

Sponsors for Sayagyi U Ba Toke

• U Maung Maung Than donated the round trip ticket
• U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) hosted Sayagyi and son U Ye Myint (EP72) at his new house in Hayward, California.
• Saya Allen Htay, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Mao Toon Siong and several sayas and alumni took care of Sayagyi’s stay.

SPZP-2000 : By The Numbers

One

• SPZP-2000 : First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP

• One round-trip ticket for a saya from Myanmar to attend SPZP-2000. By popular acclaim, Sayagyi U Ba Toke was invited.

Two

Sayas of our sayas

• U Num Kok
• U Ba Toke

Former RIT Rectors

• Dr. Aung Gyi
• U Khin Aung Kyi

Major events

• Dinner/meeting on Oct 28, 2000
• Lunch/picnic on Oct 29, 2000

Organizing Committees

• Working Committee : Chaired by Benny Tan and Maurice Chee
• Steering Committee (Mostly Sayas)

Three

Outstanding Member Awards

• Ko Hla Min (EC69) for the pioneering work of RIT Alumni International website & Editor of RIT Alumni Newsletter
• Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) for the design, implementation, maintenance & enhancements to http://www.ex-rit.org
• Ko Hla Myint Thein (Maurice Chee, M75) Treasurer, Financial Controller & Publisher of RIT Alumni Newsletter

Four

Four intensive months of preparation by the Organizing Committee

Five

Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000

• Steeve Kay (Ko Thaung Sein, EC 70)
• Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70)
• Ivan Lee (Ko Khin Maung Oo, M69)
• Ko Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
• David Ko (Ko Tin Myint, M67)

Six

Number of years spent at the engineering colleges & institutes by most attendees

Seven

Seven unforgettable hours (5 – 12 pm) at the Reunion and SPZP

Seven sleepless nights per week by Maurice, Benny, …

Eight

Countries represented by the attendees

• United States
• Canada
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Singapore
• Japan
• Australia
• New Zealand

Major disciplines at RIT

• Civil
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Mining
• Textile
• Chemical
• Metallurgy
• Architecture

36

Number of “Post-Reunion” articles written by Hla Min for SPZP-2000

64

Number of “Count down to the Reunion” articles written by Hla Min for SPZP-2000

100

Number of articles written by Hla Min for SPZP-2000

Singapore SPZPs

SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2012 hosted by the Singapore alums were grander with a huge turn out at main events, publication of the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saungs by Saya U Moe Aung & teams, first-rate entertainment by the famous Swel Daw Yiek Ah Nyeint and the young-at-heart (“never grow old”) singers and dancers.

SPZP-2002

Saya Moe

Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) was Chair. He was also Chief Editor of the Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung.

Websites

Saya Dr. Soe Thein (C75) was a core organizer. He & his team maintained two web sites

• One for alumni in Singapore
• One for Civil Engineers in Singapore

Singapore Alumni web site contained info for SPZP-2002.

• SINGAPORE-2002 Ex-RIT Reunion Dinner Program
• 7 December 2002 (Saturday)

The second web site contains info for resident and visiting Civil Engineering sayas. Some sayas would stay at the hotels provided by the SPZP-2000 Organizers. Some sayas might stay with their former colleagues or students. The contact info is helpful for arranging gatherings and tours.

• Civil Sayas’ Address & Contact Number in Singapore

Organizers

The Second RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by the sayas and alums in Singapore.

Saya U Moe Aung (Chair), Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing, Sayama Daw “Emma” Tin Tin Myint, Saya U Aung, Saya U Tin Lin, and Saya Dr. Dr. Soe Thein are some core members of SPZP-2002.

The RIT gathering at the Thingyan festival and musical gala at NTU helped with the planning and implementation of SPZP-2002.

Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung

• SWEL DAW YEIK SAR SAUNG for SPZP-2002 (Singapore).
• Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) & team published the commemorative issue.
• They reprinted my poem (first published in the web pages of http://www.ex-rit and the commemorative newsletter). Thanks.

“Don Min” U Yu Swan, U Moe Myint, Daw Moh Moh Han, U Myint San (“Tet Lu”), U Aung Kyaw Myint (“ko Ba Kyaw”) and many other talented Geeta Ah Nu Pyinnar Shins helped with the entertainment for SPZP-2002.

