Eligible students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) were admitted to the 3rd BE class at RIT in November 1964.
Most graduated in 1968.
In the old system, 3rd BE was called the First Year of Engineering.
U Myat Htoo (C68, GBNF)
Passed away in Northern California
U Myat Htoo
Passed I. Sc.(B) exam from Mandalay University.
Taught at RIT Civil Engineering Department.
Moved to the USA
Worked mainly for CalTrans (California Transportation) until retirement
Founding Member, RIT Alumni International
Organizer & Co-Emcee at SPZP-2000
SPZP-2000
Founding Member, Norcal RITAA; Chair of BOD
Past President, Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)
Past President, Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)
U Myint Soe (C68, GBNF)
U Myint Soe
SPHS62
Known as “Maung Kabar”.
RIT Saya
U Tin Nwe (Milton, C68)
SPHS62
Moved to California, USA
Past President, BASES
U Tun Aung (Jeffery, EC68, GBNF)
U Tun Aung
MEHS62
Suggested the name “BASES”
Past President, BASES
Brought commemorative pens to SPZP-2000
When the interviewers learned that U Tun Aung was a former student of U Chin Way (EE), they ended the interview and offered Saya a job.
Spouse : Thuza (Former Movie Star)
Passed away in 2021
U Thein Zaw (EC68, GBNF)
Aka Joe Chow & Ah Yoke
Retired after working for Telecommunications Company in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Passed away peacefully at 6:50 AM on June 29, 2019.
Spouse: Niece of U San Tun (M59)
U Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, GBNF)
Soe Myint LwinObituary
EC, RIT EE Association
Played Soccer for Burma, EPC and RIT
Retired from EPC as DyCE
Patron, Women’s Soccer
Upon retirement he was active in soccer; became Technical Director/Team Leader with the Football federation. He was awarded “Excellent Performance in Social Field (Third Class)” in January 2008.
Daw Mya Mya Than (EP68, GBNF)
Sayama
Passed away in 2021
U Aung Khin (EP68)
U Aung Khin (Standing Left)
Old Paulian
Worked at Lawpita
Moved to California, USA
Helped alumni visiting or migrating to Los Angeles
Before and after retirement, he offered his expertise to several monasteries
U Min Maung (EP68)
Also known as U Myint Thein Aung
Moved to Seattle, Washington, USA
U Saw Win (EP68, GBNF)
U Saw Win
Passed away in 2021
U Zaw Win (EP68, GBNF)
Also known as Cyril
Passed away in 2021
Sai Yee Laik (A68, GBNF)
Lone student in the Class; U Myo Myint Sein would say, “Sai Yee Laik was first & last in A68”.
Saya
Worked in Singapore
U Ohn Maung (ChE68, GBNF)
Ohn Maung
SPHS62
Saya
Moved to Singapore
Had some memory loss
Daw Nyunt Nyunt Zaw (T68, GBNF)
Nickname : Double Size
Spouse : Victor Ohn Maung (Guitarist, mentor of young musicians)
Brother: Ricky Zaw (Steel Guitarist, Vocalist)
U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68)
U Khin Maung Lay (Seated 2nd from Right)
Aka Henry & Kywe Gyi
Past Secretary, RIT Track and Field Association
Represented RIT in Track and Field, Soccer, Rowing
Past President and Emcee, BASES
Organizer and Emcee, 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
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).
RIT Alumni International hosted the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
It started with a Welcome Dinner at a seafood restaurant for attendees.
Welcome Dinner
The Reunion Dinner & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held at the Enbassy Suites Hotel near SFO (International Airport).
SPZP-2000
A family Lunch gathering at a High School bade farewell to the SPZP attendees, organizers and volunteers.
Steeve’s Message following SPZP-2000
RIT Poet Laureate Ko Hla Min:
Steeve Kay 1
I must admit that I was suffering from a Monday morning “hangover”, having been intoxicated with emotional overdose over the reunion weekend [in October 2000].
Judging from the post-reunion emails I read, I am not alone. What a reunion!
By all measures, it was a success and did satisfy the alumni’s tremendous pent-up desire to reconnect with each other after many decades of separation. The dedication of the members of the organizing committee is second to none.
With the assistance of his lovely wife, Benny Tan devoted practically full-time to this project for several months. I had a first-hand experience to see how meticulous he was when he was designing the RIT T-shirt. It came out a winner!
