Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947, and won Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1949, he won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam.
RUBC Full Green
Studied B.Sc (Special) in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
Per request from Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean of Engineering), he helped build the Engineering Library
As a requirement for promotion, he did Masters at Imperial College
Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Mech Engg Sayas
Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project. Donated his photo albums. Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.
HMEE book (2012)
He also interviewed his elder brother U Tin U for HMEE project. U Tin U taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department, and served as Treasurer of Burma Society of Civil Engineers.
Family
U Ba Than & Daw Mya Mya
He is the second son of U Chan Sein and Daw Cheng Kim.
Siblings : U Tin U, Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby), Daw Myint Thwe (Betty), Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya
Son : U Ye Than
Daughter-in-law : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grand children : Aung Myo Myint, Ei Khine
U Ba Than 2U Ba Than 1
Winner Inn
U Ye Than and Daw Lwin Mar Oo ran “Winner Inn”.
Later, their children Aung Myo Myint and Ei Khin expanded the services provided by Winner Inn (notably W Bistro)
Winner Inn
Birthdays
Celebrations
Birthday Soon Kyway
Before the pandemic, he invited colleagues and former students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
U Tin Htoon (A60, younger brother) compiled a Photo Album for Saya’s 90th Birthday
U Ba Than
Donated all of the Garawa Money to various social & religious associations.
Passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
U Ba Than & Family
90+ Club Members
Four of the nine siblings are members of the 90+ Club like their mother.
U Tin U (eldest) passed away on Aug 19, 2025 — a few weeks after his 96th birthday. He was the most senior Past Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). He was Past Captain of RGC (Rangoon Golf Club). He was also the oldest Yale University alumni from Burma.
U Ba Than (2nd oldest) passed away after his 94th birthday.
Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, 3rd) celebrated her 93rd birthday on Aug 31, 2025.
Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, 4th) passed away two months before her 91st birthday.
He offered birthday soon kyway to Uzin Okkantha (Victor, Aung Chaw) and treated his former SPHS63 classmates (some of whom have not seen each other for a long time). The attendees include :
Aye Ngwe (Edwin)
Kyaw Win (“Birthday Boy”)
Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung, EP69)
Hla Min (EC69)
Uzin Okkantha (Aung Chaw, Victor, C69)
Than Win (M69)
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi)
Tin Tun (M69)
Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, IM1 70, UK)
SPHS Novice Crew at RUBC
Maung Maung Kyi (Bow)
Hla Min (No. 2)
Kyaw Win (No. 3, EE)
Willie Soe Mg (Stroke)
Myint Thein (Cox, SPHS 62, B.Com 66)
We were all awarded Full Green.
When the schools were closed following the first Anniversary of 7th July, Kyaw Win and Maung Maung Kyi applied for scholarships to study in Germany.
Maung Maung Kyi received Dip Ing in ChE with Specislization in Pulp and Paper. He worked at Sittaung Paper Mill and PPIC before moving to Wales, UK.
Kyaw Win had a higher calling. He and his friends protested in front of the Burmese Embassy. The higher authorities were alarmed at their movement and recalled back to Burma. Fortunately, he was able to complete his EE in Rangoon.
GBNF
In alphabetical order
Aung Chaw (Victor Chaw, C69, Ashin Ukkamsa)
Aung Khin
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi)
Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, EC69, 13th in Burma)
Aung Thwin, Dr.
Freddie Ba San, Dr. (Myo San, 3rd in Burma)
Freddie Sein, Dr.
Gilbert Thaw (Min Thaw, EP)
Maung Maung Aye, Dr.
Maung Maung Kyi (11th in Burma)
Myint Soe (Willie Soe Maung, 1st batch BDS, Stroke in my novice crew)
Kyemon published an article about Science Scholars. The author (Sein Win) was a Science Scholar for Maths. He was Lt. Gen & Defense Minister at that time.
Maths 72 Sein Win Kyaw Tin Aung Thu were Ministers at ASSK government
1970 Maths Ko Thant Sin Maung was Minister of Transport
Classmates in Standards VIII A, IX A and X A at St. Paul’s HS
Myo San (3rd row, 5th from left)
Stood third in Burma in the Matric of 1963 and won Collegiate Scholarship.
