After retirement, he and Tin Tin Hla (A70) moved to Seattle, Washington, USA to be near their daughters and grand children.
Attended 69er Golden Jubilee of Graduation on December 14, 2019 in Yangon.
Kyaw Kyaw
Member of elite group who married before graduation.
Myo Tun (Bobby)
Johnian
Studied in UK twice. During his high school days, he received BOC Scholarship to study in the UK, but the program discontinued around 1962.
Finished GCE. Had to take some subjects in Matric to attend Rangoon University.
Won essay contests as Errol Than Tun.
Assisted P Aung Khin (Guardian) with Supplement & Scrabble Tournament
Joined PWD
Received State Scholarship to pursue Masters in the UK.
After retirement, he became Ashin Pannagavesaka. He served as an editor of Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books and a dhamma librarian at the Mawlamyine Pa Auk Taw Ya. He later taught at selected monasteries. He went on dhamma dhuta missions (e.g. to Vietnam).
Tobias Kittim Ku & Uzin Bobby Myo Tun
Saw Tobias Kittim Ku (Tobi, GBNF)
Albertian
Sang “Kawthoolei” at RIT games
Attended 69er monthly breakfast gatherings.
Passed away due to Covid. His daughter also succumbed to Covid.
Thet Htun
Moved to Taiwan.
Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi (Olive)
Played chinlon with her A69 classmates
Spouse : U Han Zaw
Met them last at Lunch gathering at Crystal Jade in 2012
Tin Maung Hla (GBNF)
Expert in Abhidhamma studies.
Although his health was failing, he attended the monthly Breakfast Gathering to bid farewell to his former classmates.
Per his request, his family hosted the BFG after his demise.
Last 7th Std Government exam : We took it in March
Elections
Caretaker Government finally held Elections.
Pyidaung Su Party (former “Clean AFPFL“) led by U Nu won by a land slide. The victory would be short lived.
U Nu
1961
Education
Last HSF & Matric (Combined) exam
First batch of Female Engg Graduates : Tin Tin Ohn (Amy), Julie Han, Yin Yin Kyi, Mi Mi Lay (all Textile) & Pauline Reynolds (ChE)
Faculty of Engineering moved to Gyogone Campus. Also called Burma Institute of Technology (BIT)
SEAP Games
Burma hosted the Second SEAP (South East Asia Peninsular) Games in December.
Burma dominated most events and placed first.
About 20 RU students represented Burma.
2nd SEAP Games
1962
Education
First “Matric Only” exam
First “HSF Only” exam : We (from Rangoon Division) had to take the exam in March & again in August
Coup d’etat
On March 2, a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat. President Mahn Win Maung, Prime Minister U Nu & Cabinet Ministers, Sao Shwe Thaik & Sawbwas, and several high-level Government employees were detained.
SamaDuwa Sinwa Naung (President-elect) did not become President.
Sama Duwa
Per Kyemon U Thaung, seven Revolutionary Council members were not aware of the major decisions.
Brigadier General T. Clift (Air Force) resigned. He was succeeded by Col Thaung Dan (who became Brigadier General). Several senior Air Force personnel were appointed Ambassadors or Military Attache to pave way for younger officers.
Commodore Than Pe (Navy) passed away. He was Minister for Health & Education. Commander Thaung Tin (who became Commodore) succeeded CTP as Chief of Navy. Col Hla Han became Minister for Health &Education.
Col Chit Myaing was the last original Revolutionary Council member to pass away. He served as Ambassador to Yugoslavia and UK before moving to USA.
Tin Maung Thant (son of U Thant) passed away during his visit to Burma. The funeral cortège was larger that of Commodore Than Pe.
The usage of “Tar Wun Khan” was later changed back to “Minister”.
Dark Days in July
7th July : 17 official victims
8th July : Demolition of RUSU Building
1963
Education
Matric exam : We took it in May
SPHS has five students in Top Five, seven in Top Ten, and ten in Top Twenty
SPHS63
Last batch for General Honors program
1964
Education
New Education System
Most Faculties became autonomous Institutes with Rectors.
RASU & MASU offered Major
Admission to RIT
In Nov 1964, three batches of students were admitted to RIT
Matriculated were admitted to 1st BE based on Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA)
Those who passed I.Sc(A) were admitted 2nd BE based on marks.
Those who passed I.Sc(B) were admitted to 3rd BE based on marks.
