HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • Some Buddhist Monks

    Some Buddhist Monks

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    U Lokanatha (Italian Buddhist Monk)

    A book changed his life

    U Lokanatha
    • Mr. Salvitore was working as a Chemist in the USA.
    • Received a book as Christmas present from his supervisor. A chapter was “Dhammapada”.
      After reading it, Samvega (sense of urgency) crept in.
    • Quit his job. Left for Burma to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. Became “U Lokanatha”.
    • Wrote “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”
    • Was from a devout Catholic family. Elder brother was a Priest.
    • My paternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere), Rangoon.
    • Practiced Dhutanga. Preached & took Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon.
    • Passed away in Maymyo in 1966.

    Ashin Ananda

    (Latvian monk)

    Fled Communist Rule

    • Rev. Friedrich V. Lustig’s mentor was the Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia and Lithuania. When the Communists invaded their country, they sought refuge in Burma. The government provided them a monastery in the “Ah Le Pyit Sa Yan” of Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

    Moke Seit

    • Known as “Moke Seit Phone Gyi” for his beard. Came for alms to our parent’s house in Windermere Road.
    • After his mentor’s demise, he became Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia & Lithuania.

    Ashin Ananda

    • Shaved his beard
    • Ordained as a Theravada monk with the title “Ashin Ananda”
    • Laureate Poet & Translator.
      Wrote poems in English.
      Translated selected Burmese poems into English.
    • In July 1969, he gave my poem “Men on the Moon” to Mr. Hall (USIS) to be forwarded to Apollo 11 astronauts. Gave a copy to the Guardian newspaper for publication.
    Men on the Moon

    U Thilawuntha (Mon Sayadaw)

    Built pagodas worldwide

    Dat Poung Zon Sayadaw
    Mon Sayada
    • Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw U Thilawunta (fondly known as “Mon Sayadaw”) built pagodas in Burma/Myanmar, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and several other countries.
    • In the ’50s, Sayadaw visited the United Nations and U Thant. He built the first Burmese pagoda in the Allegheny mountains near New York.
    First pagoda in USA
    • During his visit to California, Sayadaw would spend time with his devotees such as Russell Wolfe (Santa Cruz) and U Aung Myint (Donald, Milpitas).

    Sayadaw U Zeya

    Monastery in Las Vegas

    • Las Vegas has some monasteries including Thai monasteries supported by members of the Royal Family.
    • Sayadaw resided at a Thai monastery and rose up in the ranks. Gave dhamma talks in Thai, English & Burmese.
      Several devotees offered him a monastery.
    • In May 2013, several dhamma friends in the Bay Area rented a van to attend “Htee Tin Pwe” of the pagoda inside U Zeya’s monastery compound.
    • Donated for two Nagas at the Las Vegas Monastery in memory of our parents and in-laws.

    Engineers & Architects

    Dr. Lwin Aung (A59)

    Dr. Lwin Aung
    • Entered monk-hood after retirement
    • Was Professor of Architecture and Pro-Rector of YTU
    • Volunteered as a Consulting Architect for the construction of dhamma buildings
    • Due to health, he left monk-hood after several vassa.

    U Bo Gyi (A59)

    U Bo Gyi
    • Founded “Architect Incorporated” with U Tin Htoon (A60) & U Aung Kyee Myint (A60)
    • Later joined PWD along with his partners
    • Designed Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi, and was shunned by the higher authorities.
    • Hobbies : music (piano) and modeling (sculpture)
    • He is now GBNF.

    U Han Nyo (Met60)

    • He helped conduct meditation retreats in Southern California and Mexico.

    U Myo Tun (A69)

    U Myo Tun
    • Ashin Pannagavesaka
    • Won prizes for essays under the name “Errol Than Tun”
    • Made dhamma duta mission to Vietnam
    • Was Dhamma Librarian for Moulmein Pa Auk Tawya Monastery
    • Edited Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books
    • Taught English to Dhammacariya Sayadaws

    U Aung Chaw (C69, SPHS63)

    U Aung Chaw
    • Ashin Ukkamsa
    • Resided in Sagaing
    • Later moved to the Irrawaddy Delta region
    • Met him in 2018 when he came to Yangon. Attended some breakfast gatherings by the 69ers. Kyaw Win (SPHS63) offered soon to Sayadaw at Shwe Ba Htamin Saing, and also offered Nawakamma.

