During his RIT days, he was known as Hla Myint Thein.
Per advice from his paternal uncle Saya U Win Kyaing, he took Mechanical Engineering.
Graduated in 1975.
Singapore & USA
Worked in Singapore before moving to USA.
Activities
Founding member of RIT Alumni International, which organized the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP.
Wore multiple hats at SPZP-2000
Co-Chair of the Working Committee (with Benny Tan)
Financial Controller
Logistics Chief
Publisher of commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter
Past President of BAPS. During his tenure, he used his culinary skills to host lunch meetings. His ancestors ran a top rated restaurant. He learned the recipe for Dan Bauk from his father, and has improved it. He would use different meat for his Dan Bauk.
Founding member & Past VP of NorCal RIT Alumni Association
Gave a seminar (e.g. on PE) at Mechanical Engineering Department, YTU
Donated books. Helped others (Daw Mu Mu Kin & Victor Wong) to donate books to YTU
With the help of some YTU sayas, he helped find eligible recipients for the scholarship offered by Daw Mu Mu Kin.
Mg Mar Ga wrote:
တကယ်အားကိုးရတဲ့ကျောင်းတော်သားပါ
Updates
Lost his father in September 2015
Lost his mother-in-law in September 2019
Memories
SF Bay Area Alumni
Meetings & Gatherings at Benny’s house
Welcome Sayas & Alumni to the SF Bay Area
SF Bay Area AlumniGathering at Benny’s houseGathering 2Gathering 3Gathering 4
SPZP-2000
Co-Chair, Working Committee
Several Subcommittees
SPZP-2000
M75
Reunion & fundraiser in Yangon
M75
Saya U Ba Than
Paid respect to Saya at Winner Inn
With Saya U Ba Than
Reunion of SPZP Organizers
KMZ visiting from Washington State
Benny enjoying retirement after three successful careers
Sea Food Restaurant
SF Bay Area Soon Kwyay
Hayward Kyaung (picture)
Also, Half Moon Bay Kyaung (for Maurice’s retirement, Kuto dana for Maurice’s dad)
In the dining hall, there is an album about Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa’s early years in the US (e.g. meditation retreat at a church, dhamma classes at a Zen Buddhism Temple).
There are also photos about the Summer Camp for children and young adults.
There are two cabinets of books: one for dhamma dana distribution, and another for sale.
Newsletter
The “Dhamma Bell Newsletter” was edited by volunteers (U Theikdi & Maureen O’Brien).
It was published quarterly.
It featured dhamma talks given at TMC and also recipes (e.g. vegetarian spring rolls).
Sayadaws
Panditarama Sayadaw
Panditarama Sayadaw
Sayadawgyi conducted Annual Meditation Retreats.
Later, he assigned Sayadaws to conduct the Retreats on his behalf.
Beelin Sayadaw
Beelin Sayadaw
Spent over a decade as Chief Resident Sayadaw at TMC
Back in Myanmar, Sayadaw resided at Hse Mile Gone and Panditarama
Passed away on June 18, 2025.
TMC will have a ceremony on July 19, 2025 starting at 2 PM to honor Beelin Sayadaw.
U Dhammika (Tharmane Kyaw Sayadaw)
Sayadaw taught Pali courses at TMC
He wrote “Pali Sikkha ပါဠိသိက္ခာ” (Practicing Pali) texts.
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.
The account about the Association of Engineers in Burma after World War was told by Saya U Tin U and recorded by Saya U Ba Than.
The Association was re-instituted about 1955-56.
President : Sayagyi U Ba Hli (Dean of Engineering, University of Rangoon)
Honorary Secretary : Saya U Soon Sein (Professor, Mining)
Honorary Treasurer : Saya U Tin U (Part time Lecturer, Civil)
U Tin U
U Tin U
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1946.
Attended Rangoon University before going for studies in the USA.
Captain & Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club in 1948. Represented RUBC in the Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi in 1948 along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and Khin Maung Wint (Bobby).
Received BCSE from the University of Oregon and MCSE from Yale University.
Upon his return to Burma, he worked in the industry and taught part-time at the Civil Engineering department.
Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club
Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC
Retired as Advisor of PWD Group.
U Ba Than
U Ba Than
1947 : Matriculated from St. John’s Dio and won Collegiate Scholarship.
