Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing Founder of Peace Movement Principal of National College
U Thant
U Thant United Nations Secretary General Third UNSG First Asian UNSG
Bogyoke Aung San Architect of Burma’s Independence
U Thein Han (Zawgyi) Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library Laureate Poet Co-founder, Khit San Sar Pay
U Wun (Minthuwun) Professor, Burmese Department, RU Head of RU Translation Department Lexicographer Visiting Professor at Osaka University Laureate Poet Co-founder, Khit San Sar Pay
Dr. Maung Maung Kha First native Professor of Physics Rector of Rangoon University (with longest tenure)
Ludu Daw Ah Mar (Amar) 1936 RU Students’ Strike Author and Publisher Spouse : Ludu U Hla
U Khin Maung Latt Taught English at RU and at his private school Chief Editor of Working People’s Daily Spouse : Daw Khin Myo Chit
Daw Khin Myo Chit Participant in the struggle for Burma’s Independence Award winning Author and Translator Spouse : U Khin Maung Latt
Rangoon University
The University of Rangoon was established in December 1920.
Silver Jubilee (in 1945) Most of the schools were closed for three years. The University of Rangoon reopened in 1946. There were make-shift classes on Mogul (Shwe Bon Tha) Street during that period. Saya U Ba Toke was lucky to receive his Masters during the war (thanks to his supervisor).
Golden Jubilee (in 1970) I used to have a commemorative issue. I also had a small part as a volunteer of the “Zay Nay Yar Cha Htar Yay Ah Phwe”.
Diamond Jubilee (in 1995) Saya Dr. Soe Win has posted a picture.
Centennial (in 2020) “Yar Pyay Ah Kyo” celebrations kicked off in December, 2019
EC Members of the “Tekkatho Kalaung Ah Thin (1958 – 1962)” published a Kabyar book and a commemorative issue.
Miscellaneous
Centennial for “Amyotha Aung Bwe” in 2020 uses Myanmar date
Centennial for “Myanmar Yoke Shin” in 2020
Centennial for “Engineering Education” in 2023
Centennial for “Rangoon University Boat Club” in 2023 I was a Contributing Editor for the 90th Anniversary
At the centennial celebrations of some universities, the alumni and staff were asked to nominate events and people to be honored as the 100 items associated with the school.
30 Doctors are among the victims of COVID-19. They are hailed as “Heroes”, but many family members felt that their loved ones paid a high price behind [misguided and rigid] “Guidelines and Policies”.
Peter Khin Tun is #56 in the list published by NHS.
Some unanswered questions
Origin of COVID-19 (the disease caused by Coronavirus) and how it spread From the wet market? From eating exotic animals / food? From a lab? (some say the virus is not man-made; some speculate that the virus could have “escaped” leading to conspiracy theories) Blame game (by countries and organizations)
Why the early reports downplayed the damaging power of COVID-19 Some early reports did not mention that the virus can be transmitted by humans (Later reports show how a single infected person can unknowingly spread the virus to masses attending gatherings, taking cruises) Some said that washing hands is “good enough” (The hand is only one source of infection.) Initial reports say the virus attacks the respiratory system. Later reports report damage of organs (kidney, brain, …) and the nervous system.
Why several countries reacted slowly to the Pandemic Some pointed the fingers to WHO (for declaring the Pandemic late) Some dismissed the virus as a “Myth” or a “Kind of flu that will go away easily”.
Why front line health workers in some countries were not provided with PPE Some said the policies were guided not by science, but by the availability of resources (Some guidelines were relaxed too much). Some said that it was to save cost (not realizing that the medical equipment may not be easy to purchase or order during a Pandemic).
