Rector : Rangoon University, Rangoon Arts & Science University and University of Distance Learning
Saya Kha Hall
Saya Kha Hall
Spouse : Daw Khin Soe Tint (Sayama Ruby)
Son : Dr. Oak Soe Kha
Daughters : Maimee Kha, May Thi Kha, Dr. Myat Munn Kha
Sayas Association in Sept 1988
Saya Thutmagga
Oway Magazine
Oway Magazine
Published by Rangoon University Student Union-
Ko Aung San served as Editor
Oway Magazine Committee
Minthuwun
U Wun co-founded Khit San Sar Pay with U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa) & U Thein Han (Zaw Gyi)
Translation Department Head, RU
Lexicographer
Professor of Burmese, RU
Visiting Professor, Osaka University
Minthuwun
Selected Photos
Several were published in RU Centennial Facebook Pages
RU Ah Nu Pyinnya ShinRU ArtistsRU Badge 1RU Badge 2RU Estate 1RU Estate 2Prome Hall SoccerSagaing RoadShwe Bo HallInya HallYadanar Hall Yadanar Hall 1978 Thit Pote 1Thit Pote 2SEAP Games 1969SEAP Games 1961MinthameeSaing Waing 1Saing Waing 2Philosophy (Workers’ College)Table TennisTrack and Field
U Tin Htoon (A60) : Co-founder, Architects Incorporated. Joined PWD. Worked in Singapore and USA. Rowing and Sailing Champion. Organizer.
Steeve Kay (EC70, GBNF)
Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZP (starting with SPZP-2000)
Donated US $200,000+ for RIT-related activities
See related posts
Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein, EC70)
Myint Pe (M72)
Mike Khe
Member of Swel Daw Yeik Troupe for RU Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1970. He was Lushwindaw Seik Kyee.
Founded “RIT Cartoon Box” under the patronage of Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (C65, “Phone Ko”) &Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69, “Kyant Ba Hone”).
Organized four generations of “RIT Cartoon Box” cartoonists to compile & publish “RIT Selected Cartoons” for SPZP-2012.
Produced cartoon pamphlets for SPZP-2016
Active in MES (e.g. Young Engineers Program)
Coordinated set up of exhibits and musical program at SPZPs & Shwe YaDu.
Coaxed U-70 musicians to record songs at a professional studio. He is a Mike Khe Pho Soe Chin.
Gave me a ride from the SPZP-2012 Preparation Meeting to M72 Reunion & Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe.
On the ride back home, he and Saya U Moe Aung discussed about their idea of helping sayas and alumni as a Foundation.
More discussions with enthusiasts led to the founding of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
Cancer survivor.
Lost his beloved spouse, but life goes on
Myint Pe’s Cartoon
Nan Khin Nwe (M92)
Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake)
1983 Intake
Victim of three year school closure
Fund raiser for SPZPs and Alumni Association
Stan Liou (M67)
Stan Liou (M67)
Member of the RIT team which won Inter-Institute Table Tennis
Founding member of NorCal RITAA
Past Chair, BOD, NorCal RITAA
See post on “Table Tennis”
RIT Movie Actors
They include
Thamankyar Ko Myint : PPBRS, SPHS & RIT alumnus
Thamankyar
Dway (GBNF) : Academy award winner
Min Oo
Min Oo (Actor)
Pyay Ti Oo
See Posts
RIT Gatherings
Seattle, Washington
U Tin Htoon (A60, California)
U Aung Khin (A69, Seattle)
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, Seattle)
Tin Htoon (A60), Khin Maung Zaw (EC76), Aung Khin (A69) in Seattle
Singapore
Singapore mini-gathering
Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69)
Saya U Tu Myint (M, Retired from Singapore Polytechnic)
U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69, Retired from NTU)
James Than (Tennis)
RIT Sayamas
RIT English
Sayamas Muriel and Toni (English)
Muriel : Met her at Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt’s house in Milpitas, California; Lives in Thailand; Visits US
Toni : Lost her beloved spouse (former Ambassador); Met her at her late aunt’s house in Windermere Road; She stays sharp by playing Scrabble and Bridge
Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70) : Dana Dri Lanka; Singapore Pon Chan Chan; Spouse —Don Min U Yu Swan (M68@@)
Tin May Soe (ChE70)
RIT Artifacts
Shwe YaDu Lann
Shwe YaDu Lann
To celebrate the Golden Anniversary of RIT in 2014
See posts “Anniversaries”
See Kabyar by Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung)
See my translation
Old Clocks
Old clocks
Repaired / restored by an alumni
For old times’ sake
