HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • SPHS

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Std VII (D)

    Saya U Nge’s Class

    SPHS63

    Collegiate Scholarship Winners

    SPHS63

    SPHS Badges

    Badge 1
    Badge 2
    Badge 3
    Blazer Coat with Badge

    Mg Mg Kyi

    • Highest marks in Chemistry for HSF Only exam in 1962
    • 11th in Burma for Matric exam in 1963
    • Chemical Engineering (Pulp & Paper Specialty) from Dresden University, Germany
    • Passed away in Wales, UK
    Mg Mg Kyi

    Kyaw Phone Myint / Victor Kyaw Phyo

    • (Early) Organizer, Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
    • Spouse : Hta Cho (Wun)

    Kyaw Wynn

    Birthday

    He offered birthday soon kyway to Uzin Okkantha (Victor, Aung Chaw) and treated his former classmates (some of whom have not seen each other for a long time). The attendees include :

    • Aye Ngwe (Edwin)
    • Kyaw Win (“Birthday Boy”)
    • Khin Maung Bo (Alan, EP69)
    • Hla Min (EC69)
    • Uzin Okkantha (Aung Chaw, Victor, C69)
    • Than Win (M69)
    • Aung Kyi (Arthur)
    • Tin Tun (M69)
    • Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, IM1 70, UK)

    SPHS Novice Crew at RUBC

    • Maung Maung Kyi (Bow, GBNF)
    • Hla Min (No. 2)
    • Kyaw Win (No. 3, EE)
    • Willie Soe Mg (Stroke, GBNF)
    • Myint Thein (Cox, SPHS 62, B.Com 66, GBNF)

    We were all awarded Full Green.

    When the schools were closed following the first Anniversary of 7th July, Kyaw Win and Maung Maung Kyi applied for scholarships to study in Germany.

    Maung Maung Kyi received Dip Ing in ChE. He worked at Sittaung Paper Mill and PPIC before moving to Wales, UK.

    Kyaw Win had a higher calling. He and his friends protested in front of the Burmese Embassy. The higher authorities were alarmed at their movement and recalled back to Burma. Fortunately, he was able to complete his EE in Rangoon.

    GBNF

    The list include

    • Allan Saw Mg (Khin Mg Ni, EP69)
    • Aung Khin
    • Aung Kyi (Arthur)
    • Dr. Aung Thwin (Alfred)
    • Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor, C69)
    • Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69, 13th in Burma)
    • Dr. Freddie Ba San (Myo San, 3rd in Burma)
    • Dr. Freddie Sein
    • Gilbert Thaw (Min Thaw, EP)
    • Uzin Patrick Ba Maung
    • Dr. Maung Maung Aye
    • Maung Maung Kyi (11th in Burma)
    • Shwe Zan Aung
    • Sydney Khant
    • Tin Tun (M69)
    • Willie Soe Maung (Myint Soe, BDS 1st Batch)

  • 69er Gatherings

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    69er Golden Jubilee
    • 69ers celebrated the True Golden Jubilee of Graduation on December 14, 2019.
    • Before the pandemic, they used to meet at least once every month.
    • Several 69ers have hosted or co-hosted the breakfast, lunch and dinner gatherings.
      The Mike Khes (Po So Chins) often entertain with live and Karaoke music.
    • The photos were taken by several 69ers.

    Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose)

    During my visit to Yangon in January and February 2018, I was host and guest of several 69 gatherings.

    69ers in February 2018
    Tin Aung Win (Oscar), Tin Maung Aye (Accordion), Aye Thein (Volleyball)
    David Myint Thein (Rowing), Aye Lwin (RIT Magazine)
    • The restaurant is owned by U Soe Nyunt (Old Paulian, GBNF), who managed to get the “SPHS Honor Roll” after SPHS got hospitalized.
    • Attendees range from the 30’s and 40’s to 60’s (or more depending on the health and availability).
      For example, Soe Thein (Peter Myint Maung) has to ask his daughter to drive to the gatherings.
    • 69ers usually book two adjacent rooms and turn them into a single large room for holding the monthly breakfast gatherings.
    • There are hosts to celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries, and sometimes welcome classmates visiting from overseas.
    • Win Maung (Lake) had to pick up U Okkantha (Uzin Victor Aung Chaw, Sagaing Hills) to attend the gatherings.
    • Those who spend time outside Yangon (e.g. Zau Lai, Myitkyina) have to come a long way to meet, greet and fete with their former classmates.
    • Several annual gatherings were held at M3.
    Tun Tin, Aung Gyi Shwe, Sa Maung Maung, Tin Aung Win (Oscar)

