Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, M75) : Past President, BAPS; Founding member & Financial Controller, RIT Alumni International; Co-chair, Working Committee, SPZP-2000; Founding member & Past Vice President, NorCal RITAA; Donor and organizer, Books to YTU Library; Seminar, YTU Mechanical Engineering Department
Maurice
Than Po (M75) : Luyechun; Zat Saya, Yangon SPZPs; Musician : Piano, Pattala Composer
Than Po
Win Khaing (M75) : RUBC Gold; Past President, MES; Union Minister; Organizer, SPZP-2004 and SPZP-2012
M75
Ye Lin Oo (M75) : Retired after teaching in Brunei; Co-Organizer, M75
Mar Mar Yee (M75) : Member of Htee Yein in 1970 (RU Golden Jubilee); Minthamee, Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint; Vocalist; Master of Ceremony, M75 & All Mechanical Gathering
Mar Mar Yee
Soe Aung (M75) : Senior in marriage to class mates
Ohn Win (Raymond, M75) : Bragged about the number of children & grand children; Sisters : Joyce Win (Nwe Yin Win), Hilda Win
Dr. Soe Thein (C75) : Web master and organizer for SPZP-2007 & Singapore Civil Alumni; Invited me to join Civil Gathering in Singapore & C75 dinner in Yangon
Annette Shwe (Annette Shain, A75) : Spouse — James Shwe (Jimmy Hla Shwe, M76); Provided internship for Myanmar graduates (before they could pursue studies and/or work permanently); Stipend for eligible YTU students; Donation to YTU Library; Donation to “Prevent starvation” project
UCC/RASU Graduates
M.Sc. (Computer Science) First Batch : Ko Win Naing (Maths 73, Science Scholar) & Ko Khin Maung Aye (M73) are now GBNF
Dr. Myint Thein (M73) Doctorate from Georgia Tech, Atlanta, USA
Myint Thein
Dr. L Sein Myint (M73) Doctorate from UK Worked in UK, USA, Malaysia and Myanmar
U Hla Win (M73) Roll Number 1 in most classes Member of Hovercraft Project
HE U Khin Maung Cho (M73) Member of Hovercraft Project
John Rao (M73) English Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2007 Organizer, M73 er Monthly Gathering in Singapore (with Saya U Tu Myint)
Hovercraft Project Members (M73) Supervisor : U Tu Myint Six members Interview with media a few years back (arranged by Saya U Moe Aung)
U Khin Maung Aye (M73, GBNF) First batch Masters student at UCC
U Htun Aung Kyaw (HAK, EC73) First batch Masters student at UCC Moved to Australia
U San Lin (Robert, EC73) First batch Masters student at UCC Moved to Singapore and USA
U Kyaw Lin (C73, GBNF) Organizer, All Civil Reunion and SPZP
U Nyunt Htay (Met73) Retired Associate Professor High School Luyechun Poet Chief Editor, Myanmar Mudita Sar Saung
RASU
U Win Naing (Maths, Science Scholar, GBNF) First batch Masters student at UCC
U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing (Physics, Science Scholar) SMART Group of Companies Award winning author President, Professional Speakers Association
Dr. Khin Maung Maung (Physics) Chair, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Mississippi University Co-organizer, International Physics Conference in Mandalay
Dr. Rafiul Ahad (Physics) Preliminary selection for Burma Team for Hurdles First batch Masters student at UCC Post graduate studies in CS at AIT and USC Retired VP, Oracle Cloud Computing
Computer Courses in 1973
Thanks to Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder/Director of UCC, Maths Professor at RASU), the following degree courses was offered
M.Sc.(CS) Conducted at UCC Degree conferred by Maths Department of RASU
DAC Part-time two year course Post-graduate Diploma in Automatic Computing offered by Maths Department of RASU
Modern Olympics was a revival of the ancient games held every four years at Olympia.
The four year interval is called an Olympiad. The ancient Greeks use Olympiad instead of years when describing dates.
Pierre de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
IOC selects a city or cities to hold the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The two Olympics are interlaced.
Drama in the Olympics
Summer Olympics has its share of drama.
Berlin (1936)
The 1936 Summer Olympics was held in Berlin and was attended by Adolf Hitler (who promoted the supremacy of the Aryan race). Jesse Owens, a black athlete from the USA, won four Gold medals : 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay, and Long Jump.
The drama occurred in the Long Jump event. Jesse Owens was having some problems in the Long Jump when the German competitor Lang supposedly advised him to leave about six inches gap behind the broad to prevent overstepping and getting disqualified. Jesse took the advice, regained his poise and went on to win the Long Jump Gold.
Munich (1972)
1972 Olympics in Munich saw both good and bad.
Mark Spitz (USA) won seven Gold medals in swimming : 100m & 200m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Butterfly, 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, 4 x 200m Freestyle relay, and 4 x 100 Medley relay. He saved energy by not competing in the trials for selected relay events.
Olga Kolburt (USSR) was awarded a couple of Perfect Ten in Gymnastics.
Eleven Israeli athletes were kidnapped (shown live on TV) and murdered by Black September. Mossad took several years to track down and decimate Black September.
Boycotts (1980 & 1984)
USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow.
USSR retaliated with a boycott of the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles.
Olympians
Some went on to have illustrious careers.
Johnny Weissmuller, swimming champion, gained fame as Tarzan in the movies.