Myo San (Seated right)
Mastered phonetics and read lots of English books.
One would not be surprised that he scored distinctions in English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
A little bit older than me and that might have given him an advantage.
Gave me a quiz. “How do you pronounce GHOTI?” I gave an answer which he corrected as “FISH”. He had read George Bernard Shaw, who posed the quiz as a lesson on the eccentricity of English.
GH is phonetically equivalent to F as in ROUGH. O is phonetically equivalent to I as in WOMAN. TI is phonetically equivalent to SH as in ATTENTION. Thus, GHOTI is phonetically equivalent to FISH.
Became a surgeon
Stress caused him to take early retirement.
He had mini-reunion with SPHS63 classmates. In the photo, the three (seated) — Freddie, Alan and Tin Tun — are now GBNF.
UCC was founded by Sayas Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing, U Myo Min and U Ko Ko Lay.
They are also known as Saya Chit (ချစ်), Saya Paing (ပိုင်), Saya Myo (မျိုး) and Saya Lay (လေး).
Among the founders, Saya Lay has the longest tenure at UCC, DCS and ICST, but he was the earliest to pass away.
Dr. Chit Swe(GBNF)
Dr. Chit Swe
Pioneer of Computer Systems, Applications & Education in Burma
Founder & Director of UCC
Former Rector, RASU
Taught & Supervised Maths in Rangoon, Mandalay, Bangkok & Sydney
Visiting Professor, Macquarie University, Australia
I have written several posts about Saya. See Posts
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing
One day, the people on the UCC ferry shouted, “Saya Paing”. To their amazement, ICS U Paing (Saya’s father) came out. U Paing’s spouse Daw Oo Yin is the daughter of Sir Po Tha.
He is the second son of U Paing. He and his siblings Dr. Myo Paing, U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, ChE70) and U Kyaw Paing (Putra Cup Player) are excellent golfers and Champions at RGC (Rangoon Golf Club) and BGC (Burma Golf Club).
Hevmatriculated from SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) in 1956 along with Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF), U Win Htein (PWD, GBNF). Bohmu Percy (Navy), U Richard Than Se (ChE), and U Ba Min (Astronomy & Maths).
He stood 13th in Matriculation and was awarded Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1958, he received two Gold Medals. One was for highest Total Marks in I.Sc exams. Another was for joint highest marks in Maths in I.Sc exams.
He rowed and coxed at RUBC. He won prizes including the Inter-Hall Fours.
He was selected as a States Scholar to attend Stanford University along with U Ko Ko Lay and Bohmu Percy. He received his BS and MS in EE (Electrical Engineering). He did programming for his studies and also worked part-time as computer operator.
Upon his return to Burma, he joined the EE Department as Assistant Lecturer. His sponsor was UBARI (Union of Burma Applied Research Institute).
At a research congress held in the Main Campus, he presented a paper covering Digital Logic and Circuits. Dr. Chit Swe was impressed. Through U Nyi Nyi (EE saya, who moved to the UK), Saya Paing gained contact with Dr. Chit Swe. The rest is history.
He promised Saya Chit to recruit his top students to join the UCC Project, but the long delay of the Project to get funded made the task difficult.
He did another Masters (this time in Computer Science) at Southampton University in UK.
For a detailed story of Saya’s life and work at RIT, UCC and overseas as a UN Advisor, read his articles in English and Burmese. They are available in SCRIB_D.
Sayagadaw & Classmate
Saya U Soe Paing in CaliforniaSaya U Soe Paing in New Jersey (2018)Saya U Soe Paing in 2009
Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my classmate at RIT.
She and Saya have hosted several UCC mini-gatherings at their house.At one of the gatherings in 2007, Ko Po (U Htin Kyaw, Peter Wun) not only attended the gathering, but gave me a ride back home. He also briefly mentioned about his four-month detention.
After retirement
After retiring from the UN, Saya visited UK and USA to spend time with his children & grandchildren.
During his trips to New Jersey, there would be several UCC-RIT gatherings.
Saya meditates and plays golf (for specific days of the week). He paused both activities when he had a minor ailment (hurting his back and leg).