Luyechun
Shwe Wa Gyaing Camp in Ngapali
Students from 7th to 10th Std were selected as Luyechun
1965
Education
On April 1, private schools were nationalized.
SPHS became No. 6 Botathaung State High School. Non-native De La Salle brothers left Burma. e.g Bro Austin to Malaysia, Bro Felix to Germany, Bro Charles to UK
Luyechun
Khaung Daing Camp in Inlay
Program extended to Universities & Institutes
RIT : Sein Shwe, Hla Min, Zaw Min, Khin Than Myint Tin
IM(1) : Kyaw Sein Koe, Anita Aye Pe, Khin Maung U, Cherry Hlaing
Decline of Economy
After detaining prominent members of Pyidaung Su (formerly Clean AFPFL) and new AFPFL (formerly Stable AFPFL), the Revolutionary Council & government sought help from left-wing Gurus (e.g. U Chit Hlaing who threw in Buddhist terms into “Burmese Way to Socialism” & U Ba Nyein who proposed indiscriminate Nationalization.
Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) was formed with core cadres. It later opened up membership for Ah Yan Party Win (Associate member). Party membership became a requirement for important positions.
Free Economy was replaced by rations (e.g. half a can of Condensed Milk per family) using the “Si Sar Oke”. It created a Black Market and the rising cost of living.
The Demonetization crippled the Industry and even had ripple effect on University students. Hostel students, whose money had been demonetized, had to be given free rides to return home.
Per Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) : Both my father U Hla Taw (retired Chief of UMP/ DIG) and my mother Daw Marie Hla Taw together with Col Chit Yaing, Chief Justice U Myint Thein, DIG U Tin MaungMaung and DIG U Khin Maung Maung were taken away by MI (Military Intelligence) in 1964. My parents were released in 1967.
Changes in Education
Bachelor Degrees
Education
Law
NRC rule
Enforced for Professional Courses
Bernard Khaw (First in Burma in the Matric of 1965) had to study Chemistry. He moved to USA and studied Chemical Engineering.
Chu Pu Thein (who scored highest marks in Physics in the first ever HSF Only exam in 1962) moved to Italy
Many had to study in RASU. Chemistry students had very high marks and/or ILA.
A medical student was expelled after he was “found out to be not 3 NRC.”
A few students who had been admitted to RASU because of 3 NRC were allowed to study medicine. They lost a year, but not their dreams.
Names
There was discrimination against students having foreign names.
Two families. They were cousins. Those who retained non-Burmese names were admitted to RASU. Those with Burmese names were allowed to study professional degrees.
Security Concerns
Shortage of rice (never heard before in the “Rice Bowl of Asia”) was transformed into “Tayoke Bamar Ah Yay Ah Khin”. Grapevine says that a lorry strategically placed “Beggars” around Rangoon.
1969
Men on the Moon
Poem
Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.
My poem “Men on the Moon” was forwarded by Mr. Hall (USIS) to NASA.
The poem was also published in the Guardian daily newspaper.
69ers
Most of us graduated with BE. A few with BArch.
EE69ers
SEAP Games
Burma hosted the Fifth SEAP Games in December 1969. There were riots in the Thamaing College Campus which held some events (e.g. Boxing).
Placard bearers for 5th SEAP Games
News & Censorship
Nation newspaper was the first to be closed (by orders of the higher authorities). U Law Yone was detained. He later moved to Thailand and published the “Nation”. He eventually moved to the USA.
Finally, there were only four Burmese and two English newspapers. They published the news vetted and/or translated by News Agency Burma.
The two new newspapers were Loketha Pyithu Nay Zin and Working Peoples’ Daily (WPD).
The then Number One chose Shwe Oo Daung and U Khin Maung Latt as Chief Editors of “Loketha Pyithu Nay Zin” and Working People’s Daily (WPD) and promised them full authority. Some time later, U Khin Maung Latt was asked, “Do you want to be an Ambassador?” Daw Khin Myo Chit stepped in and said, “Ko Latt will go back teaching at his school”.
Selection of Sayas and State Scholars
In the days of our teachers, the Dean & Professors had the say to select and appoint assistant lecturers, and to select bright students to apply for State Scholarship to study at the prestigious universities in the USA and UK.
Later, the Public Service Commission (PSC) was established to vet candidates for most positions.
Some engineers and architects had to join government departments as “Work Charge” while waiting to get permanent positions approved by PSC.