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, went on to become Mohammad Ali, three time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Media Coverage
During my SPHS days, there was no television in Burma. I received a ticket from Brother Austin as a prize to see the “1960 Rome Olympics” documentary at Thamada (President) cinema.
I was in the UK and was fortunate to see the 1972 Munich Olympics on a Color television.
Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) : Founder / Director; Also, Professor of Mathematics, RASU
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing : Manager of Systems Division; Transferred from RIT
U Ko Ko Lay
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) : Manager of Operations Division; Transferred from PWD
U Myo Min
U Myo Min : Manager of Applications Division; Chartered Accountant; Systems Analyst at IBM (UK); Came back at the request of his mother and Saya Chit to help with the UCC Project
U Tun Aung Gyaw
U Tun Aung Gyaw : Engineer, Systems Division
U Hla Min
U Hla Min (Systems) : Engineer, Systems Division
CO U Hla Min (Top row 2nd from Right)
U Hla Min (“Pauk Si”) : Chief Operator
See “Memories of UCC“
See “UCC Sayas“
RIT Graduates in 1971
Rosie Gyi (Center), Ma Sandar (Right)
Cho Cho Tin (Ma Sandar) : A71 Literary Award Winning Author; Wrote “G-Hall Thu” Spouse : San Maung (A)
Khin Maung Myint & Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) : both ChE71; Members, Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
Saw Lin, KMM, RG
Saw Lin (GBNF) : C71; MES (VP, Technical Publications Manager); Core Organizer, SPZP-2012; Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012; Reprinted 23 RIT Annual Magazines; Provided transportation and welcome dinner
Win Myint (Left)
Win Myint : C71; High School Luyechun; Author; Brigadier General; Dy. Minister
Wunna Sithu : EC71; Rowed for Marine Youth, RIT and RUBC; Swimming & Water Polo
Ma Pwint Than
Ma Pwint Than : EP71; Twice High School Luyechun; RIT EE Association
Myint Thin (Standing Rightmost)
Myint Thin (GBNF) : M71; RIT Luyechun; RIT Rowing Selection (with Khin Maung Myint, Myint Than, Win Kyaw); Sponsor of U Ba Than to SPZP-2007; Friends : Myint Toe, Aung Win (Owen), Bo Bo Oo (Oscar), Soe Khine, Michael Aye, Uttam Singh
Note : Comments in italics are provided by Hla Min.
I have written many articles on the History of Computerization in Myanmar. ** Most can be read from SCRIB-D.
However many people have not read them. MASTAA has requested me do an interview. ** It is tentatively planned for July 19, 2020 (at 10 PM. EST). It will be morning in Yangon, Myanmar.
Facts are very important because there are some people who want to twist them to their advantage. Especially since the project was very successful in introducing computers and computer education in the country.
I was with the project right from its inception. ** Sad to report that Saya Dr. Chit Swe and U Ko Ko Lay have passed away.
I would like to go over the facts.
When and how I got involved in UCC Computer project
Took programming and DP courses at Stanford University.
Around 1962, there was no CS Department or CS courses. ** Professor George Forsythe later founded and Chaired the CS Department at Standford.
Computer programming was given by Mathematics Department as part of Numerical Analysis
Introduction to Data Processing was given by Industrial Engineering Dept
Worked as part time computer operator for the Stanford Computation Center.
Joined Electrical Engineering Department, RIT as Assistant Lecturer in January 1964, RIT was closed. As part of the staff development program, I gave lectures to Elect Engg staff on computers and programming.
Ko Nyi Nyi (Instructor in Elect Eng Dept) told Dr Chit Swe, Head of Maths Dept at the Institute of Economics who was preparing to start a project with the assistance of the UN to install a computer.
Dr Chit Swe and U Hla Myint (Maths Dept) came to recruit me to assist them in the computer project.
Immediately agreed and joined the project preparation team.
Ko Nyi Nyi and Dr. Than Htaik (Chem Eng Dept) also joined the team.
At that time Unit Record Machines using punched cards (both IBM and ICL) were used in Burma by the Railways, Central Economics and Statistics Department (CSED), Records Office Burma Army.
At one point all the Unit Record Machines were centralized in one place (Burma Machines Corporation??) and then decentralized again. ** Per U Thein Han, IBM unit record machines were used in the first Demonatization. The machines were set up in Rangoon University (e.g. Convocation Hall).
Burma Railways wanted to replace their Unit Record Machines with a computer and was requesting funds from the government. ** However, the nationalization followed by tight control of foreign exchange caused the request to be denied.
Preparation for the UCC project(1965 – 70)
The UNDP in Yangon and the Goverment agreed to explore the possibility of having a UNDP funded UNESCO executed project of installing a computer at the Institute of Economics.
In 1965 Dr Abou Taleb from Egypt visited Burma at the Institute of Economics for one month as a UNESCO consultant on the formulation of the project. He had discussions with the project team, the concerned persons at the Directorate of Higher Education and other government departments, UNDP personnel and managers of IBM (** U Aung Khin) and ICL (** U Kyaw Tha).
Dr Abou Taleb prepared a report that was submitted to the UNESCO and UNDP.
Around 1968 UNDP mission composed of Professor Owens of Columbia University and Mr Talbot of UNDP HQs came to Burma (Institute of Economics) to write a project proposal for the UNDP/UNESCO Computer Project. The mission had discussions with the project team, the concerned persons at Higher Education and other government departments, UNDP personnel and managers of IBM and ICL.
