Rangoon University Boat Club took part in the FEARA (Far Eastern Amateur Rowing Association) Regatta held at Hong Kong in November 1959.
U Tun Shein (Willie, Past Secretary)
Willie (3rd from Right)
He is Ko Lin Tun’s father and U Tin Win’s brother. He represented RUBC mostly as Timing Stroke. He is also a Sculler like U San Maung (Gerald). He won the Senior Novices in 1954 and became RUBC Gold. His Senior Novice crew include M. Hla Min (Mossaji, Gold), Than Nyun (George, Captain & Gold), Sao Hso Holm (Saw bwa lay, son of Arzani Sao San Tun) and Tin Htut (cox, multiple Novice winner, Captain & Gold). Four Golds out of Five members.
U Win Kyi
Win Kyi (4th from Left)
He is the son of Sayama Miss Hong Kong (Amelia Kyi, SPHS), older brother of U Min Kyi, and father of Ko Naymyo Thura. He usually rowed as 3 in 4+ (Coxed Fours) and 7 in 8+ (Coxed Eights).
U Tin Htoon (Past Captain)
Tin Htoon
He rowed as 2 for Ko Jimmy Saw Lwin and Ko Willie Saing in the early days. He later rowed as Timing Stroke and won ARAE trophies :
Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at Calcutta in 1958 with Ko Harry Saing
Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at Colombo in 1960 with Ko Harry Saing, Ko Victor Htun Shein, Ko Sunny Teng and Ko Sein Htoon.
He was Editor of the 40th Anniversary Issue and Chair of the 90th Anniversary Issue (where I wrote Prelude for each section, and three articles).
His brothers include
Saya U Tin U (Past Captain)
Saya U Ba Than (Green)
Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain)
Saya U Myo Min (Green)
U Thaung Lwin (Past Captain)
Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, Past Captain)
Harry (Right)
He rowed mostly as Bow. In the RUBC Annual Regatta of 1962, he rowed as Timing Stroke with U Win Kyi as 7 to train seven brand new Golds : Myo Tin, Micky Tan (Thein Aung), Htain Lin, Oung Kyaing, Winston Tun Thoung (Mehm Myo Thoung), Myo Myint and Tin Aung (Victor Wu).
He is the elder brother of Dr. Victor Saing (Aye Kyaw).
In the 90th Anniversary Issue, I wrote a tribute to him as a multi-sports athlete and scholar / professional.
U San Maung (Gerald, Past Secretary)
San Maung (Standing Leftmost)
Hevrowed on the Stroke side before specializing in Sculls.
He served as Club Coach along with Ko Harry.
He is the elder brother of Ko Hardy (Yan Shin).
Dr. Hla Min (Eddie)
Eddie (2nd from Left)
He was a Golden Cox.
He later coxed Defense crews.
He served BMH (Mingaladon Base Military Hospital) as Orthopedic Surgeon.
His friends call him “Duwa”. They also appreciate his mastery of the Myanmar Language as illustrated in his blogs.
He shares his time in Yangon and Myitkyina. He hosted a mini-gathering (Aung Thu Yein (GBNF), Thein Swe (GBNF), …, me and my spouse) at his house in Yangon. He took some 69ers (e.g. Win Maung) to visit his house in Myitkyina.
He tries to attend the 69er gatherings even he has to drive a long way from Myitkyina.
He is from the elite company of Proud Great Grandparents. Bo Lwin Swe (EE61) is another member of the elite Group. Saya U Ba Toke (GBNF) and Sayama Daw Khin Saw Tint (GBNF) were also from the elite Group.
He is also a proud grandfather. Zau Ding Aung ( Danny Zau Mun), one of his twin grand sons won gold in the Myanmar Taekwando Federation President Cup Championship (Tournament ) held on 30 Nov. 2018.
Uploading a picture of Saya U Kyaw Myint from RIT Textile Department now living in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada – a suburb of the City of Vancouver.
I did a day trip from Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle, Washington, US to go see him and his wife Daw Shirley Saw Thant Yee on Thursday September 12th 2024.
We had a light lunch with his middle daughter at nearby Restaurent. Ma Shirley was sleeping so decided to let her sleep. We ended up having a good chat for couple of hours reminiscing life, our friends, families among many subjects. We used to do that quite often since they migrated to Canada. We haven’t met for over a year, other than occasional phone calls, so we were having a good time this time.
We forget to take some pictures, then realising we haven’t, took this picture while coming down the stairs. It was taken by his youngest daughter.
In our days, EE (Electrical Engineering) Department offered two options : EC (Electrical Communications) and EP (Electrical Power).
Saya U Sein Hlaing (GBNF) served as inaugural Professor of Electrical Engineering.
It took several decades before EC (also known as EcE and Electronics Engineering) and EP became departments. Saya U Sein Win (GBNF) served as inaugural Professor of Electrical Power. Saya Dr. San Tint (GBNF) served as inaugural Professor of Electronics Engineering.
Ko Thein Swe (EP69, GBNF, 3rd BE Luyechun) annotated the Group Photo taken in 1969. I have updated the comments to reflect the change of status of the sayas and classmates.