Some passed away due to old age and natural causes. Sad to learn that many succumbed to the pandemic. See related posts for details (life and achievement …)
Class of 59
U Bo Gyi
Uzin U Bo Gyi (A59) Designer of Daw Khin Kyi Mausoleum
Class of 68
Sayama Daw Mya Mya Than (EP68)
U Zaw Win (Cyril, EP68)
U Saw Win (EP68)
Daw Mya Mya Than
Class of 69
Thein Maung
The GBNF list is maintained by U Aung Min (M69) and his team
So sad and alarming
U Soe Myint Thein (E) : #113
U Tin Shwe (C69) : #112 & spouse
Nan Su Su (T69) : #111 & spouse
Saya U Kyaw Tint (Min69) : #110
U Thein Maung (M69) : #109
Saw Tobias Kittim Ku (A69) : #108
U Aung Gyi Shwe (EP) : #107
U Chit Pe (M69) : #106
U Khin Maung Gyi (M69) : #105
U Soe Win (M69) : #104
U Thein Swe (EP69) : #103
U Tun (Met 69) : #102
U Aung Myint (C) : #101
U Tin Aye (A Rauf, EP69) : #100
U Yi Pin (Mg Mg Kaung, M69) : #99
U Tin Sun (C69) : #98
Class of 70
U Wara
Sayadaw U Wara (U Win Paing, ChE70) : #111
U Win Kyi (Kyar Zan, C, 64 Intake) : #110
U Hla Min (C, 64 Intake, SuperOne) : #109
U Khin Maung Maung (C70) : #108
Ko Soe (M70, Sittang Mill) : #107
U Aung Myint (Eric, C70)
U Min Maung (Mg Mg, MAuto70)
Maung Par (Pet70)
Class of 71
U Kyaw Maung (Min71)
U Ye Gaung (Pet71)
U Hla Min (C71, Intake of 64)
Willie Ko Shwe (SPHS65)
Class of 72
U Ngwe Htun (C72)
U Hla Maung (C72)
U Myo Myint Pe (ChE72)
U Khin Maung Myint (John Tint, M72)
Freda Tin Swe Aye (ChE72)
Tommy Win (66 Intake)
U Pe Aye (66 Intake)
U Than Tun Zan (66 Intake, EP76)
U Soe Myint (Shwe Thwar, M72)
Class of 73
U Ko Ko Gyi (C73)
U Aung San (C73)
U Soe Win (C73)
U Win Kyi (C73)
Class of 74
U Tin Aung (C74)
U Soe Than (C74)
U Kyaw Thaung (C74)
U Myo Thant (C74)
U Maung Maung Myint (C74)
U Aung Htut (C74)
Md Zubai (M74)
Daw Ni Ni Than (M74)
U Nay Win (Tommy, Met74)
U Win Myint (Myeik, ChE74)
U Kyaw Kyaw (M/EP74)
Class of 75 – 79
U Myat Swe (Benedict Sia, M75)
U Aung Kyaw Myint (C77)
U Khine Tin (C77)
Daw May Kyi (EP78)
U Myat Lay (C78)
U Win Maung (C79)
U Win Myint Htay (C79)
U Robin Thet Naing (C79)
U Nyunt Aung (Mn7x)
Daw Kyi Kyi Win (T)
U Than Sin Myint (Met)
Class of 80 – 89
U Soe Naing Aung (C80)
Daw San Myint (C80)
Daw Khin Khin Oo (C80)
U Thar Hlaing (C80)
U Myo Thant (C80)
U Khin Sein (M80)
U Ba Thein (C82)
U Tint Lwin (C82)
U Min Lwin Pe (C83)
U Nay Win (C83)
U Kyi Win (C83)
U Hla Myo Aung (C83)
U Ko Ko Su (EP83)
U Myo Win (C84)
U Tin Maung Myint (C84)
U Tin Win (C84)
U Min Min Soe (C85)
U Tin Oo (C85)
U Tun Thein (C85)
U Toe Aung (C85)
U Soe Lwin (C85)
U Tint Wai (C85)
U Win Nyunt (M86)
U Aung Min (C86)
U Win Sein (C86)
U Latt Myint Naing (C86)
U Kyaw Lin Oo (C87)
Daw San San Myint (C87)
Class of 9O – 99
U Tin Oo (C91)
Dr. Tin Tin Win (C92)
U Than Htay (C92)
U Aung Min (C92)
U Nyan Tun (C94)
U Tin Maung Myint (C95 Jan)
U Tun Zaw (C96)
U Zaw Tun (C96)
U Htay Aung Tint (C98)
U Myo Win / Myo Myo (C98)
U Than Win Tun (Bldg Dip 99)