1949 : Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam
RUBC Full Green
Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
As a requirement for promotion, he did his Masters at Imperial College
Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Early supporter of HMEE-2012 project. Donated his photo albums. Requested U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.
Before the pandemic, he invited former colleagues and students to his Birthday Soon Kyaw at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
He donated back all of the Garawa Money to various social and religious associations.
He is now GBNF.
Updates
HMEE book was published in December 2012. Copies of the book were donated to Universities’ Central Library and YTU Library.
U Tin U lost his spouse Dr. Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt in November 2019, his elder son Dr. Peter Khin Tun in April 2020 and his son-in-law U Tin Tun in May 2030. He will celebrate his 96th birthday on August 3, 2025.
U Ba Than passed away after his 94th birthday in 2024.
Specialization : Medical Astrology; Visiting Professor at တိုင်းရင်းဆေးပညာကျောင်း
Founder, IDEA Astrology
Now GBNF
Veda Programs
Requested me to develop programs for Veda calculations and predictions. Assigned Ko Win Latt and Ko Zaw Tun.
Ko Win Latt (UCC) developed Win Horo. He later founded a Computer Training School & SysMagic. Currently in Bangkok.
Win Latt
Ko Zaw Tun (UCC) developed a Prolog program for prediction. He later founded a Computer Training School. Moved to Singapore. Gawpaka at Singapore Chan Myei
Zaw Tun
Final Years
I visited U Myint Sein at his house. He showed me the text he had written for the School of Indigenous Medicine, where he was a Visiting Professor. He was fond of Medical Astrology. Several doctors would seek his advice for treating patients.
(Later) He passed away peacefully in his house while watching TV. He had earlier come back from Okkalapa where he had brunch.
Veda & Me
Shared my Veda knowledge to selected Computer Science students
Shared my Computing expertise to selected Veda sayas. Helped BARB sayas & students use programmable calculators and handheld computers.
Became acquainted with Veda sayas : U Khin Aung Bo, U Than Htay, U Myint Lwin, Bogyi Kyaw Zan Hla …
Wrote articles (with three pen names) for Jotisha Veda magazine.
U Myint Sein led discussion groups at selected houses (e.g. U Khin Maung San, Bohmu Thane Myint) over lunch.
Veda Sayas
U Myint Sein
He was Principal at BARB. He later founded IDEA Astrology.
U Than Htay
Zartar
He taught Ganita (ဂဏိတ). He also wrote articles, Lecture Guides & Books. He later co-founded MARB and served as VP. He had health problems. He is now GBNF.
U Myint Lwin
Taught Phalita ဖလိတ at BARB and MARB
Vice President, MARB
Helped compile and publish the Veda Calendar
Passed away several years back
U Khin Aung Bo
Taught Thanhita သံဟိတ at BARB and MARB
President, MARB
Passed away peacefully while praying on May 13, 2020 at the age of 80.
Was relatively strong and healthy despite his love of cigarettes
Graduated with Civil Engineering from RIT in 1970 and joined the Faculty
Developed programs for Astronomy and Astrology
Taught Astronomy at BARB and MARB
Passed away in Pwin Oo Lwin a few years back. Sadly, his son passed away unexpectedly a few days before his demise. It was a Double Tragedy for the family.
MARB (Myanmar Astro Research Bureau)
U Than Htay
Former BARB sayas (U Khin Aung Bo, U Myint Lwin, U Than Htay, U Hla Win, U Kyaw Myint …) founded MARB. U Khin Aung Bo was President. U Myint Lwin & U Than Htay were VP. U Kyaw Myint was Secy. U Hla Win headed the Research Program.
Other MARB sayas include U Thein Aung, U Soe Thein, Dr. Aung Myin Bo.
U Kyaw Myint (T72)
U Kyaw Myint & Dr. Kan Nyunt
Thin Char Luyechun in High School
Studied at BARB. Taught at BARB and MARB
Current President of MARB. Succeeded U Khin Aung Bo.
Also Expert on indigenous medicine.
Youngest of 13 siblings.
Four are alive and well. Saya Saw was good at writing Yee Zar Sar. He was reprimanded by his aunt for supposedly helping a friend to write Yee Zar Sar to give to his cousin. Bagyi Kan is a doctor and Patron of MARB. He translated several Veda texts. U Sein Tun and U Kyaw Myint would pay respect to Saya Saw and Bagyi Kan following the noble tradition.