The report and the project proposal were submitted to UNDP, UNESCO and the Government.
It was agreed to implement the UNDP funded, UNESCO executed Computer project.
The project document for the UNDP/UNESCO Universities’ Computer Center Project was signed in 1970.
Preparation for the establishment of UCC
In 1969 the project preparation team office moved to the Maths Department, RASU.
The Government decided to establish the Universities’ Computer Center directly under the Department of Higher Education.
A new building was to be constructed for the Center on the Hlaing Campus.
The project preparation team started to develop the organizational structure, budget, as well as the design for the building.
Ko Tun Aung Gyaw (UTAG) joined the project preparation team.
A temporary office / room was given to the project preparation team on the 3rd /top floor of the RASU Maths Dept. The Maths department still provided the logistics support. Saya U Maung Maung Tin of the RASU Maths Department was extremely helpful to the project preparation team.
The UCC organization structure consists of the Director at its head advised by the Board of Management. Under the Director are three technical divisions: Operations, Systems, Applications and an Administrative Support Section. One Manager heads each division.
Operations division consists of the Computer Operations section and the Data Preparation section.
Systems Division consists of the Systems Hardware section and the Systems Software section.
Applications Division consists of the Scientific Applications section and the Business Applications section.
The UCC organization structure was approved by the government and the Board of Management was formed.
Dr. Chit Swe was appointed Director of UCC in addition to his duties as Professor.
The Board of Management was formed with Dr Nyi Nyi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education as Chairman and Dr. Chit Swe as Secretary. The members include U Thet Tun, DG of CSED; U Win Pe, Research Dept, Planning; U Nyunt Maung, Dy Director, Finance; Dr Khin Maung Kyi, Inst of Economics, Dr Aung Gyi, RIT; etc
The UCC building on Hlaing Campus was to be designed and built by the Public Works Corporation. It was designed by the Chief Architect U Aung Myint. The team also met my high school and Stanford friend Ko Ko Lay who was a structural engineer there.
Ko Myo Min returned from the UK after studying as a Charted Accountant and working (** as Systems Analyst) at IBM UK.
Ko Ko Lay, Ko Myo Min and other volunteers joined the project preparation team. The volunteers are Ko Win Myint (Gyi) etc.
The three managers were recruited.
I transferred to UCC from RIT as Systems Engineer/Manager of the Systems Division of UCC on April 1971.
Ko Ko Lay transferred from Public Works/Construction Corporation as Manager of the UCC Operations Division.
Ko Myo Min joined as Manager of the Applications Division.
1st April 1971 is considered as the start of UCC.
The first batch of other staff were recruited and appointed. UTAG and Johnny Hla Min joined as Maintenance Engineers.
UCC was given a temporary office on the third floor of the Mandalay Hall.
The project preparation team organized courses in computers, programming and applications for the staff of Universities and government departments.
Choice of the computer
In October 1970, Dr Chit Swe went to UNESCO, Paris to participate in the selection of the computer for the project.
ICL 1900 series was chosen over IBM.
IBM was only willing to supply the IBM 360 and not the recently introduced IBM 370.
Dr Chit Swe then went on to London for discussions with ICL. ICL gave a more powerful version 1902S for the same price.
Installation of the Computer and start of UCC
In 1972 UCC moved to its new building on Thamaing Campus.
The site preparation for the computer and environmental equipment started.
A firm from the UK was subcontracted by ICL to do the site preparation.
The ICL 1902S computer was delivered and moved into the computer room to start the installation process.
ICL resident Maintenance Engineer Gaber Khalef (Egypt) and the ICL resident Software Expert Ian Shearer (UK) arrived and took up their responsibilities.
Acceptance trials for the ICL 1902S started on 25 February 1973, and formally completed on 8 March.
Professor Huskey arrived on 4 March and took part in the acceptance of the ICL 1902S.
The original UCC organization was meant to be minimal and mainly for a one shift per day start.
However due to the Census and more than expected use, volunters were paid minimum salary wages (which can be authorized by the Director) used to do the required support work.
Computer Use
The Board of Management decided to process the 1973 Population Census on the UCC computer.
Training of the Census Programmers conducted at UCC.
Alic Heinrici (UK, the ICL FILAN (ICL Census Tabulation system)) expert came from September to November to train Census and UCC Programmers in FILAN to be used in Census Tabulation.
The processing of the Burma Population Census started in May 1974.
The data entry was done in the Census Dept (old Rowe Co. Building) with over 100 rented keypunches from IBM.
The morning shift (8:00am – 4:00pm) was reserved for UCC. The evening shift (4:00pm – 12:00am) and night shift (12:00am-8:00am) were reserved for Census processing. At the start the Census processing did not take the two shifts.
Saturdays were reserved for Maintenance and the center was closed on Sundays.
ICL experts and UCC senior staff designed the Census Processing System containing Sequence and Completeness check (PLAN), Consistency checks (FORTRAN), Tabulation (FILAN).
UCC staff also supervised the processing.
Burma Railways, Central Economics and Statistics Department (CSED)/(CSO), Records Office Burma Army (ROBA) converted some of their Unit Record Machines applications on to the computer. Railways passenger and goods statistics; CSED Health and Trade Statistics; ROBA Miltary records.