I do appreciate the sensitivity the organizing committee displayed in making this event non-religious and non-political. Otherwise, it would have been very difficult for me to attend. The only regret is that I failed to locate the whereabouts of my buddy Ko Aung Min of Taunggyi (M70). I heard he went to Singapore, but so far my search has ended in “no find”.
Now that the grand reunion is over, everybody is slowly recovering from the “hangover”. The big question is who would go to Singapore in 2002, and how do we go about doing it?
With best regards, Steeve Kay (Ko Thaung Sein)
Editor’s notes
Steeve Kay 2
Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein, EC70) is a multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs. He donated $200000+ to RIT-related projects and events.
Steeve Kay 3
He attended GTI for a while before joining the first ever 1st BE class in 1964.
Received MSEE from Stanford University and MBA from Pepperdine University.
At the request of his sister, who is a medical doctor who had patents for processing disability claims, he decided to transform from a successful electronics designer to the CEO of QTC Management.
After private investors showed interest in his company, he retired, but continued to lead a multiple-purpose fourth career: (a) visiting the places of the world’s leading religions (b) establishing Kay Family Foundation (c) incubating the projects of young professionals (d) supporting education (e.g. as trustee of University of California at Irvine) (e) maintaining a diverse business portfolio (f) helping those in need (g) continue paying back the metta and cetana of his mentors — as Golden Sponsor of RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes, Helen and Steeve Kay Health Care Fund for the RIT Sayas and Sayamas.
Attended Yankin College, RU Faculty of Engineering and BIT
EC of RU Literary Committee & RUESU Magazine Editor
Joined Electrical Engineering Department after graduation
EE Sayas
EC of RIT EE Association; Editor of Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
Editor. (and later Chief Editor) of RIT Annual Magazine
Worked in Singapore Organized Alumni events (e.g Thingyan, SPZP)
Gathering in Singapore
After retirement, moved back to Yangon Writing articles & poems Courses at Electrical Inspectorate
U Moe Aung & U Thet Lwin
Activities & Accomplishments
Pen name : Tekkatho Moe War
Mentor : Daung Nwe Swe
Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine
RUESU Magazine
Member, RU Ka Laung Ah Phwe
RU Literary Association
Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine
RIT Magazine
Chief Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for ShweYaDu-2014 & SPZP-2016
Editors for Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
Author of Books, Articles & Poems
Book of poems by U Moe Aung
Contributor, Poetic Art Series
Zat Saya & Manager, RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin
Chair, SPZP-2002
SPZP-2002
SPZP-2007
Sayas U Moe Aung, U Kyaw Sein (GBNF) and U Ohn Maung
Chair, SPZP-2010
SPZP-2012
Entertainment, SPZP-2016
Entertainment Program for SPZP-2016
Patron, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
Patron, Alumni Association
SDYF Song Composed with U Than Po (GBNF, M75)
Memories
Birthday
Birthday Celebration
Pu Zaw Pwes
Pu Zaw Pwe
Discussion
U Moe Aung and Maung Sein Win (Padeegone)
Presents
Saya & meWith Saya
Saya gave me Magazines, Books and a Pasoe (from his daughter’s company)
Book Present
My Translation
Saya’s Poems
Shwe YaDu Lann
Shwe YaDu Lann
Poem Gift
The Power of Poem
Computer in my heart
Search for beauty
Heritage of Bagan
To the Shwe Duo …
Saya’s Articles
Sea of Men
History told by a Thousand Kyat Note
My heart aches & Tears well in my eyes
Feedback
Saya U Moe Aung wrote :
Thanks, Ko Hla Min, for your endeavours, not to mention that they wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Realistically speaking, archiving is not as easy as one thinks.
My reply to Saya Moe Aung :
I am paying back to my alma mater, mentors, alumni and benefactors.
I have completed 25 years as a messenger, organizer, archivist and disseminator for the RIT Community.
The smiles on my sayas and colleagues give me Second Wind to keep me going the extra mile.
I hope and pray that we will be able to have some publications to celebrate the Centennial of Engineering Education in Burma / Myanmar & the Silver Jubilee of my RIT Volunteer work.
My dream of getting the sayas and alumni get connected electronically and physically was materialized in 1999 and 2000 with RIT Alumni Newsletter & Website and SPZP-2000.
My dream of compiling the Oral and Written History of our alma mater and alumni has only been partially completed. I was a member of HMEE project and compiled a CD Supplement for the book with U Ohn Khine (M70). I have 2500+ articles in my website hlamin.com. I broadcast 220 short talks between August 2020 and January 2021.
