HlaMin

Category: NorCal RITAA

  • NorCal RITAA

    NorCal RITAA

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    • 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) has 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.

  • NorCal RITAA Sept 2018

    by Hla Min

    Update : Apr 2026

    Hosts

    U Myat Htoo & Daw Hnin Maung Maung

    Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Chair of BOD (Board of Directors) and Daw Hnin Maung Maung (“Ma Ku”) hosted the face-to-face meeting on September 23, 2018.

    The face-to-face meeting is usually held every quarter.

    The next meeting will be held in early November by U Nyunt Than (M86), Joint Secretary and Daw Htwe Htwe to prepare for the AGM (Annual General Meeting), where the election of the EC (Executive Committee) and BOD will take place.

    Activities

    One activity of NorCal RITAA is to provide scholarship (some prefer the terms stipend, grant and financial aid) to eligible YTU students.

    Last year four YTU students were offered $1000 for a year and three YTU students were offered $500 for a year.

    The current recipients should reapply the following years if (a) they have maintained good grades (b) they still need financial assistance.

    U San Lin (M87) and family have pledged to support for one student a maximum of six years until graduation.

    U San Lin (Rightmost)

    Daw Mu Mu Kin, spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) has supported two students. She has pledged to support one student for the following year.

    Daw Mu Mu Kin

    U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, M83) and Daw Lillian Kaung (EC83), owners of iNapa Wine, have pledged to support one student for the following year.

    Gordon & Lillian

    Donations

    U Thein Tun Aung (Dennis, EP76) donated $600 to the NorCal RITAA Scholarship fund.

    Daw Kyu Kyu Lin (Bawlone, T75) donated $300 to the NorCal RITAA Scholarship fund.

    Daw Khin Mya Yee (Sarah, C77) donated $200 to the NorCal RITAA General Fund.

    King Wong (Victor, C66) donated $100 to the YTU Library Project via NorCal RITAA.

    Saya Dr. Nyo Win (M65) donated $50 at the NorCal RITAA Summer Picnic.

    NorCal RITAA presented appreciation award (plaque, certificate) to the major donors.

    The list of donors is maintained by U Ko Ko Zin (M84), Treasurer.

    Updates

    • Saya U Maung Maung (ChE66), Gordon Kaung (M83) & U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) are Past Presidents.
    • U Tin Maung Win (C86) is the President.
    • Stan Liou (M67) is Past Chair of BOD.
    • Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) has been Chair of BOD for several terms.
    • During the pandemic, several activities were put on hold.
    • In 2023, activities resumed with the Annual Dinner.
    2023
    • In 2024, NorCal RITAA celebrated the Centennial of Engg Education in Burma, and the 60th Anniversary of RIT. It also revamped the website.
    • Several sayas and senior alumni mentioned the difficulty of attending Dinner Gatherings.
    • NorCal RITAA will hold a special Lunch Gathering on August 16, 2025. The entertainment program will feature Tu Tu & Zayanda. The educational program will feature two Speakers.
    Lunch Party

  • Maurice Chee

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Apr 2026

    RIT Days

    • Matriculated from MEHS in 1969.
    • 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:

    တကယ်အားကိုးရတဲ့​ကျောင်း​တော်သားပါ

    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 Alumni
    Gathering at Benny’s house
    Gathering 2
    Gathering 3
    Gathering 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)
    Soon Kyway

    Retirees’ Lunch Gathering

    • Selected restaurants & malls

    Posts

    • BAPS
    • NorCal RITAA
    • RIT Alumni International
    • SF Bay Area Alumni
    • SPZP

  • NorCal RITAA

    by Hla Min

    Update : Apr 2026

    2018

    Hosts

    U Myat Htoo & Daw Hnin Maung Maung

    Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Chair of BOD (Board of Directors) and Daw Hnin Maung Maung (“Ma Ku”) hosted the face-to-face meeting on September 23, 2018.

    The face-to-face meeting is usually held every quarter.

    The next meeting will be held in early November by U Nyunt Than (M86, Joint Secretary) and Daw Htwe Htwe to prepare for the AGM (Annual General Meeting), where the election of the EC (Executive Committee) and BOD will take place.

    Activities

    An activity of NorCal RITAA is to provide scholarship (some prefer the terms stipend, grant and financial aid) to eligible YTU students.

    Last year four YTU students were offered $1000 for a year and three YTU students were offered $500 for a year.

    The current recipients should reapply the following years if (a) they have maintained good grades (b) they still need financial assistance.

    U San Lin (M87) and family have pledged to support for one student a maximum of six years until graduation.

    U San Lin (Rightmost)

    Daw Mu Mu Kin, spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) has supported two students. She has pledged to support one student for the following year.

    Daw Mu Mu Kin

    U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, M83) and Daw Lillian Kaung (EC83), owners of iNapa Wine, have pledged to support one student for the following year.

    Gordon & Lillian

    Donations

    U Thein Tun Aung (Dennis, EP76) donated $600 to the NorCal RITAA Scholarship fund.

    Daw Kyu Kyu Lin (Bawlone, T75) donated $300 to the NorCal RITAA Scholarship fund.

    Daw Khin Mya Yee (Sarah, C77) donated $200 to the NorCal RITAA General Fund.

    King Wong (Victor, C66) donated $100 to the YTU Library Project via NorCal RITAA.

    Saya Dr. Nyo Win (M65) donated $50 at the NorCal RITAA Summer Picnic.

    NorCal RITAA presented appreciation award (plaque, certificate) to the major donors.

    The list of donors is maintained by U Ko Ko Zin (M84), Treasurer.

    Updates

    • Saya U Maung Maung (ChE66), Gordon Kaung (M83) & U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) are Past Presidents.
    • U Tin Maung Win (C86) is the President.
    • Stan Liou (M67) is Past Chair of BOD.
    • Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) has been Chair of BOD for several terms.
    • During the pandemic, several activities were put on hold.
    • In 2023, activities resumed with the Annual Dinner.
    2023
    • In 2024, NorCal RITAA celebrated the Centennial of Engg Education in Burma, and the 60th Anniversary of RIT. It also revamped the website.
    • Several sayas and senior alumni mentioned the difficulty of attending Dinner Gatherings.
    • NorCal RITAA will hold a special Lunch Gathering on August 16, 2025. The entertainment program will feature Tu Tu & Zayanda. The educational program will feature two Speakers.
    Lunch Party