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
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
Luyechun (လူရည်ချွန်) for 9th & 10th standards. Present at the first Luyechun Camp was Thinchar Chun (သင်္ချာချွန်) Kyaw Myint (later T72 grad, MARB President)
Metallurgical Engineering
Nyunt Htay 2
Graduated from RIT in 1973 with Metallurgical Engineering
Taught Metallurgical Engineering
Retired as Associate Professor
Wrote articles about the Department, Sayas & Students
Passion
Poetry, writing & editing
Pen name : Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla) မောင်ညွန့်ဌေး (အထက်မင်းလှ)
Nyunt Htay 3
Editor, RIT Annual Magazine
Chief Editor, Myanmar Mudita Sar Saung
Myanmar Mudita
Contributor, Poetic Art Series
Co-author, Collection of Swel Daw Yeik Poems
Book of Poems
Family members
Two daughters
Several “Myee” cats.
Health
Had a brush with Covid-19 and received support from the alumni and/or SDYF.
Recovered fully
Some sayas, sayamas and 9 Metallurgy alumni (including Maung Tun, 69er) succumbed to Covid.
Memories
Book Presents
Gave me the Myanmar Mudita Sar Saung
Gave me an autographed copy of “Swel Daw Kabyar Collection” by him and four RIT Poets : Saya U Moe Aung, Saya U Aung Myaing, U Win Myint (M72) and U Toee Maung.
2015 RIT Alumni in Los Angeles
Attended the gathering with Metallurgy Saya U Win Kyaw (Met71),
Other Metallurgy attendees include Saya U Thein Aung (Met72), Sayama Dr. Naing Naing Aung (Met91) & Ko Thiri Nyunt (musician).
Gathering at iNapa Winery
At iNapa Winery
Metallurgy sayas and Ko Thiri Nyunt attended the Lunch, Dinner & Entertainment at iNapa winery hosted by Gordon Kaung (M83) and Lillian (EC83).
The attendees paid respect to Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi. On behalf of Bagyee Myat Myo Myint, U Nyunt Htay presented a Pon Tu to Sayagyi.
Micro-gathering in 2019
During my visit to Yangon in late 2019, U Nyunt Htay hosted a micro gathering at Shwe Bae.
U Win Kyaw picked me and Saya U Ye Myint (ChE70) to attend the gathering.
He had an Exhibition at SPZP-2016 and donated to SDYF and YTU Library Project.
DonationGalleryWith U Myint Pe
Cartoons
He drew Cartoons.
Cartoon 1Cartoon 2
Design
He designed Covers for RIT Annual Magazines and Swel Daw Yeik Magazines.
Pon Tu’s
He drew Pon Tu’s of many sayas and sayamas.
He could not find photos of some sayas.
He had to stop when his painting materials ran out.
Pon Tu 1Pon Tu
Most Pon Tus were handed over at RIT gatherings (e.g SPZPs).
On behalf of Bagyee Myat Myo Myint, Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73) handed over the Pon Tu of Saya Dr. Khin Maung Win (Met) to Daw Khin Than Nwe (T62, Saya’s spouse).
Pon Tu of Dr. Khin Maung Win (Met)
He also handed over the Pon Tu of Saya Dr. Aung Gyi to Saya at iNapa Winery gathering in 2015.
Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, GBNF) archived Pon Tu’s. Saya U Tin Lin (ChE72) annotated the Pon Tu’s. He also grouped photos and posted them.
U Kyaw SeinU Tin Lin
Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and team created a Musical Video using the Pon Tu’s and photos to pay homage to the Sayas.
Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72) provided some materials needed for the paintings. They also helped U Myo Myint during his medical check up in Bangkok.
Bangkok
He drew Pon Tu of his spouse as a Birthday present. He also drew Pon Tu of his three Myees.
Happy CoupleBirthday Present for SpouseMyee 1Myee 2
He drew Pon Tu of some alumni (U Wynn Htain Oo, Daw Lei Lei Myaing and me).
Pon Tu of U Hla Min
He was a Volunteer for Mg Mar Ga’s “Eradication of Starvation” project (before the Calamities).
Per Daw Lei Lei Myaing’s request, he donated to specified pagodas and monasteries.
450+ Matriculates were admitted to 1st BE in November 1964 based on ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate).
Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein, EC70)
Steeve hosted a Reunion & PZP for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
Admitted as Roll No. (8) to 1st BE in Nov 1964.
Graduated with EC in 1970
Moved to USA. An immigration officer spelled his name as Steeve instead of Steve. He kept the name with the variant unconventional spelling.
Masters from Stanford University
Designer of Power IC Chip
Per his younger sister’s request, co-founded QTC
MBA from Pepperdine University
QTC was bought by an investment company. Steeve became a multi-millionaire
Established Kay Family Foundation. Steeve became an outstanding philanthropist.
He never forgot his roots, his alma mater, his mentors and his friends.
