HlaMin

Category: Event

  • Reunion and SPZP

    Reunion and SPZP

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2035

    • Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe
    • Sharing is Caring

    Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    • 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
    • Photographers
    • Poets
    • Professionals
      Retired, Semi-retired, Active
    • Videographers
  • Gathering (Dec 2022)

    Gathering (Dec 2022)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Host

    U Tin Shwe (EE) hosted the Dec 2022 Gathering at Royal Rose Restaurant.

    U Tin Shwe

    Attendees

    Zau Lai (Myitkyina) attended the gathering along with 27 members.

    About 30 – 40 members regularly attended the Gatherings before the pandemic, and much more were present at 30th, 40th and 50th (Golden Jubilee) Anniversaries.

    Some pledged to attend the 60th Anniversary and beyond.

    Status

    120 members are GBNF.

    Oldest : U Tin Maung (87 years)

    Young Ones : 75+ years

    Several have Medical problems with varying degrees.

    Ashin Pannagavesaka is an Itinerant Bikkhu and an avid photographer.

    A few (e.g TAG, Albert) are still working happily.

    TAG recently sang ဘဝသံသရာ in the MASTAA zoom meeting.

    Wishing you Happy Holidays & New Year 2003

    G 1
    G 2
    G 3
    G 4
    G 5
    G 6
    G 7
    G 8
    G 9
    G 10
    G 11
    G 12
    G 13
    G 14
    G 15
  • Class of 68

    Class of 68

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    • 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.

    Civil

    U Myat Htoo (C68)

    • 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 of RIT Alumni International
    • Organizer & Co-Emcee at SPZP-2000
    SPZP-2000
    • Founding Member of Norcal RITAA and Chair of BOD
    • Past President, Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)
    • Past President, Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)

    U Myint Soe (C68, GBNF)

    • SPHS62
    • Known as “Maung Kabar”.
    • RIT Saya

    U Tin Nwe (Milton, C68)

    • SPHS62
    • Moved to California, USA
    • Past President, BASES

    Electrical

    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 Lwin
    Obituary
    • 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)

    • Passed away in 2021

    U Zaw Win (EP68, GBNF)

    • Also known as Cyril
    • Passed away in 2021

    Architecture

    Sai Yee Laik (A68, GBNF)

    • Lone student in the Class;
      U Myo Myint would say, “Sai Yee Laik was first & last in A68”.
    • Saya
    • Worked in Singapore

    Chemical

    U Ohn Maung (ChE68, GBNF)

    Ohn Maung
    • SPHS62
    • Saya
    • Moved to Singapore
    • Had some memory loss

    Textile

    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
    • Vocalist (sings Burmese, English, Chinese songs)
    • Brother : U Khin Maung Latt (M63)

    Mechanical

    U Yu Swan (M68)

    U Yu Swan
    • Don Min player & teacher
    • Organizer, Singapore Pon Chan Chan Group
    • Spouse : Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70)
  • ChE72

    ChE72

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Class Photo

    Credit : Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67)

    ChE72

    Six Friends

    Credit : U Tun Shwe (ChE72)

    ChE72 a

    1- Hla Myint , 2 – Khin Mg Win, 3 – Aung Chain, 4 – Aung Myaing, 5 – Htay Kyu, 6 – Tun Shwe

    ChE72 b

    Some Alumni

    • Aung Chain
    • Aung Myaing
    • Aye Aye Kyaw
    • Gyn Yu
    • Hla Myint
    • Htay Kyu
    • Khin Mg Win
    • Myo Myint Pe
    • Tin Lin
    • Tun Shwe
  • U Ba Than (2017)

    U Ba Than (2017)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    City FM

    U Ba Than

    According to U Thant Zin (M), son of Saya U Sein Shan, City FM broadcast a “Congratulatory” session for Sayagyi U Ba Than’s 87th birthday on October 2nd, 2017 at 7 p.m.

    Soon Kyway

    Dr. Win Thein, Dr. Thein Hlyne, U Than Po

    Saya Dr. Win Thein (C58), Saya Dr. Thein Hylne and U Than Po (M75) attended the birthday soon kwyay of Sayagyi U Ba Than.

  • Steeve’s message (2000)

    Steeve’s message (2000)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    SPZP-2000

    • 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:

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is steeve-kay-1.jpg
    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.

