Arrived in Singapore 15 minutes later than the ETA.
Ko Nyan Win Shwe, Saya U Aung, Ko San Win, Ko Khin Latt, Ko Zaw Win Htut and Ko Tin Aung Win (TAW) were waiting for the “Three Musketeers” — Saya Allen Htay, Ko Benny Tan, and me.
Saya and Ko Benny were taken to the Bay View Hotel, which is close to the three hotels where the sayas and sayamas from Myanmar who had arrived earlier on April 4, 2007.
Thanks to Ko TAW (C81, UCC) for giving me his younger son’s room and his laptop, for proving me home-cooked food, and for driving me to the various gatherings and the main events.
Electrical Engg Gathering
Attended EE gathering. Organizers include Ma San San Mya (’72), Ko Kyaw Swa (’96, emcee), Ko Aung Mon (’96), …
Sayas led by U Myo Kyi, Dr. Christopher Lee (L. Tin Tun), U Soe Paing, U Moe Aung, Dr. Win Tin, U Ba Myint, U Khine Oo, U Tin Maung Thein, U Tin Shwe, U Kyaw Lwin, Daw Mya Mya Than, U Than Lwin … attended the gathering.
Many sayas gave speeches: brief self-intro, walks down memory lane, and thanks to the organizers.
April 6, 2007
Civil Engg Gathering
Attended as “Ah htoo ei the daw” [အထူးဧည့်သည်တော် guest] the Civil Engg gathering organized by Saya U Aung, Saya Dr.Soe Thein, …, Ko Aung Kyaw Myint (’96, “Ko Ba Kyaw” of Swe Daw Yeik fame, emcee), …
Sayas led by Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, Dr. Win Thein, Dr. Aung Soe, U Allen Htay, U Thein Tan, U Khin Maung Phone Ko, Saw Christopher Maung, U Tin Maung, U Nyi Hla Nge, Dr. Htin Aung, Dr, Khin Maung Win, U Hla Myint Thein, U Khin Maung Tint, Dr. Myo Khin, U Khin Maung Maung, Dr. Soe Thein, Daw Swan Tee, ….
Welcome Dinner
Attended the “welcome dinner” at Yunan corner. Food was provided by a local Myanmar restaurant and some imported specialties: Kauk hnyin kyi tauk.
Almost all the visiting sayas, sayamas and their families attended. Saya U Ba Toke, 87 years young led the sayas.
Met the core organizers of SPZP 2007. Had a meeting with the sayas and the representatives from the alumni groups to decide on the time and venue for the next SPZP.
April 7, 2007
The two main events of the Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP took place.
Morning event at BBT
Three rounds of Saya Ga Daw Pwe at the Burmese Buddhist Temple (BBT) :
senior sayas who graduated before ’65
sayas who graduated before ’75
sayas who graduated after ’75
Saya U Ba Toke, Saya U Min Wun, and Saya U Thar Hlaing gave “ovadha ဩဝါဒ and blessings for the attendees.
Ko Tin Maung Win (EP71) posted Part 1 of the event on “YouTube” and requested us (me and the various webmasters and/or moderators of the RIT-related web sites) to announce the link so that the sayas, sayamas, alums and well-wishers who could not attend SPZP 2007 can share the experiences.
Three Tin Maung Wins worked for the same company in Singapore. They are formally differentiated by using their major/discipline and/or year of graduation. Two of them are known as “Ah Phyu အဖြူ TMW” and “Ah Me အမဲ TMW” (who prefers to be called instead “Ah Nyo အညို TMW” or as the hubby of “Model” (Mai Daw မယ်တော် singer and dancer Moe Moe Yi.
Evening event at OCC
Orchid Country Club (OCC) is one of the few places in Singapore that can host events with 800+ attendees. According to Ko Nyan Win Shwe, 840 attended the Reunion dinner.
There were long queues at the registration table. Young volunteers gave out badges, “Swe Daw Yeik Sar Saung စွယ်တော်ရိပ်စာစောင်” and a door gift to every attendee. The invited sayas and sayamas were given additional gifts.
Some scheduled speeches were canceled or shortened (from 5 to 3 minutes). There was ample entertainment from the Singapore and Myanmar groups while the 10-course dinner was being served.
There were two rounds of “appreciation to the Golden Sponsors” (for a complete list see the SPZP 2007 web site). Ko Benny and I were requested to accept the “appreciation awards” on behalf of the sponsors who could not attend SPZP 2007.
