Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) : Founder / Director; Also, Professor of Mathematics, RASU
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing : Manager of Systems Division; Transferred from RIT
U Ko Ko Lay
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) : Manager of Operations Division; Transferred from PWD
U Myo Min
U Myo Min : Manager of Applications Division; Chartered Accountant; Systems Analyst at IBM (UK); Came back at the request of his mother and Saya Chit to help with the UCC Project
U Tun Aung Gyaw
U Tun Aung Gyaw : Engineer, Systems Division
U Hla Min
U Hla Min (Systems) : Engineer, Systems Division
CO U Hla Min (Top row 2nd from Right)
U Hla Min (“Pauk Si”) : Chief Operator
See “Memories of UCC“
See “UCC Sayas“
RIT Graduates in 1971
Rosie Gyi (Center), Ma Sandar (Right)
Cho Cho Tin (Ma Sandar) : A71 Literary Award Winning Author; Wrote “G-Hall Thu” Spouse : San Maung (A)
Khin Maung Myint & Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) : both ChE71; Members, Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
Saw Lin, KMM, RG
Saw Lin (GBNF) : C71; MES (VP, Technical Publications Manager); Core Organizer, SPZP-2012; Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012; Reprinted 23 RIT Annual Magazines; Provided transportation and welcome dinner
Win Myint (Left)
Win Myint : C71; High School Luyechun; Author; Brigadier General; Dy. Minister
Wunna Sithu : EC71; Rowed for Marine Youth, RIT and RUBC; Swimming & Water Polo
Ma Pwint Than
Ma Pwint Than : EP71; Twice High School Luyechun; RIT EE Association
Myint Thin (Standing Rightmost)
Myint Thin (GBNF) : M71; RIT Luyechun; RIT Rowing Selection (with Khin Maung Myint, Myint Than, Win Kyaw); Sponsor of U Ba Than to SPZP-2007; Friends : Myint Toe, Aung Win (Owen), Bo Bo Oo (Oscar), Soe Khine, Michael Aye, Uttam Singh
RU was founded in December 1920 with Rangoon College and Judson College as Constituent Colleges.
Golden Jubilee in 1970
RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins took part in the Entertainment Program with “Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint စွယ်တော်ရိပ်အငြိမ့်”, “Htee Yein ထီးယိမ်း” and “Ta Bin Daing Ah Ka တပင်တိုင်အက”. Saya U Moe Aung and Saya U Saw Tun headed the Swel Daw Yeik Troupe.
RIT performers at RU GJ
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and U Thet Lwin were Chair and Secretary of a Committee. They later reunited as Rector and Registrar of RIT.
I was a volunteer member of “Zay Saing Nay Yar Cha Htar Yay” committee.
Diamond Jubilee in 1995
MERB (Myanmar Education Research Bureau) produced a documentary about RU Sports (Soccer, Track & Field, Weightlifting).
U Tin Nyo was the Producer.
Saya U Nyein (RU Soccer Coach) was the Commentator.
Hemar Nay Win shared memories of her father Collegian Nay Win.
Mra Brithers
U Tun Mra was Captain of RU Track & Field Association. He, his brothers Kyaw Mra & Soe Mra, and Tun Naung competed in the First and Second SEAP Games. They won medals.
2nd SEAP Games
U Myo Nyunt represented Burma in Weightlifting.
RU Centennial in 2020
U Aung Mon, Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin and friends created a Facebook group for the Centennial. I was a Moderator and Contributor.
Saya U Moe Aung and former members of RU Ka Laung Shin Ah Phwe published two Kabyar books.
RU Centennial MagazineCentennial MagazineRU Centennial Book Promotion
“Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo” was sung at the opening ceremony.
Composer Maung Ngwe Hlinne (U Thet Lwin)
Due to the pandemic, there were mostly Virtual Presentations.
Rangoon Institute of Technology
Shwe YaDu in 2014
Renovation of Gyogone Campus
Planting of 50 Swel Daw Bin
Shwe YaDu Lann Kabyar by Tekkatho Moe War Translation by Hla Min
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine Cover by Bagyee Myat Myo Myint
RIT69ers
30th Anniversary in 1999
I reported the event and other news in my e-mails (which became known as RIT Alumni Newsletter).