It needs Passion and Perseverance to maintain Projects. Several of my early Collaborators and Supporters no longer have time and resources to help me.
U Aung Min (M69) wrote : Be healthy and long live Saya. Please keep going on with your pen.
Saya’s reply : Yes, Ko Aung Min. And thanks for all your encouragements which will definitely be a driving force for me, especially for my longevity.
The first year students were divided into four sections : A, B, C and D. Most students of Sections A & B had passed Matriculation with Pure Science. Most from Sections C & D had passed with either Science & Arts Combination or Pure Arts. There were some late joiners to RIT.
Male students from districts and states were boarded in hostels, in the ground floor rooms of B, D and E Blocks and “Inlay Hall” in Thamaing.
A building named “G Hall” was assigned to board female students from districts and states. Local female students who applied were also allowed to board in G Hall.
Engineering was not considered appropriate livelihood for women. Hence, there were only a few female students studying Engineering before our intake. With the new system, there was an influx of girls. It was quite a pleasant feast to the seniors who were not used to seeing those many female students. So when our ‘64 intake started attending classes, it was a thrill for the senior students to watch a great number of female students strolling in the corridors, coming in and out of class rooms,in canteen, in the food shops, in the library and everywhere on the campus grounds. We were also thrilled to get in company with a lot of female classmates. (It was exciting for me to have female classmates as I [Ohn Khine] was sent to all boys school, St. Peter’s High School in Mandalay since Kindergarten till I matriculated in 1964.) It is fair to note that the girls were somewhat intimidated and somewhat amused by the loud remarks of a few rowdy students or even feeling stared at while having to move from one classroom to another. Girls spent time during breaks in an area of a corridor surrounded by shaded blinds which was known as LCR (Ladies’ Common Room) where the day students usually ate home-brought snacks and rest. Ladies residing at G Hall would have lunch at the canteen and were able to rest in their rooms. The first LCR was a little room on the third floor before a section of the corridor on the third floor was made as the LCR before the start of our 2nd year at RIT. When the bell rang for the next class, it was customary to peek through the blinds to check whether the boys had gone inside the theatre for the timid girls to come out of the LCR.
Outstanding athletes from our class
The list was compiled by Ko Ohn Khine. Comments were provided by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday. Organization / presentation (with corrections) was done by Ko Hla Min
Badminton
Tommy Shwe (GBNF)
Kyi Kyi Sein
Basketball
Tin Aung (E)
Tin Aye (M)
Kevin Law
Soe Aung (Auto)
Body Building / Weightlifting
Than Htike (M)
Boxing
Maung Maung Thaw (E)
Chinlon
Soe Tint (C)
Mya Daung (M, GBNF)
Football / Soccer
Sai Thein Maung (C)
Khin Maung Lay (Mutu, M)
Win Zaw (A)
Myint Sein (Ja Pu Sein, GBNF)
Kenneth (Khin Maung Shwe, GBNF)
Htun Myint (M)
Hla Kyi
Sai Aung San (Met)
Judo / Aikido
Sein Myo (C)
Kyaw Soe Win
Soe Aung (Auto)
Thaung Lwin (M)
Soe Myint (Agri)
Sai Loke Khan (Mn)
Rowing
Htein Win (M)
Aung Lwin (Jaspar Wu) (C)
Swimming / Water Polo
Peter Pe (GNBF)
Htein Win (M)
Win Aung (M)
Mg Mg Swe (M) (5)
Ma Tin Tin Myint (Ch)
Tennis
Aung Kyaw Soe (James Than) (Ep)
Khin Mg Shwe (Ep)
Wai Lwin (Agri)
Rosie Tin Maung (Ch)
Track and Field
Sai Thein Maung (C)
Shein Kee Gae (GBNF)
Saw Mg Mg Htwe
Oo Myint (Mn)
Win Naing
Lei Lei Chit (Ch)
Nan Kham Ing (A)
Maung Maung Thaw (E)
UTC Marksman
Tan Yu Beng (Benny) (M) Let Pyaunk Tat Thar, twice, both UTC 1st & 2nd yr.
Volleyball
Kyaw Sein (M)
Salai Myo Myint (C)
Additional Information by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday
Sai Thein Maung (C), was a great RIT goalkeeper for 6 years. He also won gold medals in 100 meters and Hop Step and Jump in the Inter Institute track and field competition almost every year.