EE69ers used to have gatherings in addition to the 69er Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Gatherings.
In addition to the 69er HCF (Health Care Fund), there is EE69er HCF. Ko Sein Myint (EP69, RIT Rowing, Swimming & Water Polo) is a major donor to 69er HCF along with Ma Myint Myint (C69) and Ko Ivan Lee (M69). Ko Sein Myint is also a major donor to EE69er HCF.
Great Photo taken in August 1969
by Ko Thein Swe (EP69, GBNF)
EE69er
They were the humble, hard working classmates of EE69ers who usually shared knowledge with each other when someone could not catch up lectures/text-books. The great photo was taken in August 1969.
4th Row, L to R:-
Myint Swe (EP, Mogoke, ex-Steel mill, GBNF)
Thein Swe (EP, Meiktila, RIT Luyechun for 3rd BE, lost spouse, GBNF)
Aye Thein (EP, Mawlamyaing, ex-glass mill, Volleyball for RIT EE, lost spouse)
Sai Kham Pan (EP, Burma Selected for Badminton, Taunggyi, ex-Distiller)
Tun Oo Khaing (EP, Rakhine, ex-Paper mill, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung, GBNF)
Hla Paik (EP, Chaung Oo, ex-EPC)
Chit Tin (EC, Nyaung Oo, ex-MOGE, GBNF)
Sa Maung Maung (EP, Thaton, ex-Paper mill, Volley for RIT EE, EE69er HCF, lost spouse)
Mg Shwe (EP, ex-EPC, Treasurer of 69er HCF, EE69er HCF)
Oo Kyaw Hla (EC, ex-MOGE, Canada, GBNF)
Sai Hwet @ Myat Soe Lwin (EP, now in Ygn)
Aung Kyaw Pe (EP, ex-EPC, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia)
Khin Mg @ Hasan (EP, Saudi Arabia)
Front Row : Mostly Sayas
U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War, Author, Editor, Publisher)
U (Saw) Khaing Oo
U Ba Myint (Retired Pro-Rector)
U Soe Paing (ex-UCC, retired from UN)
U Kyaw Tun (Saya of our sayas, President of RIT EE, GBNF)
U Sein Hlaing (EE Professor, GBNF)
U Tint Swe (Former Footballer for Prome Hall, Tennis, GBNF)
U Ba Lwin
U Sein Win (President of RIT Swimming, President of RIT Rowing, later EP Professor, GBNF)
U Thein Lwin (President of RIT Badminton, Singapore, GBNF)
U Tin Shwe (ex-ABAC, Uzin, GBNF)
U Sein Maung (ex-ABAC, attended SPZP-2000)
Ma Tin Tin @ Anne (EC, US)
Happy to send precious memory re-caller.
Absentees: Kyaw Sein (EP69, Myingyan, ex-cement mill, Singapore), Kyaw Soe (EC, ex-DCA, GBNF) Ko Toung @ Tom (EC, USA)
There are other Electrical classmates (63/64 intakes or 69/70/71 grads) such as
Minn Aung @ Hla Thoung (EP, ex-cement mill, Singapore
Surinder Singh (EP, Taung-gyi, Australia)
Aung Than (EP ? or quit. Pyinmana, playing cards and chess)
Than Htay (EP, Dawei, RIT Tennis, ex-EPC)
Ko Thoung? (EP?, ex-PWC)
Win Mg (RIT Swimming & Rowing, left for Bristol Tech College before graduation, ex-UBA, ex-private air line)
Tin Shwe (EP, Taungthar, ex-EPC)
Aye Thaw (EP, Kyaukpadaung, ex-EPC)
Ba Oak (EP, Shwe Bo, ex-EPC)
Khin Mg Tint (EP, Windwin-Meiktila, ex-EPC)
Myo Hein (EP, Meiktila, ex-Jute dept)
Thein Htun @ Michael (ex-sailor, jolly)
Kyi Shwin (ex-astrologer)
as far as I remember.
Regards and with Metta Thein Swe
Comments
After retirement, several Sayas and alumni moved back (e.g. from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand) to Myanmar.
Some spend part of the year visiting their children and grandchildren in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, UK, USA, etc.
Ko Aung Thu Yein (EC69, GBNF) wrote :
Ko Thein Swe,
A Brilliant Effort. In fact it is a time frame. We’ll keep it as long as we live. And we want our offspring and relatives to keep it and pass it on. First our Metta to our Parents/Guardians. Then to our mentors whoever they are. Without them we’ll never be Smart Engineers.We were blessed to be in that group. And our Buddhist Philosophy. Some of us have left and we’ll follow them suit later or sooner. While we are breathing let us be together near or far. Carry on. Well done! Chan Thar Ko Sake Myare Bar Zay,
Cheers, Aung Thu Yein
Ko Win Boh (Robert, EC69) wrote :
George (Lake) Win Maung left for Bristol Tech College as State Scholar to become Aeronautical Engr Radar & Radio License> He served with UBA (Union of Burma Airways) later known as BAC (Burma Airways Corporation ). He did not join DCA (Department of Civil Aviation. Saya U Soe Min (GBNF) & Robert Win-Boh joined DCA in 1970. Ko Kyaw Soe EC 68/69 (GBNF) & Ko Wunna Sithu EC 71 joined in 1972. Many others like Ko Kyaw Myo @ Uno EC 72 joined DCA in 1976/77 to become Aeronautical Airworthiness Officer (Instruments) & lately Dy Minister of T & C.