U Kyaw Myint wrote a long letter to the parents of a classmate & belle presenting why is an invaluable suitor.
U Hla Win (M73)
Core Organizer of RIT Saya Pu Zaw Pwes and activities
Attended DAC
Studied at BARB. Taught at BARB and MARB.
Secretary and/or VP of MARB.
Member of Myanmar Pyeik Ka Dein Ah Phwe.
He used to send me his car and/or a Veda saya to pick me up to visit the old MARB office.
U Soe Thein & U Thein Aung
Studied at BARB
Taught at MARB
Dr. Aung Myin Bo
Not related to U Khin Aung Bo.
Studied Veda from distinguished sayas. Helped them (e.g doing research& writing / refining Veda programs).
Gave me a ride to visit the old and new MARB offices.
Veda Sayas
Updates
The founding members of BARB are now GBNF.
Several sayas from BARB and MARB — U Myint Sein, U Myint Lwin, U Khin Aung Bo and U Than Htay — are GBNF.
RIT Alumni helped establish the following Associations in California :
BEA
Burmese / Bay Area Engineers Association
Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF) was a founding member of BEA & served as the First President. He was President of TBSA. He wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter & SPZP-2000.
U Htin Paw
Saya U San Tun (Sain Fone Wong, M59) succeeded U Htin Paw as President. He invited us to his birthday party & his son’s wedding reception. He had a Stroke. He is recuperating.
U San Tun
Saya K C Chiu (Dr. Tin Aung, ChE63) succeeded U San Tun as President. He proposed the idea of forming BEA with sayas and alumni in the SF Bay Area. Lily (T73) agreed to be Secretary.
K C (Right)Lily (Seated, Center)
BEA merged with BASTS into BAPS.
BAPS
Burmese American Professional Society
Saya U Nyo Win (Dr. K H Chen, M65) served as the first President of BAPS. He also served as Editor of BAPS Newsletter.
U Nyo Win (2nd)
Benny Tan (Tan Yu/Eu Beng, M70) succeeded U Nyo Win as President
Benny
Maurice Chee (U Hla Myint Thein, M75) succeeded Benny Tan as President
Maurice (Seated Right)
The Three became founding members of RIT Alumni International and Core Organizers for SPZP-2000.
BASES
Burmese American Society for Engineers and Scientists
Saya U Tin Htut (M60), U Tin Htway (M59) and U “David” Tun Tin founded BASES. They adapted the BAPS bye-laws and added the needs for those in Southern California.
U Tin Htut
Several sayas and alumni served President, VP, Secretary, Advisor & EC member. They include U Tin Htway (M59), Saya Dr. Chris Lee (L Tin Htun, EE59), Saya U Tin Htut (M60), Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62), U Tun Aung (Jefferey, EC68), U Aung Khin (EP68), U Tin Nwe (Milton, C68), U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68), U Thura Thant Zin (M76) & U Win Naing (Michael, M81)
Thura
RIT Alumni International
SF Bay Area Alumni Group
Founded by the SF Bay Area Alumni Group led by Saya Allen Htay.
SF Bay Area Alumni
To host SPZP-2000
To support RIT Alumni Newsletter (founded by U Hla Min, EC69), and the first RIT website (designed & implemented by U Khin Maung Zaw, EC76).
U Hla Min
Saya Allen served as President.
Maurice served as Treasurer. He and Benny chaired the Working Committee for SPZP-2000. They wore multiple hats for SPZP-2000.
Founding members included Saya Allen (C58), Saya K (ChE63), Saya Nyo (M65), Saya George (ChE66), Saya Myat Htoo (C68), Hla Min (EC69), Benny (M70), Saya Thein Aung (Met72), Maurice (M75), KMZ (EC76) and Gordon (M83).
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Several more sayas and alumni (including BAPS and BASES members) volunteered for SPZP-2000.
Norcal RITAA
Founded to continue the Vision & Mission of RIT Alumni International.
NorCal RITAA
Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66) served as the first President. Successors : Gordon Kaung (M83), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) and U Tin Maung Win (C76)
Saya U Maung Maung
Stan Liou (M67) served as first Chair of BOD (Board of Directors). Successor : Saya U Myat Htoo (C68)
YTU Library
Activities: Financial support for children of alumni in Norcal & for eligible YTU students; Support for YTU Library Modernization; Annual Dinner and/or Picnic; Coordinated with BASES for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Alumnus of SPHS, RU Faculty of Engineering, German University and Birmingham University
Graduated in 1960 and joined Mechanical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
His parents needed help to run their business. He complied. Three family members — his father U Chit Maung, his eldest brother U Sein Tin and saya — were taken into custody for several months.