U Khin Aung Lin (83 Intake)
Class of 2000 – 2009
U Tint Lwin Oo (C03 Apr)
U Ko Ko Aung (C03 Apr)
U Kyaw Naing Thu (C04)
Spouses of Alumni
Spouse of U Aye Thein (EP69)
Spouse of U Hla Shwe (T69)
Spouse of U Thein Swe (EP69)
Spouse of U Yi Pin (M69)
Spouse of Sa Maung Maung (EP69)
Spouse of Daw Aung (ChE79)
Spouse of U Kyaw Sint (T70)
Spouse of U Win Aung (M70)
Spouse of Nan Su Su (T69)
Spouse of U Tin Shwe (C69)
Sayas and Sayamas (From RIT and Other Universities)
U Kyaw Tint (Mining)
U Soe Lwin (Mech)
Daw Khin Saw Tint (Eng)
Dr. Kyaw Win (Pro Rector)
Daw Mya Mya Than (EP)
U Khin Maung Maung (Civil)
Dr. Mi Sandar Mon (Mech)
U Nyunt Yin (Physics)
Dr. Win Thein (Civil)
U Ngwe Tun (Civil)
U Ko Ko Lay (Maths)
Dr. Khin Maung Win (Maths)
Daw Kyin Kyin (Maths)
U Kyin Ko (Maths)
Dr. Zin Aung (Physics)
U Kyaw Tun (ChE & Chem)
Dr. Tin Win (David, Chem)
U Tin Aung Han (Geology)
Robert Thein Tun (YU English)
U Win Maung (DGHE)
Dr. Robert Tun Maung (Rector)
Dr. Mie Mie Thet Thwin (Rector, UCSY)
Daw Khin Ann Mon (ICST)
Dr. Maung Maung Sein (Surgeon)
Relatives & friends
Dr. Myo Tint (Cousin)
Daw Aye May (Cousin)
Daw Maibelle Maw
Daw Thiri Nyunt We (UCC)
U Aung Win (Alex)
Dr. Soe Min Thein (Soe Aung)
U Khin (father of U Soe Myint, UCC, UN)
Daw Khin Pyone Kyi (Mother of Daw Kyi Kyi Aye)
Daw Tin May (Mother of Daw Mi Mi Aung)
Mother of Daw Phyu Phyu Kyaw (UCC)
Brother of U Kyi Shane (M83)
Brother and SIL of Don Min U Yu Swan
Sister and BIL of U Moe Myint (M76) Sister of Daw Moh Moh Han (A77)
Mother, Aunt and Brother of U Hlaing Myint (UCC)
Son of Daw Khin Saw Tint (Eng)
Daughter of Tobias Kittim Ku (A69)
Sister of Daw Khin Toe Myint (Zoo)
Father of Daw Nwe Ni Tun (ICST)
Father of Daw Thin Thu Naing (ICST)
Father of Daw Win Pa Pa Ko (ICST)
Brother of L Shark Moon (C67)
Sister of U Soe Lwin (EC66)
Khamee Khamets of U Soe Lwin (EC66)
Brother of U Aung Win (Owen, M71)
Son of U Khin Zaw (Chem)
Son of U Win Maung (Point)
Father of U Tin Oo (M87)
Uncle, aunt and two cousins of Daw Tin Tin Cho
Brother, cousin and Khameee Khamets of U Win Thein (SLRD)
Dr. Chit SweU Soe PaingU Myo MinU Ko Ko LayU Aung Zaw, U Soe Win, U Tun Aung Gyaw, U Hla Min, U Kyaw Thein visiting Stonehenge
Introduction
In the early days, there were no computers in Burma. IBM (International Business Machines) based in the USA and ICL (International Computers Limited) based in the UK had presence in Burma. Both companies were not ready to introduce computers to Burma. They were content with leasing unit-record equipment (calculators, tabulators, …) using punched cards. The managers and their staff were highly paid compared to the Government employees.
In the early sixties, Burma Railways wanted to upgrade to an ICL computer, but the Coup d’etat in 1962 and subsequent restriction of foreign currency exchange & budget planning rules effectively derailed the project.
