Category: Education

• Methodist was founded as a revival movement of the Church of England.
• Methodist became a Protestant Denomination, and spread world wide.

Church and Schools

Burma had three kinds of Methodist Churches and schools.

• English Methodist
• Burmese Methodist
• Chinese Methodist

MEHS

• MEHS stands for Methodist English High School. It was rebuilt after the War with the donation from the American Methodists.
• It is recognized as “Yangon Heritage Building”.
• MEHSA is an alumni association. The web site used to have a validation process to vet members.
• Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended MEHS before she left Burma to accompany her mother Daw Khin Kyi (Burmese Ambassador to India). Her elder brother U Aung San Oo matriculated in 1959 from SPHS.
• Myo Min siblings
  Patricia, Pamela, Uno, Beauty
• Tan siblings
  Yu Sein (Selwyn), Yu Beng (Benny, M70), Kwan
• Teoh siblings
  named alphabetically from A to O) : Cecil (C63), Edward (M64) are RIT alumni.
  Kenny was web master of the MEHS Alumni web site
• Wun siblings
  Edgar (Nyan Soe), Peter (Htin Kyaw) and Rosalind (Htar Cho)
• Yu Khin siblings
  Marie (GBNF), Richard (GBNF)
• MEHS 61
  Richard Yu Khin, Selwyn Tan, Hla Yee Yee, Winsome Ba Thike, Victor (Kyaw Sein Koe)
• MEHS 63
  Kenny Wong (M69), Tint Lwin (Danny, M69), Nay Win (M69, GBNF), Kyaw Min Thein (Kenneth, C69), Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69), Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE69) are RIT alumni.
  Myo Shin (Robert), Zaw Mon (Glenn), Swe Aye (Lynston), Khin Nyo Thet (GBNF) became medical doctors.

Names

• TTC stands for Teachers’ Training College.
• In the early days, TTC had its own curriculum, which was different from those used in the
  [mostly all] English schools,
  [mostly all Burmese] Vernacular schools, and
  [mixed] Anglo-Vernacular Schools.
• TTC had a Practicing School.
  Some refer to “TTC Practicing School” simply as TTC.
  U Kyaw Ngwe, Daw Mabel and Daw Tin Tin Aye served as Principals.

Training Centers

• During our younger days, Teachers’ Training for SAT (Senior Assistant Teacher) was done mostly at Kanbe.
• There were regional centers for training JAT (Junior Assistant Teacher) and PAT (Primary Assistant Teacher).

Alumni of TTC Praticing School

• Dr. Myo Tint (TTC) stood 3rd in Burma in the Matriculation of 1952. Dr. Nyunt Tin (SPHS) stood first.
• Dr. Tin Myo Than (TTC), stood 2nd in the Matriculation of 1954. Koon Yin Chu (Philip, SPHS stood first.
• U Tin Htoon (A60) moved from TTC to SPHS.
• U Phone Myint (Workshop Superintendent) is an alumnus of TTC.
• Ko Win Aung (M70) was selected High School Luyechun. Represented RIT in Swimming and Water Polo.
  Served as Secretary of the RIT Swimming Association
• Ko Soe Win (EC70), Ko Kyaw Zaw (EC72, GBNF) and Ko Khin Zaw are TTC alumni
• Ko Kyaw Zaw was selected High School Luyechun. His spouse is a sayama at TTC.
• My sons
• Three nephews and two nieces
• Ko Aung Kyaw Win

Good Education System

• Does not endorse that “Some professions are above others”.
• Several SPHS matriculates who stood First and Second in Burma chose to study Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics.

• Does not promote “Rote Learning”
  Re: “Brother Clementian“

• Encourages students to be “Life long learners”
  Re : “Library”, “Librarians” and “Life Long Learning:
  
• Leads students to be “Ethical citizens”.
• At St. Paul’s High School (SPHS), there was a class period where the Catholic students had to take Catechism or go to the Chapel to pray.
• Students who profess other religions, had to study “Morals and Manners”, “Sar Nar Kya Ni Ti” and other prescribed texts.

Decline of Education and Ethics

• Destroying the revered Students Union on July 8, 1962 is incomprehensible.
• Destroying a working education system is unbearable.
• Destroying the good will and ethics of people is atrocious.

Wishes

• Discourage “rote learning” system
• Get back to our days of Decent Education
• Reintroduce subjects such as Ethics.

OPA Dinner in 1963

• OPA invited ten of us to attend the Annual Dinner
• Khin Maung U (First in Burma)
• Min Oo (2nd)
• Myo San (Freddie, 3rd, GBNF)
• Nyunt Wai (Victor, 4th)
• Thein Wai (5th)
• Hla Min (7th)
• Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny, 9th)
• Maung Maung Kyi (11th, GBNF)
• Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, 13th, GBNF)
• Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, 17th)

OPA PZP in 2018

• Saya Uzin Beatson is the only saya left from our Paulian days.

Old Paulians Association

On June 30, 1963, the OPA (Old Paulians Association) invited the top students from the Matriculation to attend the dinner. I stood 7th in the whole of Burma in the Matriculation examination held in May 1963.