  • Half Moon Bay Monastery

    Paying homage to U Silananda

    Sayadaw U Silananda

    • Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara.
    • Spiritual Director of several monasteries and associations in USA, Myanmar, Canada, Mexico …
    • Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Burmese Dictionary for the Sixth Buddhist Council
    • Authored books in Burmese and English
    • Meditation teacher
    • Rector, IMBTU
    • See related posts for details
    • Sayadaw passed away on August 13, 2005.
    • We paid homage to his bronze statue on the morning of August 14, 2016.
      Sayadaw U Jotalankara read Sayadaw’s biography.
      Shwe Bo Sayadaw and Mr. Luyen (from Tathagata Meditation Center) recounted the good qualities and achievements of Sayadaw.

    My Services

    Over the years. I have served in the following capacities at Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)

    • Member of the Board of Directors
    • Executive Committee member
    • Editor of “Dhammanda Newsletter” and TBSA web site
    • Simplifier of “A Manual of Buddhism” for use at the summer dhamma classes
    • Editor of transcribed dhamma talks given by Sayadaw at the weekend retreats
    • Master of Ceremonies at the services for Sayadaw
    • Accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo to carry the ashes to be scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
    • Member of Book Committee and Editor for paying “Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa”
    • Volunteer at the TBSA ceremonies

    Volunteers

    • U Myat Htoo (C68)
    • U Tun Shwe (ChE72) : moved to Virginia
    • Daw Myint Myint Yee (ChE73) : moved to Virginia
    • U Myint Thein (Soon Hoe, C74)
    • Daw Myint Myint Thein (C77)
    • U Aung Zaw Maung (Pet78)
    • U Zaw Lwin (Andrew, M87)
    • …
    • Many non-alumni
  • Aug & Sept (2019)

    Aug & Sept (2019)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    August 2019

    Three of my cousins — Dr. Daw Win Hlaing, U Mya Thein and U Tin U — celebrated their 87th, 88th and 90th birthdays.

    U Tin U

    We had a family vacation at Pismo Beach, California to celebrate two birthdays : 5th birthday of my grand daughter and my birthday.

    My two sisters also celebrated their birthdays.

    Daw Myint Myint hosted the 69er Monthly Breakfast gathering with U Than Oo in August 2019. Daw Myint Myint hosted with U Soe Thein (Peter) in August 2018. Daw Myint Myint is a major donor to the 69er Health Care Fund.

    There was fund raising for “Flood Relief”.

    September 2019

    [Per U Wynn Htain Oo (M72)] : Dr. Myint Thein (M73, Rector, YTU) and team invited Saydaws to recite suttas at the new YTU Library. Students will be provided access to the library ASAP.

    Ashin Pannagavesaka (Myo Tun, Bobby, A69, Mawlamyine Pa Auk) visited Ashin Okkantha (Aung Chaw, Victor, C69) in the latter’s monastery in Sagaing Hills.

    Dr. U Win (Geography) had a successful operation to replace the pacemaker. His friend said, “Your death sentence has been delayed.”

    Kenny Wong (MEHS63, M69, USA) met with some old friends such as Win Maung (Lake) and Cyril Ba Than (Than Hla). He stood 6th in Burma in the Matriculation with four distinctions. He was the lone MEHS in the Top Seven. The other six were from SPHS.

    U Ngwe Tun (Tun Tun) will host the 69er Monthly gathering in September 2019.

    MASTAA (based in the East Coast of USA) has collected donations — from the members and well-wishers — for the “Flood Relief” operations in Myanmar.

    B. Andreescu (19 year old) became the first Canadian woman to be crowned US Open Champion. She held Serena Williams (38 year young), who was trying to tie Margaret Court / Smith’s record of the most Tennis Grand Slams.

  • Lunch for August born (2018)

    Lunch for August born (2018)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Thanks to

    • Ko Patrick Thein Naing and Ma Mi Mi for organizing the special lunch party for August born
    • Ko Myint Swe and Ma San San for the ride to Moss Beach Distillery (in Hla Moon Bay)
    • the friends for the memorable birthday presents
    • Dr. Kyaw Tint for the ride to the 8-8-88 celebrations and back home


  • NorCal RITAA (July 2018)

    NorCal RITAA (July 2018)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Summer Picnic

    Summer Picnic

    July 2018