St. Paul’s High School, Rangoon was founded by De La Salle Brothers in 1860. After nationalization in 1965, most non-native Brothers left Burma. The school was renamed as No. (6) Botathaung State High School.
SPHS used to have a “Roll of Honor” for outstanding Matriculates from 1951 to 1963.
SPHS59SPHS60
Collegiate Scholarship Winners in 1963
SPHS had five students in the Top Five, seven students in the Top Ten and ten students in the Top Twenty.
Six (KMU,. FBS, VNW, TW, JMM, FG) chose to become Medical Doctor (Professor, Researcher, Registrar …) Three (HM, MMK, ATY) chose to become Engineer and/or Computer Scientist.
Min Oo received two Doctorates in Mathematics from Germany, and is Professor Emeritus of McMaster’s University in Canada.
Seated : Min Oo(2nd) Khin Maung U (1st) , Myo San (Freddie Ba San, 3rd, GBNF)
Kyaw Win was my crew mate at RUBC. On one of his birthdays, he offered Soon to Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor) and invited several former classmates.
Nyunt Wai (Victor) is retired Professor of Physiology. He also taught briefly in Malaysia. He published a collection of Kauk Kyaung Kabyars.
Myo Nyunt (Harry) is Past President of OPA (Old Paulian Association)
Khin Maung Zaw (Frank) is retired Medical Doctor from UK. He came back several times to see his mother and sisters. Sad to note that his mother and his eldest sister are GBNF.
OP 1
Visit to Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS63) in Wales
Maung Maung Kyi attended I.Sc.(A) at LeikKhone Intermediate College.
He also rowed at RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) along with Willie Soe Maung (Myint Soe, GBNF), Kyaw Wynn and me. We were awarded Full Green.
When Rangoon University was closed citing Security reasons (following the student protests for the anniversary of 7th July), he applied for State Scholarship to study at Dresden University in Germany. He received Dip, Ing (equivalent to Master’s) in Chemical Engineering with specialization in Pulp and Paper.
He worked for PPIC, Sittaung and Yay Ni Paper Mills.
He later moved to Wales, UK.
OP 5
My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, GBNF) and his spouse Win Mar took us to visit Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than (ChE72) in Ogmore-by-the-sea.
OP 6
Myo Khin (SPHS63)
Myo Khin taught at RIT before moving to Japan. He received his Doctorate in Civil Engineering and worked as Professor.
He donated K100 Lakhs to YTU Library Project.
OP 7
Myint Lwin (Henry, SPHS55, GBNF)
He received his Civil Engineering degree in 1963 (after taking sabbatical to get married).
He was an organizer for SPZP-2000.
He is an accomplished vocalist.
OP 8
Victor Kyaw Phyo (GBNF)
He was my classmate in Middle School.
He was an Organizer for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 1964 and 1965.
ဂျပန် – မြန်မာ အဘိဓာန် Japanese – Burmese Dictionary (ချစ်မန်းနွယ် အဖွဲ့နှင့် အတူ) with Chit Man Nwe / Professor Harada & team
ခေတ်စမ်းစာပေ Co-founder of Khit San Sar Pay with Theikpan Maung Wa and Zawgyi
Three Pioneers
Saya U Wun (Minthuwun), BBS U Khin Zaw (“K”) and Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi)
U Khin Zaw founded BBS (Burma Broadcasting Service, Myanmar Ah Than) and served as its Director. Earlier, he was Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Library. He was succeeded by U Thein Han.
U Wun headed the Translation Department at Rangoon University. He served as Professor of Burmese at RU, and as Visiting Professor at Osaka University. He is a Lexicographer. He compiled the Myanmar Abhidan. He worked with Professor Harada (Chit Man Nwe) and team on the Japanese-Burmese Dictionary.
Zawgyi and Minthuwun are Laureate Poets. They co-founded Khit San Sar Pay with Theikpan Maung Wa (ICS U Sein Tin). They were the early students of Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Pali and Burmese Scholar, first native Principal of Rangoon College).
အထက်ပါခေါင်းစဉ်အောက်တွင် … ချန်လှပ်ထား၍ မဖြစ်သော ကဏ္ဍတခုမှာ ကျေးဇူးရှင်ဆရာ(ကြီး) တို့နှင့်ပတ်သက်၍ ကျွန်တော် ထိတွေ့မှတ်သားရသည့်အမှတ်ထင်ထင် အကြောင်းရာအချို့ဟု ကျွန်တော် သုံးသပ်ပါသည်။— with Mg Mar Ga and U Hla Min.
Thanks for your birthday wishes. I really appreciate it. I am lucky to have good friends and good former students like you in my life. Hope I will be able to see you in person some time in future.
HlaMin 