RIT final year students implemented projects. Civil Engg: Structural Engineering, Astronomical Calculations, Electrical: Power System Analysis, Electronic Circuit Analysis.
Computer Education
The project preparation team organized courses in computers, programming and applications for the staff of Universities and government departments. (1971)
Preparations start for the MSc Computer Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Automatic Computing (DAC) to be given under the Mathematics Department, RASU. (1973)
Start of the MSc Computer Science and DAC courses. (1974)
There were three options under the MSc course : Computer Systems, Computer Oriented Operations Research Techniques and Computational Mathematics. Coursework plus dissertation/thesis.
DAC course was 2 years part-time from 7:00 am to 9:00 am.
Entrance Aptitude Tests for all applicants meeting the University requirements for post graduate studies.
The six months part time course (the predecessor to the full time 4 months course ) was started for the staff of the government departments and universities in 1976. It consisted of Introduction to Programming with FORTRAN, Mathematics and Statistics, COBOL Programming, Systems Analysis & Design.
The UCC Staff and visiting experts taught most of the courses. However Maths sayas helped out in the MSc and DAC courses. U Hla Myint and Dr Kyaw Nyunt in Computational Mathematics; U Soe Nyunt and Dr Pike Tin in OR courses.
Paid and unpaid volunteers were expected to attend the courses according to their ability and wishes.
Expert Services
The University of California at Santa Cruz(UCSC) was given the expert subcontract under the project. Professor Harry D. Huskey Chairman of the Department of Computer Science at UCSC and the well known pioneer in computers (in the development of the first electronic computer ENIAC at the University of Pennslyvania) was the coordinator of the contract. ** He co-authored the first Computer Handbook. His students include Nickaus Wirth (inventor of Pascal and Modula). He is a Past President of ACM and a Fellow of ACM, IEEE and CHM.
The UCSC expert subcontract was to provide four long term (4x12m) experts and a few short term (1m) experts, in addition to yearly visits by Professor Huskey.
Long Term Experts : Mr Sheldon Bachus (Systems Analysis & Design, 1973) Dr. Malcolm Atkinson (Computer Science Expert, 1974) Dr. Paul Keogh (Operations Research Expert, 1974) Mr. Bjorn Hustaad (Simulation, 1977)
Short Term Experts : World renowned people able to visit and give lectures for one month.
Professor Anthony Ralston Professor and Head of the Computer Science Department of the State University of New York (SUNY) in Buffalo, NY USA , and Past President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) came as a one month short term expert in Computer Science. He introduced Structured Programming to UCC, Burma and even to the long term expert in Computer Science. (1975).
Professor Foreman Acton of Princeton University, Princeton NJ USA came as a one month short term expert in Numerical Analysis and conducted training courses .(1975)
Professor Peter Wegner of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island came as a one month short term expert in Computer Science and conducted training courses in Automata Theory.(1975)
Professor Wilde of Stanford University, Operations Research (1976)
Professor Leon Lasdon of University of Michigan, Operations Research (1976).
Professor Michael Stonebraker, University of California (Berkeley), INGRES Relational Database, Database 1977)
UN Experts
Dr. Shafeek Saleeb(Egypt) arrived to take up his assignment as Chief Technical Adviser of the UCC project. (1974)
Mr. Jan Rademaker (Netherlands) arrived to take up his assignment as an associate expert in Computer Applications under the UCC project. (1975)
Further Development
More memory, 2 disk drives and card reader supplemented by the Census project.
For scientific and engineering applications a flat bed Calcomp plotter was acquired.
For teaching purposes Professor Huskey advised to get an on line time sharing mini computer system like most American Universities. A PDP-11/70 mini computer system was acquired.
Prof Huskey also lectured on micro processors and micro computers. UCC decided to get a microcomputer for trying out. Chose Cromemco (** System Three). Very good except for the 8” disk drive problems. A lot of experience gained.
Government relaxed on buying microcomputers for the govt departments. Many acquired Cromemco and started their applications on microcomputers.
Since UCC is to be used mainly for training the Board proposed the establishment of a National Computer Center for use by government departments.
When Rangoon University was established in December 1920, it had the Department of Law.
U May Aung served as the first Professor.
U May Aung
Barrister-at-law, LL.D
Professor of Law (1920 -1922)
Rakkhine national
Later : Home Minister
Daughter : Daw Mya Sein (Scholar)
Sir Arthur Eggar
Sir Arthur Eggar
Professor of Law (1923 – 1937)
Earlier served as Lecturer in the Maths Department at Rangoon College
Alumnus of Cambridge University
Author, Egg-Bairn Rowing Style
Legal Advisor in UK, Middle East & Burma
Founder (in 1923) & Life President, Rangoon University Boat Club
Pledged one third of his salary for the operation of RUBC
Wrote his autobiography (in three installments) for the Guardian Magazine in the mid 50s.
Several Old Members including me reprinted his autobiography for the 90th Anniversary of RUBC. YUBC OMA has copies of the autobiography. It could be of interest to Law students & practitioners.
Dr. Ba Han
Dr. Ba Han
Alumnus of Sorbonne University
Professor Law for two terms : (1937 – 1942) and (1946 – 1950)
Rangoon University was closed for a period during the war
Compiled a dictionary
Dr. Ba Maw (Adipati, former English Lecturer at RU) is his brother. Both brothers are B.O.B (Brothers’ Old Boys).