A short biography — summarized as three dreams — was published by the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65, and also in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”.
Details can be found in the commemorative issue celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the founding of QTC.
Three Dreams of Steeve Kay
Steeve Kay First Dream of Steeve KaySecond and Third Dreams of Steeve Kay
Team Builder
40th Anniversary of arrival in the USA
In 2011, Steeve hosted a gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his arrival in the US. The gathering was coordinated by his daughter Elanor. She arranged a visit to Teehub (which provides incubation for aspiring innovators).
Attendees include :
Chris Lee, Dr. (EE59) & spouse
Sam Chin (ChE62) & spouse
Henry Khoo (EC67)
Hla Min (EC69) & spouse
Benny Tan (M70) & spouse
Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) & spouse
Htin Aung (Richard, M70)
Zaw Htun, Dr. (BDS) & spouse
Benny, Zaw Min & Richard were Steeve’s classmates from RIT.
Henry picked up Steeve on his arrival in San Francisco, California, USA.
Saya Chris Lee, Sam Chin and Dr. Zaw Htun were active in the Burmese American organizations in Southern California.
QTC
His younger sister Dr. Lay Kay had patents related to the medical and legal processes to handle disability claims. She requested Steeve to co-found QTC and serve as CEO.
Two decades later, QTC was bought by a group of investors making the two siblings multi-millionaires.
They did not forget their roots. Steeve set up the Kay Family Foundation. His sister set up the B K Kee Foundation in memory of her mother. Their foundations have provided support for education, medical research, areas inflicted by disasters (e.g. Cyclone Nargis) and much more.
Aspirations & Actions
Steeve took time to trace his roots. He also joined expeditions to visit the holy sites of Four Religions.
He is a Trustee and/or Board Member of several US universities.
He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for the SPZPs. He set up the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas”. He hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Science and Technology to visit selected universities and research institutions in California.
There were some proposals that did not materialize. He offered to set up a Computing Laboratory and promote Leapfrogging Technology for engineering sayas and students in Myanmar. He offered to provide air fare and expenses for Sayagyis willing to share their experience in Myanmar. He requested some support from the Myanmar side (e.g. taking care of the security and maintenance of the Laboratory and providing accommodation for the visiting Sayagyis), but due to the bureaucracy of the then authorities, the proposals were not materialized.
When his health started to decline, he could not take long trips or wait too long for responses to his proposals. He requested the balance of his Health Care Fund to be transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
He delegated his children to run KFF and his enterprise. He still has desires to help his beloved home land. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, USA
Kay Family Foundation provided $30000 for the Alumni Reunion. Steeve sang Shwe Mi during his presentation.
LA 2015
Sponsorships
He provided the seed money for holding the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) in San Francisco. California, USA in October 2000.
He became a Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs.
He established the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas”. The balance fund has recently been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
He and Kay Family Foundation donated US $200,000+ for RIT-related causes.
He hosted several gatherings in the USA and Yangon.
U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
Zaw Min entered 1st BE as Roll Number One (Top student). He was selected Luyechun for Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the Summer of 1965.
In the USA, he studied Electronics and also changed his name to Zaw Min Nawaday.
He was the main author of the article covering the six years at RIT. U Ohn Khine was the co-author.
The article was first posted in the Google Group for “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”. I edited the article.
The revised versions have been published in (a) the Golden Jubilee Magazine for the combined group (b) RIT Updates and (c) hlamin.com website
Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng, M70)
Benny beside Steeve’s picture
Founding member of RIT Alumni International
Hosted meetings of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni including the one that led to the formation of RIT Alumni International
Wore multiple hats for SPZP-2000 — Golden Sponsor; Co-chair of the Working Committee; Designer of SPZP Banner, commemorative Mug, Clock & T-shirt
Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPz and for his class gatherings.
Fundraiser Kyan Yay (Sugar Cane Drink) Htamane Food & Desserts
BAP Booth selling Sugar Cane Drink
Annual Dinner & Entertainment
Trips
Helped 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
2015 Reunion 12015 Reunion 22015 Reunion 3
Active in Activities sponsored by SCBA (Southern California Burmese Associations)
Notes
Many members are RIT alumni. Some volunteered for SPZP-2000 held in San Francisco.
U Aung Khin (EP68) is Past Vice President
James Shwe (M76) is a Donor and EC.
U Khin Maung Lay (Henry) served as Emcee for BAPS gatherings and 2015 Alumni Reunion. He was Secretary of RIT Track & Field Association. He represented RIT in Soccer, Rowing and T&F. He loves Cooking.
I attended BASES gatherings as Guest of EC and/or Saya U Tin Htut.
Mra Tun (UCC, TAMPS) and Ricky Zaw are guitarists & vocalists. Ricky’s sister is Nyunt Nyunt Zaw (T68, GBNF).
2015 Reunion
NorCal RITAA invited selected BASES EC to the gatherings.
HlaMin 