    M3

    Myint Pe, Kyaw Nyunt, Ma Thaung Htwe, Ma Myint Myint, Saw Yu Tint

    • The 69ers book around 10 tables.
      They are provided a stage for the Karaoke and Live Music.
    • U Tint Lwin (Daniel) can play the lead, rhythm, bass and drums. Saya U Win Mra taught Daniel and his brothers to play guitar, and encouraged them to set up their own band. He is also a vocalist.
    • U Kyaw Min (Albert) is proud to be called “Elvis”. He has sung in gatherings (with international companies).
    • U Win Boh (Robert) played in various gatherings in Australia and Myanmar.
    • Some 69ers (Tin Maung Aye, Than Myaing, Khin Maung Tint, Aye Lwin, Win Lwin, Myo Nyunt, …) were RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins and organizers, but some have given up their hobbies to spend quality time with their loved ones.
    • “Pho Pho” U Aung Min and “Ah Pho Gyi Tone Kyaw” U Han Sein (GBNF) are some of the regulars at the 69er gatherings.

    Crystal Jade

    • Around SPZP-2012, an ad hoc lunch gathering was held to meet some 69ers from overseas (attending the SPZP-2012).
    • U Tin Win (Mining) footed the bill.
    • The attendees (who had bought the lunch tickets) agreed to donate the ticket sales to the 69er Fund.
    Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF), Sein Myint, Win Maung, Hla Min
    Ko Shwe, Daniel Tint Lwin, Sein Tun, Ohn Khine (M70), Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet), Aung Min
    • In 2016, there was an ad hoc breakfast gathering to welcome U Sein Myint and me, and to bid farewell to Daniel.

    Westin Park

    • Daw Myint Myint (C69) hosted a lunch gathering to welcome Daw Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie, T69).

    Others

    There have been gatherings at may other places including Shwe Bei, Bone Kyaung (or nearby shop), Cafe on Saya San Lann, YTU Assembly Hall, …

    Invitation to GJ


  • ICST & UCSY

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Dr. Chit Swe (Saya Chit)

    UCC

    Dr. Chit Swe

    Saya Dr. Chit Swe founded UCC (Universities’ Computer Center) with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF). The UCC staff and students address the founding members as Saya Chit, Saya Paing, Saya Myo and Saya Lay.

    U Soe Paing
    U Myo Min
    U Ko Ko Lay

    Projects

    I have written about Saya Chit in several of my posts. He is a Pioneer and a believer of Life Long Learning, Knowledge Transfer, Leapfrogging Technology and the Talents of the Burmese sayas and students. He is my mentor. More importantly, he allowed me to work on most of his projects (including Preparation for the UCC Project, High School Mathematics Curriculum Change, Children’s Treasury of Knowledge, and Team of System Specialists).

    Vision

    Saya Chit ensured that there would be a component in the UCC Project to invite short term and long term Computer Scientists and Educators to UCC. Professor Harry D Huskey (Past ACM President and a Computing Pioneer) was given the sub contract to help with the academic and professional courses being given at UCC.

    Saya Chit made sure that the post-graduate diploma (DAC) and post-graduate Computer Science courses were given under the “Mathematics Department” until a separate CS Department could be opened.

    Passion

    Saya Chit served as Director of UCC in addition to being Professor of Mathematics.

    Saya Chit moved back to RASU, but never lost his passion about his pet baby UCC.

    Saya retired as Rector of RASU. Saya then relocated to Thailand and Australia. Saya continued supervising graduate students in Australia. Saya is still passionate about UCC, Computers and Education in Burma and beyond.

    Dr. Tin Maung

    Saya Chit was succeeded by Saya Dr. Tin Maung as Director of UCC.

    Saya Dr. Tin Maung retired as Rector of ICST.

    DCS

    During Saya Tin Maung’s tenure, the Department of Computer Science (DCS) was established under RASU. Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF, brother of U Than Htut M67) was Professor. U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor. I was a Lecturer.

    The Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) was established in 1988 with Saya Dr. Tin Maung as Rector.

