He served as Professor of Mathematics and Dean of Arts at Rangoon University. Saya wrote notes for Burmese songs. His spouse Daw May Than was a vocalist. His son Ko Mya Than played the guitar and the piano.
U Kar
He served as Minister of Education in the Care Taker Government, and later as Rector of RU. His son Dr. Tin Maung served as Mathematics Lecturer, Director of UCC, and Rector of ICST.
U Ba Toke
He served as Professor (of RU and RIT), Rector, MASU. Saya taught mathematics to our sayas (then engineering students). As a saya of our sayas, Sayagyi was invited to the SPZP’s starting with SPZP-2000 held in California, US. His life and journey can be read in the book authored by Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char, GBNF).
Book
U Net
He served as Professor of Mandalay University. His daughter (Daw Khin Mar Mar) studied Physics and Computer Science. His grandson (U Wunna Ko Ko) designed and implemented the second RIt web site. He is an expert on NLP (Natural Language Processing).
Dr. Chit Swe
He served as Professor, Founder-Director of UCC, and Rector, RASU. Saya founded UCC with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min, and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF, brother of U Than Htut (M67, RUBC Gold)). Saya U Soe Paing wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and several articles. I posted 40+ blogs on “Memories of UCC”.
As an assistant to Dr. Chit Swe in his projects (e.g. “High School Mathematics”, “Children’s Treasury of Knowledge”, “UCC”, … I worked with several Mathematics sayas and educators (Maths curriculum, …) They include U Tin Hlaing, U Sein Min (GBNF), Dr. Khin Maung Win (GBNF), Dr. Khin Maung Swe (GBNF), Dr. Pyke Tin, Dr. Kyaw Thein (GBNF), Dr. Saw Tin (GBNF), and Dr. Kyaw Nyunt.
Mathematics is central to several other disciplines (Engineering, Physics, Economics, and Computer Science).
The Lucasian Professorship and Chair of Mathematics at Cambridge University has been held by Sir Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawkings.
John Nash (Mathematician”, “A Beautiful Mind”) won the Nobel Prize for Economics.
RU had a Chancellor (Adipati) and a Vice Chancellor.
After independence, the Prime Minister of the Union of Burma served as the Chancellor. He would attend the Convocation and give a speech.
The road leading to the Convocation Hall is named Chancellor Road.
Justice U Bo Gyi served as Vice Chancellor for two terms.
A senior Saya (e.g. U Hla Aung, L. Htin Si) served as a Bursar or Registrar
Faculties
RU had several Faculties :
Science
Arts
Social Science
Engineering
Law
Medicine
…
Early Scholars and Sayas
Dr. Tha Hla, Dr. Maung Maung Kha, and Dr. Hla Myint were among the early scholars sent to UK to study for their doctorates. They later headed Geology, Physics and Economics Departments.
Saya U Ba Hli was the first native Dean of Engineering. He studied in India and UK. He served as Principal and Civil Professor at GTI before he transferred to RU.
Saya U Ba Hli is credited with the “Twinning Program” with prestigious universities in the US. Beneficiaries of the program include engineering students (Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Maung Maung Than, U Aung Khin, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Thit, U Soe Paing, U Ko Ko Lay …), sayas (U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Allen Htay, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Htin Paw, U San Tun, U Tin Hlaing … ), and eligible graduates (U Aw Taik Moh …).
U Yone Mo studied Honors at RU and engineering in UK. At that time, membership and associate membership of the engineering societies were valued for non-academic positions and jobs.
In contrast, a Masters Degree is usually needed to become a Lecturer.
Some sayas did a second round of studies to complete their Masters and get promoted to Lecturers.
In the early days, there was a Pali Department, but no Burmese Department.
Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Pali) proposed and succeeded in the founding of the Burmese Department at RU. His students : ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Wun (Minthuwun) spearheaded the “Khit San Sar Pay”. We had to study the works of all four in high school (and beyond).
