by Hla Min
Updated : May 2025
First Sunday of September 2023, gathering of RIT Alumni 1964+65 intake (3.9.23) at Sein Hlyan food house
The 1st BE Intake of 1964 is also known as the Class of 1970, since most members graduated in 1970.
Likewise, the 1st BE Intake of 1965 is known as the Class of 1971.
The members of the two Classes hold joint gatherings including the “Reunion and Acariya Pu Zwe Pwe”.
The monthly gatherings were mostly held at Sein Hlyan Cafe.
Sein Hlyan is the name of the horse owned by U Han Tun Maung (SPHS) and his family. U Han Tun Maung was active in sports : Track and Field, Football / Soccer, Swimming, Archery and Equestrian.
Organizers of the group include U Khin Maung Thann and U Zaw Winn (Zin Yaw Gyi).
(L to R) : U San Lin, U Thaung Nyunt, U Aung Myint Oo, Maurice Chee, Walter Tan, U Myat Htoo, Gordon Kaung, U Hla Min, U Myint Swe, U Ko Ko Zin, U Nyunt Than
Each count down refreshes my memory of the days I studied at RIT. I would like to share three which are dear to me.
We had to write a Burmese essay on “Khit Thit Ahloo” at one of Saya U Kyaw Hlaing’s classes. Most of us wrote accusingly about the pakhathana types in the cities contrasted against the purportedly more sincere ones in towns and villages. The winning essay was written on donating blood. I have since learnt a lifelong lesson and understanding of generosity.
On the lighter side of learning, I recall engineering drawing which was taught in the huts. We had to draw plans, elevations and side views of intricately shaped blocks. The concepts of hidden lines was explained using the analogy of an attractive girl wearing tight fitting and loose fitting attire.
What sticks most in my mind – my life – is Saya U Sein Shan’s introduction to calculus. He very simply stated that hair grows so we have it cut say every month. It still grows in a day but we hardly notice the growth. It must therefore grow every hour … every minute … every second. Let’s call this change dx and the time interval dt. So we have dx/dt which is fundamental to very small scale quantum physics and also to very large scale planetary systems. 30 years later this simple concept of dx/dt (x being any variable) I have come to realize, is also awareness attained by intense contemplation, concentration and meditation.
The training and education we received from all our Sayas and Sayamas at RIT is indeed second to none. I can say this with certainty because I have also studied at other universities.
The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017.
Attendees include
The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayargyi. The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.
He usually performs dana with the “garawa” money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.
He has supported various charitable associations for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people and “Nar Ye” . They include
On or around October 2 (his Birthday) every year, hevoffers “soon kwyay” at a monastery.
Soon kwyay was held on October 2, 2017 at Yaw Sayadaw’s monastery . It was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.
By Ba Thein (Atlanta)
Thank you very much to all of you (Organizing members and the participants) for the unforgettable grand event “SPZP and RIT Reunion 2000” at San Francisco.
Let me express the most exciting moment for me at the event. Earlier, I have learned from your “Countdown to the Reunion” articles that there were some questions about the agenda, especially about the Saya Ga Daw Pwe which is a tradition/practice for the Buddhists. Later the organizing committee members arranged it as an optional for the attendees.
On that great evening of October 28, I arrived just in time from the other hall into the main hall to participate in my most anticipated moment. I jumped into the event from behind the other participants. For a few seconds, all of us struggled willingly with joy for a tiny spot to pay homage to our Sayagyis. Each of us did it successfully in a thrilling moment. To pay homage all my Sayagyis together in this place and time was an extraordinary opportunity for all of us. It does not matter for me – their religion – whether they directly taught me, indirectly, or did not – whether I have seen them before or not. Sayas are Sayas. Whoever they were/are. There is no problem. Our Sayas and Sayamas have done a grand – unparalleled accomplishments to our Mother “Rangoon Institute of Technology”, to our Mother Country , and to our lives.
One more special excitement for me was, I noticed that there were non-Buddhists not only on the stage among the Sayas but also on the floor among the engineers who were proudly paying homage with strong eagerness to our Sayagyis. Immediately after we paid homage, I saw many of us ‘Great Engineers’, some with tears of joy, bowing their heads, rushed to the Sayagyis sitting on the stage, touched, and held their Saya’s hands with excitement. I guessed that some of these fore-rushers were in their 60’s and trembling with exultation. I learned that SPZP is not only for young engineers.
The event was very enthusiastic and swift. [Let me say,] it was also a little chaotic and informal. However, this kind of chaotic atmosphere was the real unforgettable “Unique Essence” of our once-in-a-life-time SPZP and Reunion, 2000.
With Respect, Ba Thein, Atlanta
Editor’s note:
On the eve, we had an informal gathering at an “all you can Japanese, Korean and Chinese buffet”. There we saw some of our Sayagyis revering their Sayas. At the Reunion dinner, the main event, and the picnic the following day, we saw more instances. Sayagyi U Khin Aung Kyi paying respect to his Sayas — Sayagyi U Ba Toke (Maths) and Sayagyi U Num Kok (Civil) — is awesome and inspiring.
Earlier I received e-mails telling me the difference of Asian and Western cultures, e.g. how one calls one’s professors by their first name, and hinting that “it would be awkward for non-Asian spouses to witness/understand the SPZP”. Fortunately, we did not hear any complaints at the event.
It took a lot of planning, time and energy to host the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
The attachment shows the draft invitation with several items as TBD (To Be Decided).
The main event “RIT Reunion Dinner and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” was held from 5 pm to midnight on October 28, 2000 at the Embassy Suites Hotel near San Francisco International airport.
There was some inconvenience as the 300+ attendees had to be accommodated in two rooms instead of the single room (booked initially).
Except for the sit-down dinner, the attendees from the “overflow” room joined the “main” room.
A live band comprising of Ko Thet Win (drummer, son of U Shwe Kyaw (M63, BAF, GBNF) and Ko Thiha (keyboard, son of Dr. Daw Mya Mya (OG), son-in-law of Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE58) entertained.
Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69), Ma Myint Myint Sein (Diana, M70) and several alumni sang and danced (e.g. to Mee Bone Pwe).
The key note was given by Saya Dr. Aung Gyi.
Saya U Aung Khin, Saya U Khin Aung Kyi, Saya U Myo Myint Sein, Saya U Min Wun and Saya U Ba Toke gave speeches.
Several attendees participated in the optional “Ga Daw Pwe”.
Recognition awards were given to
Details can be found in the 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post-Reunion” posts.
The 3-hour VHR Cassette had been converted to a 2-disk DVD.
Reunion picnic was scheduled for a park (with Coyote Point as a first preference), but due to weather reports predicting inclement weather, the picnic was held instead at a school.
Family members of sayas and alumni demonstrated their culinary expertise.
by Hla Min
Updated : May 2025
The Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in Singapore on April 7, 2007.
The Appreciation Dinner for the organizers and volunteers for SPZP-2007 was successfully held on 19th May, 2007 (6 pm to 10 pm)
at LOTUS GARDEN RESTAURANT, International Road, Singapore.
Attendees :
Guest of honor : Dr Tin Hlaing
Chairman : U Nyan Win Shwe
Secretary : Ko Aunt, Ko Zaw Tun Naing
Funds collection : Saya U Tin Lin & Group
Logistics : U Moe Myint & Group
Information : Ko Zaw Win Htut & Group
Entertainment : Ma Shwe Zin Ma & Group
BBT & OCC Section : Ko Moe Aung Lwin & Group
Total Attendance : 70 from Archi, Chemical, Civil, EE, Mechanical, etc.
HlaMin 