U Kyaw Myint
U Kyaw Myint
First in Burma in Matric exam with distinctions in all subjects from Central. He & Dr. Ba Than were selected by Mr. Matthew Hunter (Principal of Rangoon College) to take the entrance exam of Calcutta University. His beloved mother passed away. He requested the Principal that he wanted to pay last respect to his mother. The Principal warned that he would be expelled if he did not show up at the entrance exam. He attended his mother’s last journey and was punished with the expulsion from the College. Worse still, his father threatened to disown him. The story of U Kyaw Myint can be read in a series of blogs by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint and re-printed in my web site hlamin.com
Professor of Law & Dean of the Faculty of Law (1950 – 1958)
Earlier : Justice of High Court & Supreme Court, Head of the Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw, Co-founder of a political party with Dr. Ba Maw.
Later : founded his law firm
Siblings : elder brother (ICS U Tin Tut), two younger brothers (U Myint Thein & Dr. Htin Aung), and three younger sisters (Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu)
According to Dr. TOKM, his father U Kyaw Myint had full confidence in his students (e.g. Guardian U Sein Win, Sao Hso Holm, U Mya Thein).
Law Professors (for the later periods)
U Myint (1958 – 1961)
U Aung Khine (1961 – 1964)
U Hla Aung (1965 – 1971)
U Tin Ohn (1971 – 1986)
U Tin Aung Aye (1986 – 1994)
Daw Than Nwe (1994 – 2007)
Dr. Daw Khin Mar Yi (2007 – 2018)
Law Degrees
BL Generally taken after BA or BSc; Taken by several student leaders; Requirement for senior Police and Military Police Officers; Also taken by several BCS e.g. U Khin Maung Gyi, BA, BCS, BL
LLB Under the new Education System, e.g. Daw May Thi Kha (daughter of Saya Kha)
Master of Law e.g. LLM
Laws
They may vary with Place and Time
National Law
International Law
Constitutional Law
Maritime Law
Civil Law
Criminal Law
Religious Law (in some countries)
Intellectual Property Law
Miscellaneous
RU Centennial Celebrations by Law Department in March 2020
Law Practitioners Lawyers Advocates Judges … RL HGP Ad hoc (during a period of BSPP regime)
Provide service / expertise usually free (with volition)
May receive indirect compensation (e.g experience, appreciation)
The Battle of Alamo in Texas : fought by Davy Crockett and the Volunteers from Tennessee
Peace Corps
UNV (United Nations Volunteers) extended to Online Volunteers
Volunteers for Medical Research
Volunteers for UCC Project
Volunteers for fighting the pandemic Front line medical workers Donors for the prevention and treatment Food (Rice …)
Volunteers for Associations, Foundations …
My Volunteer work
Hla Min
Helping SPHS Librarian (in Fourth Standard)
RIT English Newsletter
RUBC (Treasurer, Vice Captain, Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue, Memories of RUBC series of articles)
RIT EE Association (Class rep, Joint Secretary, Secretary, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung)
UCC (Lecture Guides, Training Materials, Memories of UCC series of articles)
RU (Golden Jubilee in 1970, Gangaw Myay Tekkatho Yar Pyay, series of articles)
Contributor and/or Editor
Burmese Language Project (National Foreign Language Center)
Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
RIT Alumni International Newsletter
BAPS Newsletter
Dhammananda Newsletter
Materials for TBSA Summer Dhamma Camp
Editor
Dhamma talks by Sayadaw U Silananda
Three books by Sayadaw U Jotalankara
Two books by Saya U Aung Zaw (Computer)
Contributor
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for 2002, 2007 and 2010
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for 2014 (Shwe YaDu)
Computing
Docent, Computer History Museum
Volunteer, SF Bay Area ACM Chapter
Admin / contributor
hlamin.com Life Long Learning RIT Updates Memories
Lectures
BARB / MARB
UCSY
Dawei Nga Gyan Pyan Kyaung
Translator / Interpreter
TMC
Several sayadaws
Several articles
Several Kabyars
____
Overviewof my Post “Volunteer (1999 – present)
Who would appreciate the spouse and family supporting my 26 years as volunteer messenger, editor and organizer for RIT Alumni (e.g. web site, newsletter, Facebook groups, SPZPs)?