Minthuwun’s poems and his classic short story (Bagyi Aung Nyar De) were translated into English by U Ohn Pe (Tet Toe), U Khin Zaw (“K) and fellow scholars,
and the collection was published in both Burmese and English.
U Pe Maung Tin, U Aye Maung, and U Wun, served as Professor of Burmese Department.
U Myo Min (Nwe Soe, Professor of English) was also involved in the Khit San Sar Pay.
Details of the early departments and pioneer sayas can be found in the RU Golden Jubilee Magazine, the 90th Anniversary Issues and the RU Centennial publications.
It took a long time to design and implement the UCC project. Details can be found in the article “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” by Saya U Soe Paing my mentor at RIT and UCC).
Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) helped Saya Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) found UCC (Universities’ Computer Center). At UCC, our four Sayagyis are addressed as Saya Chit, Saya Paing, Saya Myo and Saya Lay.
Pioneer Project
UCC Project was conceived in the mid-60s when Saya Chit headed the Mathematics Department at the Institute of Economics. The initial scope was to get a grant for a digital computer for IE, but the scope was expanded to cover selected Universities and Institutes.
The UCC Department was launched in 1970 with Saya Chit as Founder/Director and the three sayas as Managers of Computer Systems, Computer Operations and Computer Applications departments.
Academic studies & Training
Computer courses (academic, training, orientation …) were given at UCC under the leadership of Saya Chit (who served a dual role as UCC Director and Mathematics Professor) and the help of visiting Professors (mostly Computer Scientists) from US, UK, Europe …
Saya Dr. Chit Swe
Saya Chit was the founder Director of UCC and Professor of Mathematics at RASU. He later became Rector of RASU.
Saya Chit & Family
Saya Chit was succeeded by Saya Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF), who continued and elaborated on Saya Chit’s Vision and Mission.
After retirement from RASU, Saya taught for some time in Bangkok, and migrated to Australia. Saya Chit continued to supervise Burmese/Myanmar doing graduate studies in Australia. He served as Visiting Professor at Macquarie University.
In 2006, we paid respect to Saya Chit and Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (former DG of UBARI, former Natjonal Advisor, UCC Board Member, GBNF) at Saya Zaw’s house with Mohinga and delicacies prepared by Ma Kyawt. Saya gave me his hat. Hope that hat can transfer Saya’s brain and work ethics to yours truly.
Saya Chit was a room mate of Saya U Ba Than during their study days in UK.
DCS (Department of Computer Science)
DCS was established with Saya Lay as Professor, U TAG (EC69) as Associate Professor, and I as Lecturer.
ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology.
ICST was founded in 1988 with Saya DTM as Rector, Saya Lay as Professor, U TAG and I as Associate Professors, and several others as Lecturers.
The 30th Anniversary was celebrated in 2018.
I attended two ICST Reunion & Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe held at MICT Park.
UCSY (University of Computer Studies in Yangon)
ICST became UCSY.
UCSY had visiting Professors & Researchers.
One down side is the lack of residential dorms and a relatively long commute for several sayas, sayamas and students.
While I was still a high school student, my uncle Saya U Than Lwin (Eric, GBNF) took me to the Social Science Library. He was a Lecturer in the Economics Department and also served as Librarian for the Social Science Library. Daw Myint Myint Khin (Hazel, GBNF) was an assistant librarian. She was later promoted to Librarian for the Rangoon Institute of Technology.
Most sayas (from the Economics, Commerce and Statistics Departments) would not remember the “Char Taik”. My uncle gave rides to Saya Dr. Maung Shein and several sayas. My uncle introduced me to Saya Dr. Than Tun (History, GBNF) at the Recreation Center.
Selected Libraries
Engineering
Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha (GBNF) then Interim Dean of Engineering, requested Saya U Ba Than (GBNF) to help the engineering library by compiling and/or recommending journals and text books.