    U Wara (Win Paing, ChE70, SPHS64)

    U Wara
    • Younger brother of Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
    • Entered monkhood after the Final Year ChE exam
    • Chief Resident Sayadaw, KabaAye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
    • Was Taik Oke Sayadaw for Sayadaw U Vinaya
    • He is now GBNF

    U Jotika (EE73)

    • Prolific writer and an outstanding Dhamma Lecturer
    • Spent vasa at Taung Pu Lu Kaba Aye monastery in Boulder Creek
    • Revisited US about a decade ago
    • Frequently visited Singapore and other neighboring countries

    Ashin Pannobhasa (M91)

    • Met him in SF Bay Area with his mentor (Sayadaw from Myanmar).
    • Born in April 1966 Thursday (2nd Waning day of Kason 1328 BE) in Pyapon, Irrawaddy Division.
    • After finishing his Mechanical Engineering degree from Yangon (Rangoon) Institute of Technology he received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu or a monk at the age of 24 in the Ordination Hall, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha under the preceptor of Venerable U Vannita, Pyapon Mahasi Sayadaw, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha on 27th July 1991.
    • Chief Resident Monk at a monastery in Seattle, Washington
  • UCC

    UCC

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Video Broadcast

    • Wrote 40+ posts on “Memories of UCC”.
    • 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.
    • He is GBNF.

    Posts

    • Computer Science, Technology and Applications
    • Computing Pioneers in Burma
    • Memories of UCC — Series of articles
    • Paying back to my alma mater
    • UCC Founders
    • @hmin3664 — to access my videos
    YouTube Channel for my videos
  • First in Burma (Matric)

    First in Burma (Matric)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Pre-war စစ်ကြို

    U Kyaw Myint

    U Kyaw Myint ဦးကျော်မြင့်

    • Matriculated from Government High School with Distinction in all subjects
    • Former Supreme Court Justice
    • Chair of Tribunal to try ဂဠုန်ဦးစော Galon U Saw
    • Dean of Law
    • Head of Law Firm
    • Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote a series of articles about his father

    U Ba Khin ဦးဘခင်

    U Ba Khin
    • Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School; First in the whole of Burma
    • First native Auditor General
    • Headed four Government Departments
    • ဝိပဿနာ တရားပြ Vipassana Teacher (of Ledi Lineage)
    • His mentor : Saya Thet
    • His mentee : S N Goenka

    1951 – 1965

    • George Chapman (St. Paul’s) — 1951
    • Nyunt Tin ညွန့်တင် (St. Paul’s) — 1952
    • Hla Shwe လှရွှေ (Yegyaw Methodist) — 1953
    • Koon Yin Chu (St. Paul’s) — 1954
    • Lily Hwang (Methodist English) — 1955
    • Ye Myint ရဲမြင့် (St. Peter’s) — 1956
    • Htin Kyaw ထင်ကျော် (Sacred Heart) — 1957
    Dr. Soe Win
    • Soe Win စိုးဝင်း (St. Paul’s) — 1958
    • Frankie Ohn အုန်း (St. Paul’s) — 1959
    • Austin Kyan (English Methodist) — 1960
    • Lina Ong (English Methodist) — 1961
    SPHS63
    • Khin Maung Uခင်မောင်ဦး (St. Paul’s) — 1963
    • Cherry Hlaing လှိုင် (St. John’s Convent) & Lyn Aung Thet လင်းအောင်သက် (English Methodist)— 1964
    Bernard Khaw
    • Bernard Khaw (St. Paul’s) — 1965

    အထွေထွေ General

    First ရတဲ့ ကျောင်းများ Schools

    • St. Paul’s High School — Prewar, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1965
    • English Methodist — 1954, 1960, 1961, 1964
    • ရေကျော် Yegyaw Methodist — 1953
    • St. Peter’s — 1955
    • Sacred Heart — 1956
    • St. John’s Convent — 1964
    • Government High School — Prewar

    ဘာသာရပ် / Profession

    • Architecture – 1954
    • Audit – Prewar
    • Chemical Engineering – 1965
    • Chemistry – 1958, 1965
    • Law – Prewar
    • Medicine / Surgery – 1952, 1955, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964
    • Physics – 1953, 1956, 1959
    • Unspecified – 1951

    1964

    • New Education System ပညာရေးစနစ်သစ်
    • တက္ကသိုလ်ဝင်ခွင့် အတွက် ILA စသုံး

    1965

    • ကျောင်းများ ပြည်သူပိုင်သိမ်း Nationalization of schools on April 1

    Updates

    • Some are GBNF. They include U Kyaw Myint, U Ba Khin, Dr. Nyunt Tin, Dr. Ye Myint & Dr. Lina Ong.
    • SPHS has a Roll of Honor. It is on display at the SPHS Museum.
    Roll of Honor
  • Myo Khin, Dr.