The impact on economy The Bull market has disappeared Millions got laid off
The impact of social behavior Some people cannot even visit their close relatives On-line teaching / learning (need reasonably good Internet connection and devices) Tele-conferencing (to see loved ones for the last time’ cannot attend funeral services)
The safe distance Most guidelines say 6 feet, but some experiments show that the virus can travel farther (some up to 20 feet)
Why asymptomatic cases were ignored in the initial reports To have good statistical reports Many that were infected did not display symptoms (upgraded to six in later reports) but they contributed to the spread of virus They could “carry” / “spread” COVID-19 (and not easy to “trace” the 0-person / originator of hot spots)
Why COVID-19 has different impact on Men (60% of cases in UK) Asian and Blacks (were hit more in UK) Age groups (80 year olds are the hardest hit; Nursing home fatalities are high) Countries (some “poor” nations fare better than “rich” nations) Many factors (e.g. genetic make up, health condition, blood type) are being studied, but no conclusive results yet.
Most new medicine /cure take 5 – 10 years of development, testing and approval Can a “truly safe” vaccine or a cure be found / developed in a few months?
Why many “miraculous cures” were promoted by people who have no medical knowledge Ingesting disinfectants
Why some do not seem to have compassion A few politicians say that “economy and liberty” are much more important than the loss of lives (particularly the “seniors”)
Due to pandemic, SPZP-2020 (scheduled for December 26, 2020) has been postponed.
Eligible sayas and sayamas will be offered “Garawa money” (probably around Thadingyut).
Saya Dr. Myo Khin
Good news
Just talked briefly to Saya Dr. Myo Khin. He got special permission from his doctor to talk to me.
He walked to the hospital to have a medical checkup. He apparently suffered a minor stroke and was admitted to the ICU.
He can now walk using a cane. He thanked all who wished him well.
U Khin Maung Win (EP69)
He is recuperating after a successful operation at Grand Han Tha Hospital to fight against his food intake track CA.
He was a top student. He was a training partner for Sai Kham Pan (Burma Selected). He also played badminton at the Township level.
RU Centennial Group
Nice to read posts and comments by sayas and alumni who are 80 years young.
Saya Dr. Maung Maung Nyo (82 years) has shared his memories in both Myanmar (published as books) and in English (as poems). Some articles are new. A few are revisions / updates.
Dr. Maung Maung Nyo’s birthday is on July 21st. He is a prolific writer. He published over 100 books and won literary awards.
Dr. Tin Wa (SPHS57) was Captain of Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) and Rangoon University Boxing Club, and a member of Rangoon Sailing Club. He recently turned 80. He stays fit by sculling / rowing with his spouse. He enjoys painting (and teasing old friends like Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin).
Dr. Tin Wa was interviewed by BBC Burmese for a program related to Arzani Nay. His father (U Tin Ohn) was present in an adjoining room at the Secretariat on July 19, 1947.
In the early days of the group, there were comments by Thit Yine, Po Kyu and some Oldies.
Those who matriculated in 1955 or earlier are likely to be Octogenarians. Hope they can share their memories.
Sad News
Uzin Kyaw Hein (Actor, Director, Vocalist)
U Myo Win (Michael, M76, son of Bo Tun Hla / Tekkatho Nay Win)
Daw Khin Khin Win (spouse of U Htay Aung, ChE66)
MASTAA
On July 12, 2020 at 10 PM EST (morning in Myanmar of July 13),Myanmar American Science and Technology Alumni Association (MASTAA) presented Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi (former Rector of RIT) to members and interested attendees world wide in a Zoom meeting. U Soe Myint (President) and U Sein Myint (Vice President) were co-hosts. Saya Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (who was the earliest and longest volunteer at UCC and taught at UCC, DCS and ICST) interviewed Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi.
On July 26, 2020 at 10 PM EST (morning in Myanmar on July 27), Saya U Soe Paing (co-founder of UCC) will be interviewed by U Hla Min.
Thanks a lot Ko Zaw Min [Nawaday] for your interesting reminiscences (RIT 1964 – 1970)
I would like to sprinkle some sesame (Nhan Phyu).
Boxing
The boxing tournament was held in the lawn in front of C and D block. I remember two of our seniors went up the ring and had some jovial boxing making us LOL. Ko Zaw Win and Ko Min Kyi (both M 67) were the two, if I can rely on my memory. There was no square concrete monument at that time.
Sayas and Sayamas at RIT in 1964
The list is not comprehensive. It contains the names of most RIT sayas in 1964 (when we started attending classes).