Ko Myint San (“Tet Lu တက်လူ”) showed his expertise with the dobat, pattala, and “Chit Dukkha” song, Ko Yu Swan entertained with “Don min” and Shwe Zin Ma played the saung and also played in the pyazat directed by Ko Aung Kyaw Myint (“Ba Kyaw ဘကျော်”).
Yu Swan & Emma
Ko Tet Lu and Ko Ba Kyaw had complete confidence in the next generation of “Lu shwin daws လူရွှင်တော်များ led by Ko Awba ဩဘာ
The Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint စွယ်တော်ရိပ်အငြိမ့် also featured Khine Nay Nwe Lwin, Aye Thaw Kyawt, Awba, Pulley, Chainthee, and Diode.
The program, originally scheduled to end at 11:45 p.m., ended almost an hour later. This was due in part to pay back to the people who had shown appreciation by “rewarding” them.
The program ended with a special song written by Ko Ba Kyaw and with a big crowd on the podium.
Ko Maurice Chee (M75) told me of a management workshop that he attended a few months back. The instructor told him to imagine lying in a coffin and thinking what eulogy he would like to hear. Now, he can tell his instructor that he’d like to be remembered as the work horse that staged the RIT-related gala event of the millennium and to have worked closely with Ko Benny Tan, a perfectionist who gave more time and energy to the SPZP than his enterprise for four months or so.
While we honor our golden sponsors, we should not forget all the pieces that fell together at the right place at the right time to make this momentous event successful, fruitful, and memorable.
Our teachers, often strict and stern, set high moral standards.
Our parents directly or indirectly helped us get a decent education that can withstand acid tests. Our motherland gave us a culture that is pure and priceless.
Our motherland gave us a culture that is pure and priceless.
All of them gelled us into a network of hardworking, flexible, talented professionals for whom the sky’s the limit.
It’s 2:50 a.m. as I’m closing the final chapter of an unparalleled event. We could dwell on this subject for many more weeks and months, but we’d like to end memories of the event on a high note.
True, there are issues to be solved or things that can be
improved. We would certainly be writing new chapters of another book. I
sincerely hope that there will be fresh talents to complement the
old-timers.
From an informal project involving one or two
persons, it’s now time to have “RIT Alumni International” as a formal
world-wide organization spanning multiple continents. That is an
important step to carry out long-term and short-term goals as suggested
by Ko Benny and others.
Thanks to all the people who
contributed to the “Countdown” and “Post Reunion” in general and this
Grand Finale in particular, to our countless faithful readers who have
bookmarked http://www.ex-rit.org
as a favorite site, and to all those who appreciate that “a thing of
beauty is a joy forever” and “if one person can dream, others can
fulfill”.
Although the SPZP poem has been printed in the
special issue of the RIT Alumni International Newsletter, and is present
in a page on the Reunion special pages, I’d like to reprint it here. It
epitomizes what we have worked for the past one and a half years.
SAYA PUZAW PWE
S eems like it was only yesterday A t our alma mater in a land far away Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky
P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey U nderstand concepts, design, display, … Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day” A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay
P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet W ith memories true, fond, sweet E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete
I wrote an article for the Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” for SPZP-2010 held in Singapore.
Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung) was Chief Editor & Publisher of the Sar Saung. He suggested the title “A Short and Sad Clip : EE Sayas”.
GBNF
In 2010, seven sayas — U Kyaw Tun, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U San Tint, U Soe Min & U Chin Way in the EE Group photo — had passed away.
Two more — U Thein Lwin & U Nyi Nyi — are now GBNF.
Not in picture
U Myo Kyi, U Ba Lwin & U Tin Maung Thein were on Deputation
U Khine Oo missed the photo shoot
U Kyaw Tun graduated in 1948-49 and joined the EE Department. He is the most senior among the EE Sayas.
U Kyaw Tun recruited C Ping Lee, father of Dr. Win Aung (M62), to join the EE Department. Per request from H.E. U Than Aung, father of Saya U Aung, C Ping Lee transferred to head the Directorate of Technical Education and Vocational Training.
U Sein Hlaing matriculated in 1946 and finished Top in his class of 52. He joined the EE Department as Assistant Lecturer. He studied MS at MIT. Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer & Head of the EE Department. He served as Professor until his retirement.
U Tin Swe matriculated in 1947. He was a member of the Prome Hall Soccer team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for three consecutive years. He joined the EE Department in 1953 as Assistant Lecturer. He studied MS at the University of Michigan. Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer. He played good tennis. He was an early Power User at the Universities’ Computer Center (UCC).
