The Metallurgy Department was established in 1954 with the assistance of contract staff from India. Mr. H.S. Shastri was the first head of department and Mr. A.C. Agrawal was an assistant lecturer.
I was awarded a government scholarship to study Metallurgy at Lehigh University in 1954, when I was a second year student of Civil Engineering in Rangoon. (Incidentally, it was at Lehigh that I first met Sayas U Aung Khin and U Pu.), I returned home in 1957 after completing my bachelor’s degree and joined the department as assistant lecturer. Saya U Saw Pru joined the department as an assistant lecturer in 1958.
I was awarded a Colombo Plan Fellowship in 1959 for further studies at the University or Queensland, Australia, and came back in 1961 after finishing my master’s degree. I was promoted to lectureship in 1962,
Saya U Than Tin joined the department in 1960 and left for U.S. after a few years. There were visiting lecturers from U.S.S.R., namely, Mr. Charlichev from 1961 to 1963 and Mr. Chalpanov from 1963 to 1965.
Sayas U Aung Hla Tun, U Pe Win and Dr. Khin Maung Win joined the department in 1965, 1966 and 1967 respectively. There were also part-time teaching staff from time to time from UBARI, such as U Khin Maung and U Nyunt.
I left the department in 1968 to go to Australia.
The continuing history of the Metallurgy Department after 1968 can best be written by Saya U Aung Hla Tun,
Notes (by Hla Min)
Saya taught “Materials and Processes” in our 2nd BE class in 1964. He attended some SPZPs & Metallury gatherings in Myanmar. He moved to Melbourne, Australia.
Saya’s successors include Dr. Saw Pru (GBNF), U Than Tin & Saya Dr. Khin Maung Win (GBNF).
Pon Tu of Dr. Khin Maung Win
Updates (by Hla Min)
Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF) was the lead author for HMEE projects.
U Aung Hla Tun
Sayas U Win Kyaw (Met71, RUBC), U Thein Aung (Met72, Mr. RIT68) & U Nyunt Htay (Met73, Poet/Editor) had a micro-reunion in 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles and at the iNapa Winery in Northern California.
iNapa Winery
Metallurgy is taught as “Materials Science” in the US.
Please allow me to use your forum to express my great sorrow on learning of Saya U Myo Win’s demise.
We certainly lost a valuable person while engaged in his professional life. His exuberance and optimism knew no bounds. I had the privilege of enjoying U & Mrs Myo Win’s hospitality at Wagga Wagga on my tour of Australia.
My deepest condolences to Noreen and family.
[Sayagyi U] Aung Khin
Canada
From the Teoh family
On behalf of the Teoh family, and the rest of MEHS schoolmates, we offer our sincere condolences to Melvin’s family.
Melvin and Pearl Ba Tin are fellow graduates of the original Methodist English High School (MEHS) of Rangoon.
In 1972, when I was leaving for the U.S., my mother-in-law recommended/sponsored me to be a monk at Mahasi Sayadaw’s Sasana Yeiktha, Rangoon for 10 days.
Started meditating there, I was surprised to meet Melvin who was also in monkhood. The two of us, the evil two, caused much consternation with some senior monks, because we presented them with provocative and/or audacious (Western style) questions.
We were summoned to the presence of the Mahasi Sayadawgyi himself. We explained that as young engineers, we were naturally precocious (and suspicious) of any assumptions and beliefs unless backed up by solid proof research data. We could not design machinery, without knowing the qualities and of steel, etc.
The Sayadawgyi advised us to attain wisdom and the truth of Nirvana for ourselves thru further meditation. He gave us the example of a tortoise trying to explain to the rest of the fishes, the phenomena of a desert dry land. Seek further and ye shall find.
I really remember and thankful for that my life changing 10 day retreat and Melvin was part of that.
Melvin, my friend, I miss you. May you attain Nirvana soon.
Edward Teoh (M 64) & Khin Thein Yi (Chem 65), Houston, Texas
From Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
Dear U Hla Min,
I am so saddened by the unexpected news of Saya Melvin U Myo Win’s passing away. I met and talked with him briefly during the 2016 SPZP in Yangon and he was looking just fine then. I have known Melvin’s family for a long time and am now joining them in their sorrow.
Kindly convey my heartfelt condolences to Melvin’s wife Noreen, sister Pearl, and their families on the recent loss of a beloved husband, brother, and head of the family.
My prayers also for Melvin to reach a higher abode in his next existence.