There are several sayas (Dr. Aung Gyi, U Aung Khin, …) who were abroad on deputation, and some who did not teach us.
Burmese Department : U Tein Kyi (Head), U Tin Shwe, Daw Khin Than Myint, Daw Hla Myint, U Tin Win, …
English Department : Daw Yin Yin Mya (Head), Daw Khin Win Kyi, U Sao Kan Gyi (GBNF), Daw Naw Charity Sein Oo, U Joe Ba Maung (GBNF), Mr. Desmond Rodgers (Canada), U Khin (Taiwan), U Kyaw Lwin Hla (UNDP), …
Mathematics Department: U Sein Shan (Head, GBNF), U Shwe Hlaing, U Ko Ko Gyi (GBNF), U Tun Shein (GBNF), U Aung Soe, U Than Lwin, U Thein Han (Austraila), …
Physics Department : Daw Nyein (Head, GBNF), Daw May Than Nwe (GBNF), U Saw Hlaing (GBNF), Mr. Robert Pho Yein (GBNF), U Nyunt Yin, Daw Thaung Nwe, Daw Aye Yi, …
Chemistry Department : U Kyaw Tun (Head), Daw May Chit, Daw A Mar Sein, U Morris Kyaw Zaw, Daw Win Win, U Ba Ti, Daw Rosie Kwet Kaw (USA), Daw Win Myaing, U Pike Htwe, Daw Tin May Latt (Betty, GBNF), Daw Than Than (GBNF), …
Mechanical Department : U Ba Than (Head), U Kyin Soe, U Tin Hlaing (GBNF), U Mg Mg Win (Australia), U Tu Myint, U Arya, U Soe Lwin, U S Kyaw Aye, U Phone Myint, U Win, U Khin Mg (GBNF), Dr. Tin Hlaing (Singapore), U Myo Win (GBNF), U Tin Htut (USA), U Han Tun (GBNF), …
Electrical Department : U Sein Hlaing (Head, GBNF), U Kyaw Tun (GBNF), U Tin Swe (GBNF), U Sein Win (GBNF), U Soe Paing (UCC, UN), U Khine Oo, U Myo Kyi, U Sein Mg, U Ba Myint, U Tin Shwe (GBNF), U Thein Lwin (GBNF), U Soe Min (GBNF), U Nyi Nyi (UK), …
Chemical Department : U Khin Aung Kyi (Head, GBNF), Dr. Hla Myint (Australia), …
Civil Department: U Min Wun (Head, USA), Dr. San Hla Aung (USA), U Allen Htay (GBNF), U Khin Mg Phone Ko (Singapore), U Thein Tan, …
Metallurgy Department : U Thit (Head, GBNF), U Aung Hla Tun, …
Mining Department : U Soon Sein (Head, GBNF), U Win Kyaing (GBNF), …
Textile Department: U Maung Maung Than (Head, GBNF), U Shwe Yi (GBNF), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (GBNF), …
Architecture Department : U Myo Myint Sein (Head, USA), Dr. Lwin Aung (Sayadaw), …
Workshop Department : Mr. Simons (Head, GBNF), U Phone Myint, …
We had to do practical works on blacksmith and carpentry in the first year. All first year students male and female had to do it. Mr. Simons, father of Victoria Simons (Met 70), was head of the department and U Phone Myint assistant head. Most popular among students was U Chit the blacksmith. U Chit had passed away a few years back.
Food stalls
The so called canteen in our first year days was a small open air building with roof and sort of concrete flooring, just like a zayat. But the location is very strategic for us male students. The road from the roofed walkway leading to G Hall is in front of it so G Hall students and their friends had to use that only road going to and from the main building to the Hall. Just imagine how much we enjoy sitting in the canteen. Of course one thing is we had no choice than to eat Si Kyet Khauk Swel, drink tea coffee or cold drinks at that canteen. I remember the price of the Si Kyet Khauk Swe was 50 pyas, and special one 75 pyas.