• OPA hosted Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe annually.
• Among the teachers of our times, Saya Beatson (now Sayadaw) is the last one standing.

• U Khin Maung Htun (GBNF, SPHS58) and U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) served as Patrons.
• U Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw, SPHS63) is a Past President.

Burmese American Professionals Society

I am a Lifetime Member of BAPS.

I volunteered as a Contributing Editor of the BAPS Newsletter.

My articles include

• Burmese Religious Calendar
• A Sea Burial for Professor Htay Lwin Nyo

• Past BAPS Presidents include Saya U Nyo Win (M65), Benny Tan (M70) and Maurice Chee (M75).

RIT Alumni International

• I am a member of the SF Bay Area RIT Alumni Group which founded RIT Alumni International and hosted SPZP-2000.

• I was a core Organizer for RIT Alumni Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.

• Saya Allen Htay (GBNF, C58) was Leader of the Bay Area Alumni Group. He served as President of RIT Alumni International.
• A few years back, RIT Alumni International closed down. Maurice Chee visited the Swel Daw Yeik Foundation in Yangon and handed over the Balance of RIT Alumni International account.

• I have served for 26 years as Chief Editor of the RIT Alumni International Newsletter. A commemorative edition of the Newsletter was published for SPZP-2000.

• In August 2016, Ko Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California. On behalf of the Alumni, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the “Alumni Appreciation Award”.

Reunion of SPZP Organizer

• Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) designed the first RIT web site. He came down from Seattle to attend the Retirement Soon Kway of Ko Maurice Chee (M75). The picture was taken at a sea food restaurant overlooking the San Francisco Bay (within sight of SFO — San Francisco International Airport). Ko Benny Tan (M70), Ko Maurice and Ko KMZ were core organizers of SPZP-2000.

NorCal RITAA

• I am a founding member. I served as a member of BOD (Board of Directors).
• Past Presidents include Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66), Gordon Kaung (Kaung Kaung Oo, M83) and U Aung Myint Oo (EC84). Current President is U Tin Maung Win (C86).
• Past BOD Chair is Stan Liou (M67). Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) has served as Chair for several terms.

• In 2016, I was presented with Alumni Appreciation Award.

• Before the pandemic, NorCal RITAA provided scholarship & financial aid to eligible YTU students.
• At the Annual Dinner in 2024, NorCal RITAA celebrated the Centennial of Engineering Education in Burma / Myanmar and the 60th Anniversary of RIT.

Toastmaster International

I am a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster).

TBSA

• I am a Past Vice President of Theravada Buddhist Society of America. Past Presidents include Saya U Htin Paw (GBNF, EE58), U Hla Aung (Stanley Khoo, SPHS63, Master Mariner) and Saya U Myat Htoo (C68).
• I served as Editor of Dhammananda Newsletter and Content Editor of TBSA website.

• I served as Master of Ceremony for the Memorial Service of Sayadaw U Silananda. I carried the box holding Sayadaw’s ashes. The monks and devotees scattered the ashes from a boat into the waters near the Golden Gate Bridge.

• I was a Contributing Editor for the book honoring Sayadaw U Silananda.

• I was emcee at the 10th Anniversary Soon Kwyay at Dhammanda Vihara.

TMC

• I served as Translator / Interpreter for Beelin Sayadaw U Pyinnyadipa at Tathagata Meditation Center. Sayadaw moved back to Yangon to head the Hse Mile Gone monastery. He is Chief Resident Monk at Panditarama monastery.
• I received some books from TMC.

CHM

• I served as Docent of Computer History Museum for two years.

ACM

• I was a member of the national ACM and the San Francisco Bay Area ACM Chapter.
• I was a volunteer for the talks at the Bay Area Chapter.

An Old Paulian is one who studied at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School).

An Old Paulian is also a B.O.B (Brothers’ Old Boys, alumnus of a De La Salle School).

Some Early Paulians

Some early Old Paulians include

• ICS U Tin Tut (Minister / Diplomat)
• U Ba Khin (First in Burma, Renowned Vipassana Teacher)
• Dr. Ba Than (Rector, IM1)
• Dr. Ba Han and Dr. Ba Maw
• U Than Aung (Minister)

Some Paulians from 1957 – 1965

Dr. Tin Wa, U Sein Htoon, U Myint Khine (Norman), U Kyi Win (Eddie, GBNF) are some members from the Class of 1957.

Dr. Soe Win (First in Burma), U Robert Sein (Second in Burma), U Myo Min (UCC), U Khin Maung Tun (GBNF), U Myint Kyu Pe, Dr. Khin Maung Wint, U Tin Win (GBNF) are some members from the Class of 1958.

Dr. Frankie Ohn (First in Burma), U Nay Oke, U Thein Aung (Micky, GBNF), Dr. Myint Han, U Tin Hlaing are some members from the Class of 1959.

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, Dr. Myint Tun (Henry), U Thaung Lwin, U Myo Myint, U Than Htut, Dr. Saw Naing (Henry), Dr. Khin Zaw are some members from the Class of 1960.