Dr. Chit Swe
In the mid sixties, Dr. Chit Swe, Head of the Maths Department at the Institute of Economics, proposed the need of a computer for teaching and research to a Dr. Nyi Nyi, Secretary / Deputy Minister of Education. Dr. Nyi Nyi suggested the scope to be extended for a computer to serve the staff and selected students of the Universities and Institutes. Thus, the UCC Project was conceived. It was approved in 1970 with UNDP as the Funding Agency and UNESCO as the Execution Agency.
Dr. Chit Swe later became Professor at Mathematics at RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University). He offered space at the Mathematics Department for the early volunteers of the UCC Project. He then obtained permission to use Mandalay Hall for use by the UCC Project before the UCC Building could be completed in Thamaing College Campus.
UCC Founders
Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing, U Myo Min and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) co-founded UCC.
Dr. Chit Swe served as the Founder/Director of UCC. He initiated the academic and training programs. He stressed the importance of technology transfer, leapfrogging technology, knowledge sharing (internally and externally), and challenging the staff and students to try their best.
He requested U Soe Paing (RIT Electrical Engineering) to help design and implement the UCC project. He inquired the mother of Saya U Myo Min (Chartered Accountant working as Systems Analyst at IBM UK) if U Myo Min would be interested to come back to Burma and help with the UCC project. U Soe Paing recruited his friend Saya U Ko Ko Lay (PWD, GBNF) to help with the UCC project in general and with the UCC Building Design and Implementation in particular.
On April 1, 1971, U Soe Paing transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division; U Myo Min joined UCC as Manager of Applications Divison; and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) transferred to UCC as Manager of Operations Division,
I was a member of Generation Zero along with my mentors and U Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69), who was the earliest and longest volunteer of the UCC Project.
Dr. Chit Swe retired as Rector of RASU. He moved to Bangkok and Sydney. He passed away in 2019.
U Soe Paing left UCC in the eighties to pursue a career as Technical Adviser and Consultant for the UN projects in several countries.
U Myo Min migrated to USA. He taught briefly at the Nanyang Technical Institute in Singapore. He retired after serving as a Principal for Seagate Technology and Conner.
Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC. During his tenure, the Department of Computer Science (DCS) was established at RASU. U Ko Ko Lay served as Professor and Head of the Department.
Subsequently, the Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) was established with Dr. Tin Maung as Rector. U Ko Ko Lay served as Professor and Head of Information Technology. U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor and Head of Hardware Technology. U Hla Min served as Associate Professor and Head of Software Technology. Some sayas from UCC and RASU taught Computational Mathematics.
Courses at UCC
Dr. Chit Swe was Founder/Director of UCC and Professor of Mathematics Department at RASU. He arranged UCC to conduct degree and post-graduate diploma courses under the aegis of the Department of Mathematics, RASU. UCC also conducted training courses for computer users. Dr. Chit Swe was succeeded as Director of UCC by Saya U Tin Maung.
Several distinguished Professors from US, UK and Europe lectured at UCC.
The postgraduate degree and diploma courses given under the aegis of Department of Mathematics include M.Sc. (CS) and DAC (Diploma in Automatic Computing).
UCC Course
The Courses for computer users include
COC (Computer Orientation Course)
CPC (Computer Programming Course)
Elective for Honors and Post-graduate in other disciplines
Intensive training (e.g. for the Population Census Data ProcessinSpecial training (e.g. for those selected as State Scholars)
Planning (e.g. for departments intending to purchase computers)
Teaching & Training
U Aung Zaw
Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and U Hla Min wrote
Introduction to Computers
Introduction to Computer Programming
Lecture Guides
Manuals Books
UCC Gatherings
Over the years, I attended several mini-gatherings and gatherings hosted by UCC sayas and alumni.
Yangon
Saya U Soe Paing regular hosts gatherings (usually dinner meeting) at his house. Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my class mate. She also attended CPC course. U Thein Oo, Daw Than Than Tint, Daw Tin May Lwin and several others help organize the gatherings. U Thein Oo, U Htin Kyaw, U Aung Aung and several others provided us transportation to or from Saya Paing’s house.
UCC gathering at U Soe Paing’s house
UCC 40th Anniversary Gathering
The “40th Anniversary of UCC” was the Reunion of Staff, Teachers (Past and Present) and Students. Saya Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was represented by his spouse and daughter.
