At the picnic following the SPZP-2000 Reunion dinner, Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Professor and Head of Physics Department, WIU, Macomb, Illinois, USA) gave me a printed copy of the list of Burmese state scholars studying in the US [as of December, 1954].
In addition to our sayas such as U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Win Kyaing, U Thit, the list contains
1. Thein Wah (Civil) 2. Maung Maung (Elec) 3. Tin Nyunt (Chem), Yale 4. Tin Hlyne (M), Columbia 5. Htun Aung (ChE), Georgia Tech 6. Thin Tu (C), Michigan 7. Htun Thein (C), Michigan 8. Tin Nyo (M), Michigan State 9. Hla Hmi (Mn), Colorado 10. Hla Gyaw (ChE), Brooklyn Poly 11. Maung Maung Tun (ChE), Philadelphia Tex 12. Tin Tun Aung (M), Brooklyn Poly 13. Kyaw Win (M), Brooklyn Poly 14. Ko Ko Lay (M), Carnegie Tech 15. Mya Than Tun (Mech), Brooklyn Poly 16. Maung Maung Thaung (M), Brooklyn Poly 17. … more …
Daw Myint Thwe (Seated 3rd from Right)Daw Myint Thwe (Center)Daw Myint Thwe (2nd row; 3rd from Left)Daw Myint Thwe (Seated Center)Daw Myint Thwe (Seated 2nd from Right)
She passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia.
Spouse : Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (GBNF)
Fourth of nine siblings : Saya U Tin U (C), Saya U Ba Than (M, GBNF), Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htoon (A60), Saya U Myo Min (UCC), U Thaung Lwin (EC66), Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
Children : Ma Tin Tin Hlaing (UCC) & Ko Htay Aung (EC80, UCC), Ko Tha Hlaing (EC83, UCC), Min Thet Tun (GBNF)
According to Saya U Moe Aung (EE 63, Tekkatho Moe War), the term “Swel Daw Yeik” was first accepted as a synonym for RIT in 1970 (Golden Jubilee of the establishment of Rangoon University). Saya is an outstanding writer/poet, editor/publisher, “Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shin”, …
Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint
It is a premier feature of the RIT-related gatherings (e.g. Singapore Thingyan, World wide SPZPs).
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
It was issued for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, and SPZP-2010 held in Singapore.
Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung) served as Chief Editor of the SDY Sar Saungs.
My poem âSAYA PU ZAW PWEâ was reprinted as Back Cover of the SDY Sar Saung for SPZP-2002.
My poem âSWE DAW YEIKâ was published in the SDY Sar Saung for SPZP-2007.
My article âA Short and Sad Clip : EE Sayasâ was published in the SDY Sar Saung for SPZP-2010.
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
It was issued for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016.
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
It evolved from brain storming sessions for helping past, present, and future Burmese/Myanmar engineers.
The initial scope was to provide (some) health care to eligible sayas and sayamas (60+ years, 7+ years of service) using only the interest money of the Health Care Fund.
The balance of âSteeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayasâ was transferred to SDYF.
U Khin Maung Tun is a Big Donor to SDYF. He also served as President and hosted lunch meetings.
Some alumni groups (e.g Swel Daw Thway) have provided funds to supplement (e.g. K50,000 per saya/sayama) the dana offering by SDYF.
“Swel Daw Yeik Bulletin” was published by Saya U Moe Aung and team.
Paying respect to Sayas for their metta & cetana is a tradition that is unique to Burma / Myanmar. The tradition is alive and well.
Saya Pu Zaw Pwes
There have been seven world wide SPZPs :
SPZP-2000 (USA) : hosted by RIT Alumni International
SPZP-2000
SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, SPZP-2010 (Singapore) : hosted by RIT sayas & alumni in Singapore
SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016 (Yangon) : hosted by RIT sayas & alumni in Myanmar
SPZP-2000 was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Alumni
Many alumni are active in the following:
SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
MES (Myanmar Engineering Society)
MEC (Myanmar Engineering Council)
HMEE
HMEE 1HMEE 2HMEE 3
“History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” (HMEE-2012) was published in time for SPZP-2012.
The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni (See Acknowledgement in the Book).
Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team (including Yours Truly) compiled the book.
The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
Ko Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2.
Ko Ohn Khine’s translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.
Saya U Aung Hla Tun suggests that the Book is due for revision/update every five years (or so).
Several meetings have been held for HMEE-2018 (follow up project to HMEE-2012 mentioned above.
YTU Library Modernization Project
Donations — large and small — are coming in.