Thanks for the support and understanding. I have posted the following:
Countdown to the Reunion : 64 posts
Post Reunion : 36 posts
RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates (1989 – present)
Micro Reunion and/or PZP
Mini Reunion and/or PZP
Reunion and/or PZP
Grand Reunion and/or PZP
News, articles and photos by Sayas and Alumni
Class of 69
Health Care Funds
Photo Albums (for trips down memory lane
1999 to present
1999 Started “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”
2000 First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, USA Commemorative web pages (thanks to KMZ / U Khin Maung Zaw) 64 Countdown to the Reunion posts 36 Post-Reunion posts Commemorative Issue of the Newsletter by U Hla Min and team with my “SAYA PUZAW PWE” poem on the Front Page
2002 Second RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team Reprinted my “SAYA PUZAW PWE” poem as Back Cover
2004 Third RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon Mild earthquake did not rattle the attendees
2007 Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team Contributed a poem titled “SWE DAW YEIK“
2010 Fifth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team Contributed an article : Sad and short clip — EE sayas
2012 Sixth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon True “Home Coming” in the Gyogone Campus Special publication : History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar by Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team (Ko Ohn Khine and I prepared the supplemental CD for the book) Special publication: Selected RIT Cartoons Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by U Saw Lin and team Reprints: Limited number of vintage RIT Annual Magazines
2013 Swel Daw Yeik Foundation Contributions for various projects Health care for the sayas and sayamas “Saya Geha” as long term project
2014 Shwe YaDu 50th Anniversary of the opening of RIT in 1964 Planted 50 Swel Daw Bins Paved Shwe YaDu lane and set up Swel Daw Yeik benches Translated Saya U Moe Aung’s Shwe YaDu Lann poem Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by Saya U Moe Aung and team (Contributed an article : “Recollections of a 69er”)
2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles Several follow-up gatherings in San Francisco Bay Area
2016 RIT/YIT/YTU Alumni Association (Known as RITAA) Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon 10000+ attendees Free food and fun (all day and all night long) Platinum Jubilee for the Class of 69 Hosted by some 69ers for their friends (in their sunset) Attended SPZP-2016 and Platinum Jubilee of the Class of 69 Soonkway at Half Moon Bay Monastery (organized by U Maurice Chee) Received Alumni Appreciation Award from alumni worldwide Annual Dinner by Northern California RIT Alumni Association Received plaque signed by Saya U Myat Htoo (Chair, BOD), U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, President), and U Thaung Nyunt (Secretary)
2018 Wrote “Trivia” posts (later dropped “Trivia” in the titles) lifelonglearning140.wordpress.com (Archive / Raw Posts) hlamin.com (Paid Personal Web Site) Attended Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY
2019 Completed two decades as Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates Visit to Singapore and Myanmar Moderator, RU Centennial FB Group Panelist at the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay Attended Golden Jubilee of Graduation at Gyogone Campus, and the Reunion Dinner / Entertainment organized by U Aung Min and team Attended Arcariya Pu Zaw of ICST/UCSY
2020 Invited as Guest for the PSA (Professional Speakers’ Association) 2020 Tour to Upper Myanmar (Mostly) Stay-at-home due to Pandemic Translated Kabyars for “Poetic Art Series“ Videos broadcast daily (starting August 18, 2020) Countdown to RU Centennial On a sad note, the SPZP was cancelled due to the pandemic. Saya U Ba Than could not invite his former students and colleagues to the Annual Birthday Soon Kway. However, Saya was wished by his siblings and relatives via Zoom meetings. His brother U Tin Htoon (A60) compiled a Photo Album / Book (with the help of Henry Kao / Htaik San) for the Life and Achievements of Saya. The Book was not delivered by the regular Post Office Services. Saya U Tin Htut offered to send the Book via DHL. He also pledged to donate a copy of the Book to YTU Library.
2021
Continue posting two Videos daily
2022 – present
Update posts
Swel Daw
Ideas from Tekkatho Moe War, Maung Sein Win (Padeegone), Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla)
You were the victim of a superstitious power monger willing to crush “Pretenders to the Throne” animate and inanimate.
Without a just and fair trial, you were condemned to death.
When one Swel Daw Bin was axed Two magically reappeared
When two Swel Daw Bins were hacked Four appeared to baffle the tormentors
With each atrocious act Swel Daw Bins rebounded and redoubled
The ADHAMMA authorities persisted and ruthlessly rooted all Swel Daw Bins from the Land of the Bearers/Defenders of DHAMMA
Why? Why? Why?
Swel Daws do not have destructive power or desire to exploit They do not have LOBA, DOSA, and MOHA They simply display pristine, beauty and elegance They embody the principles of trust, integrity, and unity of mentors and mentees students, teachers, and Loke Tha’s They provide shade, calm and tranquillity to those seeking rest & peace of mind
With the dawning of the Pwint Linn Era Fifty majestic Swel Daw Bins bloom gallantly along side the famed Shwe YaDu Lann with pleasing Shwe YaDu Benches
There have been tears of sorrow when Swel Daws were banished from the Land
Now there are tears of joy with many artifacts bearing your name
BIT (Burma Institute of Technology) was opened at the Gyogone Campus in 1961.
The degree offered was B.Sc. (Engg).
Saya Dr. Aung Soe (C61), Saya U Maung Maung Win (M61) and Saya Dr. San Tint (EE61) were fledgling sayas at BIT.
Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62), U Aye (62) and Bohmu Myint Thein Lwin (EE62) were some students who attended the Final Year classes at BIT.
BIT was renamed as RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology). The official name change took place in 1964. The degree was renamed as B.E.
We are not sure if “BIT Rangoon” was considered as an alternative to RIT. IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) has several campuses. The five oldest IIT campuses and their establishment dates are: (a) IIT Kharagpur IITKGP 1951 (b) IIT Bombay IITB 1958 (c) IIT Kanpur IITK 1959 (d) IIT Madras IITM 1959 (e) IIT Delhi IITD 1963 [founded in 1961]
AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) was supposedly started as a school for SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization).
Several states (Massachusetts, Illinois, California, …) in USA are known for their Institutes of Technology. Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli received his Sc.D. in EE from MIT. He was an informal adviser to Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Sayagyi U Min Wun, who were among the first three engineering undergraduates to be chosen under the “TWINNING PROGRAM” initiated by Sayagyi U Ba Hli, first native Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology) and then YTU (Yangon Technological University).