There was fun and laughter, music and dances, and good old memories.
Daw Ngwe Tin, Aye Aye Myint and sisters, Maung Myint, who maintained the UCC building rooms were among the attendees.
Among those present at the gathering, U Soe Myint, U Aung Myint, Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, Daw Khin Lay Myint and several others are GBNF.
UCSY Gathering
In January 14, 2018, I attended the 5th UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe as “Generation Zero” representative and the “Most Senior” (not by age). Several attendees started their studies and/or careers at UCC.
Sao Yan Naing, son of Dr. Saw Naing (Wesley, SPHS59), gave me a ride to the Pu Zaw Pwe. He is a nephew of Dr Myo Khin (C70) and a cousin of Soe Lin Maung (UCC).
Sydney in 2006
During my visit to Sydney, Australia in 2006, I met several UCC alumni. Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and Ma Kyawt organized a Reunion and mini-PZP for Saya Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF) and Saya Dr. Chit Swe. They were helped by U Sein Myint Maung, Daw Khin Aye Mu, U Htay Aung (Victor) and Daw Tin Tin Hlaing to name a few. I met Daw Thanda Htwe and “UCC Pha Yaung Daing”.
U Sein Tin hosted a dinner and also created a short music video.
USA
Dr. Raiful Ahad (Fremont, California), U Khin Zaw (Cupertino, California), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) & Daw Thida Khin (Fremont, California), U Sein Myint (EC76) & Daw Sao Mon Sint (New Jersey), and U Toung (EC69, Connecticut) hosted UCC gatherings (especially to welcome and alumni visiting US).
U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) hosts an annual joint gathering for UCC and RIT sayas and alumni at his home in New Jersey.
Singapore
U Tin Aung Win (C80), U Zaw Tun and Daw Pale Shein organized buffet gathering. U Aung Aung & Daw Kyin Mya are regulars at the gatherings. U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) is GBNF.
Some (e.g. U Win Latt, Daw Myint Myint Thein) have relocated.
Sojourn in Singapore
Activities
Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
U Thein Oo and U Saung Tin (CSO) are excellent players.
Volleyball
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF), U Kyaw Nyein (GBNF) and U Thein Oo are excellent players. Rafiul Ahad (who was third in Burma in Hurdles) hurt his knee in a volleyball match. Daw Nwe Nwe Win (Judy) is often the sixth member of an all-male team.
Soccer / Football
UCC team played ad hoc match against other teams (in and around Hlaing Campus).
UCC Dobat
U Win Hlaing played the Dobat. Others (e.g. Maung Myint, U Hla Pe) would play Wah Let Khote (bamboo clapper) and Ya Gwin.
Donlaba / Yahan Khan
UCC used to celebrate Thingyan and Su Paung Donlaba.
Dr. Chit Swe, Win Maung, Hla Min, Tun Aung Gyaw, Soe Myint, Khin Maung Aye, Daw Khin Khin Latt
UCC had a Su Paung Donlaba for several years at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung and other monasteries. The Donlaba monks would be offered Soon at the UCC Thingyan. There would also be Water Throwing and occasionally “Ye Pet Khan” to selected mandats.
Ad Hoc Trips
U Aung Zaw (GBNF) led some trips (e.g. to Maw Tin Zun).
Four Decade Old Photo taken at the Convocation Hall
Ko Win Hlaing
Ko Henry Maung Maung (Census, GBNF)
Ma Kyu Kyu Lwin (GBNF)
Ma Khin Si Thoung (USA)
Ma Khin Khin Win (Five Star Line – USA)
Ma Phyu Phyu Win (Singapore)
Ma Win May Thaung (GBNF)
Ma Tin Tin Yi (Port Authority)
Ma Hla Hla Win (GBNF)
Ko Aung Myint (GBNF)
Ko Soe Myint (Sunlun, M72, GBNF)
GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
Dr. Chit Swe Founder/Director of UCC
U Ko Ko Lay Longest tenured Co-founder of UCC; Professor at DCS and ICST
Dr. Tin Maung Director of UCC; Rector of ICST
Dr. Kyaw Thein Rector of ICST
U Hla Min (SPHS64, EP70) Chief Operator
U Maung Maung Gyi (SPHS64, Phy68) Chief Operator
U Maung Maung Lay (St. Albert’s, Ah Ba) Operator
U Aung Myint (SPHS64, Phy68) Maintenance Engineer, Systems Division
U Soe Myint (M72, DAC) Pro-Rector, ICST
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83, MSc(CS)) Passed away while doing his doctorate in Singapore
U Mya Thein Business Applications Manager; Visiting lecturer at ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University)
Olympia was commissioned to produce typewriters for Burmese. It was not trivial to type Burmese and Pali characters. The red keys were used to type vowels; the carriage did not go forward. The black keys were used to type consonants. Back-spacing for half a step was necessary on the Standard Edition to type characters such as “tha gyee”. Manual dexterity was needed to type some “pa sint” characters. The Office edition had extra keys (e.g. tha gyee, common pa sint).