There was also a stall selling tit bits (snacks, cigars, cigarettes and betel) at the corner of the roofed walkway from the main building to dining hall and hostels. (That walkway covered the sunshine only but couldn’t cover the heavy rains with strong winds. We all were soaked like rats in water pail sometimes walking along that walkway in the rainy seasons.) The owner of the stall was a middle-aged lady. Later U Chit also opened a Mont Hin Ga stall in the mornings near the dining hall. There was also a food shop at Gyogone junction outside the RIT compound known as Ma Tin Aye’s shop.
The new open shed to accommodate food stalls was built on the space between the small canteen and dining hall. I am not sure when new stalls came in to sell foods. At the time there was only one shed facing the dining hall. Later another shed was built on the opposite side also.
I remembered the shop named “Aung Theik Pan”, especially the two siblings of the owner. They are Po Po, elder girl and her young brother Aw Tee. Of course we couldn’t go to that shops frequently but sometimes when we had sponsors and during the holidays when the dining hall was closed.
Film Shows
The film shows at the Assembly Hall once a week were enjoyable. There were good films both foreign and local. Thin and lanky Ko Khin Mg Yin was the electrician and operated the film projector. He had passed away already.
Summer training and courses
During our 2nd year summer holidays, some students who didn’t join UTC camp attended the First Aid course. I attended the course but couldn’t recall my memory about it.
From 3rd year onward, we had to undergo practical industrial training at factories and dockyards during the summer holidays. It was compulsory. I did my training at Mandalay Dockyard (3rd year) Amarapura B.E.M.E base workshop (4th year), and Union of Burma Research Institute (5th and Final year).
Architecture students went to places where they can see and learn about the historical buildings and our ancestors’ architectural talents.
Civil Engineering students went to Maymyo for the practical training on Surveying and other related studies. Other engineering disciple students went to their related industrial factories. These arrangements were beneficial to us and the industrial experiences we gained were of much help later in our work life.
Hostel life
As a hostel student we have to mingle not only with our classmates but also with our seniors and juniors. Due to our moving from one block to another at random rather than stay put in one block and room, our circle of friends become bigger and bigger as we advance to our final years.
From second year onward, the blocks and rooms were allocated by drawing lots. So we did not know which hall will be our next year’s place and who our neighbors will be. We can choose our room mates in advance. The floors of the blocks are already fixed for which year students to stay. The uppermost floors of A,B,C,D,E blocks, corridor rooms between A&B, B&C, and D&E are mostly for fifth and final year students. F block is for final year students only. Inle Hall is mainly for first year students.With this system of allocating rooms, we tend to have more close friends with those from one year senior and one year junior. I think this is one main factor in fostering our RIT spirit which we showed vehemently in Inter-Institute Sports meetings (as Ko Zaw Min mentioned), and later in our work and social lives.
How I got my nickname “Gaing Gyi”
Brother asked my father what my name was. When he told my name, the brother put down on paper as “Ohn Gaing” with the guttural sound of the second word. I was an overweight and chubby boy then. I remembered whenever I put on long pants our family doctor would call me “Lu Win Sin Nauk Paing” and told me that it was not an English name but the hind part of Kyauk Se Elephant.
Those who had seen the Kyauk Se Elephant will have in their eyes how I look like at that time. From thence my friends jokingly called me “Gan Gyi” meaning big hip. Up till Matriculation class I was called by that name among friends. Rarely will they call me “Ohn Khine”.
When I joined RIT together with eleven of our friends from St Peter’s, these friends were so used to call me “Gaing Gyi” before. So after a while, I was known by that name among my friends’ friends, and they started to call me by that name. Some called me “Khine Gyi”, but the guttural sound seemed like easy to call and that was how I came to be called. In my work also my colleagues addressed me by that name up till now. I changed my name’s spelling to “Ohn Khine” when I joined RIT.
Editor’s Notes
We request sayas and colleagues to point out the errors and discrepancies.