    There were initially four Departments :

    • Hardware Technology (with U Tun Aung Gyaw as Associate Professor and Head)
    • Software Technology (with Yours Truly as Associate Professor and Head)
    • Information Systems (with Saya U Ko Ko Lay as Professor and Head)
    • Computational Mathematics

    30 students were admitted to the first B.Sc (Computer Science) course.

    15 students were admitted to the first B.Sc. (Computer Technology) course.

    ICST later became UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon).

    Gatherings

    There have been gatherings to

    • celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of UCC
    • celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ICST
    • 5th Acariya Puzaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY in January 2018
    • 6th Acariya Puzaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY in December 2019

    In January 2018, I was invited as the Generation Zero Member to attend the ICST/UCSY hosted the 5th Acariya Puzaw Pwe and give a short speech.

    During my visit to Yangon in January and February of 2018, I spent almost three whole days writing “Memories of UCC”. I had provided Word and PDF files, but the UCSY sayamas suggested that I should submit a shorter version for the commemorative magazine for the 30th Anniversary has come out.

  • GBNF 2019

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    January 2019

    Dr. Chan Nyein (M67)

    Passed away on 23rd Jan 2019

    Obituary of Dr. Chan Nyein

    July 2019

    • Yan Pyae (Kenneth Than Khin, M72)
    • Shwe Tha (Ronnie Tha Htoon, EC82-83)

    August 2019

    • Myint Htwe (Bo Hmu, Intake of 64/65)

    Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe

    • Pioneer of Computer Systems, Application and Education in Burma
    • Retired Rector of RASU
    • I have written several articles about my mentor
    • Passed away in Sydney Australia in 2019 at the age of 88
    Dr. Chit Swe & family

  • Khin Maung Zaw

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, SPHS63)

    Frank (Standing : second from left)
    • Stood 17th in the Matriculation exam in 1963.
    • Retired after working in the UK.
    • He visited Yangon to see his mother, elder sisters and Old Paulians.
    • His eldest sister, who was taking care of the mother, passed away unexpectedly. The mother followed soon.

    U Khin Maung Zaw (“KMZ”, SPHS70, EC76)

    KMZ (Right)
    • Attended St. Paul’s High School
    • Matriculated in 1970 from No. (6) Botahtaung SHS State High School (name of SPHS after nationalization in 1965)
    • Due to disturbances, the convocation for KMZ’s class took place in March 1977. For simplicity & consistency), we call his class as “Class of 76”.
    • Represented All Universities in Hockey and RIT in Rowing.
    Hockey
    • Played as the last defender in the RIT Hockey Team. Many played for the University & All-Institutes Team. He coached Thura Thant Zin (goalkeeper). At RUBC, Thura coached KMZ.
    • Helped Maung Maung Hnyut & brothers (major players for the Graduation Photos).
    • Volunteered at UCC. He usually brought an empty lunch box and a spoon. Several friends and some “ah ma gyis” would provide him lunch.
    • Took courses at UCC, but flatly refused to do some assignments (e.g. COBOL).
    • Worked in Singapore and then migrated to US. He has been in the Seattle region since his arrival in the US.
    KMZ in Seattle
    • When my company subsidized my vacation trip (for the successful completion of a project), we visited KMZ at his old house. He showed us around (including a day trip to Vancouver, Canada). He showed me his wine cellar. Since I do not drink, I ended up with his concoction (“ginger beer (or similar) with ice cream”).
    • Founding member of RIT Alumni International
    • We were lucky when we were planning for SPZP-2000. He was working four 10-hour week with the Technology and Architecture Group of Nordstrom (where he had time & luxury to play with several computer systems).
    • Accepted the call of Saya U Soe Paing (our mentor at UCC) and me to set up a web site for RIT sayas and alumni.
    • Designed and implemented the first RIT web site. He was then an eligible bachelor and had a three day weekend. He burned the midnight oil preparing for the SPZP-2000.
    • Promised SPZP-2000 attendees that he would work on Version 2.0 of the web site. Things changed. Had a wonderful job at Microsoft and also started a wonderful family. A busy schedule at work and at home meant that maintaining and extending the web site would no longer have the top priority. He longer had time for RIT Updates.
    • Visited SF Bay Area in March 2018 to attend the retirement soon kyway of Maurce Chee (M75). There was a pre-soon kwyay gathering at a Sea Food Restaurant in San Mateo.
    • Mailed me two books that he bought in Myanmar. One is “U Thant Ah Ye Ah Khin” by Htein Win (Photo). The other is a “tran-composition” of Saya Zaw Gyi’s poems about Pagan by Ah May Thar.
    • After retirement, he is doing forensics on his old desktops and PCs to recover albums, and articles.
    • Has provided tags and comments for my postings.
    KMZ’s visit to SF Bay Area