Tin Tin Myint (Emma) (Ch) bravely competed in the inter-institute swimming meet. I believe she also practiced throwing the Javelin and played volleyball.
Khin Mg Shwe (Ep) won the “Novice” tennis competition at RIT. He represented RIT in the 2nd year and we cheered him as he played a nationally known played from RASU (at the courts across from the Universities football field) during our 2nd yr at RIT.
My good friend Tan Yu Beng (Benny, M) took the best marksman trophy at both 1st and 2nd yr UTC camps. He competed against not only RIT but UTC students from RASU, Institute of Medicine, and Institute of Economics.
Hla Kyi (nickname Sut Kaw) played center right back for RIT selected football team. Most RIT students that watched the game between RIT and Loke Thar during our first year will remember the flying kick he took at the head of the left winger of Loke Thar when Myint Sein (M) GBNF and that left winger got into a fracas. The Universities team coach Saya Nyein, who was the referee for this game, promptly told Hla Kyi to leave the field.
There were also unsung heroes (e.g. The RIT B football team). I did not know about them until the third year, when Sai Aung San, my room mate for that year, told me about it. He was the goalkeeper, Yan Shin played in the back line and Kyaw Min Aung was the reserve goalkeeper.
Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins from our class
Ko Myint Swe Win (M): Mandolin virtuoso, vocalist. Participated in every concert and pwe
Ma Mo Mo Yi (E) : Announcer
Ma Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint) (Ch) : Myanmar Dance
Ma Tin Myint Oo (Rosie Tin Maung) (Ch) acted as “Tha Gyar Min သိကြားမင်း in the musical performance of the song “Sanda Kein Na Yi”. Vocalist and instrument (Don Minn) by Ko Yu Swan (M 68).
George Ko Ko Gyi (Ch) played the part of Ten Headed Ogre (Dat Tha Gi Ri) in the short opera of Chasing the Deer (Rammayana play)
Ko Than Myint (M) : Vocalist & All-round instrument player
Ko Soe Aung (Auto) : Clarinet
Ko Tin Win (Texile) : Burmese Harp (Don Minn)
Ko Aung Myint (a) “Thaman Kyar Ko Myint” (Mn) starred in the “Thaman Kyar သမန်းကျား” movie
Ko Than Win (Tex), spouse of Ko Myint’s cousin, wrote the story of “Thaman Kyar”.
UTC (Universities’ Training Corps)
Some of us entered the UTC.
We had two camps the first year we were at RIT : Summer camp at KyeDaw, Toungoo; October camp at Meikthila.
First UTC Camp
At the Toungoo camp, our platoon was the only RIT platoon stationed with RASU students. So we were 30 or so RIT students among 500 plus RASU students at the 10th Buregt. The main body of RIT students were at a little school. They were the lucky ones. They had the instructors from UTC in charge while we at the 10th Buregt. were assigned a grouchy sadistic corporal from the regular infantry to drive us. He has a mustache so we nicknamed him “Nga Khu”. Ko Win Htut (C), Ko Khin Mg Lay (M), Ahmed Soorma (Ch), Ko Kyaw Min Aung, John Krasu, Ko Htwe Myint (C), Ko Htain Win (M, Chauk Pe) were among those in this platoon.
It was here that Ko Htwe Myint got his nickname “Bo Hmu” because of the military bags he had on him.
We slept on a long bamboo platform, next to each other. We had to stand guard duty at night, one hour each and sign off on the duty sheet. If our duty hour fell on 8pm-9pm, it was great. If it were from 1pm to 2pm, it was the graveyard hour. One time, my duty was from 1pm to 2pm, Ko Khin Mg Lay (M), who slept next to me was from 12-1pm. He tried to wake me up to give the duty sheet but I refused to get up since I was so sleepy. He finally said “Min Tar Wun You Mea So Yin Ngar Ate Pi”. I finally got up and took over the duty sheet. Standing guard duty during graveyard hours had its benefits. I saw the Big Dipper, Khun Na Sin Kyea, turn and point its tail upwards. (Khun Na Sin Kyea Pyong ah mee thoung, than goun chain tho youk.)