After completing his Waso at Insein, he rejoined Mechanical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer. New Sayas had to join as Instructors.
Taught Industrial Management. Earlier, the subject was taught by Visiting Lecturers from Faculty of Social Science & Institute of Economics.
Rowing
Past Captain & Gold of RUBC
Won Senior Novices twice : as Rower and as Cox of the All Paulian Crew with Tun Shein (Willie), Than Nyun (George), M Hla Min (Moosajee) & Sao Hso Holm (Sawbwa Lay)
Served as Administrator of YUBC for several years
USA
Joined Northrop and also helped several alumni to join the company
Took Sabbatical to work for UN
Founded BASES with U Tin Htway (M59) and U Tun Tin (David, GBNF). He is a Past President.
Financial Controller for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
Helped with SPZP-2000 held in San Francisco.
Came to SF Bay Area to attend RIT gatherings and to have family reunion with his sisters.
Hosted me at his new house. Took me to BASES Dinner and La Puente Monastery the following day (where there was a Soon Kwyay followed by Literary Talks).
Donations
K100 lakhs to YTU Library Modernization Project
K10 lakhs to SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
Donated to All Mechanical Gathering
Memories
SPZP-2000
SPZP-2000
2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
2015 Reunion in Los Angeles2015 Reunion in Los Angeles
Donations
DonationU Tin Htut and U Wynn Htain Oo
Singapore
U Tin Htut, U Mg Mg Win, Dr. Tin Win & U Aung MyintU Tin Htut in SingaporeU Tin Htut in Singapore
Northern California RIT Alumni Association was formed to carry on some activities of RIT Alumni International with the help of younger alumni.
Past Presidents include Saya U Maung Maung / George (ChE66), Gordon Kaung (M83) and U Aung Myint Oo (EC84). Current President is U Tin Maung Win (C86).
The first Chair of BOD was Stan Liou (M67). Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, GBNF) served as Chair for several terms.
David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67, GBNF)
David Ko
Entrepreneur
Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2000.
Donated $3000 to SPZP-2012.
Supported Norcal RITAA. Sponsored a table at the Annual Dinner to invite selected sayas (e.g U Myo Myint Sein & Dr. Tin Win) & alumni (e.g U Thura Thant Zin) from Southern California
After his demise, his spouse Mavis Ko continued supporting the Alumni Association
NorCal RITAA Dinner
Saya U Myo Myint Sein (A58)
Saya Myo
First batch of Architecture graduates
Masters from Michigan University
Professor at RIT
Published books on Architecture
President of RU ConBro association. He and his brothers attended De La Salle Schools.
Played Soccer
Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62)
Dr. Tin Win
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio.
Won a Gold Medal in 1958 for Joint Highest Score in Maths in I.Sc (both years)
Youngest in the Class of M62
Doctorate from Melbourne University
Past President of BASES
Core Organizer for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Daw Khin Htar Yee (Lily, T72)
Lily (Rightmost)
Founding member & Secretary of BEA
Spouse and supporter of Saya Dr. Tin Win & his projects; Financial support for eligible students; Fundraiser for SPZP-2007 by running the LA Marathon
Organizer, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
U Thura Thant Zin (M76)
Thura (Seated Right)
Goalkeeper for All Universities & Institutes’ Hockey Team
RUBC Gold with Dat Pon Sann Aung (GBNF), Win Khaing (GBNF) & Phyo
Past President of BASES
Organizer, SPZP-2000
Organizer, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66)
Saya George
Founding member of RIT Alumni International
Organizer, SPZP-2000
Founding member & First President of Norcal RITAA
Fundraiser for the Training Component of YTU Library Modernization project
Daw Khin Khin Kyu (Ann, A67)
Ann (2nd from Right)
Supporter of RIT Alumni international & Norcal RITAA
Classmates include Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (GBNF) and U Tun Thein.
Brother : Saya U Thein Han (Maths, Burma selected in Basketball)
Notes
BASES invited alumuni from Norcal to attend Annual Dinner. One was hosted by U Tin Htway (M59, co-founder). Most others were held at selected hotels and restaurants.
HlaMin 