    Myo Khin, Dr.

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Highlights

    Dr. Myo Khin 1
    • Paulian
    • Past Secretary, RIT Civil Engineering Association
    Past Secy of RIT Civil
    • Graduated from RIT in 1970 with Civil Engineering
    • Received Masters and Doctorate from Japan
    • Retired as Professor from a Japanese University.
    • Consultant for selected Japanese companies.
    • Helped Civil Engg grads from Myanmar get internship and/or job in Japan
    • In 2017, Saya and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73) donated K100 Lakhs to the YTU Modernization Project.
    Donation
    • He had a Stroke.
    • Praying for a speedy recovery.

    Dr. Myo Khin wrote :

    Dear U Hla Min, Thank you very much for your kind and favorable phrases for my donation to the RIT library. This is the token of my feeling to my home university. Up till now I have helped around 50 grads from RIT and other TUs in Myanmar with respectable engineering jobs in Japan. Moreover this is totally free of any charges or obligations. Only one request I made is “please try hard and prove yourself” and this will lead to the next recruitment for your juniors back in Myanmar.

    Updates

    • After treatment & rehab, he recovered from the Stroke reported in the post.
    • We had frequent conversation.
    • He had another Stroke.
    • He is happy to become a father-in-law.
    Pon Tu by Bagyee Myat Myo Myint
  • U Tin U & U Ba Than

    U Tin U & U Ba Than

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    HMEE

    Association of Engineers in Burma after World War

    • Told by Saya U Tin U — Interview for HMEE Project
    • Recorded by Saya U Ba Than
    • The Association was re-instituted about 1955-56.
    • President :
      Sayagyi U Ba Hli (Dean of Engineering, University of Rangoon, GBNF)
    • Honorary Secretary :
      Saya U Soon Sein (Professor, Mining, GBNF)
    • Honorary Treasurer :
      Saya U Tin U (Part time Lecturer, Civil)

    U Tin U

    U Tin U at SPZP-2012

    Highlights

    • Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1946.
    • Attended Rangoon University before going for studies in the USA.
    • Represented RUBC in the Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi in 1948 along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and Khin Maung Wint (Bobby).
    1948 Independence Day Regatta
    • Received BCSE from the University of Oregon and MCSE from Yale University.
    • Upon his return to Burma, he worked in the industry and taught part-time at the Civil Engineering department.
    • Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club
    • Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC

    Three Losses

    • Lost his spouse Dr. Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt in November 2019
    • Lost his elder son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) in April 2020
    • Lost his son-in-law U Tin Tun in May 2020
    U Tin U & Family
    U Tin U 3

    U Ba Than

    U Ba Than

    Highlights

    • Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947, and won the Collegiate Scholarship.
    • In 1949, he won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam.
    • RUBC Full Green
    • Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
    • Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
    • As a requirement for promotion, he did Masters at Imperial College.
    • Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
    Mech Engg Sayas
    • Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE-2012 project.
      Donated his photo albums.
      Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.

    Birthdays

    • Celebrations
    Birthday
    Soon Kyway
    • Before the pandemic, he invited colleagues and former students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
    • U Tin Htoon (A60, younger brother) compiled a Photo Album for Saya’s 90th Birthday
    U Ba Than
    • Donated all of the Garawa Money to various social & religious associations.
    • Passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
    U Ba Than & Daw Mya Mya
    U Ba Than & Family

    Updates

    • Four of the nine siblings are members of the 90+ Club like their mother.
    • U Tin U (eldest) passed away on Aug 19, 2025 — a few weeks after his 96th birthday. He was the most senior Past Captain of RUBC. He was also the oldest Yale University alumni from Burma.
    • U Ba Than (2nd oldest) passed away after his 94th birthday.
    • Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, 3rd) celebrated her 93rd birthday on Aug 31, 2025.
    • Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, 4th) passed away two months before her 91st birthday.
  • Khin Maung U & Nyunt Nyunt Wai

    Khin Maung U & Nyunt Nyunt Wai

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Dr. Khin Maung U

    Work experience (in reverse chronological order)

    • Clinical Reviewer and Senior Medical Officer at U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    • Assistant Professor and Physician at Johns Hopkins University
    • Associate Professor, Physician at Hahnemann University Hospital
    • Head, Clinical Research Division at Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health
    • Clinical demonstrator at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)
    • Demonstrator, Dept. of Pharmacology at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)

    Highlights

    Matric 1963

    SPHS63
    OPA Dinner
    Roll of Honor
    • Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963. Stood First in Burma with 100 marks in Maths & Chemistry and 99 points (after a point deduction in review) in Physics. He had Distinction in English in HSF, Matric and I.Sc.(A).