We had to get up at 5pm and run PT, guzzle a cup of tea and swallow down bein moun at 6.30am. At 7am, we were on the parade ground doing marching drills. One time, our sadistic corporal made us run for 45 minutes with our rifles in our hands because he was unhappy with our performance. That event also brought out the best in the RASU students. When the whistle blew for a 10 minute break, in a rare display of camaraderie, some RASU students came over with water for us to drink.
Lunch was a little meat dish and great Pe Hin.
In the afternoons, we had to go to a Phone Gyi Kyaung about half a mile away so that we can sit in the shade while we were taught small arms. We were not allowed to use the water in the well at the Kyaung, so four persons from each platoon had to take 2 Ye Oes full of water. Although it meant carrying the heavy Ye Oe, in addition to my rifle, I always volunteered for that duty since we got to leave about 20 minutes earlier for the Phone Gyi Kyaung. That way, we got to rest and enjoy the tranquility of the Kyaung Win before the rest of the students arrived and the lessons started. I remember laying under the trees while waiting for the rest to come over, looking at the Toddy (Htan) trees and wondering if King Tabinshwethi had one time spent his days near this place drinking Htan Ye .
I remember the incident about Ko Win Htut being punished harshly one time. I don’t remember exactly what it was about. We all know that Ko Win Htut liked to have fun and his happy go lucky come attitude got him into trouble with our party pooper instructor Nga Khu. He was ordered to jump from a squatting position while having his rifle held above his head until he fell exhausted. After 3 weeks, training was ending and we decided to give the Corporal a longyi as present and all of us Ka Daw to him. For the first time, tears rolled down this tough Corporal’s cheeks.
The next day was the graduation parade. It was a proud moment for all RIT students when Tan Yu Beng (Benny) (M), stepped up to receive the award for Let Pyaunt Tat Thar, standing first in marksmanship among 800 UTC students from all Institutes and RASU.
Second UTC Camp
To attend the second UTC camp, we left for Meikthila on the 3rd week of September. The train travel ed at night, but we had trouble sleeping on the train. We were sent to the 3rd BATD. Beautiful barracks with wood flooring. But horror of horrors. Hundreds of bed bugs came out from between the wooden planks. That night, there was no way I could sleep with the bugs biting me. so, even though there was a slight drizzle of rain falling, I decided to sleep on the ground outside. Since I did not get any sleep the night before, I slept through the morning PT before waking up. Ko Khin Mg Lay told me that the instructor came to kick me while I was sleeping in the morning, but I just kept on sleeping. The instructor was overheard saying something like “Mway Pauk Tay Mae” before walking away. My official place in the barracks was next to Ko Sein Win (EC). Ko Sein Win was very neat and had the best prepped bed for daily inspection. Next to him, mine looked like crap. Points were given daily for how good you had prepared your bed. Ko Sein Win always got the best comments and mine was in the pits. Actually I did not sleep a single night in my bed place. I used my blanket as a cot by tying it to two posts out in the veranda and slept there.
Life at Meikthila camp was more pleasant than Toungoo camp. For one thing, all of us RIT 1st year students were in one company. We had our share of funny incidents. One day, the RSM of UTC chided all of us for soiling the side of the toilet holes in the outhouses. His words were, “Nya Kya Ah Pauk Te Te Ko Min Doe Win Aung Htet Naing Dae. De Louk Ah Pauk Gyi Kya Win Aung Ma Par Naing Bu.”
As it happened, that evening, the RSM was kicking the ball to the goal and it went wide. Bohmu Htwe Myint shouted “De Louk Gyi Dae Ah Pouk Win Aung Ma Kan Naing Bu Lar?” The RSM walked away with his head bowed.
Sometimes, we drove the instructors hopping mad. One time the instructor told us “Ngar So Dar Lite So”. In one voice, we all shouted “Ngar So Dar Lite So”.
After two weeks, we were told to give our kit bags to be taken by truck to Taung Pulu, while we would have to march 18 miles to that place the next day. Without a kit bag, no blanket to make my cot, I spent the night just walking around in the veranda since it was raining outside and there was no way I could sleep inside with the bed bugs. The next day we marched to Taung Pulu, carrying our rifles. It was tough for me since I did not sleep a wink the night before. The sun was beating down on us the whole day. Where was the rain when we needed it? Worse was the rocky road made of Gawoon rocks. It made the nails in my boots hurt my feet. I must have pulled out over half a dozen nails from each boot.