Per advice of Sayagadaw’s medical friends, Saya had a surgery in Singapore.
Saya has resumed playing golf. He now uses a golf cart ant the Seniors’ Tee.
U Myo Min
U Myo Min
He matriculated from SPHS in 1958. He is a class mate of Dr. Soe Win (Retired Rector, YUFL)
He is the younger brother of Saya U Tin U (C), Saya U Ba Than (M), Dr. Daw Win Hlaing, Daw Myint Thwe, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon (A60). He is the elder brother of U Thaung Lwin (EC66) and Daw Cho Cho Hlaing.
He is my cousin. His father is my maternal uncle, who passed away in his fifties. His mother is my paternal aunt, who lived to be 94.
He won medals for standing first in I.Com (Intermediate of Commerce) and B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce). He majored in Accounting.
He completed CA (Chartered Accountant) in the UK and worked as Computer Systems Analyst for IBM UK for 4+ years.
One day, he had a call from his mother. She asked Saya if he wanted to come back to Burma to help Dr. Chit Swe the UCC Project.
Saya was studying and working in UK when his father passed away.
He returned to Burma and joined UCC as Applications Division Manager.
Later, he gracefully allowed U Ko Ko Lay to manage the Scientific Applications Division. He was contented to be the Business Application Manager.
He taught not only at UCC but also at the Institute of Economics and other Departments.
He studied and passed the Abhidhamma “Thingyo” course.
He did his Masters in Systems Engineering at the University of Lancaster in UK.
Life After UCC
He moved to Singapore and US. He retired after working for Seagate Technology and Connor.
He is an avid reader and an accomplished conversationalist.
His spouse is Daw Kin Kin Chit Maung (RIT English, UNESCO, sister of Saya U Tin Htut (M60). They attend several meditation retreats every year (in San Jose, California and at Hse Mile Gone monastery).
Dr. Soe Win wrote :
In addition to being a classmate at matriculation (St Paul’s), Ko Myo Min and his roommate Ko Mya Maung (another Paulian) welcomed me in London and took me to the flat in the same house, which they had kindly rented for me (and Ko Tin Maung Thein, another Paulian and electrical engineer). Ko Mya Maung later became his brother-in-law. Ko Myo Min is a super-likeable person who has now immersed himself in Vipassana practice.
KMZ wrote :
One episode stood out every time I thought about Saya Myo and Ma Ma Kin.
Some point in my life at UCC, I became a Passport expert, a complex process those days. I learned of all the processes including where to go for what, how much ‘tea money’ to pay to who at what point etc. This knowledge was acquired following many friends went through those processes.
Ma Ma Kin was working at UNICEF, and one day Saya Myo summoned me to help with the passport for her as she needed it to go to BKK. Some of you might remember the forms, “ကိုယ် ရေး ရာဇဝင်” to be filled out 7 copies. Saya Myo and Ma Ma Kin came from very large family, so was both sides of their parents. Saya Myo has 9 siblings. Ma Ma Kin has 8 siblings. I do not exactly recall who filled in these forms, it could have been me, 6 sets of all names, work, addresses in 7 copies.
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF)
Saya U Ko Ko Lay
He matriculated from SPHS in 1956 along with U Soe Paing, U Win Htein, Bohmu Percy Maung Maung, U Ba Min and U Than Se (Richard).
He is the elder brother of U Than Htut (M67, RUBC Gold), Maw and Zaw (RUBC Gold, GBNF).
He studied BSCE and MSCE at Stanford University in the US.
Upon his return to Burma, he joined PWD as Assistant Engineer.
He was recruited by his friend U Soe Paing to help with the UCC Project in general and the design and implementation of UCC Building in particular.
He transferred to UCC as Operations Division Manager and later served as Scientific Applications Division Manager.
At UCC, he is fondly called as Saya Lay.
He studied Systems Engineering at the University of Lancaster in the UK.
He was Professor at the Department of Computer Science.
He was Professor of Information Systems at the Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST).