U Sein Win studied his BSEE and MSEE at the University of Michigan. He served as President of RIT Swimming Club, President of RIT Rowing Club, Line Judge at RUBC Regattas, and Technical Advisor for UCC. He retired as Professor of EP Department at YTU.
Dr. San Tint joined the EE Faculty in 1961. He played soccer for the RIT Saya team. He served as External Examiner for UCC. Hevretired as Professor of EC Department at YTU. His former students performed Pyinnya Dana in Saya’s memory.
U Chin Way was active in SPARK. He migrated to the USA.
U Soe Min transferred to DCA.
U Thein Lwin retired from Singapore Polytechnic, but he was active helping students desiring to study in Singapore. He was President of the RIT Badminton Club. He managed the RIT team comprising of Sai Kham Pan (EP69), which won the Inter-Institute Trophy. He and Sayagadaw Daw May Than Nwe (RIT Physics) are now GBNF.
U Soe Paing was my mentor at RIT & UCC. He retired from UN after managing IT projects at various countries. He wrote about his experiences as a States Scholar, as Systems Manager at UCC and as UN Technical Advisor. He spends his retirement visiting UK and USA, playing golf and practicing vipassana meditation at Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung where his younger brother U Wara (U Win Paing, ChE70) is the Sayadaw. Saya had some operations for his heart and his back problems, but he is still active.
Dr. Win Tin was active in SPARK and as entrepreneur. He served as Associate Dean of Engineering at Assumption University.
Note: Scan of Page 23 is missing in the post.
U Ba Myint retired as Pro-Rector of YTU.
U Sein Maung taught at Assumption University. He attended SPZP-2000 at the invitation of Daw Lily Win (T72, spouse of Saya Dr. Tin Win M62).
U Myo Kyi (EE59) & Dr. Ba Lwin (EE59) are the two most seniors among the EE sayas. I met U Myo Kyi at the meetings (Alumni Association, SPZP, MES). I met Dr. Ba Lwin during his visit to the USA to see his daughter Thiri Lwin.
U Moe Aung chaired SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010. He and his team published the commemorative issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010. After retirement, hevmoved back to Yangon. He is Patron of SDYF and several RIT-related activities. He is a Laureate Poet. He is active writing poems (often “Let Tann”) and articles (mostly on EE). Hevpublished two books and co-authored several books.
U Khine Oo was absent in the group photo taken around mid-1966. He took some computer courses before going abroad as states scholar.
U Nyi Nyi moved to UK. He is now GBNF.
U Tin Maung Thein was studying in the UK. He later taught in Thailand.
U Tin Shwe (EP66) joined EE Department after graduation. He taught and RIT and ABAC. He wrote an article about his final year days in the commemorative issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” for SPZP-2010. He became a monk, and served as Dhamma Librarian. Sady, he passed away.
U Moe Aung wrote “To the Shwe Duo” in the memory of U Tin Shwe and U Hla Shwe (T69). I translated the poem and published in my RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates.
During one of visits to Yangon, U Myo Kyi provided two lists of EE sayas. One lists the senior sayas and the other lists the junior sayas.
EE 68 – 74
Daw Mya Mya Than (EP68) is now GBNF.
U Than Lwin (Henry, EC69) was my classmate. He became an EE saya.
U Kyaw Naing (EC70, GBNF), U Tin Win (EC71), U Ko Ko Kyi (EC72), Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee (EP72, GBNF) & Daw Khin Swe Oo (EC74) are some of my juniors. They became EE sayas.
Started school at an early age. I was not enthusiastic.
My mother said something magical happened one day She thanked Teacher Kywe, a Karen Christian with a warm soul & the skill to transform a normal kid like me into a life long learner.
For several years, my mother asked me to visit Teacher Kywe and pay respect to her. It was an early Micro-SPZP. Her eyes were filled with pride as she introduced her former student to her current students.
SPZP
Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP) transcends religion.
Some said that RIT was a dying breed, but there were several who wanted to keep the RIT Spirit alive & well. They wanted to have sayas & alumni get reconnected electronically via Internet, and physically via Pu Zaw Pwes.
SF Bay Area Alumni Group
RIT Alumni International was formed by the San Francisco Bay Area Group (and KMZ) with the objective to host the First RIT Alumni Reunion & SPZP in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
The term SPZP was chosen over Saya Gadaw Pwe — which had religious connotation — to allow sponsors & alumni who profess different religions to pay back to their mentors for their metta and cetana.