We finally made it to Taung Pulu in the evening. We were given rice to cook for ourselves and were assigned 4 persons to a tent. That night, there was a tremendous storm. Water gushed into the tents. The next day, someone told me that everyone was sitting in their tents except me. He said I was asleep with my head in the mud. I did remember waking up during the storm, looking up at my tent mates who were sitting, and going back to sleep.The next day, we were told to move into a Zayat on a hill. It was so crowded in the Zayat, I refused to sleep there. Instead, I went up the Phaya Yin Pyin and slept alone on the brickwork with a blanket tucked around my body to prevent the winds from blowing it away.
Time came for graduation and our Tan Yu Beng (Benny, M) again got the Let Pyaunk Tat Tar award.
Ko Win Htut, I and others that I don’t remember, took a bus to Mandalay from Meikthila. We arrived in Mandalay, near 33rd and Zeygyo (84th) around 6 pm. Ko Win Htut was home since his house was around the corner. For myself and a couple of others, we just kept on walking towards the direction of the clock tower, hoping we would run into something. It was seeming more and more likely we might have to sleep on someone else’S doorstep.
Then, we saw a jeep come down 84th street and stop. It was a MMTA taxi with Saw Mg Mg Htwe sitting in the front seat! (MMTA stood for Maymyo-Mandalay Taxi Association).
He told us that he figured there might still be some UTC students that wanted to go to Maymyo coming this way and had asked the taxi driver to drive along 84th street before turning towards “A” road to take the car out of Mandalay to the Maymyo road.
Became monk after retirement and spent several vassa.
Dr. Lwin Aung (Center)
U Bo Gyi (A59, GBNF)
Assisted Saya Mr. O Nagler for the design of the RU Recreation Center.
Pianist
Modeling expert
Co-founder of Architects Incorporated.
After Nationalization, moved to PWD.
Architect of Daw Khin Kyi Mausoleum.
Became monk after retirement from PWD.
U Bo Gyi
Civil
U Kyaw Sein (Bran Dev, C59)
EE Irrigation (Sedawgyi project).
RU team forward. From Mandalay. Prome hall.
U Htay Aung(C59)
Prome hall soccer forward. He was transferred from Tagaung hall.
U Hla Baw(C59)
Prome hall S& R President
Mechanical
Saya U San Tun (M59, GBNF)
Mechanical Engineering 1959 U San Tun 1U San Tun 2 U San Tun 3 U San Tun 4
Saya U San Tun (Sain Fone Wong) graduated with B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rangoon in 1959. He passed with distinctions and won a Gold Medalist. At the convocation, he met Dorothy Tham (a female Gold Medalist from a different faculty). They became friends and later tied the knot.
He joined the Mechanical Engineering Department as an Assistant Lecturer.
He was awarded a States Scholarship to pursue graduate studies at MIT, USA. He received Masters from MIT, USA in 1962.
Upon his return, he taught at BIT and also served as a Hall Tutor.
He was promoted to Lecturer in 1964. He headed the Automobile Engineering (Sub-department of the Mechanical Engineering)
He relocated to California, USA in 1968.
From 1968 – 1974 he worked as a Contract Engineer, Cone Company, Burlingame, California
1974 – 1999 Bechtel Corporation, San Francisco, California (Retired in August 1999 after 25 years service).
Saya served as President of BEA. He succeeded Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF)
Saya passed away in California on December 12, 2025 at 10:30 am
U Tin Hlaing(M59, GBNF)
U Tin Hlaing
Joined the Faculty as Assistant Lecturer
MS from Purdue University.
Promoted to Lecturer.
Head of Agricultural Engineering (Sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)
Manager of All Universities and Institutes Hockey Team.
Played Tennis and Soccer
Passed away untimely since he could not get access to the Dialysis Machines at BMH and also could not get Passport and Visa in time to have medical treatment abroad.
U Tin Htway (M59)
Co-founder of BASES
U Tin Win (M59, Bei, Bago)
Assistant Lecturer
Left to run family business
M. Krishna(M59)
Assistant Lecturer
Moved to India and later to USA.
Attended SPZP-2000.
U Ohn Khin(M59, GBNF)
Lt Col. DI (Retired)
MD TC1
Tagaung hall.
U Win Tin(M59, GBNF)
BG DI (Retired)
Minister for Finance and Revenue
Minister for Post and Telecoms
Ramanya hall.
U Hla Aye(M59, GBNF)
EE Irrigation
Later FAO/UN Project Engineer in Laos.
RU football team Captain.
Prome hall and Moulmein district volleyball team Captain