See post on “Clocks” and “Time”
RIT Alumni Associations
RIT Alumni International
RIT Alumni International
San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
Meetings at the house of Benny Tan (M70)
Founded to support the first ex-rit web site; Designed and implemented by Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) in Seattle, Washington (Lone member outside California); Content provider & editor : Hla Min (EC69)
Hosted SPZP-2000
RIT Alumni International Newsletter was founded in April / May of 1999
Many posts by the members (especially written for SPZP-2000)
RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association
RITAA Logo
For several decades (during the Adhamma Era), there were no organizations / associations
A few years back, RITAA was formed and registered
Hosted SPZP-2016 with the help of sponsors, donors and volunteers
RITAA Members
RIT Artists
Pon Tu
Bagyee Myat Myo Myint
Myo Myint (M73)
Designed covers for RIT Annual Magazines; Swel Daw Yeik Magazines for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu & SPZP-2016
Drew paintings and set up an exhibition at SPZP-2016
Drew Pon Tus of sayas, sayamas and selected alumni. Handed over the Pon Tus personally or via alumni
Pon Tu of DAG
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi’s photo was brought from Myanmar by Metallurgy sayas attending the 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles. It was handed over at a mini-gathering hosted at iNapa Winery.
RIT Sayas
Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
Saya Allen Htay and Daw Mu Mu Kin
Leader, San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group
Founding member & President, RIT Alumni International
Wrote “Brother, can you afford US $500?”
See posts about Saya, SPZPs and RIT Aumni International
Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to YTU Library. She sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students in Sayas’s memory.
U Tin U
U Tin U, U Soe Paing, Alice
Joined Rangoon University in 1946, when it reopened after a closure of three years
Past Captain & Gold, RUBC
Represented RUBC at the 1948 Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein & U Khin Maung Thint
BSCE from Oregon State University
MSCE from Yale University
Taught part-time at Civil Department
Past Captain, RGC
Gave interview for HMEE-2012 Project
Until his early 80s, played golf (e.g. with Saya U Soe Paing)
U Ba Than (GBNF)
U Ba Than
Won Collegiate Scholarship in 1947
Won two medals in 1949 : First for overall score for I.Sc.; First for highest score in Maths for I.Sc.
B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London University
Taught until retirement as Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Major supporter of HMEE-2012 project
Donated photos / albums for the project
Invited colleagues & former students to annual Birthday Soon Kyaw in October
Wrote memoirs at the request of his grand son
Hosted several gatherings at Winner Inn (run by his son)
Donated all of the Garawa money received from the PZPs
Appreciation
Soon Kyway at Half Moon Bay Award
In August 2016, Maurice Chee (M75) organized a Birthday Soon Kyway for me at the Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay.
Attendees brought delicious food.
Charlie Tseng (EC70) & Diana Tseng (ChE71) ordered two birthday cakes.
Received two sets of greetings. One displayed greetings sent by e-mail before the gathering. The other signed by attendees at the gathering.
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi could not attend. He asked Maurice to read his message. He also requested Maurice to order a dessert in his name.
Received “Appreciation Award”. Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the award on behalf of the sayas and alumni
Award and Greetings
Class of 70 and 71
Known as “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”
Monthly breakfast gatherings (mostly at Sein Hlyan)
Ad hoc gatherings (e.g. at Shwe Bei)
Khin Maung Myint (M71) wrote :
I visited Yangon for business. During short stay I was able to meet up with these ex-RIT Colleagues. Organizer is Harry Kyaw (Myo Nyunt, SPHS63). He always does voluntarily this kind of arrangement for all his friends.
Ko Khin Maung Myint (ChE71) seemed fit and fresh after kidney transplant – as well taken care by kind hearted Rosie (Mai Khin Nyunt, ChE71).