I am honored to be a member of the team that organized SPZP-2000, and SPZPs in Singapore (2002, 2007 & 2010) and Myanmar (2004, 2012 & 2016).
Singapore has a large number of alumni. Its proximity to Myanmar eased the task of inviting sayas to attend SPZPs.
SPZP-2012 was the first true Home Coming. Thanks to U Aye Myint (EP72), who did not forget his alma mater.
U Aye Myint
SPZP-2016 was the first to have a full day event at the Gyogone Campus. RITAA, Sponsors and Donors provided free food & entertainment.
RITAA
The smiles from our beloved sayas and sayamas, and occasional “slap on my back” from my former colleagues, classmates and give me “second wind” even after being a volunteer messenger for 26 years.
KMZ (Right)
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
The official name of these “Reunions” was one of the many discussions at the very early days of first Reunion committee members under the leadership of Saya Allen Htay. All of us were aware that the “Saya Gadaw Pwe” could somehow be restrictive where you would have many intakes and graduation classes spanning several decades not to mention people transcending various religions.
SPZP, Saya Pu Zaw Pwe, was officially adopted. It turned out well, and was adopted by the consecutive Reunions.
SAYA PU ZAW PWE (Poem)
Poem in Newsletter
S eems like it was only yesterday A t our alma mater in a land far away Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky
P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey U nderstand concepts, design, display, …
Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day” A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay
P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet W ith memories true, fond, sweet E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete
My poem was published on the front page of the commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000.
Saya U Moe Aung & team reprinted my poem on the back cover of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002 hosted by Singapore alumni.
SPZP-2000 in the USA
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Organizers
Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, web master) copied the names/tags from the very first posting from his album.
Sitting L-R: Saya U Mya Htoo (Civil 68), U Benny Tan (Mech 70), Saya KC Chiu (Chem 63), U Hla Min (EC 69) Editor Extraordinaire, Saya U Allen Htay (Civil 58) GNBF, Saya U Nyo Win (Mech 65), Saya U Tin Htut (Mech 60), Saya George Maung Maung (Chem 66), Daw San San Nyunt @ Mrs. Thein Aung (Mech 76)
Standing L-R: U Soe Aung (Mech 75), U Gordon Kaung (Mech 83), , U Myint Swe (EP 74), U Anthony Ng (Mech 76), U Phillip Mya Thwin (EP 75), U Maurice Chee (Mech 75), U Thura Thant Zin (Mech 76), Sayalay U Thein Aung (Met 72), U Myint Lwin @ Henry Chee (Civil 63), Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76), Daw Yi Yi Khaing @ Audrey Wong (Civil 84), Daw San San @ Mrs Myint Swe (EC74)
All of them, except KMZ, live in cities across Northern & Southern California. KMZ lives in a city near Seattle, Washington State.
Golden Sponsors
We appreciate the cetana of the following alumni who felt that the RIT Alumni International should have activities beyond the First ever RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.
They are honored as “Golden Sponsors” of SPZP-2000.
Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California) : Donated $1000 initially and later gave an additional $1800.
Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey) : Donated $1200 for the General Fund of RIT Alumni International and for SPZP-2000. Earlier donated $360 for one year’s operating expense of the ex-rit.or web site
David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67, Northern California) : Donated $1000 for SPZP-2000
Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng, M70, Northern California) : Donated in cash and kind. Designed the memorabilia (Banner, Mug, Calculator/Clock & Tee-shirt). Since he had gift shops, he obtained most memorabilia from his vendors at discount prices.
U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) : Donated a Round-trip ticket to Myanmar. By popular acclaim, the ticket was given to Sayagyi U Ba Toke.
Updates
Steeve Kay
Steeve 1Steeve 2
Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs.
Established the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas. In 2019, the balance of the Fund was handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Founded Kay Family Foundation. KFF sponsored a delegation from Myanmar to visit Universities & Research Institutions in California. KFF provided a matching fund of $30000 for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
LA 2015
Donated $200,000+ over the years to RIT-related activities.
Sponsored the Centennial Publication of Hwa Kyone School.