    IM(1)

    • Stood First in every class.
    • Multiple Luyechun

    Postgrad

    • Due to policy changes for sending State Scholars, he had to do M.Sc. (Med Sc)
    • Received MD from UNSW.
    • Completed Fellowships

    Activities

    • Writes KMU Medical Research Reports
    • Gawpaka at a monastery in Maryland
    • Wrote and translated articles on Dhamma
    • Interpreter for Dhamma Talks & Meditation Retreat. Compiled & edited an early version of Abdhidhamma by Dr. Nandamalabhivansa.
    Abhidhamma
    • His spouse Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Amy) was also a top student in Matric & IM(1). She did DCH.
    • They have a son and two daughters. Nilar (eldest) is a medical doctor in the USA.
    KMU, NNW & young Nilar

    Feedback

    Dr. Nyan Taw wrote :
    Our batch Khin Maung U (SPHS 63) to be proud of !

    Eddie Shein wrote :
    Proud of you, Dr. Khin Maung U. I always remember your very good signs of ambitions and success lines on your palms.

    Wai Aung wrote :
    I am proud of you Ko Khin Maung U. You are a genius. Glad you made it to the top.

    Ye Htut wrote :
    Sayar U is my teacher- mentor who was just like a swan who laid a golden egg daily for me when I worked under him at RGH and DMR in 1970s. I never had a day that I did not learn a new lesson or knowledge from him when we were together.

    Dr. Khin Maung U wrote :
    Thank you Johnny (U Hla Min) for your kind portrayal, and to all who commented with support and friendship. I am so fortunate to have good friends throughout St. Paul’s HS and Medical School and also during post-graduate clinical work, and to have good students during my teaching years in IM (1), all of whom helped and supported me in many ways. With some time available in my retirement, I came upon an idea. As a service to medical education in Myanmar, I would post recently published medical articles (not readily available in Myanmar) that friends and colleagues in the medical profession may find useful or applicable to medical care or public health of people in Myanmar. In all these medical posts, I preceded with a simplified summary of the medical journal article so that non-medical persons who read these posts can also understand and be able to apply for their own health care. I hope this activity will provide useful medical or educational information to all who read my medical posts.

    Mayrose Wong wrote :
    Wonderful and Genius Doctor, truly and caring classmate, doing meritorious deeds for Dhamma and Sanghas. He is Awesome.

    Eiei Tan wrote :
    Could not agree more, my dear friend May Rose. We are all extremely proud to be his classmates. He certainly is awesome & ingenious !!!

    Kyaw Myint Malia wrote :
    You make all of us Burmese proud. I was fortunate to meet you again while you were preparing for your MD at the University of NSW where I was an Anatomy tutor. You are my kalyana-mitra truly. Regards to Amy.

    Tin Tin Hla wrote :
    Proud of you and your family.

    Kyi Maung wrote:
    How genius you are ko kmu. I’m always proud of u. I used to tell others that I’m from ko Khin Maung U ‘s batch.

    Tin Myint wrote :
    Proud of you Ko U. You stood Whole of Burma 1st in Matriculation from St Pauls High School.

    Ngwe Tun wrote :
    On behalf of old Paulians, l am proud of you Ko Khin Maung U.

  • U Thein Han & Daw Khin Khin Htwe

    U Thein Han & Daw Khin Khin Htwe

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Highlights

    Uncle U Thein Han

    Uncle

    • My lone surviving uncle
    • Turned 95 in April, 2025
    • Matriculated from St. John’s Dio
    • Entered Rangoon University in 1948
    • After graduation, he worked as Systems Engineer for IBM (International Business Machines) Burma, which rented / leased Unit Record Machines to selected Government Departments.
    • Later moved to USA
    • Retired from Montgomery County in Maryland

    Posts

    • Demonetization of K100 Note
    • Do you believe in luck?
    • My Barber
    • My Life Journey
    • My Stories

    Aunt

    Uncle & Aunt
    • Taught at Psychology Department at Rangoon University
    • Later moved to USA
    • Studied Library Science
    • Retired Librarian, Library of Congress
    • Was in charge of Burmese Collection
  • Terms used in my posts

