Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

by Hla Min

Updated : Feb 2026

Cartoonists

• RIT is known for its cartoonists in general and “Cartoon Box” in particular.
• Ko Myint Pe (M72) co-founded “Cartoon Box”. The Patrons were Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (C64, “Phone Ko”, Vietnam Cartoons) and Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69, “Kyant Ba Hone”, GBNF).

• Aw Pi Kyeh (“Mann Bei”) served as Secretary of RIT Cartoonists Association and later as President of Myanmar Cartoonists Association.
• The cartoonists compiled a special issue of “Selected RIT Cartoons” for SPZP-2012. They also published Cartoon Brochures for Shwe YaDu in 2014 and SPP-2016.

Chancellor

• The Rangoon University Act of 1920 stated that roles of the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor.
• The Prime Minister of the Union of Burma is also the Chancellor of Rangoon University.
• The road leading to the RU Convocation Hall is called the Chancellor Road.

• Prime Minister U Nu gave the Chancellor’s speech at the Convocation of Rangoon University in November / December 1961.

• For a period (especially citing Insecurity), the gates to the Chancellor Road were closed or closely guarded.

• The Yar Pyae Ak Kyo (Pre-RU Centennial) began in December, 2019.
• Some of the RU Centennial events for took place at the Convocation Hall, Recreation Center and the Universities’ Central Library.
• Due to Covid-19 pandemic, there were often restrictions.
  Some events were recorded in the Campus, and broadcast later via Myanmar Ah Than.

Coup

• Coup d’etat by the 17-man Revolutionary Council took place on March 2, 1962.
• Commodore Than Pe (President of RUBC) was appointed Minister of Health and Education. He passed away shortly afterwards.
• Colonel Hla Han succeeded Commodore Than Pe as Minister of Health and Education. He became Chair of the Rangoon University Council.

Chou En Lai

The Chinese Prime Minister visited Burma and took part in the Thingyan Festival.

Convocation

• The Convocation is mostly held at the Convocation Hall.
• Exceptions include the ad hoc Convocation ceremonies at Kyaikkasan and Aung San Stadium.
• Some graduates had to wait a few years to attend their Convocation.

Collegian

• He was known as “Pa Pu”, “Nay Dun” and “Nay Win (B.A.)”.
• Joined the Navy before attending RU.
• Represented RU and Burma in Soccer.
• U Chin Sein auditioned him for the leading role of Collegian (movie based on Zawana’s novel). He became known as “Collegian Nay Win”.

Cross Lake

• Swimmers participate in the Cross Lake event held in the Inya Lakes.
• The 2000 yard course runs from Dubern Beach to RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club).
• Nyunt Nyunt Tin posted a photo of her Gold Medal.
• From RIT, the winners included Htay Aung (M69, Burma Selected for Water Polo)

Posts

• Census
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Chit Swe (Names)
• Civil Engineering
• Condolences

by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Amyotha Aung Pwe Nay
(National Day)

• The First Rangoon University Students’ Strike took place on December 5, 1920 to protest the limitations of the Rangoon University Act of 1920.
• The movement led to the establishment of Amyotha Kyaung (National School) and Amyotha Kaw Leik (National College).
• The Burmese date — 10th Waning Day of Tazaung Mon Month in Burmese Era 1282 — is used for the Celebration of Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay.
• There is a difference of 638 years in the Gregorian and Burmese Calendars. Note that the Gregorian New Year falls on January 1, while the Burmese New Year falls around April 17. A correction is needed for the period January 1 to April 17.
• To convert from AD to BE, subtract 638.
  e.g. 1920 – 638 = 1282
• To convert from BE to AD, add 638.
  e.g. 1282 + 638 = 1920

• A commemorative stamp for the Golden Jubilee of Amyotha Aung Pwe Nay is shown below.