During the “Adhamma Era”, classes were relocated to far away places, and “Swel Daw Bins” were decimated. The A to G Halls were “transformed” into make-shift quarters. Wall clocks stopped. Bushes sprang up. A video of that time brought tears and anger, and the notion that “we might not live to see our alma mater in its former glory for decades to come”.
With the dawn of the some-what “Pwint Linn Era”, our alma mater rose from the ashes. Per request from H.E. U Aye Myint (EP 72), the alumni — young and old, near and far — provided physical, monetary, and spiritual support to help the alma mater in every way possible.
The first true “Home Coming” took place in December 2012. There were tears of joy. 3000 copies of the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine (not just Sar Saung) were sold out in a couple of days. Limited reprints of the 23 RIT Annual Magazines were also sold out. Autographed copies of “Selected RIT Cartoons” were also sold out. Some copies of “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” may still be available.
There were six Annual Magazines published by RUESU (Rangoon University Engineering Student Union). Saya U Moe Aung learned and refined his publication skills as an editor/publisher of the magazine. The student unions and all professional organizations were banned following the coup d’eat in March 1962. Censorship increased with subsequent regimes.
We now have an official alumni association.
The Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP held in 2016 was grander. Free food and entertainment were provided the whole day.
Thanks to the sayas and alums for keeping the RIT Spirit (Swel Daw Yeik Spirit) alive and well.
Memoriesof SPZP-2000
SPZP-2000 Organizers include
Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) wrote “Brother, can you afford US 500$?”
Ko Benny Tan (M70), Golden Sponsor & co-chair of Working Committee, designed memorabilia : SPZP-2000 Banner, Mug, T-shirt, Calculator/clock
Ko Maurice Chee (M75), co-chair of Working Committee, Financial Controller, Publisher of commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”
Committee members from Northern California & Southern California took care of the planning and execution of the main event and supplementary picnic
Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76), designed and implemented htto://www.ex-rit.org; instrumental in getting the sayas and alumni world-wide get reconnected
I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post-Reunion” articles for the ex-rit web site and RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
A commemorative issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter was published with Yours Truly as Chief Editor, Ko Henry Lim and Saya U Thein Aung as Associate Editors.
Saya U Nyo Win (M65), Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Saya U Thein Aung (Met 72) … made sure that the event was “not out of control”
Hired professionals (Photographers and Videographers) to record the event
[Later] The VHS tape was converted to DVD
Feel free to see the DVDs, the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International”, 64 “Count down to the Reunion”, 36 “Post Reunion”, Photo albums …
There have been seven RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes.
SAYA PUZAW PWE
Background
InvitationSPZP-2000 OrganizersSPZP-2000 Video
In April 1999, I started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”.
At the request of Saya U Soe Paing, U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) designed and implemented the first RIT web site : http://www.ex-rit.org. I served as the Content Provider and Editor.
Saya Allen Htay and several alumni — Benny Tan (m70), Maurice Chee (M75) … — decided to support our noble task.
At one of the meetings at Ko Benny’s house, the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group decided to establish “RIT Alumni International” with Saya Allen as President and Ko Maurice as Treasurer.
At another meeting, Saya U Aung Khin (who was visiting the San Francisco Bay Area from Canada) gave the Go-ahead for planning the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.
Since the sayas and alumni profess different religions, we chose the term “Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” over “Saya Ga Daw Pwe” (which has a religious connotation).
The primary objective of the Saya Pu Zaw Pwe is to repay the metta and cetana of our mentors.
It allows several core sponsors and organizers to safely participate in SPZP-2000.
SPZP-2000
The First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP (SPZP-2000) was held in San Francisco in October 2000.
It was a two-day event.
The main event was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel. There was a nominal fee to attend the Reunion Dinner and SPZP.
The follow-up event was an optional Brunch Gathering (where the sayas and alumni can bring their families and friends).
There were official and volunteer videographers and photographers.
A three-hour VHS tape was offered for a nominal fee to interested sayas and alumni. A few years back, the VHS tape was converted into a two-set DVD.
Organizers and Sponsors
The core volunteers were willing to hold the event at all costs.
“U Nyo Win Act” said that the core volunteers will have to chip in if there are not enough paid attendees.
Saya Allen Htay wrote an article, “Brother, can you afford US$500 and more?” for my Newsletter and the web site.
A young alumni Sarina Tan (Htay Htay Than) relayed the news to U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70). Steeve is a close friend of Sarina’s father. Steeve has also provided help while Sarina was pursuing her graduate studies.
Steeve contacted Ko Benny and also sent checks for SPZP-2000.
Ko Benny used Steeve’s seed money to design and order commemorative T-shirts, mugs and calendar clocks. Some mementos were offered to the attending sayas and the core volunteers. The rest were put on sale for “Fund Raising”.
Ko Benny later visited Yangon to organize a mini-SPZP for the sayas and sayamas who could not attend SPZP-2000.
Thanks in part to Saya Allen’s article, five Golden Sponsors and Donors — large and small — U Nyo Win’s Act was not enacted.
RIT Spirit
We thank the Golden Sponsors
U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, GBNF)
Tan Yu Beng (Benny Tan, M70)
U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, GBNF)
U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
U Maung Maung Than (M79)
and donors — large and small, young and old, near and far .
SPZP-2000 proved that the RIT Spirit was alive and well all over the world. SPZP-2000 defied the belief that RIT was a dying breed.