    Terms used in my posts

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    A

    • A : Architecture
    • AAA : Access, Authorization, Accounting
    • ABM : American Baptist Mission
    • AC : Alternating Current
    • ACB : Advanced Communicator Bronze
    • ACG : Advanced Communication Gold
    • ACS : Advanced Communicator Silver
    • ACM : Association of Computing Machinery
    • AD : Anno Domino (In the year of our Lord); CE : Common Era
    • ADC : Analog to Digital Converter
    • AFPFL : Anti Fascist Peoples’ Freedom League (ဖဆပလ)
    • AFAIK : As Far As I Know
    • Ag : Agricultural Engineering (sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)
    • AG : Attorney General; Auditor General
    • AGI : Artificial General Intelligence
    • AGM : Annual General Meeting
    • AI : Artificial Intelligence
    • ALB : Advanced Leader Bronze
    • ALS : Advanced Leader Silver
    • AQ : Adversary Quotient
    • ARAE : Amateur Rowing Association of the East
    ARAE Regatta
    • ASAP : As Soon As Possible
    • Auto : Automobile Enginering (sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)

    B

    • BA : Bachelor of Arts
    • BAPS : Burmese American Professional Society
    • BARB : Burma Astro Research Bureau (later MARB)
    • BASES : Burmese American Society of Engineers & Scientists
    • BBS : Burma Broadcasting Service (မြန်မာ့အသံ)
    • BC : Before Christ
    • BCE : Before Common Era
    • BCM : Boston Computer Museum
    • BCom : Bachelor of Commerce
    • BCS : Burma Civil Service; British Computer Society
    • BE : Bachelor Engineering; Burmese Era
    • BEA : Burmese Engineers Association
    • BEco : Bachelor of Economics
    • BERB : Burma Education Research Bureau (later MERB)
    • BFF : Best Friends Forever
    • BFHA : Bound For Higher Abode
    • BIT : Burma Institute of Technology
    • BL : Bachelor of Law
    • BMH : Base Military Hospital
    • BMRI : Burma Medical Research Institute
    • BOD : Board of Directors
    • BPI : Burma Pharmaceutical Industry; Bits Per Inch
    • BS : Bachelor of Science
    • B.Sc : Bachelor of Science
    • BSPP : Burmese Socialist Program Party
    • BTW : By The Way

    C

    • C : Civil; Celsius
    • CA : Chartered Accountant
    • CE : Common Era; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Chief Engineer
    • Ch : Chemistry; Chapter; Channel
    • ChE : Chemical Engineering
    • CHM : Computer History Museum
    • CLC : Calcutta Lake Club
    • COE : Center of Excellence
    • ConBro : Convent & Brother Schools
    • CS : Computer Science
    • CT : Computer Technology
    • CURC : Calcutta University Rowing Club; Cambridge University Rowing Club

    D

    • DAC : Diploma in Automatic Computing; Digital to Analog Converter
    • DC : Direct Current
    • DCA : Directorate of Civil Aviation
    • DCS : Department of Computer Science; Dr. Chit Swe
    • DG : Director General
    • DHE : Directorate of Higher Education
    • DLS : De La Salle
    • DST : Daylight Savings Time
    • DTM : Distinguished Toastmaster

    E

    • E : Electrical; Exponent
    • EC : Electrical Communications; Executive Committee
    • Ece : Electrical Communications; Electronics Engineering
    • Eco : Economics Department; Institute of Economics
    • EE : Electrical Engineering
    • EI : Electrical Inspectorate; Emotional Intelligence
    • EP : Electrical Power
    • EPC : Electric Power Corporation

    F

    • F : Fahrenheit
    • FEARA : Far East Asia Rowing Association
    • FERD : Foreign Economics Relations Department
    • FYI : For Your Information

    G

    • G : Giga
    • GBNF : Gone But Not Forgotten
    • GJ : Golden Jubilee (Shwe YaDu)
    • GWTF : Go With The Flow
    • GWYW : Gone With The Wind

    H

    • HCF : Health Care Fund
    • HIC : Heavy Industries Corporation
    • HMEE : History of Myanmar Engineering Education
    • HSF : High School Final

    I

    • I.A : Intermediate of Arts
    • I. Com : Intermediate of Commerce
    • I.Sc : Intermediate of Science
    • ICS : Indian Civil Service; Institute of Computer Science
    • ICST : Institute of Computer Science and Technology
    • ILA : Intelligence Level Aggregate
    • IM : Institute of Medicine
    • Intake : mostly 1st BE Intake
    • IP : Intellectual Property; Internet Protocol
    • IQ : Intelligence Quotient

    J

    • J : Justice (as in CJ : Chief Justice)
    • JDK : Java Development Kit
    • JIT : Just in Time
    • Jr : Junior

    K

    • K : Kilo
    • KB : Knowledge Base; Kilo Byte
    • KIS : Keep It Simple (formerly KISS : Keep It Simple Stupid)