    U Khin Maung Zaw (SPHS71, EE77)

    • Per KMZ, the “other Khin Maung Zaw” is also from SPHS, 71 batch. He’s an active member & instigator of OPA (Old Paulians Association) as well as RIT Electrical 1971-77 group.
    • EE77 group donated Kyat 77 Lakhs collected mainly from the group towards the flood victims through Daw Khin Kyi foundation. Amazingly he was able to cajole exactly Kyat 77L to commemorate 1977 batch folks. Sadhu! Sadhu Sadhu!
    • Interesting enough he and KMZ overlap in several areas, SPHS, RIT including Hockey and Rowing at RIT,

    U Khin Maung Zaw (T76)

    Per Ko Myat Thein (Adam K Khan, EP76) :

    There is another Khin Maung Zaw (whom I called Ngachate tayoke literally meaning Black Chinese because he has dark complexion) Class 76 Textile. We had very good conversations at D9 when we were final year students.

    Saya U Khin Maung Zaw

    • One is English Saya
    • Another is Chemistry Saya

    Posts

    • Names
    • RU Sayas
    • Sports
    • St. Paul’s High School

  • Book Present

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    From U Tin Aung Lwin

    • Collection of articles
    • သင်္ချာပညာပေး
    • Thanks. The postage is much more than the sales price of the book.
    Book present
  • Sixth Buddhist Council

    Sixth Buddhist Council

    by U Silananda & Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    • Date : May 1954 – 56
    • Place : Rangoon (Burma)
    • Prime Minister : U Nu
    • Leader : Revata Thera
    • Number of Monks : 2500
    • Duration : Two years for the Pali Texts
    • Accomplishment :
      Reaffirmed the Texts accepted at the previous Councils.
      Editions of Pali Texts, Commentaries and Sub-commentaries

    References :

    • Sangayana Album

    Editor’s Notes

    • Mahasi Sayadaw U Sobhana acted as the Chief Questioner.
    Mahasi & Mingun Sayadaws
    • Migun Tipitaka Sayadaw U Vicittacarabhivamsa acted as the Chief Reciter.
    Mingun Sayadaw
    • The Guinness Book of World Records honored Mingun Sayadaw’s Memory.

    Sayadaws

    Nyaung Yan, Ma Soe Yein
    Mahasi, Nyaung Yan, Mingun

    Nyaung Yan Sayadaw

    Nyaung Yan 1
    Nyaung Yan 2

    Ma Soe Yein Sayadaw

    Ma Soe Yein 1
    Ma Soe Yein 2
    Ma Soe Yein 3
  • Purchasing Power

    Purchasing Power

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Burmese Currency

    • The Banking authorities in Burma (e.g. Union Bank) issued Currency notes backed by Gold Reserves.
    • The bills were signed by authorities (e.g. Sithu U Kaung, U San Lin).
    • One US dollar traded at 5 – 6 kyats, and one Sterling pound around 12 – 13 kyats.

    Old Receipt from 1979

    Receipt
    • The Old Receipt (for 146 Kyats and 50 Pyas) is a testament of the purchasing power in the 70s.
    • It was for a farewell dinner for Saya U Myo Win (M/Ag65) by 25 members of the RIT Automobile Club.

    Decline in the value of the Kyat

    Three rounds of Demonetization, mismanagement, … saw a huge decline in the value of the Kyat.

