Category: 1970s

• Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70) matriculated from Methodist English High School (MEHS) in 1964 and was admitted to Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). He graduated with Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) in 1970.
• He joined UTC (University Training Corp) and attended the Camps. He won the Sharpshooter Award at two UTC Camps.
• He moved to California, USA. He received his Masters degree from the University of California at Berkeley. He worked for the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
• He and his spouse Angelina opened their first Gift Shop at the San Francisco Air Port. They opened additional Gift Shops and subsequently sold or franchised some. They established Tan Enterprises.
• He hosted meetings for the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF). The Group went on to form a non-profit organization named RIT Alumni International.
• RIT Alumni International hosted the First RIT Alumni Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000. The event is fondly called SPZP-2000.
• He wore multiple hats for SPZP-2000. He was a Golden Sponsor. He and Maurice Chee (M75) served as Co-chair of the Working Committee. He was Designer of the SPZP Banner, commemorative Mug, Calculator / Clock, and T-shirt.
• He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for the SPZPs and for his Class Gatherings along with Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70).
• He wrote “Traveling through the Time Machine” for RIT Alumni Newsletter.

Brief fBio

• He matriculated from St. Albert’s High School, Maymyo.
  
• He was admitted with Roll Number One to the first ever 1st BE in November 1964.
  
• He graduated with Electrical Power in 1970.
  
• He worked for HIC briefly and Ceramics Corporation.
  
• He moved to USA, did his MS and worked in the Electronics Industry until retirement.

Activities and Achievements

• He was selected as RIT Luyechun in the Summer of 1965 to attend Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
  
• He wrote a long article about “RIT Days 1964 – 1970”.
  U Ohn Khine (M70) added details and posted in the Google Group for the 1st BE Intake.
  I added the article and published it in RIT Alumni Newsletter.

• He hosted Sayagyi U Ba Toke (who was invited to attend SPZP-2000 by his former students) at his new house in Hayward California.
  
• He played Soccer for his Block, Class and EE department (mainly as Goalkeeper).
  
• He was EC of Hostel Committe, Burmese Association, Maths Association, EE Association, English Association, Track & Field Association, RIT Magazine Committee.

Notes

• He made waves when he complained about mismanagement at the Luyechun Camp.
  Later Camp Commandants were sayas (including Sayagyi U Ba Toke).
  
• He added Nawaday to his name to minimize name conflicts (which are common for Burmese names).
  
• Ko Ye Myint (son of Sayagyi U Ba Toke) and Ko Nyunt Maung San were Best Men at his wedding.
  
• Ko Naing Win (GBNF) asked Ko Zaw Min to accompany him to a Cinema with his girlfriend and another (who became Ko ZM’s soul mate).
  
• He had a short temper. He was given a stern warning for hitting a student (who instigated him).
  It appeared in a report requested by the father (DIG of Police) of his girlfriend, but …

• He competed in the English Debate between 1st year and 2nd year classes.
  He won as a 1st year student.
  He lost as a 2nd year student.

• He was a preliminary selection for the RIT crew at RUBC.
  
• He hiked to Rakkhine with Ko Han Tha Myint and Ko Sein Win.
  It was reported in the newspapers.
  
• He lived and worked in New York and California.
  After retirement, he moved to Las Vegas.

• He does not initiate phone calls.
  
• He does not use Social Media.

Brief Bio

• Matriculated from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay
  
• Admitted to the first ever 1st BE along with 400+ students in November 1964
  
• Joined HIC after graduation

HMEE

• Member of HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 projects
  
• Compiled CD Supplement for HMEE book with U Hla Min (EC69)
  
• Translated Section 1 of HMEE book
  
• Summarized Section 2 of HMEE book

Activities

• Moderator of Googlegroup for 1st BE Intake of 1964
  
• Co-author of U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) for “RIT Days (1964 – 1970)”
  
• Organizer, Combined 1st BE Intake of 1964 and 1965
  
• Volunteer for SPZP, SDYF and Alumni Association

Notes

• Spouse : Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (Winnie, ChE70)
  
• Daughter : Medical doctor (working in Malaysia)
  
• Sister : Sayama Daw Khin Swe Myint (organized Physics Symposium in Mandalay)
  
• During my visits to Yangon, he gave me rides to attend SPZP Preparation and HMEE meetings.
  
• The Brother at St. Peter’s registered him as “Ohn Gaing”.
  His friends called him “Gaing Gyi”.

Photos

• HMEE
  Members
  Meetings
  Book & CD Supplement
  
• Gatherings
  Saya U Ba Than’s Soon Kyway
  Welcoming Walter (U Win Htay)

Most of them graduated with B.Arch in 1970.

• U Khin Maung Maung
  Organized the gatherings for Architecture Alumni visiting Yangon
• Christine (Phyu Phyu Latt)
• Pamela Myo Min (Min Thet Mon)
• Tin Tin Hla
• Han Kyu Pe (SPHS, GBNF)
• Kyaw Win Hman (UTC, Sailing, Guitarist, Motorcyclist, GBNF)

• Pen name : Maubin Ma Shwe Than
• Spouse : Dr. San Oo (EP67).
• They and U Myo Myint (EC68) served as Associate Editors of the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung published by RIT Electrical Engineering Association.
• Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) was the Chief Editor.
• During her student days, Working People’s Daily (WPD) selected one of her short stories, and published the English translation in the “WPD Sunday Supplement”.
  Received an honorarium of fifty kyats for her article.
• Blogged about her classmates, G-Hall Thus and her teachers. The blogs were compiled into a book.

Daw Than Yi and her spouse Dr. San Oo share hobbies and passion.

• Wrote articles for the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
• Reprinted “Kaba Phyu” — science fiction by Journal Gyaw Tint Swe (Dr. San Oo’s father)
• Encouraged their grandson William to write a book
• Established “East and West Parami” hospital, and offered monthly soon dana with the staff members