40th Anniversary in 2009
See Post for Group Photos
EE69ersM69ers at 40th Anniversary (2009)
Shwe YaDu (of Admission) in 2014
2014 Shwe YaDu
50th Anniversary (GJ) in 2019
GJ of 69er Graduation 1GJ of 69er Graduation 2
Ma Tin Tin (EC69, USA) had a Homecoming. She donated to the event and 69er HCF.
Ko Aung Min (M69) & team published a magazine
Rangoon University Boat Club
RUBC was founded in 1923 by Law Professor Sir Arthur Eggar, who pledged a third of his salary for the operating costs.
RU Estate built the Club House with the funds provided by U Nyo.
40th Anniversary in 1963
The Annual Regatta was canceled citing Security concerns.
The Anniversary Dinner was held at a hotel in Kandawgyi.
The Souvenir Magazine was compiled by Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon and U Tin Htoon (A60).
The Souvenir Magazine Committee comprised of U Tin Htoon (A60, Chair), U Myo Myint (EC67, Vice Chair), U Htaik San (Henry, M81, Secretary) and members.
I was a Contributing Editor. I wrote three articles and Prelude for each section.
Centennial in 2023
U Tin U, the Oldest and Most Senior Past Captain, presided at the Opening Ceremony.
Universities’ Computer Center
Golden Jubileein 2021
After several years of preparation (starting from the mid-1960s), the UCC project was approved in 1971.
Sayas U Soe Paing, U Myo Min and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) found Universities’ Computer Center.
Other Anniversaries
Centennial of First RU Students’ Strike (in 2020)
Centennial of Engineering Education in Burma (in 2024)
In April and May of 1999, I received a series of e-mails from Saya U Soe Paing, my mentor at RIT & UCC, and Sayagadaw Alice (Saw Yu Tint, T69) about the mini-reunions in Yangon and Singapore.
U Soe Paing & Alice
Newsletter
I created an e-mail newsletter and passed on the news to several ex-faculty and alumni. They, in turn, forwarded the newsletter to their sayas, friends, and colleagues. The mailing list soon numbered 200+.
My Dreams
In my e-mails, I recounted my dreams: • to have the sayas, alumni and associates connected • to have mini-reunions, reunions, and eventually a Grand Union
Reach Out
KMZ
Thanks to Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76), our web master, we were able to reach out to faculty, alumni & associates in 30+ countries. They number 800+. The Guest Book entries express surprise, delight, nostalgia, pride, camaraderie, etc. One of my dreams has been fulfilled.
Photo Gallery
Several mini-reunions and reunions have taken place. Some are documented in the “Photo Gallery” section. • ’69 Grads • ’64 Intakes • Alumni in Australia • Alumni in New Zealand • Alumni in UK • Alumni in Singapore • Alumni in Canada • Dinners in honor of Sayas U Num Kock, Dr. Aung Gyi, U Aung Khin, etc.
Grand Reunion
The idea was accepted from the start, but the question of logistics was a crucial factor.
Have we reached a critical mass?
How easily can we reach out to faculty, alumni and associates from all over the world about such an event?
How can we raise enough money to sponsor the event?
The idea was discussed in detail during Saya U Aung Khin’s visit to the Bay Area. October 28-29 weekend was tentatively chosen to have a “Reunion and Homage”.
Later, during the discussion between the Northern California alumni and Southern California alumni, the term “Saya Pu Zaw Pwe ဆရာပူဇော်ပွဲ” meaning “honoring all sayas” was chosen over “Saya Ga Daw Pwe ဆရာကန်တော့ပွဲ” which has religious connotations. “Saya Ga Daw Pwe” remains an optional event.
In the subsequent meetings, the Steering Committee, Working (aka Executive) Committee, and subcommittees were formed.
Finally, several members showed commitment by purchasing tickets. The money was used as non-refundable deposit for reserving “Embassy Suites Hotel” rooms for the main event.