Medicine
U Tun Aung (GBNF), Librarian for IM(2) passed away due to a stroke after taking several baths on a hot day in Mandalay.
Northern Illinois
Daw May Kyi Win (GBNF), Assistant Librarian for the Central Library, took courses at UCC. She won a DV (Diversity Visa) to migrate to the US. She worked at NIU (Northern Illinois University), which has an “Asian Collection”. She maintained the “Burma” section of that collection.
Saya Dr. Than Tun (GBNF) wrote some of his books during his stay at NIU.
Saya U Saw Tun (former Head of RIT Burmese Department) was active with RIT Ah Nyu Pyinna Athin (Saya U Moe Aung and team). For a commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung, he recounted how he and Saya U Moe Aung were summoned to the Ministry and told to “stop” Swel Daw Yeik troupe activities. Saya was and may be still at NIU teaching and researching Burmese.
Ko Wunna Ko Ko, designer of the second RIT web site, studied and also worked as a research associate at NIU. He is an expert of NLP (Natural Language Processing).
St. Paul’s High School
I was admitted to Section (D) of IVth Standard at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School). There was a theory that students who did not join SPHS from KG could/should be tested by placing them in Section (D) instead of the elite Section (A). Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint had a similar experience. Only after proving our worth for four years, we were finally transferred to Section (A) of VIII Standard.
Brother Canice picked me from among the IV standard students to volunteer at the School Library. That was my first hands on experience working with a Librarian.
In High School, we had a Class Library. Brother Austin, our teacher for English and “Morals and Manners”, would allow us to borrow books not only from the Class Library but also from the School Library (where he served as a Librarian). We were asked to review the book that we had borrowed. Brother Austin would also reward those who do well in the tests with a book from the Class Library. I won “History and Atlas of North America”.
RUCL
I joined BRS (Burma Research Society) as a student member. I would go to the RUCL every three or six months to pick up my copy of the BRS journal. The journal uses transcription for the Burmese words.
RIT
Ko Mya, Assistant Librarian at RIT, was friendly and helped the students looking for journals …
USIS / USIA
In July 1969, I wrote a poem “Men on the Moon”. My mentor, who is the Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia and a Laureate Poet, submitted my poem to the Guardian newspaper and to Mr. Hall, an officer with USIS/USIA. The poem was sent to NASA.
Mr. Hall registered me as a user of USIS publications (Lin Yaung Chi and monthly or bi-monthly translations).
Daw Rita Tin Aung, Librarian for USIS, provided access to UCC staff. She would also photocopy articles that we requested.
Family & Relatives
My parents and uncles have their personal libraries. Collectively, we have access to encyclopedias (in English and Burmese), dictionaries (of various sizes) and books (on science, technology, religion, history, fine arts …)
Internet
With the advent of Internet, I had access to e-libraries.
We hope that the “YTU Modernization Project” would be implemented successfully and that YTU will get accredited from ASEAN and beyond.
Rangoon University was founded in 1920 with Rangoon College and Judson College as its constituents.
Intermediate courses were initially offered in the Main Campus.
Later, Yankin College was opened for Science students. Hteedan College was opened for Arts [and Social Science] students.
Colleges were opened in Mandalay, Taunggyi, Moulmein (Mawlamyine), Bassein (Pathein), Kyauk Phyu, Myitkyina, …
Examinations
In some years (probably due to the insurgency in some parts of Burma), students have to sit the “combined” Intermediate examination.
Otherwise, they have to sit for Inter (A) and Inter (B) exams separately.
Even then, there were two chances to pass the exam. The first exam was usually held in March. The second (aka supplementary) exam was usually held in June. The compartmental system requires a student to re-take only the subjects they have failed.
Stipends and awards (Gold and Silver medals, …) are eligible only for students who pass all subjects in the first exam.
