Category: Discipline

Dhatu Beda (Chemistry in Burmese)

• We took “Dhatu Beda” in the first ever HSF Only examination in 1962.
• Ko Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS) scored the highest marks in Chemistry. He would later receive Dip Ing in Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp and Paper).

Chemistry (in English)

• We took Chemistry in the first ever Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
• Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS) scored a perfect 100 and stood first in Burma.
• Grapevine says that the Physics examiners reluctantly took away a mark from Ko Khin Maung U’s perfect score. He ended up with 99 marks in Physics, 100 marks in Chemistry and 100 marks in Mathematics.

Pros and Cons

• We were guinea pigs for the Education System.
• We lost one year in the process, but learned some “Translation”.

Chemisty Sayas

Dr. Soe Win (SPHS 58)

Dr. Soe Win stood first in the Matriculation examination in 1958. He is the son of Saya Sein, our Burmese teacher in high school and the father of Ko Aung Mon. He took Chemistry Honors. He joined the Chemistry Department of Rangoon University. He retired as Rector of the YUFL (Yangon University of Foreign Languages).

Saya U Po Tha

Saya U Po Tha is the first native Professor of Chemistry at Rangoon University. He is the uncle of Saya U Aung Khin (retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering). Saya served as an Interim Dean of Engineering at Rangoon University.

Saya U Aung Khin

Saya U Aung Khin, cousin of Saya U Khin Maung Myint and uncle of Ko Wynn Myint Aung (EC76), was another early Professor.

Saya Mehm Thet San

Saya was a room mate of Dr. Yan Naing Lwin at UIUC (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign). Saya served as DG of CSO, and Deputy Minister.

Saya Mehm Tin Mon

Saya is the father of Dr. Mi Sandar Mon (Mechanical Engineering Professor at YTU, GBNF). Saya served as Principal of Moulmein College. He was also Professor and Adviser at IMBTU. Saya wrote and taught “condensed” courses in Abhidhamma.

Saya Dr. Ko Gyi

I met Saya Dr. Ko Gyi when I attended the Head of Department meeting(s) as a representative from ICST.

The astronomers studied and mapped the space objects such as stars and comets first with the naked eye and then with the help of telescopes (optical, radio, …) . Before the advent of the communication satellites and GPS (Global Positioning System), seafarers had to rely on their knowledge of astronomy for navigation.

Edmund Halley is an Astronomer Royal known for the discovery of Halley’s comet. Mark Twain’s birth and death coincided with the two visits of Halley’s comet.

Greenwich is known for its observatory and the adoption of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). UCT (Universal Coordinated Time) is now preferred.

U Ba Min

U Ba Min (SPHS 56) joined the Mathematics Department. He studied for his MS in Astronomy in the US. He later resigned citing medical reasons when he was transferred to Myitkyina College. He opened a shop in Zay Gyo in Mandalay. One day, a group of Japanese visited his shop. They were surprised to learn that U Ba Min was a classmate of their Professor back in the US. They took a photo to show to their professor.

Other Sayas

Saya U Soe Min and Saya U Sein Win are some Mathematics sayas who taught Astronomy.

Sayagyi U Min Wun (Civil) is well versed in both Western and Eastern Astronomy.

The astronomers studied and mapped the space objects such as stars and comets first with the naked eye and then with the help of telescopes (optical, radio, …) . Before the advent of the communication satellites and GPS (Global Positioning System), seafarers had to rely on their knowledge of astronomy for navigation.

Edmund Halley is an Astronomer Royal known for the discovery of Halley’s comet. Mark Twain’s birth and death coincided with the two visits of Halley’s comet.

Greenwich is known for its observatory and the adoption of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). UCT (Universal Coordinated Time) is now preferred.

U Ba Min

U Ba Min (SPHS 56) joined the Mathematics Department. He studied for his MS in Astronomy in the US. He later resigned citing medical reasons when he was transferred to Myitkyina College. He opened a shop in Zay Gyo in Mandalay. One day, a group of Japanese visited his shop. They were surprised to learn that U Ba Min was a classmate of their Professor back in the US. They took a photo to show to their professor.

Other Sayas

Saya U Soe Min and Saya U Sein Win are some Mathematics sayas who taught Astronomy.

Sayagyi U Min Wun (Civil) is well versed in both Western and Eastern Astronomy.

Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean) asked U Ba Than to help with the Engineering Library.

Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khin was Assistant Librarian at the Faculty of Social Science Library. She became Librarian at the Rangoon Institute of Technology.

The Library was located on the Ground Floor.

Several years later, the Library was relocated to a two-storey building near A Block.

Sadly, it was not maintained well.

The YTU Library Upgrading / Modernization Project was initiated as a Requirement for Certification of YTU.

Phase One was completed.

From the early days

• Gita Lu Lin Maung Ko Ko
• Sandaya Chit Swe
• Sandaya Hla Htut
• Sandaya Sein Thaung

Others

• Sandaya Tin Win Hlaing
• Sandaya Kun Maung
• Sandaya Kun Zaw
• Hla Moe
• Dr. Hla Bu
• Tin Ko Ko

Sayas and Alumni

• Saya U Thet Lwin
• Uzin U Bo Gyi (A59)
• U Kyaw Oo (M67, GBNF)
• U Tin Tun (M71)
• U Than Po (M75)
• Daw Cho Cho Yin

• Cheiro (Count Louis Hammond) popularized Palmistry with his readings of the rich and the famous, and his writings on Palmistry and Numerology.
  He classified seven personality types based on the structure of the hand.
  He also covered the major lines and signs.

• There are several books on Palmistry by European, Indian and Burmese writers.
  Examples:
  Benham
  Palmistry for Pleasure and Profit
  Bo Nyunt Maung

• U Sein Win (Win Kyaw, C69, GBNF) was an amateur but proficient palmist.
  He had several discussions with a professional palmist. They tied the knot.

• Saya San-da-ra was a famous Palmist in his days.

• San Zarni Bo was suspended from his studies due to his antics (during a Union Day celebration, and during a Minister’s visit to RIT).
  He elected to study Palmistry.

• Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC, GBNF) wrote about his uncle Bogalay U Kywe and his predictions.

• Saya U Myo Win (M/Ag65, GBNF) told some of his students that he would find a better pasture abroad (according to the lines and signs on his palm).