Thanking you,
[Saya Dr.] San Hla Aung [C58]
From Saya Dr. Nyo Win
I’m saddened to learn about Melvin’s passing away. Melvin and I were from the class of 65 ME. We both joined the faculty after graduation. He taught in the Agri Dept and I in the ME. I remembered well his smile and friendly chats wherever we got together. I want to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Melvin’s family. May you Rest In Peace.
[Saya Dr.] Nyo Win [M65]
From Saya Dr. Tin Win
Dear Ko Hla Min,
I am very sad to learn that U Myo Win had left us. I was away visiting my eldest sister who is in Hospital in Houston, TX, and was very much surprised to see the sad news when I got home last night.
I spent over a year sharing an apartment with Ko Myo Win, Ko Aung Soe (Math), and Dr. Ko Lay (Mandalay MC) in 1968-9 while he studied for M.Sc. at Melbourne University, Australia. We also worked together in the ME Department at RIT until 1976. He then pursued a successful academic career in Australia. He put in a lot of effort to help bring/apply Australian Technology to Agricultural practices in Myanmar while he was working, and after retiring.
He was always optimistic, had a very good nature, and was liked by everyone. He was a good husband and father, and a very proud grandfather. He was also very friendly and always ready to help anyone. I remember him always enjoying tinkering with his cars as well as those of his friends.
He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
My deepest condolences to Noreen and family.
[Saya Dr.] Tin Win [M62]
From Maurice Chee
We are saddened to learn the passing away of saya U Myo Win.
He was our saya for the fluid mechanics lab.
Please convey my deepest condolences and sympathy to sayakadaw and family.
May saya rest in peace.
Maurice Chee, M75
From Saya Charlie Hla Myint
Ko Tin Aung Win,
Can you please pass our heartfelt condolences to Saya U Myo Win’s family?
The sad news came in yesterday from an early morning call from Ko Henry Thet Tun.
It came in as a shock because I never heard of U Myo Win’s condition prior.
Melvin, Dr Kyaw Sein, U Kyaw Sein et al are class mates of mine & we graduated in 1965 and our group joined Mechanical Engineering Dept same day.
Our prayers for a transition to a higher plane of existence to U Myo Win’s soul.
Saya (Charlie) Hla Myint (M65)
Sydney
From Stanley Saw
I am deeply saddened to learn of Saya U Myo Win passing away.
We remember the several RIT functions in Sydney where we discussed interesting developmental projects.
Our heartfelt condolences to Ma Ma Nu and family, Ko Tin Aung Win and Dorothy.
Stanley [Saw, M71] and Sandra
(Auckland. New Zealand)
From Saya Dr. Kyaw Sein
I am very much surprised and shocked to learn that my best friend Melvin Ba Tin had passed away so suddenly. When I last met him at SPZP 2016 he seemed to be in very good health alert and energetic.
We were together and very intimate since the time we started studying at Yankin College. He is two months younger than me.
I just called Noreen Aung Kyaw (Nu Nu Yee) and felt so sorry with an aching heart.
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy and most deepest condolences to Noreen and family.
May his soul rest in peace.
From U Hla Oo
Saya U Myo Win taught us a couple of subjects in our third and fourth year mechanical classes. He was the patron of our Automobile Club at RIT Mechanical Engineering Dept and he left RIT for FIJI in 1978. The attached was the group photo taken at his farewell party given by our Automobile Club.
I still remember when we asked him if he would be coming back to RIT and Burma he showed us the visible star sign on the success line on his left palm and said he was going to achieve better future overseas. We were all surprised that we did not know he knew Palmistry well too. Later I found out he became a lecturer or a professor at Charles Sturt University in Waga Waga of Australia.
I ended up in Australia in late 1980s but I never had a chance to meet him again as he was in Waga Waga at 700 km away from Sydney where I used to live. When I had to visit Charles Sturt in late 2000s I didn’t meet him there as he was already retired and living in Canberra by then.
Rest in Peace Saya,
Hla Oo (Mech 1980)
Updates (by Hla Min)
Saya U Kyaw Sein is now GBNF.
The receipt from Saya U Myo Win’s farewell has been shared by readers of various FB groups.
Before the pandemic, 69ers had Monthly Breakfast Gatherings usually at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose).
Some celebrate Birthdays & Wedding Anniversaries at the gathering.
Han Sein, Uzin Bobby and several 69ers took photos and shared them on FB.
20 classmates left us in 2021. Some in the group photo — Toby, Thein Swe, Aye Lwin, Han Sein, Aung Gyi Shwe — are GBNF.
69er Group David, Aye Lwin, Oscar, Tin Maung Aye, Aye Thein
Aung Min & team organized a monthly meeting .