All of us in these photos are junior to you but you would recognize, remember, recall some of them.
Myint Than rowed same crew with me and also he was RIT Chin Lone Selection
Than Htaik was Mr. RIT Runner Up at that time and still is still keeping that body.
Kyaw Win Maung is Lu Ye Chun
Thein Nyunt
Owen (Aung Win, M71) is also our same batch, RIT Footballer, a lucky man being to be my BIL (brother-in-law)
Young volunteer doctors (e.g. Dr. Kyaw Min) provided transportation to the elderly doctors to a Center where they can enjoy the day (with their favorite activities)
Daw Myint Myint Khin
Daw Sein Sein(GBNF)
Retired Director, DHE
Former Registrar, RASU
Daw Sein Sein
Daw Su (GBNF)
First resident of Inya Hall
Performed Dances in Fund Raiser for Tekkatho Dhammayone
Spouse : Daw Khin Mya Mu (Kyauk sar expert, Thamadi Myo Wun)
English
U Myo Min (Nwe Soe) was an early Professor of English at the University of Rangoon.
Some early Lecturers include Dr. Ba Maw, Saya Kan Gyi, Ms. Maggie Chin Cheng, Daw Thein Nyunt, U Ohn Khin and Daw Than May.
U Win Pe was an early Honors graduate. His pen names include Mya Zin, Po Yazar, Epsilon, Sagar Daung Zar
Under the then new Education System, English Departments were opened at the various Universities and Institutes. Daw Yin Yin Mya headed the RIT English Department. Sheila Saing was the Deputy Head.
English 83 84 aEnglish 83 84 bEnglish 83 84 c
Engineering
The First RU Students’ Strike resulted in the amendment of the RU Act of 1920 to offer Engineering and other professional courses.
The first Engineering courses were offered in 1924.
Civil Engineering was the first Department.
The early departments at the Faculty of Engineering include Architecture, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Mining and Textile
For details, see “History of Myanmar Engineering Education” published in 2012.
HMEE BookCD Supplement
Electrical Engineering
Some early students studied “Electrical and Mechanical Engineering” for a joint degree.
Later, students could major in Electrical Engineering (EE)
EE offered two options : EP (Electrical Power) and EC (Electrical Communications).
Many years later, EP and EC became separate departments. EC is also called EcE and Electronics Engineering
EE Sayas in the 1960s
EE Sayas
During our days, there were about 20 sayas in the RIT EE Department. A few were on deputation (doing postgrad studies abroad).
The group photo had 14 sayas. U Kyaw Tun, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way and U Nyi Nyi are now GBNF.
I wrote an article “A sad and short clip : EE Sayas” in the Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010 held in Singapore.
EE Sayas and Alumni at SPZP-2000
The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by RIT Alumni International in October 2000.
The Group Photo shows the EE sayas and Alumni at SPZP-2000 in San Francisco, California, USA.
SPZP-2000
EE72 PZP
EE72
EE stands for EC and EP.
H.E. U Aye Myint (EP72) did not forget his roots. He wanted his alma mater to gain glory as in the hey days. He made possible the True “Home Coming” (SPZP-2012) at the Gyogone Campus.
H.E. U Kyaw Myo (Uno Myo Min) was named after the United Nations Organization. They share the same birthday in October.
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) and U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) are seen with the EE Alumni at the EE 72 PZP.
EE85 PZP
PZP
U Soe Paing was my mentor at RIT and UCC. He recruited me to join UCC.
U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) is a Laureate Poet and author. He chaired SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010 in Singapore. He published Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saungs for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010. He is a Patron of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
U Tin Maung Thein (EE62) is the eldest son of ICS U Ohn Maung (Arzani).
U Myo Kyi (EE59) and Dr. Ba Lwin (EE59) are the most senior among the EE sayas that are still alive.
There are many EE sayamas and female students. During our days, we had a single female EE classmate : Tin Tin. Daw Mya Mya Than (EP68, GBNF) was an early EE sayama.
Exam Results
EE 62
In the early days, exam results were posted at the respective Universities.
Some results were published in the daily newspapers.