SPZP-2007

• U Nyan Win Shwe (Chair)
• Saya U Moe Aung (Chief Editor of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung)
• See “SPZP-2007 Diary”

SPZP-2010

Saya U Moe Aung (Chair; Chief Editor of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung)

Yangon SPZPs

SPZP-2004 was held in Yangon, but not at the Gyogone campus. The Tsuanami-related tremors did not deter the sayas and alums from attending SPZP-2004.

SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 were held at the Gyogone Campus.

SPZP-2012 was the first True Home Coming

SPZP-2016 was the Free All Day Event

SPZP-2004 in Yangon

The following appeared in the ReUnion 2004 Home Page

RIT Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe – 2004
Yangon, Myanmar
26th December 2004

Morning : Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

Date : Sunday, December 26, 2004
Time : 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 am
Place : Myanmar Convention Center (MCC)

Evening : Dinner & Entertainment

Date : Sunday, December 26, 2004
Time : 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Place : Dusit Inya Lake Hotel

Pu Zaw Pwe Office & Contact

Office : United Engineering Co Ltd
Corner of Wayzayantar Road & Yadana Road
Thingangyun Township 11071
Yangon MYANMAR

Contact : U Zaw Min (Mechanical 1975)
U Hla Win (Mechanical 1975)

Hotline : 571321/ 571877/ 571990/ 571995
Fax : 571288
Website : http://www.sayapzpygn.com/
Email : zawmin@uegroup.com.mm

The Third RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by the sayas and alums in Myanmar. U Win Khaing (M 75) & his team (U Zaw Min, U Hla Win) formed the core of the Yangon-2004 SPZP Organizers. An earthquake that morning did not deter the attendees.

SPZP-2012

Tears of Joy

When alums learned that SPZP-2012 will be held at their alma mater (which had been largely neglected and turned into dilapidated building with bushes around), tears of joy fell.

When alums learned that the Stage-3 cancer survivor “Seik Kyi” (Cartoon Myint Pe) and his fellow cartoonists will revive the Cartoon Box, and also publish a collection of “RIT cartoons” (at a modest price of K1500), they was laughter and echoes of “walking down memory lane”.

When alums learned that the multiple ICU visitor Ko Saw Lin (C71) would head not only the main preparation committee of SPZP-2012, but also publish the 350+ page commemorative SWEL DAW YEIK MAGAZINE, reprint limited copies of the 23 vintage RIT Annual magazines, their spirits became high.

When alums learned that Sayagyi U Ba Than, Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team would take the first (scoped but important) step to compile the “History of University Engineering Education in Burma / Myanmar”, the importance and uniqueness of SPZP-2012 became evident.

Homage at SPZP-2012

December 30, 2012 saw several Union ministers and deputy ministers sitting on the lawn alongside the alums and paying respect to the sayas and sayamas for their “Arcariya” virtues (irrespective of age and experience). That day saw sayas, sayamas, and alums endure the hot sun to bask in the glory and memories of the hey days. That day saw the re-emergence of RIT glory and the close bond of alums spanning five or more decades.

SPZP-2012 will go down in engineering history as one of the historic and memorable events (which many had feared would not see in their life time).

Thanks to the unsung heroes for carrying on the noble tradition.

SPZP-2016

All-Day Free Event was held at the Gyogone Campus.

Free food for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in the morning.

Reunion Dinner & Entertainment took place in the evening.

Updates

• Effects of Jara, Byadi & Marana are noticable

• Several sayas — U Ba Toke, U Num Kok, U Ba Than, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Min Wun — are now GBNF
• Some sponsors — Steeve Kay, David Ko — are now GBNF
• Some organizers — Saya Allen Htay, U Win Khaing, U Saw Lin — are now GBNF
• SPZP-2020 was canceled due to the pandemic
• Some PZPs are conducted online
• At some PZPs, attendees pay homage while standing. Sayas remain seated at their tables (do not have to go on stage).

Posts

• Alumni Associations
• Gatherings
• Newsletters
• Noble Tradition
• Paying back to my alma mater