Several alumni and associates have also donated money and presents to the “Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” fund. Amounts, big or small, are welcome.
We sincerely hope that the forthcoming “Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” will be a resounding success.
First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, USA
Kyauk Si Bagyee
Commemorative web pages (thanks to KMZ)
T shirtMug 1Mug 2
Commemorative Issues of the Newsletter by U Hla Min and team
64 Countdown to the Reunion posts
36 Post-Reunion posts
2002
Second RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
Reprinted my “SAYA PUZAW PWE” poem as Back Cover
2004
Third RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
Mild earthquake did not rattle the attendees
2007
Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
Contributed a poem
2009
40th Anniversary of 69er Graduation
2010
Fifth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
Contributed an article : Sad and short clip — EE sayas
2012
Sixth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
True “Home Coming” in the Gyogone Campus
Special publication : History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar by Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team ( U Ohn Khine and I prepared the supplemental CD for the book
Special publication: Selected RIT Cartoons
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by U Saw Lin and team
Reprints: Limited number of RIT Annual Magazines
2013
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
Contributions for various projects
Health care for the sayas and sayamas
“Saya Geha” as long term project
2014
Shwe YaDu
Shwe YaDu
50th Anniversary of the opening of RIT in 1964
Golden Jubilee of Admission to RIT for 69ers
Planted 50 Swel Daw Bins
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by Saya U Moe Aung and team Contributed an article : “Recollections of a 69er”
Paved Shwe YaDu lane and set up Swel Daw Yeik benches
Translated Saya U Moe Aung’s Shwe YaDu poem
Shwe YaDu Lann
2015
RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Mini-gatherings in Northern California
Gathering at iNapa Winery
2016
RIT/YIT/YTU Alumni Association
Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
10000+ attendees (expected)
Free food and fun (all day and all night long)
Received two “RIT Alumni Appreciation Awards”
Award 1Award 2
2019
Pre RU Centennial events
Moderator for RU Centennial Web Page
Panelist for 5th Irawaddy Literary Festival
ILF
Golden Jubilee for 69ers Graduation
GJ for 69ers
2020
Due to pandemic, SPZP-2020 was canceled
Low key celebration of RU Centennial
Broadcast 220+ educational videos
2021 – 2023
Lost some sayas, classmates and schoolmates
Updating / Organizing posts
Mostly Online gatherings
2024
Centennial of Engineering Education in Burma / Myanmar
Kyaw Myint (T) : President of MARB, Indigenous Medicine
Thein Aung (Met) : Mr. RIT, Co-emcee of SPZP-2000
Munich Olympics
Gymnastics : Olga Kolbert (USSR) got Perfect Tens
Swimming : Mark Sptiz (USA) won Seven Gold Medals with Seven World Records — 100 m (Freestyle), 100 m (Butterfly), 200 m (Freestyle), 200 m (Butterfly), 4 x 100 m Freestyle Relay, 4 x 200 m Freestyle Relay, 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Soccer : Burma won a match in the first round, but lost to the power houses
Dark Moment : 11 Israeli athletes were taken hostage and killed by “Black September”
UCC
Several posts were filled after approval from PSC
UCC Courses in Computer Systems & Applications
State scholars for Academic Studies in UK
UCC Engineers sent to ICL ETC, Letchworth, UK
UCC was helped by unpaid and minimum-wage Volunteers
Uploading a picture of Saya U Kyaw Myint from RIT Textile Department now living in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada – a suburb of the City of Vancouver.
I did a day trip from Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle, Washington, US to go see him and his wife Daw Shirley Saw Thant Yee on Thursday September 12th 2024.
We had a light lunch with his middle daughter at nearby Restaurent. Ma Shirley was sleeping so decided to let her sleep. We ended up having a good chat for couple of hours reminiscing life, our friends, families among many subjects. We used to do that quite often since they migrated to Canada. We haven’t met for over a year, other than occasional phone calls, so we were having a good time this time.