My poem “SAYA PUZAW PWE”
S eems like it was only yesterday A t our alma mater in a land far away Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky
P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey U nderstand concepts, design, display, … Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day” A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay
P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet W ith memories true, fond, sweet E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete
My poem was published in the commemorative issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter and on the web site http://www.ex-rit.org
The poem was reprinted on the back cover of the commemorative issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002 hosted by the Singapore alumni and chaired by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War).
The poem has been reprinted in several RIT-related magazines.
Seven world wide SPZPs
They include
SPZP-2000 (California, USA)
SPZP-2002 (Singapore)
SPZP-2004 (Yangon)
SPZP-2007 (Singapore)
SPZP-2010 (Singapore)
SPZP-2012 (Yangon) : first true Home Coming
SPZP-2016 (Yangon) : hosted by RITAA; free food and entertainment
USA SPZP
The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in the USA in October 2000.
See “Commemorative Issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter for SPZP-2000”.
Singapore SPZP
Singapore sayas and alumni hosted
SPZP-2002 in December 2002
SPZP-2007 in April 2007
SPZP-2010 in December 2010
See “Commemorative Issues of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002. SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010”.
Yangon SPZP
Yangon hosted SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016.
Notes :
Yangon could not host SPZP-2006 due to the political climate and so requested Singapore to host SPZP-2007.
SPZP-2020 was canceled due to the pandemic.
SPZP-2012 : True Home Coming
It brought tears of joy. Many have given up the hope of seeing their beloved alma mater rise again from the trampling of the Adhamma Regime. HE U Aye Myint (EP72) paved the way to have the True Home Coming (Reunion & SPZP) at the Gyogone Campus.
SPZP-2016 : Free all-day event at Gyogone Campus
It was the first SPZP to be held all day at the Gyogone Campus.
Thanks to sponsors and donors of SPZP-2016, free food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) was offered to all attendees.
Thanks
Kudos to the sayas and colleagues for keeping the RIT spirit alive and well.
Thanks to my wonderful family for letting me spend 26 years as a volunteer Editor of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”.
Design and production of fabrics Natural Synthetic
Current offerings in universities include a multi-disciplinary program (e.g. Textile, Chemical and more)
Textile Sayas
U Maung Maung Than (GBNF)
U Maung Maung Than
Matriculated in 1949
States scholar to study undergraduate and graduate degrees in Textile Engineering
Alumnus of Clemson University
Former Professor, Textile
Former Rector, YTU
Former DG
Chair, RIT Sports Council
Expertise : Chinlon, Harp
U Shwe Yee (GBNF)
Early graduate
Former Professor, Textile
Daughter-in-law : Writer, speaker
U Hla Shwe (T69, GBNF)
Former Associate Professor, Textile
Resisted “pressure” from Adhamma Authorities e.g. end class teaching and pay respect to “visiting” Taing Hmu
Received donations from former colleagues and students and some unknown alumni for his Medical / Health Care
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) wrote about him and U Tin Shwe (EP66) in “Shwe Hnit Shwe”; I translated the poem as “To the Shwe Duo”
Female Engineers
The First batch include Sayama Amy, Sayama Julie, Daw Yin Yin Kyi and Daw Mi Mi Lay
The Second batch : Daw Khin Than Nwe (Margaret)
Daw Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin, T61, GBNF)
Joined Faculty upon graduation
Father : U Thwin (Principal, Boundary Road Technical School)
Dr. Julie Han (T61, GBNF)
Joined Faculty upon graduation
Attended SPZP-2000 and provided a brief bio
Former Vice President, Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA); Led fund raising to establish Dhammananda Vihara
Upon her demise, Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, former TBSA President) donated $2000 to Dhammananda Vihara in her memory
Daw Yin Yin Kyi (T61)
Worked in industry
Met her twice : in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Sydney, Australia
Spouse : U Aung Gyi (Simon, ChE62)
Naw Mu Mu Aye (T69)
Former Professor, Textile
Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69)
Worked in industry
She and Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) hosted gatherings for UCC alumni visiting Yangon
She and Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) sent photos and reports of the “30th Anniversary of Graduation of the Class of 69”. They are partly responsible for Yours Truly to started the RIT Alumni International Newsletter in 1999.
Miscellaneous
Jimmy Kyin (T69, GBNF) Represented RIT in Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Weightlifting and Body Building)
Hla Tun (T69, GBNF) fondly known as Japun Gyi Spouse : Dolly Gale / Ma Swe
Textile factories before Nationalization (and the decline of economy) include Khit Ah Kyaik Nylon : Parents of Saya U Tin Htut (M60) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (Eng) Hun Tha Aye Nylon : Parents of Daw Than Than Yi (T61) and Dat Pone Sann Aung (M74) Fabric display and sales by celebrities on trains (Yangon – Mandalay lines)
Various kinds of fabrics Including those used by NASA astronauts
Modern technology Computers, Automation, Nanotechnology …
Poem in memory of Saya U Hla Shwe (T69)and U Tin Shwe (EP66)
“To The Shwe Duo” by Tekkatho Moe War
Translated by Hla Min
SHWE duo Blossom in unison Disappear together Free from complaint Even with thin breath Showed mark [of courage and wisdom] Never ever wavered … Pressed by burden At the awaited turn [of journey’s end] Body — inheritance [from previous lives] Succumbs [to failing health] Yet, “Wei-nyin” is fresh, alive and hovering.
HlaMin 