Former Head of Movie Production Development at Regional College 2
Father : Director U Chin Sein / Shwe Nyar Maung
He passed away in a traffic accident
Dr. Mya Than
Dr. Mya Than 1Dr. & Mrs. Mya Than, U & Mrs. Thane Myint
Taught at PBRS before going abroad for his doctorate
Taught at the Institute of Economics
Worked in Singapore and Thailand
Spouse : Daw Yee May Kaung
U Thane Myint
Elder son of U Kyaw Zaw (GBNF) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Aye (GBNF)
Retired from Air Force & MOFA; former member of Myanmar Delegation to UN
Led Myanmar Olympic Team to Seoul Olympics
Spouse : Daw Khin Than Nu (EC70)
Daw Kyi Kyi Tin
Taught Chemistry at Workers’ College and Assumption University
On behalf of PBRS Alumni, she offered Garawa money to Saya Dr. Mya Than
Siblings : U Saw Oo, Daw Tin Tin Aye
Dr. Mya Than and Kyi Kyi Tin
A1 Siblings
Daw Aung Si
A1 Than Htut
A1 Thein Htut
Thamankyar Ko Myint (U Aung Myint)
Sai Wunna (GBNF)
The four brothers were involved in the production of Thamankyar movie. A1 Than Htut was Director. A1 Thein Htut was Cinematographer. Ko Myint and Sai Wunna were Actors. The movie was funded by Sayama Daw Khin Khin Aye.
PPBRS (Private Primary Boundary Road School) was opened at 109 Boundary Road by Daw Tin Tin Aye. She was succeeded by her younger sister Daw Khin Khin Aye (Teacher Ah Mar) as Principal. Daw Yi Yi (second sister) taught Infant (A) / Higher KG. They are all GBNF.
The school was renamed PBRS (Private Boundary Road School) after it opened classes for Middle School and High School.
Daw Khin Khin Aye
U Kyaw Zaw & Daw Khin Khin AyeObituary
Siblings : Daw Tin Tin Aye (Founder of PPBRS), Daw Yi Yi, U Thin Tu
Spouse : U Kyaw Zaw Studied Motion Pictures Industry as a States Scholar in the US
Children : Thane Myint, Kyaw Thein, Mo Mo
Taught at PPBRS. Became Principal
Extended the school to teach Middle School and High School. School was renamed PBRS.
After nationalization, she worked as Township Education Officer for Bahan.
Students
Most students were from nearby places : Windermere, Inya, Golden Valley / Lowis, Myenigone, San Chaung
Among the alumni are
Tin Maung Thant (son of UNSG U Thant)
Francis Ohn Maung (son of Arzani U Ohn Maung)
Dr. Flora Aye & Shirley Aye
Bonzo, Bonnie, Ruby & Pearl Kun alone
Elizabeth Kyaw Tun (Ph.D. in English, daughter of Saya U Kyaw Tun)
Kenneth San & Margaret San (moved from Taung Gyi)
Ma Pyone Khin (daughter of U Ba Yoke)
My siblings and cousins
A1 Family Members
A1 Family Members
The movie pioneers in Burma include four brothers : A1 U Tin Nwe, U Nyi Pu, U Maung Maung Soe, and A1 U Tin Maung.
A1 was earlier known as “Myanmar Ah Swe“.
U Tin Nwe
U Hla Bu (son-in-law) Children : Margie (Ma Aung Si), Stanley (A1 Than Htut), Freddie (A1 Thein Htut, Sat Su), Bobby (Aung Myint, Thamankyar Ko Myint), Sai Wunna (GBNF)
U Thein Zaw (actor)
U Hla Myo (directed several movies with Nyunt Win)
U Nyi Pu
Founded Ma Weik Za Do Films (produced “Thamankyar”)
Daughter attended PPBRS.
Sayamagyi Daw Khin Khin Aye (Teacher Ah Mar) supported her former students to direct and produce “Thamankyar“. Twin brothers Than Htut and Thein Htut were Director and Cinematigrapher. Toe Nyunt, Aung Myint and Wunna were Actors. Than Win was the author.
U Maung Maung Soe
Real name : U Tin Pe
Actor, Director and Producer
Son-in-law : U Maung Maung has his own Studio.
Children : Rosalind (Ma Pyi Aye), Richard, Glory (Khin Than Nu)
U Tin Maung
Was Actor before he turned Director and Producer.