    L

    • LLB: Bachelor of Law
    • LLM : Master of Law

    M

    • M : Master; Mega; Mechanical
    • M/Ag : Agricultural (sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)
    • M/Auto : Automobile Engineering (sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)
    • MA : Master of Arts
    • MARB : Myanmar Astro Research Bureau (formerly BARB)
    • MASU : Mandalay Arts and Science University
    • Matric : Matriculation
    • ME : Master of Engineering
    • MEHS : Methodist English High School
    • MEHSA : MEHS Alumni
    • Met : Metallurgy; Metallurgical Engineering
    • Min : Mining Engineering
    • MIT : Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Mandalay Institute of Technology
    • MOGE : Myanmar Oil and Gas Exploration
    • MS : Master of Science
    • M.Sc : Master of Science

    N

    • N : Nano
    • N/A : Not Applicable; Not Available
    • NASA : National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    • NLD : National League for Democracy
    • NorCal : Northern California
    • NorCal RITAA : Northern California RIT Alumni Association

    O

    • OMA : Old Members’ Association
    • OPA : Old Paulians’ Association

    P

    • PBRS : Private Boundary Road School
    • Pet : Petroleum Production
    • Phy : Physics
    • PPBRS : Private Primary Boundary Road School
    • PSO : Personal Staff Officer
    • PTC : Post and Telecommunications Corporation
    • PTS : Pali Text Society
    • PWD : Public Works Department
    • PZP : Pu Zaw Pwe

    Q

    • Q&A : Question and Answer
    • QE : Queen Elizabeth
    • QMC : Queen Mary College

    R

    • RASU : Rangoon Arts and Science University
    • RBC : Rangoon Boat Club
    • RC : Recreation Center; Regional College; Roman Catholic
    • RGC : Rangoon Golf Club
    • RIP : Rest In Peace
    • RIT : Rangoon Institute of Technology
    • RITAA : RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association
    • RU : Rangoon University
    • RUBC : Rangoon University Boat Club
    • RUESU : Rangoon University Engineering Students’ Union
    • RUSU : Rangoon University Students’ Union

    S

    • Sc : Science
    • SDY : Swel Daw Yeik
    • SDYF : Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
    • SPARK : Society for the Promotion and Advancement of Radio Knowledge
    • SPHS : Saint Paul’s High School
    • SPZP : Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    T

    • T : Tera; Textile
    • TBA : To Be Announced
    • TBD : To Be Decided
    • TBSA : Theravada Buddhist Society of America
    • TDS : Theravada Dhamma Society
    • TM : Trade Mark; Turing Machine
    • TMC : Tathagata Meditation Center
    • TTC : Teachers’ Training College

    U

    • UBA : Union of Burma Airways
    • UBARI : Union of Burma Applied Research Institute
    • UCC : Universities’ Computer Center
    • UCSY : University of Computer Studies Yangon
    • UN : United Nations
    • UNDP : United Nations Development Program
    • Update : RIT Alumni International Newsletter Update
    • UTC : University Training Corps

    V

    • VM : Virtual Machine
    • VNW : Victor Nyunt Wai
    • VR : Virtual Reality

    W

    • WP : Word Processor; Word Processing

    X

    • XP : eXtreme Programming

    Y

    • YIT : Yangon Institute of Technology
    • YTU : Yangon Technological University
    • YUBC : Yangon Universities’ Boat Club (formerly RUBC)
    • YUFL : Yangon University of Foreign Languages (formerly IFL)

    Z

    • Z : Zillion

    Alphanumeric

    • 69er : Class of 69++
  • Win Mar

    Win Mar

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    2017

    Hosts

    • Spouse of Dr. Peter Tun (Khin Tun, my cousin nephew)
    • During our visit to UK in September 2017, they hosted us
    Peter & Win Mar
    • Peter was working at the NHS hospital and at a private clinic. He would show us around late in the evening (e.g. River Thames).
    Tribute to Peter

    Trip to Wales

    • On the week end Peter drove us to Ogmore-by-the-sea in Wales to visit Maung Maung Kyi & Khin May Than.
    Trip to Ogmore-by-the-sea

    Guide

    • She would be our guide during the week days.
    • We took bus and train to see Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace & tourist attractions. Since she had been to those places many times, she would patiently wait for us near the entrance / exit gate. As seniors, we received discount on the bus and train fares.
    • She keeps fit by massaging her feet in a bucket full of salt. She also climbs up and down the stairs to do her chores (cooking, washing, drying clothes in the backyard).

    Chefs

    • Both are outstanding Chefs.
    • She is selective in eating food. She prefers Burmese specialties over Chinese, Indian & British food (with the exception of “Fish and Chips” sold at the shop owned by Peter’s assistant).