Dr. Robin Ban (Kyaw Win, Second in Burma), Dr. Thein Tun, U Htun Aung Kyaw, U Sein Shwe are some members from the Class of 1961.

U Myint Thein, U Myint Soe, U Ohn Maung are some members from the Class of 1962.

Dr. Khin Maung U (First), Dr. Min Oo (Second), Dr. Myo San (Freddie, Third, GBNF), Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor, 4th), Dr. Thein Wai (5th), U Hla Min (7th), Dr. Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th), U Maung Maung Kyi (11th), U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, 13th, GBNF), Dr. Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th), Atom Hla, Dr. Htin Aung, Dr. Nyan Taw (Dicky), Dr. Myo Khin, Uzin Ukkamsa (Victor Aung Chaw), U Than Win, D S Saluja, U Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw) are some members from the Class of 1963.

Dr. Aung Win Chiong (3rd), Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice, 5th), U Aung Myint, U Maung Maung Gyi, U Hla Min (CO), U Khin Maung Maung (Alfred, GBNF) are some members from the Class of 1964.

Bernard Khaw (1st), Winston Sein Maung (2nd, GBNF), Dr. Paing Soe (Freddie, 3rd), Dr. Kyaw Min, U Myint Thin, U Myint Toe, Dr. Tin Maung Maung Than (Edward) are some members from the Class of 1965. They are the last batch of true Old Paulians.

Mini-gatherings

Some Classes have mini-gatherings.

The Class of 1965 and some from the Class of 1963 (e.g. Harry Kyaw and Dicky Taw) meet almost every month. During my visits to Yangon, Dr. Kyaw Min picked me up to attend their mini-gatherings. Ko Than Win took me to the soon offering (organized by Harry, Dicky and Atom) for Saya Uzin Beatson at a restaurant in the “Yin Pyin Daw”.

Donation Ceremony

Senior Old Paulians donated to some health workers (from DMR) working on COVID-19 projects (e.g. Swab Collection).

The photos were sent by Dr. Kyaw Min (Retired Deputy DG, DMR).

Ko Aung Myint (SPHS64) made educated guesses (e.g. U Nay Oke, Harry “R” Kyaw).

Ko Myint Toe texted me saying he was wearing a black coat in the second photo.

• My classmate at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School), I.Sc.(A) and 2nd BE.

• On some weekends, he would invite me to his house in Golden Valley for lunch to be followed by a “study session”.
  He would bring out 200+ comics and cartoons to study.
  
• Dave served as “Humor Editor” of the RIT English Association Newsletter.

• His father Teja Singh (a serial entrepreneur) had hoped that Dave’s elder brother (Scholarship holder from SPHS and an alumnus of MIT in US) would help the family set up a tire factory (or similar project).
  Their hopes dashed after the Coup D’etat and the subsequent nationalization.

• Dave’s brother relocated to Bangkok.
  Dave quit his studies at RIT to join his brother and form “Rama Enterprises”.

• Dave entertained his former schoolmates (e.g U Chit Po Po (M69), Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63)).

Mini-Gathering

• Old Paulians’ Mini Gathering
  hosted by Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor)
  at Fushan restaurant.

Exams and Language of Study

• My older brother and sister took two Government examinations — 7th Std exam & 9th Std exam — before entering Rangoon University.
• I had to take four examinations — 7th Std exam, 9th Std exam (twice) & 10th Std exam — as a Guinea Pig of the changing Education Systems.
• We had to study most subjects in Burmese and English.
  Thin Char, Yupa Beda and Dhatu Beda in 9th standard
  Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in 10th standard
• We took the last 7th Standard Government examination in 1960.
• Note that there were protests regarding the 7th Standard examination in 1956. Harry Tan, who lived nearby, was killed by a stray bullet. All those who took the examination were declared “Pass”.

• There used to be a Combined High School Final & Matriculation examination.
  Successful candidates could attend the University.
• However, the System Changed.

HSF Only Exam

• We had to take the first ever High School Final Only examination in 1962. We lost one precious year of our lives as guinea pigs of the frequently changing Education System. We answered all tests in Burmese (except English).

• We (those from Rangoon) took the HSF examination with the security troops roaming the city after the Coup d’etat on March 2, 1962. The examination was annulled citing “leakage of questions”.
  We had to retake the HSF in August 1962.
• We would normally be attending Rangoon University in 1962. We might witness two dark days in the History of Rangoon University on July 7, 1962 and July 8, 1962.

Matriculation Only Exam

• We took the Matriculation Only in 1963.
  We answered all tests in English (except Burmese).

University Days

• We attended the last ever I.Sc.(A) classes at Leik Khone (Rangoon Intermediate College).
• There were protests in July 1963 to commemorate the anniversary of 7th July 1962 and 8th July 1962.

• The higher authorities closed most schools (except the Faculty of Medicine and Engineering).
• Those who were one year senior to us in High School graduated 2.5 years ahead of us from RIT.
• The schools later faced many closures — short term and long term — citing Security Concerns.

Reorganization

• Rangoon University was closed following the 7th July Anniversary Protests. It was reorganized into Universities and Institutes.

Accreditation

• Rangoon University was accredited.
  Most Institutes were not accredited (for a long time).