Children : Phylis, Eileen
Daw Khin Myint
Sister of U Tin Nwe, U Nyi Pu, U Maung Maung Soe and U Tin Maung
Spouse : J Maung Sein
Son : U Tin Yu (Director); Grand Children : Zelma Yu, Zaw Min Yu, Zin Thi Yu
Daughter : Daw Marlar (spouse of U Mya Maung); Grand Children : Peggy, Winnie (Win Mar), Ted (Toe Nyunt). Rosebelle (Sandar, Sar Oo), Mya Zaw (Fuji)
Some members
Since A1 extended family is huge, I do not know all members.
Ma Pyi Aye graduated in 1966 with Architecture.
Aung Myint (Thamankyar Ko Myint) graduated in 1970 with Mining Engineering.
Thamankyar Movie Poster Thamankyar Ko Myint 1Thamankyar Ko Myint 2
Than Win graduated in 1970 with Textile Engineering. He married Zelma Yu.
Win Mar won the Academy Award for her role in “Pho Pyone Cho”. She became a doctor, and did not pursue a career in movies.
Sar Oo won the Academy Award for her role in “Hne Hmar Ah The”.
Toe Nyunt became known as “Shwe Gaung Byaung”.
Thein Htut became known as “Sat Su”.
Aung Chein, nephew of U Hla Bu, was selected Luyechun. He graduated in 1972 with Mechanical Engineering.
Other PPBRS Alumni
Patail Clan
Arif Clan
Myat Hla Sein (GBNF) & Chit Mya Sein (children of U Chin Sein)
Myo Set (GBNF, son of Thar Gaung Gyi)
Han Tun (SPHS63, DSA), Nyunt Shwe, Hlaing Mi Mi, Sein Hlaing (GBNF), Myo Hlaing & Htoo Hlaing
ICS U Paing and Daw Oo Yin (daughter of Sir Po Tha & Lady Tha) have four sons.
Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54)
He is a medical doctor and researcher (at BMRI).
His early assignment was Malaria Campaign.
He is a Champion golfer.
U Soe Paing (SPHS56)
U Soe Paing
In the Matriculation exam of 1956, he stood 13th in Burma and won a Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1958, he received two Gold medals : one for the Highest Total Marks for I.Sc (Combined) & another for Joint Highest Marks in Maths for I.Sc (Combined).
While attending Engineering classes at RU, he received State Scholarship to study Electrical Engineering at Stanford University in the USA.
He received BS and MS in EE (Electrical Engineering) from Stanford University.
Upon his return, he joined the EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer. He helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe with the UCC project.
He transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
After reorganization, he also managed the Operations Division.
He received an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Southampton in the UK.
He taught CS courses at UCC. He co-authored Progrsmming Texts, Lecture Guides and Manuals with U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and me.
He worked for UN projects in several countries.
He wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and his experiences as a States Scholar and UN Advisor.
After retirement, Saya spent time playing golf & practicing vipassana meditation.
During his UCC days, he served as a Golf Correspondent. I helped him type about the competition at RGC (Rangoon Golf Club) and BGC (Burma Golf Club) and submit to the English newspapers.
U Win Paing (SPHS64)
U Wara 1U Wara 2U Wara 3
He won several Golf Championships with his younger brother U Kyaw Paing.
After finishing the finals for ChE (Chemical Engineering) examination in 1970, he entered monkhood with his friend U Aung Min.
He served as Taik Oke for about four decades before becoming the Chief Resident Monk of Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw.
He is known as Sayadaw U Wara.
He is now GBNF.
U Kyaw Paing (SPHS67)
He represented Burma in the Putra Cup.
He is a lawyer and an entrepreneur.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
For number of years, I was the carrier-cum-postman to bring Saya U Soe Paing’s typed golf news to the WPD, Working Peoples’ Daily at Theingbyu Street! Just one of the chores I had in those days.
I remember jokingly asked Sayadaw U Wara how he felt seeing the (18th??) hole over the fence from the Sunlun Kyaung’s “Thein”. The new golf course was built for VIPs inside Kabaaye, and that particular hole was seen from the “Thein” less than 40-50 yards, of course over the fence.