U Khin Maung Tun (T78), Daw Myint Myint (C69), Saya Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73), Saya U Tin Htut (M60) … donated K100 Lakhs each (or more) for the Project.
Thanks to Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and team. The team had incrementally published the list of donors.
Phase One : The construction for adding a storey is completed.
Archives
The YTU Library could/should have a section to help remember our beloved alma mater, our sayas and alumni activities.
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi endorsed Ko Benny Tan’s proposal to archive the mementos.
I have requested several class representatives to record (both formally and informally) their gatherings.
HCF (Health Care Funds)
Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas
U Khin Maung Tun and family Fund for Vision Care
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
Others : by discipline and/or class
Accreditation
We would be glad to hear about the progress of the Accreditation …
RIT related Facebook pages and web sites
hlamin.com
RIT Updates
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association
NorCal RITAA
Google Group for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
Kha Lay Ba Wa means childhood. The days of the innocent childhood became a theme of the song composed by Sai Kham Leik and sung by Sai Htee Saing.
Young Sons
Kha Lay Ah Thinn
Some time back, my cousin sister said, “I still have the paper with the song that you wrote for Kha Lay Ah Thinn.”
When we were young, there was no Internet or TV.
The Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) would broadcast for specified hours in the morning, afternoon, evening and night.
We spend a lot of time outdoors.
One hangout was the corner in our uncle’s compound.
Someone came up with the idea that we should form a “Kha Lay Ah Thinn”. I was chosen to be the “Okkahta” (President). I am not a composer, but that did not prevent from trying out a “Theme Song”. The music and lyrics were not spectacular, but I would have earned a nod for moving out of my comfort zone.
We did not have fund. Our uncles, aunts and elder cousins decided to help with the fund raiser. There was the renowned “Bu Thee Gyaw & Ah Chin”. It may be a sign that I would become an organizer.
KG
I did not cherish going to school at an early age. It was not fun to get up early.
It was not easy to use slate.
All that changed when a caring Karen Christian Teacher named “Teacher Kywe” magically transformed me into a dutiful student with an inquiring mind.
Myees (Grand children)
Young Myees
The elder Myee is 11 years old. The younger Myee is 8 years old. They are excellent in studies, sports and social relations.
They have lots of books, educational kits and toys. They enjoy visiting zoos, play grounds, gyms, and museums. They like TV, You Tube and taking photos.
Represented RU and Burma in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959, and the Second SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961 Won Bronze in 1959 and Gold in 1961 for 4x 100 m Relay
Team mates include Tun Mra (Sprint), Kyaw Mra (Hurdles) and Soe Mra (Pole Vault).
Mra Brothers
Mra Brothers
Sons of U Shwe Mra (ICS; Chief Secretary, Union of Burma; UN)
U Shwe Mra & Tun Mra
Tun Mra Represented RU and Burma in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959, and the Second SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961 Won Bronze in 1959 and Gold in 1961 for 4x 100 m Relay. Full Green, Old member and Patron of RUBC. Appeared in Saya Nyein’s program for RU Diamond Jubilee.
RU Athletic Club
Kyaw Mra (GBNF) Represented RU and Burma in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959, and the Second SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961 Won Silver for Hurdles at the Second SEAP Games. Retired as National Coach for Track and Field. Full Green, Old member of RUBC.
RU Athletes
Soe Mra won Gold for Pole Vault at the Second SEAP Games. He won Gold in subsequent Games.
Inter-Varsity Sports
Win Mra was a Medalist in Burma Pole Vault before doctors asked him to retire. He is an excellent guitarist and vocalist. Taught English at RIT. Retired as Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations. Chair of Myanmar Human Rights Commission.
Maung Maung Mra succeeded his elder brothers as Burma Pole Vault Champion. Won Bronze at the Fifth SEAP Games. Also competed for RASU in High Jump at the Inter-Institute Tournament.
Dr. Aung Mra represented IM(1) in Track and Field. Pole Vault seems to be the favorite for the Mra brothers.
Kyaw Khin (GBNF)
Represented SPHS, RASU and Burma in Track and Field.
Events include 800m, 1500m, 110m Hurdles and 400m Hurdles
Became National Coach in Track and Field
Richard Yu Khin (GBNF)
Won Gold in Yachting with U Maung Maung Lwin (Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club)
Trained with Burma Selected Swimmers, but he could compete in two sports at the SEAP Games.
U Aye (M62) wrote :
Mg Hla(Badminton), was from Moulmein. We were together at Moulmein College (1956-58). He was selected as a National player even at that time.
Aye Kyaw (Swimming) was from Mudon. He joined Navy after graduation.