    Love Story

    With young Min Ko
    • She would tell stories (esp. to my spouse).
    • When she was working as a teacher in Hlegu, Peter would come over with a food container. Guess what. Peter brought mashed potatoes not knowing that she did not have appetite for non-Burmese food.
    • Later, they regained contact by chance at the Chauk Htutt Yone (6-storey Govt. office).
    • Peter asked her for a date.
    • He handed over a 7-page “Yee Zar Sar”. Win Mar appreciated the Open Book approach. Peter listed his puppy love, current & potential suitors.
    • Peter agreed to settle in Mezaligone. They spent a long time there.
    • Peter’s sayas & friends finally suggested him to study for MRCP.

    2020

    Covid

    • In late March, Peter told me that COVID-19 had hit UK, but Reading did not have many cases.
    • Nevertheless, he showered every day (before & after work) as a precaution.
    • He treasured Win Mar’s health.
    • Then, we heard bad news. Five of Peter’s patients tested positive for COVID-19. Peter was asked to “self isolate” at his home.
    • Per his brother, sister & nieces, Peter felt confident that he would be victorious.
    • After a week, Peter’s health declined and was admitted to ICU.
    • A few days later, Win Mar had fever and cough. Min Ko & Ye Lay (who could not visit the house due to the “self-isolation”) called ambulance. The medics checked Win Mar and suggested to wait a few days.

    Hospitalization

    • Peter passed away on April 13.
    • Win Mar was taken to the hospital for observation & treatment.
    • Her health and appetite returned. She requested “Fish and Chips”. It was a sign that she still have a good memory. Her friends (esp. Ma Theingi) cooked Burmese meals.
    • She was discharged on April 29.
    • She was able to attend the service for Peter on April 30.
    • She spoke with Cho Cho Hlaing (Peter’s youngest aunt) in the video conference, “Peter was born on a Monday and passed away on a Monday. He must have run out of his life span. KAN KONE LOH SONE THWAR DA. ကံကုန်လို့ ဆုံးသွားဒါ”
    • Win Mar now has close company of of her sons Ye Lay and Min Ko (who still had lease for a flat 5 minutes away).
    • They offered One Month Soon Kyway to Birmingham Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana.
    • They also celebrated Ye Lay’s birthday a few days later.
    Peter & Win Mar at Min Ko’s Wedding Reception

    Updates

    • After attending Min Ko’s wedding reception, Peter’s relatives — aunt, uncle, brother, cousins — had a gathering in Sydney.
    • Peter chose to fly back to UK to take care of his patients. Sadly, he might have been infected by a patient.
    • Peter was looking forward to his retirement and the day when he would be a proud grandpa.
    • Win Mar has a consolation prize. She could spend quality time with her two granddaughters.
    • Maung Maung Kyi is now GBNF.

    Posts

    • Chronicle of Peter Tun
    • Covid
    • GBNF
    • Peter Tun Award
    • Visits
    Memories
  • Highlights (1961 – 65)

    Highlights (1961 – 65)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    1961

    Female Engineers

    • Mi Mi Lay (Tex)
    • Julie Han (Tex)
    • Yin Yin Kyi (Tex)
    • Pauline Reynolds (ChE)
    • Tin Tin Ohn / Amy (Tex)

    Burma Institute of Technology

    U Yone Mo
    U Sein Hla

    In the 1961 – 62 Academic Year, the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University moved to the Gyogone Campus.

    It was named Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).

    Sayas & Sayamas

    U Yone Mo served as Dean.

    U Sein Hla served as Registrar.

    Newly minted sayas & sayamas include U Aung Soe (C), U Maung Maung Win (M), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T) & Daw Julie Han

    Matriculation & HSF

    In 1961, the last Matric & High School Final exam took place. Those who pass the exam could attend the University.

    In 1962, there were separate exams for Matric & HSF. Those who pass HSF had to take the Matric exam in order to attend the University.

    2nd SEAP Games

    RU athletes in 2nd SEAP Games
    • In December 1961, Burma hosted the 2nd South East Asian Peninsular Games.
    • Burma placed First (according to the Tally of Medals) in the Games. Burma was dominant in Track & Field, Swimming & Diving (to name a few).
    • About 20 students Rangoon University represented Burma in the Games. Several won Gold Medals : Tun Mra (4 x 100 meters relay), Soe Mra (Pole Vault), Kyaw Han (Volleyball), Richard Yu Khin (Yachting).
    • Ko Richard (GBNF) provided the group photo. He also wrote about the swimming training with Ko Tin Maung Ni under a Japanese coach.
    • Met Ko Tun Mra, Ko Khin Maung Latt & Ko Tin Myint (GBNF) at the RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta in December 2019. Ko Tun Mra mentioned that he, Ko Kyaw Mra (GBNF), Ko Soe Mra & Ko Tun Naung represented Burma in the first SEAP Games held in Bangkok in 1959.