Win Boh (Robert, Australia) was a special guest at the meeting. Surinder Singh (Australia) had a schedule conflict.
Kyaw Nyunt brought back presents given by Fred Thetgyi (Philadephia) to the meeting, and organized a “Lucky Draw”.
Han Sein was happy testing special effects (e.g. to create “twins”) with his phone camera.
Tin Aung Win offered me car rides : to the meeting and back. On the way back, we chatted with Aye Lwin and Kyaw Zin on the car.
Aye Lwin was Secretary of RIT Mechanical Association and RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin. He was a member of the committee for printing and publishing Set Hmu Magazine (by Mechanical Engineering Association) and RIT Annual Magazine. He attended the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles with his daughter and son.
Harry Tin Htut, Oscar, Aung Min, Uzin Bobby and Tin Maung Aye posted photos in “RIT69ers” and “RIT Updates” Facebook pages.
Received two Masters : one from RIT, another from Melbourne University
Spouse : Myeik Thu & Culinary Expert
Son & daughter — both successful
Taught at Rengsit University
Senior manager at a Refinery in Thailand
U Aung Myaing 1
After retirement, spending time with his daughter and grandchildren in California, USA.
Activities
Writes with the pen name “Maung Yin Maung (Okkpo)”. Not sure if the name is inspired by the first Burmese novel.
Author & Poet.
Wrote about his sayas (High School & Uni)
Co-author of the “Collection of Poems” by five RIT poets headed by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War). One poem is about his beloved sweetheart and later his spouse Ma Gyn Yu (ChE72).
Book of poemsPoet
Organizer, Poetic Art Series & Musical Video (O Bei Myat Saya)
Organizer for book donation to the ChE Library & Training Component of YTU Library Modernization Project.
Per U Aung Myaing’s request, Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66) organized a fund raiser of US 3000+ for supporting the Training Component of the YTU Modernization Project.
Library
Recorded with the U-70 members at a professional studio. He has posted some of them on Facebook.
He & Daw Gyn Yu have provided assistance to sayas and alumni visiting Bangkok especially for medical treatment.
With Bagyee
Provided materials (paint, paper) to Pon Tu expert Bagyee Myat Myo Myint
Facilitator, Myanmar Association of Chemical Engineers; Knowlege sharing; Financial aid for needy ChE
Children : Maung Maung Win (Mg Yit) & Mi Mi Win (Junior)
U Khin Maung Latt, Daw Khin Myo Chit & KMW
Dr. Khin Maung Win
Maths Saya
As an assistant of Saya Dr. Chit Swe, I worked with several Maths Saya.
Dr. Khin Maung Win wrote about Maths Curriculum in France for the “High School Maths” project.
After retirement, he published books on Maths, Education & Vipassana (Insight Meditation).
Vipassana
His parents were friends and devotees of KabaAye Sunlun Sayadaw U Vinaya. They hosted Meditation retreats in their compound.
During my visit to Yangon in January and February 2018, I met Saya at Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung.
Mi Mi Win (Junior Win) gave me two of her books (one in English, and another in Myanmar) that she wrote to celebrate the Centennial of her paternal grand parents : U Khin Mg Latt (English saya at Rangoon University & Private Tution, First Chief Editor of Working Peoples’ Daily) and Daw Khin Myo Chit (Award winning author).
Junior Win took a year to write the book for the Centennial of her grandparents in 2015. Her mother Tekkatho Shwe Yi Win helped with the indexing. Her brother Maung Yit helped with photos and cartoons.
Good & Sad news
The book won a prize from Tun Foundation. Sadly, Shwe Yi Win passed away before the prize presentation.
Ko Soe Myint (M72, UCC), who appeared healthy, passed away unexpectedly at 3AM about one and a half months following his elder sister’s demise.
Life sometimes presents people with both good and sad news.
Updates
Mg Yit is co-founder of Moemaka. He helped publish several books & e-books (including those for his Twin sister).
Saya is now GBNF. I received his book on Sunlun Vipassana.