Supplementary material
Memories of RIT by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
Articles by Daw Than Yi (EP70, “Maubin Ma Shwe Than”)
Pamphlets/booklets by the “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”
Photo Albums
RIT Students’ Guide e.g. one in possession by Ko Benny Tan (M70)
HMEE-2012 by Saya U Aung Hla Tun & team Ko Ohn Khine and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE-2012 Book
RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates
CD Supplement compiled by U Ohn Khine (M70) and U Hla Min (EC69)
During our younger days, we attended “Sar Pay Haw Pyaw Pwes”.
They took place at Research Congress, Social and Reading Clubs, Recreation Center, Schools, Libraries and even at the village wards.
Literary Talks are also held outside Myanmar by the literary lovers.
For more than a decade, there were Annual and ad-hoc San Francisco Bay Area Talks.
Past speakers include Kyemon U Thaung (Aung Bala), Director Win Pe, Tin Moe (U Ba Gyan), Maung Swan Yi, Shwe Ku May Hnin, Tin Maung Maung Than, Min Ko Naing and Aw Pi Kyeh.
Made in Myanmar
In 2018, Aw Pi Kye and Min Ko Naing were invited speakers from Myanmar.
Aw Pi Kyeh is from the Class of 81/82.
As “Mann Bei”, he contributed and managed the RIT Cartoon Box.
He served as Secretary of the RIT Cartoon Association.
Later, he headed the Myanmar Cartoonists Association.
He spoke about “Made in Myanmar“. His talk displayed wit, humor, reasoning and philosophy.
He lamented the loss of countless lives in Cyclone Nargis due to “insufficient knowledge” (e.g. about Disaster Recovery).
He pointed out that his dress is made from neighboring countries. Shouldn’t one proudly support “Made in Myanmar” products?
During his study at Harvard, he proudly spent US$30 to buy a backpack labeled “Made in Myanmar”. His friend bought a similar backpack but labeled “Made in Sri Lanka”. The seam of his back pack broke after a week. Before his return to Myanmar, his friend gave him his backpack. He felt somewhat mad, but accepted it. He went on to use the backpack in Myanmar until it got discolored and his spouse asked him to stop using it. The message is that one not only needs Cetana but also the skills to provide “added advantage”.
He gave examples of how others (nations and their companies) used our natural resources and our local talents to create products (and often sell them back at profit).
He requested those overseas to use “conversion” to understand the “thinking” of those living in Myanmar (possibly most of their lives) as a baby step to help making “Made in Myanmar” proud and reliable.
Met Victor at the gatherings of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 in Yangon.
One gathering was hosted by U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70) at a sea food restaurant. Victor gave me a ride.
Another gathering was at the Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 at the Assembly Hall in Gyogone Campus. He was among the those seated on chairs. Most of them had medical problems, but came to pay respect to their sayas and sayamas.
U Ohn Khine (M70) sent the news the demise via the Google Group.
The “Soon Kwyay Invitation” forwarded by my son (who was a classmate of Victor’s elder son) lists the family members.
Saya U Tin Win (EC71) shared a photo from 2014 taken with his EP/EC classmates.
Saya U Tin Win wrote :
Ko Than Hlaing , Ko Than Hlaing, Ko Kyaw Win and our special friend Nyi Nyi Soe ( Sandayar ) from Myeik.
Editor’s Note :
U Tin Win worked at UCC before moving to FRI.
Civil
U Saw Lin (C71, GBNF)
He served as Secretary of the RIT Civil Engineering Association.
He was in charge of Technical Publications at MES (Myanmar Engineering Society). He mailed me a few MES publications.
During my visits to Yangon in 2012, he hosted a dinner gathering and presented me a Xeroxed copy of “RIT Cartoons”.
He also gave me a ride to the SPZP-2012 Preparatory Meetings.
I learned that he had medical problems, but he would give his best to make SPZP-2012 memorable. He wore several hats. He headed the committees for Logistics, Security and the Publication of the commemorative issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine and the re-printing of 23 Vintage RIT Annual Magazines.
He founded and moderated the Facebook pages for RIT Alumni.
Mabel (wife), U Saw Linn, Prof. A. Vathsala, Win Naing (Kidney Donor, brother), and Dr. Khaing Thanda Lin (daughter) on June 8, 2004
HlaMin 