    1962

    Coup d’etat

    • On March 2, 1962, a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat. Sao Shwe Thaik’s son was killed.
    • Mahn Win Maung (President), U Nu (Prime Minister), U Myint Thein (Chief Justice), several high ranking officers & Sawbwas were imprisoned.
    • U Myint Thein was among the first to be detained and the last to be released. He was given only a part day off to attend the last journey of his spouse Daw Phwa Hmi (pioneer Burmese female barrister).
    • Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung had been selected to succeed Mahn Win Maung as the President, but the Coup ended the democratic parliamentary system.
    Sama Duwa Sin Wa Naung

    HSF Exam

    • The HSF exam results for Rangoon Division was annulled claiming a leakage of exam questions.
    • The students had to retake the HSF exam in August, 1962.

    Dark Days in July

    • There were two Dark Days.
    • Student protesters faced indiscriminate shooting on July 7, 1962. The newspapers & Myanmar Ah Than said that there were 17 victims.
    • Ko Aung Khin who was killed by a stray bullet on his way back from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road was listed as the 17th casualty.
    • On July 8, 1962, the revered RU Student Union Building was demolished.

    1963

    Matric Exam

    SPHS63 Scholarship Winners
    • Most exams were held in March. However, the Matric exam in 1963 was held in May.
    • St. Paul’s High School had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.

    Anniversary of 7th July

    • In July 1963, the first Anniversary of 7th July 1962 was celebrated with posters, pamphlets & magazines.
    • Some time later, the higher authorities announced the closure of most schools except the Faculty of Medicine & the Faculty of Engineering.

    Rangoon University Boat Club

    Dinner to celebrate the RUBC 40th Anniversary
    • Annual Regatta was canceled citing security reasons.
    • Sithu U Tin (President) decided not to cancel the Dinner commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC by Sit Arthur Eggar (Law Professor).

    1964

    Scholarship for USSR & East Bloc

    • Soviet Union and East Bloc nations offered scholarships for undergraduates & graduates.
    • Some classmates (who were concerned about how long the schools will close) applied & were accepted.
    • Maung Maung Kyi studied Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, GDR.

    New Education System

    Shwe YaDu
    • Enacted in November 1964
    • The reorganization saw former Faculties as independent Institutes with their own Rector and Registrar. The remaining faculties of Rangoon University became Rangoon Arts & Science University (RASU).
    • Under the new Education system, BIT became Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). It had autonomy. U Yone Mo served as Rector. U Soe Thein (former student leader) served as Registrar.
    • Matriculates were admitted to the fresher classes at the Universities & Institutes using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA).
    • The marks for each subject were converted to an ILA score (1 – 20). Those who have a balanced score can have a higher ILA than someone who has high marks in most subjects but a low score in one subject.
    • There were name changes to the degrees offered, e.g B.E instead of B.Sc.(Engg)
    • Majors were introduced.
    • LL.B was offered.

    Luyechun

    • The program was initiated in the Summer of 1964.
    • Outstanding students from middle school and high school was chosen as Luyechun. They were sent to the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
    • Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Win Aung (TTC) and Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw) were some High School Luyechuns.

    1965

    Nationalization

    • On April 1, 1965 private schools were nationalized.
    • St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) became No. 6 Botathaung State High School.
    • Methodist English High School (MEHS) became No. 1 Dagon State High School.

    Luyechun Camps

    Inlay Luyechun
    • The Luyechun program was extended to students of Universities & Institutes in the summer of 1965.
    • I was selected as RIT Luyechun along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ma Khin Than Myint Tin, and Ko Zaw Min. We were sent to the newly opened Inlay Khaung Daing Camp was added.
    • The Rangoon Combined Camp was the meeting point for those from Ngapali Camp and Inlay Camp.

    Updates

    • There were more changes in the Education System.
    • Some were name changes : RIT to YIT & YTU
    • There were more closures to Schools.
    • There were more Coup d’etat — in 1988 & 2021
    • Burma hosted 5th SEAP Games in 1969.
    • The Luyechun Program ended in 1988.

    Posts

    • Calendar
    • Education Systems
    • Exams
    • Luyechun
    • Memories of a 69er
    • Rangoon University
    • SEAP Games