Cambridge University Home club of Sir Arthur Eggar
RBC (Rangoon Boat Club) Exclusive for Europeans and Anglo-Burmese
RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) : Founded in 1923 by Sir Arthur Eggar (Law Professor, RU); He pledged one-third of his salary for the Clubs operation; He donated a Challenge Cup (Pewter and brooches) for the Senior Novices. U Nyo’ s donation to RU Estate helped build the RUBC Club House; U Nyo donated a Challenge Cup (for the Inter-Club Eights)
RUBC
Defense Services Rowing Club Initially from Burma Navy
Marine Youth (Ye Gyaung Lu Nge)
Regattas
Rag Regatta : One day event; Finalists for the Novices race are seeded for Monsoon Regatta
Monsoon Regatta
Annual Regatta
Inter-Varsity, e.g. CURC
ARAE, e.g. Calcutta, Colombo
FEARA, e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore
Challenge Cups
President’s Cup : for Inter-Club Coxed Eights
Prime Minister’s Cup : for Inter-Club Coxed Fours
Commemorative Publications
40th Anniversary Issue (in 1963) : Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon & U Tin Htoon
90th Anniversary Issue (in 2013) : U Tin Htoon (Chair), U Myo Myint (Vice Chair), U Htaik San (Henry, Secretary), U Hla Min (Contributing Editor) …
Sir Arthur’s Autobiography : Reprint funded by selected Old Members
RUBC Old Members
They are fondly known as Old Crocs (or Crocodiles).
When RUBC was destroyed due to the ravages of war, the Old Crocs rebuilt the Club and provided physical, financial and spiritual support to the members to compete against the best from neighboring countries.
During our younger days, there is an “Old Members Race” at the Monsoon and Annual Regattas. The contestants range from young Old Members to the iconic Past Champions.
The Old Crocs have their mini-reunions where ever possible. They also share memories of the precious photos (e.g. of U Chan Tha, Jimmy Saw Lwin, …)
U San Maung(Gerald, GBNF)
Past Secretary & RUBC Gold
Club Coach — He would find time from his work as Production Manager of “Amotha Yoke Shin”, and come down to RUBC to mentor the members (especially the aspiring Golds). He would mandate “fixed tub” practice for the members.
Dr. Htut Saing (Harry, GBNF)
Past Captain & Gold of RUBC
ARAE Champion twice
Won Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta with Tin Htoon (A60)
Won Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours in the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo with Tin Htoon (A60), Sunny Teng, Victor Htun Shein (GBNF) and Sein Htoon (M63, Cox)
Usually rowed as Box on the RUBC crews. As an exception, he served as Timing Stroke and Coach for the RUBC Eights in 1962. Win Kyi (RUBC Gold, son of Miss Hong) rowed as No. (7). There were seven new Golds in that crew : Myo Tin (William Hone), Htain Linn & Mehm Myo Thaung (Maurice) for the Stroke side, Myo Myint (EC67), Oung Kyaing & Thein Aung (Micky Tan) for the Bow side and Tin Aung (Victor Wu, Cox).
Dr. Pe Nyun (Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) and Dr. Htut Saing were Pediatric surgeons at the Rangoon Children Hospital. They operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San.
Continued working and teaching in Hong Kong. He became Patron of the Hong Kong Rowing and Sailing Club. He would fully support the RUBC crews competing in the FEARA Regatta in Hong Kong.
Dr. Thein Toe and Dr. Htut Saing
Reunions
U Tin U, U Maung Maung Than Tun, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Dr. Than Nyunt (George), U Tin Htoon, Dr. Donald Chan, U Tun Shein (Willie), U Tun Aung (George), U Sein Htoon, Dr. Tin Wa, U Myo Myint, U Thura Thant Zin, U Htaik San (Henry), and several Old Crocs attended Regattas (especially the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC).
Most of them contributed articles, photos and financial support for printing the commemorative issue, and for reprinting Sir Aurthur Eggar’s biography.
Sad to note that there was some disjoint between the really young members (who are busy with the competitions) and the really Old Members (especially who travel from abroad to attend the events).
My Journey
Senior Novices Runner-up (in 1963) Myint Soe (Willie Soe Maung, Stroke, GBNF) Kyaw Wynn (3) Hla Min (2) Maung Maung Kyi (Bow) Myint Thein (Cox)
Honorary Treasurer (1964 – 65)
Vice Captain (1965 – 66)
Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue (in 2013) Prelude for each section Three articles
Donated for reprint of Sir Arthur’s Autobiography
Memories of RUBC Series in YUBC Old Members Facebook Group
Shortest month. It has 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year.
Burma/Myanmar
February 12
Pyidaungsu Nay (ပြည်ထောင်စုနေ့ Union Day) is a public holiday in the Union of Burma. It commemorates the signing of the Pinlong Sar Choke (ပင်လုံစာချုပ် Panglong Agreement) on February 12, 1947.
Poem
Wrote a poem “Our Unity” with the pen name Maung Hlaing Phyo for publication in the Working People’s Daily. Received K15 for the poem.
