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
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.
Alumnus of SPHS, RU Faculty of Engineering, Birmingham University & German University
Joined Mechanical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer after graduating in 1960
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 OoU Tin Htut
Singapore
U Tin Htut, U Mg Mg Win, Dr. Tin Win & U Aung MyintU Tin Htut in SingaporeU Tin Htut in Singapore
Coup D’etat on March 2, 1962 ended Democracy in Burma.
There were two dark days in July 1962. July 7th saw the violent techniques for handling protests. July 8th saw the demolition of the revered Rangoon University Student Union.
All parties (except BSPP) and organizations were banned.
Alumni Associations
For several decades, there was no alumni associations at the Universities and Institutes in Myanmar.
The “Pwint Linn” era saw the first True Home Coming and SPZP in December 2012.
Shwe YaDu celebrations were held jubilantly in 2014.
Preparation
A critical mass to form RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association) was reached in March 2016.
The Interim Committee headed by U Tin Latt (M85, President) was formed in time to host the SPZP-2016. The Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and the Reunion Dinner were held at the Gyogone Campus. The all-day event provided free food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Committee prepared the Bye Laws and RITAA was registered on June 29, 2017.
AGM
The invitation for the Annual General Meeting to elect the Executive Committee members for the 2018 – 2020 term was posted in the Kyemon newspaper on August 4, 2018.
Invitation
The AGM was held successfully on September 29, 2018.
The new EC members span three or so decades.
RITAA AGM
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72, Patron) was exuberant after fulfilling his promise to hand over the torch to the young and not so young.
WHO
The oldies will continue to support key projects and share their experience.
Membership
Please try to help your alma mater in any way you can be
Member Life membership : K60000 Annual membership : K12000
Executive Committee member
Patron
Donor
Volunteer
RITAA Report (Gist)
The Alumni Association is a requirement to get YTU accredited.
First step to establish RITAA started in March 2016 with the help of YTU Management and the Organizers of Shwe YaDu Celebration
Drafting and approval of Bye Law
Implementation Committee
Interaction with MEC
Visit by evaluators from Asian Pacific Engineering Association
Role in SPZP-2006 Planning and Implementation
Registration
Criteria for the accreditation of Post graduate courses
2018 Graduates to be assessed by Asia Pacific Engineering Association
Fund raising for YTU Library Modernization
Travel grant for staff to undergo Library Training in Singapore
Trying to fulfill requirements for Accreditation
Financial aid for eligible YTU students
Teacher’s Corner for recreation
Finding donors to support RIT athletic associations
Finding donors to support Maker Space of YTU Student Union
Before, during and after SPZP-2012, Saya U Moe Aung floated the idea of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation to help alumni (past, present and future) and to take care of the health of eligible sayas and sayamas.
U Khin Maung Tun (T78) not only seconded the idea but showed his commitment by donating and or pledging Kyat 1500+ Lakhs for SDYF.
President of SDYF
Major donor not only for SDYF, but for the Alumni Association
Donated for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016
Sponsored Entertainment Program for SPZPs & SDYF events
Provided Eye Care for eligible RIT sayas and sayama
Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Attended Alumni Gathering in San Francisco Bay Area.
Sang a song with Saya U Moe Aung (Patron of SDYF) at SPZP-2016
Also sang the SDYF theme song with the SDYF members
The SDYF theme song is not a transformation of one of Saya’s poems. It was the outcome of a completely new composition. Ko Than Po (M75, Zat Sayagyi) helped with the music injection.
As SDYF President, he hosted meetings with lunch & entertainment
Expressed his desire to retire after a couple of terms, but the EC members politely declined.
USA Trip
U Khin Maung Tun and his spouse attended the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, and the Dinner gathering in San Francisco to welcome Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & visitors from Yangon.
Gathering at sea food restaurant to welcome Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
Gave me a “Htet Linn” bag with indigenous medicine and an MP3 player loaded with dhamma talks.
He and his family provided “Eye Care” for eligible sayas and sayamas. They balance of the Eye Care Fund has been transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Health Care & Financial Aid
The eligibility rules may change depending on the availability of funds, and the number of eligible sayas and sayamas.
SDYF provides medical checkup, but currently it can offer a limited amount (e.g. 4 – 5 Lakhs) of medical expenses per saya per annum.
When a Saya or Sayama passes away, SDYF offers 2 Lakh Kyats to the bereaved family.
SDYF offers 4 Lakh Kyats to eligible sayas and sayamas
for Hospitalization
for frequent medical check ups
for severe loss of mobility
SDYF also considers case-by-case for sayas and sayamas needing financial assistance for health care.
Medical Check up in 2018
SDYF provided medical check up for sayas aged 60 and above.
May Nge and Sayas
The program started on Nov 6, 2018 at Grand Hantha Hospital.
Kudos to May Nge and group for their volunteer services.
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu to the young donors.
Khin Htay Lin and May Nge
Khin Htay Lin and May Nge
Khin Htay Lin (EC93)
She is a Director of Grand Hantha Hospital. She donated (or offered a discount) 25% of the expenses for the medical checkup of eligible RIT sayas and sayamas.
May Nge (May Thet Hlaing)
She is the lead volunteer for the noble task
U Kyaw Sein (M65)
SDYF will provide Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, Singapore) K4 Lakhs annually to take care of his health.
For 2018, Ko Kyaw Moe (M 2001) donated to bring up the total to S$400.
U Ohn Maung (ChE68)
SDYF will provide Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68, Singapore) K4 Lakhs annually to take care of his health.
Pre-AGM Meeting in 2018
In 2018 (before the AGM meeting) SDYF Meeting was hosted by U Khin Maung Tun (President) with a sumptuous meal.
U Tin Latt’s food donation became “take out” by the attendees.
Discussed preparations for the AGM of SDYF
Passed resolution to spend K50 lakhs for the medical check up of eligible sayas and sayas
Discussed the provisional financial support for use in presenting research papers overseas.
Discussed the “Total Care” program for eligible sayas and sayamas
U Maung Maung Than (M81) donated K5 lakhs to SDYF.
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) received a present (special drinks) from the President.
There are non-profit organizations. That does not mean that the employees are all unpaid volunteers.
In the USA, non-profit organizations are classified by the IRS tax code. The organizations have to comply with the Federal and State regulations. If one donates to a non-profit organization with 501 (c) (3), part or all of the donation is tax deductible.
Types
There are for-profit organizations.
Business organizations may be known as companies or corporations. The companies may be privately or publicly held. Some (e,g LLC) have Limited Liability.
NGO is a Non-government organization.
HMO is a Health Maintenance Organization.
There are Religious, Social, Educational, Political and Sports organizations.
Structure
The structure for organizations may vary. For example, an organization might have (a) Immediate Past President : to help the incoming team (b) President : for the current term (c) President-Elect (to be President in the next term) : to allow for continuity in the operations.
HMEE stands for History of Myanmar Engineering Education project. At one meeting, Saya U Aung Hla Tun requested U Ohn Khine (M70) to co-ordinate with me in getting the profiles of successful alumni in the USA.
Many years ago, Edison Paw wrote about some BAPS members. They include U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, GBNF) and Benny Tan (M70).
In the RIT Alumni International Newsletter, we posted some articles about U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, GBNF) and U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69). There were also biographies of some sayas and sayamas, but they need to be updated. We welcome readers to enhance existing profiles or submit new profiles.
HlaMin 