Producing Multiple Copies
Before the wide spread use of copiers (initiated by Xerox), special care is needed to print multiple copies. We miss the days when we had type perfectly or reasonably well on typewriters using messy carbons. Also, planning to cyclostyle double-sided printing (odd numbered pages first, then repeat with even-numbered pages).
Selectric
IBM produced Selectric typewriters. “Golf” ball-like character sets had to be installed/replaced.
Word Processing
Wang computers provided word processors for various languages. Ko Htay Aung (Victor, EC80) worked at Wang for a while on the Burmese language project.
Chinese characters are used by Chinese, Japanese, Korean. To input them to a computer, various techniques were used. They include (1) large tablets containing the most common characters (2) three corner method (based on the horizontal, vertical and diagonal strokes in the character (3) Romaji (mostly used by Japanese (4) human user to select if there are ambiguities (e.g. in the three corner method).
Transliteration
Burma Research Society (BRS) used transliteration for its journals. For example, “k-o-l” combination represents “ko”. The scheme was used inputting Burmese on Macintosh.
Universities’ Computer Center (UCC) had projects to do Burmese word processing. Saya U Myo Min supervised a project for Ma San Yu Hlaing for “collation” (needed for sorting). Saya U Tun Aung Gyaw and his team (Ko Htay Aung, Ko Soe Myint, …) worked on Cromenco System Three for printing and processing. U Soe Win and team worked on Calcomp graph plotter.
Difficulties imposed by Higher Authorities
Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe မြန်မာစာအဖွဲ့ Burmese Language Commission) bowed to higher authorities to revise the spelling at least two times.
Fines were imposed on authors and publishers spelling the established way. (e.g. “Ta” တ) instead of the preferred way (e.g. “Tit” တစ်) despite the scholars pointing out the old inscriptions at “Bo ta htaung ဗိုလ်တထောင်” not “Bo tit htaung” pagoda.
CTK (Children’s Treasury of Knowledge) project was delayed to correct the spellings.
It was not easy to write in those days without facing censorship. It was taboo to quote “Dhammata ဓမ္မတာ” poem (by Ananda Thuriya). It was a crime to mention the “setting sun နေ ဝင်”.
Dr. Khin Nyo Thet (GBNF) and FamilyMa Nyo and Thor
By Thor Win Aye
We’re coming to the end now. We’ve said our I love you’s and have started saying our goodbyes, or if you like, our farewells and until-next-times.
But while I have you, let me say thank you for all your love, attention, lessons learned and patience along the way. Thank you for fighting all these long years to stay alive.
Cancer three times in one life? It just doesn’t seem fair. And well it’s not.
You’re a good person who has spent her life in the service of others. A caretaker and healer of our youth, as a pediatrician. A dedicated, dutiful daughter who sacrificed to care for her mother, no matter the cost. A leader and the center of our Burmese community, helping recent immigrants find work, help, housing and most importantly a connection to their community. You were the mom on the block that gave all my friends hugs, kisses, meals, rides and love. Everybody loved you. And how could they not? We were so lucky to have you.
You’re the most important person in my life. I cannot imagine a world, my world without you. But in the same breath, I see how much pain and suffering you’ve already endured. I can see your energy draining and see that the things that once brought you happiness, are now belabored and joyless. I’ll miss your brutally honest feedback, your big warm hugs, your delicious cooking but more than anything, I’ll miss your Unconditional love. No matter what I did, where we were or how long we’d been apart, I knew you’d be thinking about me and missing me too. You’d always support and love me, with no strings attached. I’ve been so blessed to have you in my life.
But Mom, if you’re ready to go. I’m ready to let you. I’ll miss you every day for the rest of my life. Go in peace and with our love and blessings.