Matriculation results were announced by Myanmar Ah Than.
Exam Results in 1962
Eco
The Faculty of Social Science offered subjects such as Commerce, Economics and Statistics.
Under the new Education System, the Institute of Economics was established.
The term “Eco” may refer to Economics Department or the Institute.
Burma had distinguished Economists, Commerce Professors and Statisticians.
The photo shows the Track and Field team from the Institute of Economics.
Eco T&F
The Institute of Economics had three (or more) female crews when RUBC became Co-Ed. Some (e.g. Ma Khin Mya) went on to be RUBC Gold.
The following are inscriptions found on the Buildings of the University of Rangoon.
Note that some old inscriptions use “V” instead of “U”.
Inscription 1922
Inscription for RU Library
Inscription 1927
ICST
The Institute of Computer Science and Technology was established in 1987. Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was the first Rector.
Its predecessors include UCC (Universities’ Computer Center) and DCS (Department of Computer Science).
Its successor is UCSY (University of Computer Studies in Yangon).
Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe at ICST
There have been five Pu Zaw Pwes.
The recent ones took place in January 2018 and December 2019.
30th Anniversary of ICST
The event took place in March 2018.
ICST 2ICST 4ICST 3ICST 1
Invictus
Bogyoke Aung San translated Henley’s poem and published in the Oway Magazine.
Invictus
IM
In the early days, there was RU Faculty of Medicine.
Three Institute of Medicine were opened in 1964.
Institute of Medicine (1) Rector : Dr. Ba Than
Dr. Ba Than
Institute of Medicine (2) Rector : Dr. U E
Dr. U E
Mandalay Institute of Medicine Rector : Dr. Maung Maung Gyi
Dr. Maung Maung Gyi
IM1 79ers
They matriculated in 1971.
Due to school closures, they graduated in 1979.
IM1 79er
Inlay
In the summer of 1965, I attended the Inlay “Khaung Daing” Luyechun Camp as the first batch of University Luyechuns. The Program started in 1964 with the Ngapali Camp and folded in 1988.
In October 1965, Ko Aung Kyaw (Peter Pe, SPHS) invited Ko Maung Maung Aye and me to a trip to In Paw Khone (village in Inlay) and Taunggyi. We were guests of his cousin (a medical doctor in Inlay) and his uncle U Maung Maung Latt (former Ah Matt Choke of Nyaung Shwe Sawbwa in Taunggyi). We attended the famous Phaung Daw-u Festival.
Poem
In 2016, we took a package tour and visited Inlay. We were sad to see the decline in the environment, but were glad to see good hotels in and around Inlay.
In January 2020, the Myanmar Professional Speakers Association (PSA) 2020 tour ended in a hotel beside the Inlay lake.
Inlay
Inya Hall
Daw Su is the spouse of U Saw Lwin.
She was the first occupant of Room No. (1) in Inya Hall.
They have three daughters : Hazel Saw Lwin, Olive Saw Lwin and May Saw Lwin.
Daw Su danced several roles for the fund raiser of University Dhammayone.
She was interviewed for the Commemorative Issues for Inya Hall and the University Dhammayone.
Inya Hall 1Inya Hall 2Inya Hall 3
Intake of 64 Arch
Some classes are referred to the year of Admission / Intake.
Three batches of students were admitted in November 1964 to study Architecture.
Saya Sai Yee Leik (GBNF) was the lone student for the Class of A68.
There were seven students — Kyaw Kyaw, Aung Khin, Myo Tun (Bobby), Tobias Kittim Ku (GBNF), Thet Tun, Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi (Olive) and Tin Maung Hla (GBNF) — for the Class of A69.
Christine Latt, Pamela Myo Min, Tin Tin Hla, Hla Than, Khin Maung Maung and Kyaw Win Hman (GBNF) are from the Class of A70.
Intake of 64 Arch
Ivan
Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69) moved to the USA.
He has successful careers as a Professional Engineer in two states (New York and New Jersey) and as Entrepreneur.
He is a Life Time Platinum for Bridge (Card game).
He is a Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2000 and SPZP-2007.
He is a major donor for the RIT 69er Health Care Fund.