Aung San

• He was born on February 13, 1915.
• His Zartar name (per his natal horoscope) was Htain Lin.
• His formal name is Aung San (which rhymes with Aung Than : name of his elder brother).
• Bogyoke Aung San led a Burmese delegation to London in 1947. He signed the Aung San – Atlee Agreement (Sar Choke).
• He was assassinated on July 19, 1947 along with Ministers (Thakin Mya, Deedok U Ba Cho, Mahn Ba Khaing, Mongpawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun, U Ba Win U Razak), ICS U Ohn Maung and Yebaw Ko Dway.
• Centennial Celebrations were held in 2015. I wrote “A-U-N-G S-A-N” for the Centennial Celebration held in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Australia in 2016

• In 2016, I visited Sydney, Australia to attend three gatherings : RIT Alumni, UCC Alumni, De La Salle Schools Alumni (mostly Paulians)
• The Annual Dinner of Myanmar Engineers (mostly RIT alumni) was organized by Saya U Hla Myint (M65), Saya U Myo Win (M65) and the Executive Committee and members of MEAA (U “Henry” Thet Tun, U Sein Win and U Wint Khin Zaw). The attendees included Sayagyi D. Freddie Ba Hli (National Advisor for the Ministry of Planning, former DG of UBARI, GBNF). Sayas and sayamas who could not attend include U Thit (Metallurgy), U Maung Maung Win (M61) and Daw Yin Yin Mya (English). The spouses of several alumni are medical doctors.

• Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC, CSO, ABAC, GBNF) and Ma Kyawt hosted a UCC Pu Zaw Pwe for Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder of UCC, Pioneer of Computer Education and Application in Burma, GBNF) and Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Board Member of UCC Project, GBNF).

• Saya Dr. Thann Naing (Bonnie Kywe, SPHS 66, Geology 70) hosted a lunch gathering in the Olympic Park for the alumni of De La Salle Schools (e.g. St. Paul’s, St. Peter’s, St. Albert’s) in Burma. Attendees included Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS6) who flew in from Brisbane, Ko Myo Lwin (Stanley Saw, SPHS65, M71, New Zealand). The entertainer was U Pantra (Moe Ma Ka Sydney, Pattla expert).

All Mechanical Gatherings

• The first gathering was held in 2016. The Master of Ceremonies were U Hla Win and Daw Mar Mar Yee.
• Annual gatherings were held in subsequent years.
• The following is the invitation for the gathering in 2018 held at Dolphin Restaurant.

• The Gathering for 2019 was moved to a restaurant in Pyithu Yin Pyin near Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Attendees paid respect to Thet Kyee Sayas and Engineers (80+ years young).

Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)

• He joined the Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering in 1958 as an Assistant Lecturer.
• Masters from Harvard University
• Upon return to Burma, he was promoted to Lecturer.
• Also studied in Netherlands.
• Worked for UN project in Bangladesh.
• Moved to USA.
• Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group and President of RIT Alumni International.
• Core organizer for SPZP-2000 (First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) in San Francisco, California in October 2000.
• His article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” led to five Golden Sponsors and many donors — large and small.
• He retired twice, but came out of retirement because his former students offered him jobs. He passed away while working for CalTrans (California Transportation).
• In his memory, his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to YTU Library. She also provided financial aid to eligible YTU students.

Aung Moung (M73, GBNF)

• U Ba Than (former Professor of Mechanical Engineering) suffered a great loss when Ko Aung Moung passed away.
• Ko Aung Moung was a core volunteer for SPZPs, HMEE project, and several RIT-related activities.
• He also volunteered for several monasteries. Many monks offered to come by themselves to the Final Journey at Yay Way.

Aw Pi Kyeh

• “RIT Cartoon Box” was founded by U Myint Pe (M72) with Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (“Phone Ko”, C65) and Saya U Aung Myint (“Kyant Ba Hone”, Pet 79) as Patrons.
• Four (or more) generations of Cartoonists ran “RIT Cartoon Box”.
• The Box was closed after 8-8-88.

• A popular cartoonist was “Mann Bei”. He served as Secretary of RIT Cartoonists Association. Gained fame as “Aw Pi Kyeh”. Became President of Myanmar Cartoonists Association.

• During his tour to USA, I met him twice : once in Northern California (at the beginning of his trip) and once in Southern California (at the end of the trip).

Autographs

There were at least two sets of autographs in the RU Centennial Facebook Group.

• One posted by Hazel Kyaw Zaw (about her mother Daw Chit Swe’s autograph)
• Another posted by Audrey Than (about her role models including UNSG U Thant)

Aung Pyie
(Khin Maung Myint, Writer)

• For RU Centennial, there were posts about some notable Burmese / Myanmar authors, poets, academicians and politicians.
• An example is provided below.

Posts

• Alumni
• April
• Associations
• August