You’ll always be in my heart. I love you.
Ma Nyo(Dr. Khin Nyo Thet)
Sept. 17, 1946 – May 3, 2021
Matriculated from Methodist English High School (MEHS) in 1963
MBBS from Institute of Medicine (2) in 1970
MD, Pediatrician
Hobbies : Tennis, Pickle Ball, Music, Dancing, Bridge, Mah Jong
Parents : Professor Dr. Kyaw Thet and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Gyi (Pioneer History Teachers)
Siblings : U Lyn Maung Thet (GBNF), Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (Scholar Athlete), Daw Khin Aye Thet (GBNF)
Spouse : Dr. “Lyn” Swe Aye (Lynston Than Maung) Author, Translator, Editor, Musician, Athlete
Co-founder of “Aye Thet Scholarship” with spouse Awarded at TBSA “Summer Dhamma School” at Dhammananda Vihara
Children :Mimi Thabye Aye, Thor Win Aye
Thor Win Aye was an early recipient of the Scholarship / Award. He wrote an article for the Dhammananda Newsletter. He also gave Guest Lectures at the TBSA Summer Dhamma School.
Messages
Alice and Ma Nyo
Dr. Khin Nyo Thet, My dear courageous friend who succumbed to cancer, I will miss you . You will always be in my prayers. I love you tha-nge-gyin. May you rest in peace. Saw Yu Tint (Alice)
Our heartfelt condolences for your loss. May she Rest In Peace in a higher abode. Khin Maung Htay (Tommy Htay), Than Than Htay and family.
Goodbye Dearest Friend Nyo Nyo, So glad to catch up last year. As the saying goes ” ရှေ့ကသွားလေတော့နောက်ကလိုက်ခဲ့မယ်”. We will be following you, the one who left ahead. Love you. Desiree
My dear cousin NyoNyo, May you rest in peace . My deep and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Maureen Khin
I’m so sad to hear that Nyo has passed away. She was so strong and brave right till the end. My deepest condolences to Ko Swe Aye and family. Rest in Peace, Nyo, you are suffering no more. Toni Than
My beloved sister, you were my hero and my confidant. I will miss you so much. I admired you most for your caring nature towards family and friends, your extraordinary energy, amazing courage and strength. You will always be in my heart and my prayers. May you reside in a more peaceful and higher abode. Khin Mae Hla
Thank you for all your remembrances and condolences, Lyn Swe Aye, Mimi Thabyay and Thor
Given current size limitations on gatherings, a family-only service will be held at Skylawn Cemetery in San Mateo.
A memorial service may be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Theravada Buddhist Society of America (Aye-Thet Scholarship Fund), 17450 S. Cabrillo Hwy. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Most have Cataracts removed from one or both eyes. A few had Full or Partial transplant of the Cornea. Some had Retina Tear repaired. Glaucoma and several other factors can cause impaired Vision.
Saya U Ba Toke played soccer and was active in the RU Sports Council. In his 70s and early 80s, Saya took weekly walks from his house to the Shwe Dagon pagoda. Aging gradually restricted Saya’s mobility, hearing and eye sight. Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day following the RU Centennial), but a few days short of his Centennial Birthday.
When Saya U Moe Aung encountered problem with his knee during a trip to Upper Burma to attend Ah Hlu of a Khamee Khamet, he composed a poem on “Stationary & Movement” with philosophical musings about Life, Illness and Death. A surgery relieved Saya from the use of wheel chair, but as a high school goalkeeper he values Mobility, Agility & Strength.
Sayagadaw appreciated Saya U Moe Aung’s “Poem Gift” on her birthday.
Bagyee Myat Myo Myint gave “Pon Tu” of the then Marla Hall Thu as a birthday present for his beloved spouse.
Ko Aung Min (M69) used the term Vitamin F in an invitation to the 69er Annual Dinner and Entertainment.
Saya U Moe Aungwrote :
Actually, before suffering from knee pain, I had cataract removed from my left eye some 30 or so years back (couldn’t recall which year) and then from my right eye after a lapse of about 10 years. But, I was lucky, so to speak, that up till the present, haven’t yet encountered any problem whatsoever except the need to change the power lens for a better viewing focus.
Aung Min
U Aung Min(M69) wrote :
I had right eye cornea transplant 19 years ago, but unsuccessful . Again cataract removal on left eye. Part is particularly happy she called her brother It’s OK up to now.