Those who aspire to become engineers have to pass I.Sc. with 50+ marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
According to U Aw Taik Moh (C54) and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58), they had to take a bike or walk to the Main Campus to attend Mathematics [and Geology] classes.
Saya U Ba Toke taught Mathematics to several engineering students (who later became sayas).
Grapevine says that the Second Year of Engineering (equivalent to 4th BE) and 2nd MBBS were the “filters” (or “stumbling blocks”) for engineering and medical students. Some decided to change their study to Pure Science or Arts.
Leik Khone
Leik Khone was attended by engineering students until the school relocated in 1961 to Gyogone as BIT (Burma Institute of Technology).
We were the last batch to attend Leik Khone as an I.Sc.(A) student.
My spouse attended Leik Khone for 1st MBBS (and more).
In 1924, eligible B.Sc. graduates are admitted to the “accelerated” program (3 year course)
Common in the old system
Students who passed the I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science) with Science Option and scored 50+ points in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are admitted to the four year course
Short-lived in the old system
Eligible students who passed the Matriculation are admitted to the “special” six year course. Due to resources (logistics …), the students were transferred” before they graduated to the “default” program
New Education System in 1964
69ers
In November 1964, three batches of students were admitted to RIT under the then new Education System.
200 (or so) students joined the first ever 3rd BE Class. Most of them completed their I.Sc.(B) with the Science Option
320 (or so) students joined the first ever 2nd BE Class. Most of them completed their I.Sc.(A) with the Science Option
450 (or so) students joined the first ever 1st BE Class. The controversial ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) system was used for admission. There were students with (a) all Science (b) all Arts (c) Hybrid
Regional College Era
After finishing two years at a Regional College, eligible students were admitted to 3rd BE classes.
Items (needing input from sayas and alumni)
When was ILA discontinued?
Policies for 3F, External Students, Readmission as regular student
“Newer” systems involving 30+ TUs
Aung Kyaw Min wrote:
The controversial ILA scheme was discontinued in 1969. Sudents who passed matriculation in 1969 were admitted based on total marks. If I remember correctly lowest marks admitted to medical was 400 while RIT was 378. There were many students who chose RIT (or other majors) though they were qualified (i.e. scored more than 400) to go for medical.
Provided man power to run the engineering departments and projects in Burma.
AGTI => Associate of GTI
Workshop Practice
In the early days, engineering students have to do Workshop Practice at Insein GTI
BOC (Burma Oil Company) funded the establishment of the BOC College [of Engineering]
Workshops were set up at BOC College [and RIT]
Connections with GTI
Saya U Ba Hli
U Ba Hli was Principal of GTI. He also headed the Civil Engineering Department. He transferred to Rangoon University as the first native Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He is credited for the “Twinning Program” with the prestigious universities in the USA.
Saya U Ba Hli
Saya C Ping Lee
Saya U Kyaw Tun (GBNF) asked his friend Saya C Ping Lee, father of Dr. Win Aung (M62), to join the EE (Electrical Engineering) Department. H.E. U Than Aung, Minister of Education, asked Saya C Ping Lee, his former student at St. Paul’s High School, to transfer to the Directorate of Technical & Vocational Training as the Director General. An assignment was to upgrade GTI and technical schools.
The GTI-RIT “Bridge” Program
It enabled eligible GTI alumni to join RIT.
Ko Yin Sein (Caesar Yang), my classmate at SPHS, has an excellent command of English. He attended GTI and later joined the “Bridge” program as an early participant. He studied EC (Electrical Communications) and worked at BBS (Burma Broadcasting Service) after graduation.
Ko Myint Soe (Henry, M79), Ko Hla Maw Tun (M82), Ko Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, M83), KKZ (Ko Ko Zin, M84), AMO (Aung Myint Oo, EC84) and Ko Myo Aung (85) are some who attended GTI and RIT/YIT.
Ko Ba Than Nyunt provided the following list of AGTI BE’s :
HlaMin 