February 13
Bogyoke Aung San was born on February 13, 1915.
Zartar name : Htain Lin
Changed name to rhyme with that of Aung Than (his elder brother).
Centennial celebrations for Bogyoke were held in 2015.
February 13 is also as Khalay Myar Nay (Children’s Day).
Tabodwe Festival
The Full Moon of Tabodwe often falls in February. Two celebrations are held.
Htamane Pwe (ထမနဲပွဲ Sticky Rice Festival)
Ovada Partimauk Day (ဩဝါဒပါတိမောက်Exhortation)
USA
February 14
Valentine’s Day (Chit Thu Myar Nay ချစ်သူများနေ့) is not a public holiday
Many people send greeting cards and presents.
Presidents’ Day
In the early days, there were two holidays. One to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Another to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
Later a single holiday in February to honor all US Presidents was proposed.
Some states continue to celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.
Canada
“Family Day” (holiday) is observed on the 2nd Monday of February in Ontario.
Family Day is observed on the 3rd Monday of February in British Columbia.
Lunar New Year
Some countries (including China and Vietnam) observe the Lunar Year.
Lunar Calendar is based on the Chinese Zodiac consisting of Twelve signs staring with Rat and ending with Pig.
Lunar New Year occurs at the end of January or the beginning of February. The date is not fixed in the Gregorian Calendar.
Our Unity (Poem)
My poem was published in WPD (Working People’s Daily)
Nicknames : Saya Maung (ဆရာမောင်), Ba La Gyi (ဗလကြီး၊ ဗလာကြီး)
Mr. RIT (Set Hmu Maung စက်မှုမောင်) in 1968. His mentor was Bohmu Maung Maung (1st Maung Bamar မောင်ဗမာ)
Hand over Salway to U Wynn Htain Oo (M72)
Joined Metallurgical Engineering Department after graduation
Retired from Lawrence Livermore Lab
Spouse : Daw San San Nyunt (Sandra, M76) : with help from Mech/Auto Saya
Three daughters
Activities
Editor, BAPS Newsletter
Member, SF Bay Area Alumni Group : Later formed RIT Alumni International
SF Bay Area Alumni Advisory Group
Founding member, RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Co-Emcee with U Myat Htoo at SPZP-2000
Associate Editor, Commemorative Issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter
Gatherings
SPZP-2012
SPZP-2012
Pu Zaw Pwe
At Pu Zaw Pwe
With Sayadaw U Jotika (EP73)
With Sayadaw U Jotika (EP73)
Welcoming Sayas, e.g U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
U Soe Paing
With ChE Sayas & Alumni
Welcoming Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72)
Metallurgical Engineering Reunion
at 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in LA and iNapa Winery : Saya U Win Kyaw (Met71), Saya U Thein Aung (Met72), Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73) and Ko Thiri Nyunt (Met)
Gathering at iNapa Winery 1Gathering at iNapa Winery 2Gathering at iNapa Winery 3
Chose his name to be Aung San to rhyme with that of his elder brother Aung Than.
Aung San
Non-de-plume during the “Thirty Comrades” days was Bo Teza.
Editor of Oway Magazine published by RUSU
Aung San 2
Translated “Invictus”.
Translation
Was assassinated on July 19, 1947
Spouse : Daw Khin Kyi
Children : Aung San Oo, Aung San Lin (GBNF), Aung San Suu Kyi
Centennial in 2015
I wrote the following in 2015 for the Centennial Celebration ရာပြည့် of his birthday.
AUNG SAN (Feb 12, 1915 – July 19, 1947)
AUNG
A — Architect of Burma’s Independence; Signed the Aung San – Atlee Agreement. It led to the Nu — Atlee Agreement that gave Independence.
U — University Student Leader; Served as Chief Editor of the OwayMagazine. Refused to name the author of “Hell Hound Turned Loose”. Was expelled, resulting in the 1938 Universities Student Strike. Translated “Invictus”.
N — National Unity & Solidarity Proponent; Organized the Panlong Agreement / Pinlon Sar Choke Agreement was signed on February 12, 1947. February 12 is celebrated as Pyi Daung Su Nay / Union Day
G — Gone but not forgotten; General, who promised to step down after Independence. Gunned down at the tender age of 32.
SAN
S — Showed leadership & personal sacrifice; Wore torn uniforms. Ate Pebyoke ပဲပြုတ် and Nanbya နံပြား
A — Anti Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL); ဖဆပလ Co-founder
N — National Planning Advocate; Displayed Nationalism and Patriotism by deeds and not words.
HlaMin 