For a decade (or more) he sponsored the Annual RIT-UCC Gathering in New Jersey for Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi, Saya U Soe Paing, RIT alumni and UCC alumni.
In 2015, he hosted us for two weeks and organized a whirl wind trip to Canada to pay respect to Sayagyi U Aung Khin (in Windsor, Canada), Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi (in Napean, Canada) and to visit Buffalo, Niagara, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York on the way. Ivan provided his car and fuel. Frederick Thetgyi drove most of the trip and also took photographs.
He is a founding member of MASTAA and served as its CEO.
With Ivan Lee and Dr. Aung Gyi
IC
Industrial Chemistry was first taught by Dr. Than Htaik and his colleagues.
Eligible IC graduates could join RIT to study ChE (Chemical Engineering).
IC 1969 – 73IC Garawa
Posts
Independence Day Regatta in 1948 (by U Tin U)
Independence Day Regatta in 1959 (by U Tun Shein, Dr. Tin Wa and Dr. Thein Htut)
AdoniramJudson was an American Baptist Missionary to Burma.
He and his team members compiled the English-Burmese and Burmese-English Dictionaries, and translated the Bible.
Judson Dictionary
Third Edition1922 Edition
Judson College
In 1920, Judson College became a constituent college of the University of Rangoon.
Judson
Japanese Surrender
The Japanese Occupation lasted about three years.
Several Burmese that were born during the period are known as “Japun” or “Japungyi”.
An ad-hoc University was opened on Mogul (Shwe Bontha) Street. Sayagyi U Ba Toke taught Mathematics at that University.
“Japun Khiit Say Yone” was run by Dr. Ba Than (Medical Superintendent). His assistants include Dr. Myint Swe (father of Gilbert) and Dr. Maung Maung (father of Ko Maung Maung Kyi).
March 27, 1945 is the official date of the “Taw Hlan Yay”. Bohmu Ba Htoo started a few days earlier.
Japan gave Reparation Aid, which was used in part for the Lawpita Hydroelectric Power Plant.
JICA set up projects (e.g. hospital) and training/study programs.
Japanese Surrender
Jokes
Dave Singh Saluja (SPHS, RIT, Rama Enterprise in Bangkok) had a collection of 100+ joke books.
U Sein Win Joke
Saya U Sein Win was known as “Khone Swa” during his studies at the University of Michigan in the USA.
He enjoys swimming, rowing and debates.
He left his brand new spouse at Scott Market (Bogyoke Zay). Saya went back to RIT, and had a long discussion with his students. The students asked, “How is Sayagadaw?” The reply : “Let’s end the discussion. It’s past time I should have picked her up at the Zay”.
Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69) wrote :
Classic example of ‘the absent-minded professor!’
U Aung Myint (Sonny, SPHS64, UCC) added :
I heard about that (absent mindedness of Sayar U Sein Win) from some of the students or from the Lab staffs while I was in EC lab: What I heard was a little different. What I heard was ” He parked at Hledan Zay his wife went for buying. He was waiting inside the car. Suddenly he got an idea of taking Hair cut nearby instead of waiting for a long time. After hair cutting he forgot everything and drove the car alone. I don’t know if that is true or not. I don’t even remember from whom I heard that story.
RU Intermediate of Science from 1961 – 1963 : We attended the last I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone
Institute of Medicine (1) from 1963 : My spouse attended 1st MBBS and 2nd MBBS at Leik Khone
Several events were held in the Dome, e.g. visiting orchestra from the USA
Later had Administration Offices (for Department of Higher Education)
Leik Khone 1Leik Khone 2Leik Khone 3Leik Khone 4
Los Angeles
In 2015, the RIT Alumni Reunion was held in Los Angeles, California.
LA 2015
For several years, there was a mini-gathering to pay respect to Saya U Min Wun (Civil, GbNF). Dr. San Lin (C62) offered my spouse and I to join him on one occasion. He drove most of the trip. We stayed at the house of U Aung Khin (EP68) and Daw The.
Los Angeles (with U Min Wun)
Law
When the University of Rangoon was established in December 1920, it had the Department of Law.
HlaMin 