    Snap shots of the exchange rate :

    • 1 Kyat = 4 (or more) Bahts (Early days)
    • 1 Kyat = 1 Baht (Baht Taik Kyat Taik Khit)
    • 4 (or more Kyats) = 1 Baht
  • Album S

    Album S

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Shwe Ta Lay

    • U Shwe Yo
    Shwe Ta Lay (U Shwe Yo)

    Sithu U Kaung

    • Educator
    • Signed Bank Notes
    • Children : U Thaw Kaung, Dr, Yee May Kaung, Daw Kyi May Kaung
    Sithu U Kaung

    Silver Jubilee

    • RUSU
    • Music and Dance
    Silver Jubilee 1
    Silver Jubilee 2

    Sir Arthur Eggar

    • Law Professor
    • Founder and Life President of Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC)
    • Autobiography
      wrote for Guardian Magazine
      Reprinted by selected Old Members for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC
    Sir Arthur Eggar

    Posts

    • Sagar
    • Saya Pu Zaw Pwe
    • SMART / Smart
    • SPHS
    • SPZP-2000
    • SPZP-2002
    • SPZP-2004
    • SPZP-2007
    • SPZP-2010
    • SPZP-2012
    • SPZP-2016
  • P to T

    P to T

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Pali

    Pali
    • Discipline
    • Language
    • Scholars
    • U Pe Maung Tin
    • U Aung Than
    • U Tin Lwin

    Palmistry

    • Background
    • Palmists
    • Cheiro
    • Benham
    • Anecdotes

    Passion

    • Importance of Passion

    Perfect

    • Perfect score
    • Perfect shape
    • Perfect number
    • Cost of perfection
    • “I am Imperfectly Perfect”

    Philosophy

    • Discipline
    • Dr. Hla Bu
    • U San Lwin
    • Nanda Thein Zan

    Physics

    • Discipline
    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha
    • U San Tha Aung
    • Dr. Tin Aung

    Poetic Art

    • Kabyar : RIT Poets
    • Illustration : U Myo Myint
    • Translation : U Hla Min

    Poetry

    • Rhyme
    • Free Verse

    Political Science

    • Discipline
    • LSE : London School of Economics and Politics
    • U Nyein Aung
    • U Tha Din
    • U Khin Aung Bo

    Principle

    • Paretto Principle
    • Law of diminishing return
    • Peter’s Principle
    • Dilbert’s Principle

    Psychology

    • Discipline
    • Dr. Hla Bu
    • Dr. Hla Thwin
    • Daw Flora San Pe
    • Daw Elsie Po Sa

    Rowing

    • Myanmar
    • Western
    • RUBC

    RU Sports

    • RU Athletes
      Representing Burma in 2nd SEAP Games (in 1961)
    • Mra Brothers
      Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra, Win Mra, Maung Maung Mra, Aung Mra

    Sayas

    • U Pe Maung Tin
      First native Principal
    • Dr. Htin Aung
      First native Rector

    Schools

    • Types
    • Language of instruction

    Silicon Valley

    • William Shockley
      Nobel Laureate in Physics
    • Frederick Terman
      Standford University

    Soccer

    • World Cup
    • Olympics
    • Asian Stars
    • Burma Selected
    • RU Selected

    SPZP

    • Micro PZP
    • Mini PZP
    • World wide SPZP
    • SPZP-2000 (Oct 2000, USA)
    • SPZP-2002 (Dec 2002, Singapore)
    • SPZP-2004 (Dec 2004, Yangon)
    • SPZP-2007 (Apr 2007, Singapore)
    • SPZP-2010 (Dec 2010, Singapore)
    • SPZP-2012 (Dec 2012, Yangon)
    • SPZP-2016 (Dec 2016, Yangon)
    • SPZP-2020 (Cancelled due to pandemic)
    • Poem : SAYA PU ZAW PWE (by Hla Min)

    St. Paul’s High School

    • De La Salle Brothers
    • Sayas
    • Alumni

    Statistics

    • Discipline
    • Dr. Sundarum
    • Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt
    • Dr. Myint Tin
    • U Htin Kyaw
    • U Tun Shwe

    Swimming

    • Olympics
    • Asian Games
    • SEAP
    • Burma Selected
    • Inter-Institute
    • Diving
    • Water Polo

    Table Tennis

    • Game
    • Championship
    • Saya Mao Toon Siong
    • RIT Table Tennis

    Tarot

    • Background
    • Major Arcana
    • Minor Arcana
    • Spreads

    Ted, TED and TEDx

    • Name / nickname
    • Technology, Entertainment and Design
    • Independent conferences (held with license from TED)

    Tennis

    • Game
    • Grand Slam
    • Davis Cup
    • Burma Champions

    Time

    • Calendar
    • Clock

    Toastmaster

    • Background
    • My journey to Distinguished Toastmaster

    Translation

    • Source
    • Target
    • Translation of prose
    • Translation of poem

    Related Posts

    • Albums
    • Educational Videos
    • Short Notes