We forget to take some pictures, then realising we haven’t, took this picture while coming down the stairs. It was taken by his youngest daughter.
Coup D’etat on March 2, 1962 ended Democracy in Burma.
There were two dark days in July 1962. July 7th saw the violent techniques for handling protests. July 8th saw the demolition of the revered Rangoon University Student Union.
All parties (except BSPP) and organizations were banned.
Alumni Associations
For several decades, there was no alumni associations at the Universities and Institutes in Myanmar.
The “Pwint Linn” era saw the first True Home Coming and SPZP in December 2012.
Shwe YaDu celebrations were held jubilantly in 2014.
Preparation
A critical mass to form RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association) was reached in March 2016.
The Interim Committee headed by U Tin Latt (M85, President) was formed in time to host the SPZP-2016. The Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and the Reunion Dinner were held at the Gyogone Campus. The all-day event provided free food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Committee prepared the Bye Laws and RITAA was registered on June 29, 2017.
AGM
The invitation for the Annual General Meeting to elect the Executive Committee members for the 2018 – 2020 term was posted in the Kyemon newspaper on August 4, 2018.
Invitation
The AGM was held successfully on September 29, 2018.
The new EC members span three or so decades.
RITAA AGM
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72, Patron) was exuberant after fulfilling his promise to hand over the torch to the young and not so young.
WHO
The oldies will continue to support key projects and share their experience.
Membership
Please try to help your alma mater in any way you can be
Member Life membership : K60000 Annual membership : K12000
Executive Committee member
Patron
Donor
Volunteer
RITAA Report (Gist)
The Alumni Association is a requirement to get YTU accredited.
First step to establish RITAA started in March 2016 with the help of YTU Management and the Organizers of Shwe YaDu Celebration
Drafting and approval of Bye Law
Implementation Committee
Interaction with MEC
Visit by evaluators from Asian Pacific Engineering Association
Role in SPZP-2006 Planning and Implementation
Registration
Criteria for the accreditation of Post graduate courses
2018 Graduates to be assessed by Asia Pacific Engineering Association
Fund raising for YTU Library Modernization
Travel grant for staff to undergo Library Training in Singapore
Trying to fulfill requirements for Accreditation
Financial aid for eligible YTU students
Teacher’s Corner for recreation
Finding donors to support RIT athletic associations
Finding donors to support Maker Space of YTU Student Union
He served as the Executive Committee member of the RIT Electrical Engineering Association.
He graduated from RIT in 1968 with B.E (EP). He joined EPC (Electric Power Corporation) and retired as DyCE (Deputy Chief Engineer).
He played soccer for RIT, All Universities & Institutes, Electric Power Corporation (EPC) and Burma.
He passed away at the age of 72.
He is a cousin of Daw Thuzar (actress & spouse of Jeffery Tun Aung).
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EP76) wrote :
I believe he left EPC as DyCE. Upon retirement he was active in football [soccer], became Technical Director/Team Leader with the Football federation. For all his efforts, he was awarded “Excellent Performance in Social Field (Third Class)” in January 2008.
I was fortunate to be an organizer for the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes.
The first SPZP was held in San Francisco, California, USA in 2000.
The Singapore alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2002, 2007 and 2010.
The Myanmar alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2004, 2012 and 2016. The next SPZP scheduled for December 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic.
The precious memories are shared by alumni — young and old, far and near, weak and strong — via pictures, anecdotes, poems (in both Burmese and English).
SPZP Organizers
Sharing is Caring
There are many Subject Matter Experts (SME) in the group. They can share their knowledge, experience and wisdom.
Sayas and Sayamas Retired, Semi-retired, Active
Family members of Sayas and Sayamas Children, Grand children and Great grandchildren
Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins Cartoonists Composers Dancers (Minthas, Minthamees) Journalists Lu Shwin Daws Musicians Vocalists Zat Sayas
Athletes Burma Selected University Selected Selection for Halls, Disciplines and Classes
Authors
Bloggers
Organizers and/or Executive Committee Members Annual Dinner Associations Magazine Social and Reading Club Student Union