He is now GBNF
Ivan Lee
Ivan‘s house in NJWith Saya Dr. Aung GyiWith Saya U Aung Khin
Hosted the annual RIT-UCC Gathering in New Jersey
Sayas at NJ Gathering
Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2007 Sponsored Naw Mu Mu Aye to attend the SPZP
Co-founded MASTAA. Was CEO
David Ko
David
Donated US $3000 to SPZP-2012
DonationAppreciation
Sponsored Dinner Tables at NorCal RITAA Dinner
He is now GBNF
Benny Tan
Benny 1Benny 2Mug
Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs
For SPZP-2000, he used Steeve’s donation as seed money to raise funds. He designed memorabilia to give to sayas, sayamas and selected organizers / volunteers. Some memorabilia were put on sale for attendees at SPZP-2000.
U Maung Maung Than
Could not attend SPZP-2000, but he comunicated with Saya Allen Htay
Supported Saya Dr. Tin Win’s “Run LA Marathon to raise fund for SPZP-2007”
Sponsors for Sayagyi U Ba Toke
U Ba Toke
U Maung Maung Than donated the round trip ticket
U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) hosted Sayagyi and son U Ye Myint (EP72) at his new house in Hayward, California.
Saya Allen Htay, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Mao Toon Siong and several sayas and alumni took care of Sayagyi’s stay.
SPZP-2000 : By The Numbers
One
SPZP-2000 : First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP
One round-trip ticket for a saya from Myanmar to attend SPZP-2000. By popular acclaim, Sayagyi U Ba Toke was invited.
Two
Sayas of our sayas
U Num Kok
U Ba Toke
Former RIT Rectors
Dr. Aung Gyi
U Khin Aung Kyi
Major events
Dinner/meeting on Oct 28, 2000
Lunch/picnic on Oct 29, 2000
Organizing Committees
Working Committee : Chaired by Benny Tan and Maurice Chee
Steering Committee (Mostly Sayas)
Three
Outstanding Member Awards
Ko Hla Min (EC69) for the pioneering work of RIT Alumni International website & Editor of RIT Alumni Newsletter
Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) for the design, implementation, maintenance & enhancements to http://www.ex-rit.org
Ko Hla Myint Thein (Maurice Chee, M75) Treasurer, Financial Controller & Publisher of RIT Alumni Newsletter
Four
Four intensive months of preparation by the Organizing Committee
Five
Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000
Steeve Kay (Ko Thaung Sein, EC 70)
Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70)
Ivan Lee (Ko Khin Maung Oo, M69)
Ko Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
David Ko (Ko Tin Myint, M67)
Six
Number of years spent at the engineering colleges & institutes by most attendees
Seven
Seven unforgettable hours (5 – 12 pm) at the Reunion and SPZP
Seven sleepless nights per week by Maurice, Benny, …
Eight
Countries represented by the attendees
United States
Canada
Myanmar
Thailand
Singapore
Japan
Australia
New Zealand
Major disciplines at RIT
Civil
Mechanical
Electrical
Mining
Textile
Chemical
Metallurgy
Architecture
36
Number of “Post-Reunion” articles written by Hla Min for SPZP-2000
64
Number of “Count down to the Reunion” articles written by Hla Min for SPZP-2000
100
Number of articles written by Hla Min for SPZP-2000
Singapore SPZPs
SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2012 hosted by the Singapore alums were grander with a huge turn out at main events, publication of the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saungs by Saya U Moe Aung & teams, first-rate entertainment by the famous Swel Daw Yiek Ah Nyeint and the young-at-heart (“never grow old”) singers and dancers.
SPZP-2002
Saya Moe
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) was Chair. He was also Chief Editor of the Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung.
Websites
Saya Dr. Soe Thein (C75) was a core organizer. He & his team maintained two web sites
One for alumni in Singapore
One for Civil Engineers in Singapore
Singapore Alumni web site contained info for SPZP-2002.
SINGAPORE-2002 Ex-RIT Reunion Dinner Program
7 December 2002 (Saturday)
The second web site contains info for resident and visiting Civil Engineering sayas. Some sayas would stay at the hotels provided by the SPZP-2000 Organizers. Some sayas might stay with their former colleagues or students. The contact info is helpful for arranging gatherings and tours.
Civil Sayas’ Address & Contact Number in Singapore
Organizers
The Second RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by the sayas and alums in Singapore.
Saya U Moe Aung (Chair), Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing, Sayama Daw “Emma” Tin Tin Myint, Saya U Aung, Saya U Tin Lin, and Saya Dr. Dr. Soe Thein are some core members of SPZP-2002.
The RIT gathering at the Thingyan festival and musical gala at NTU helped with the planning and implementation of SPZP-2002.
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
SWEL DAW YEIK SAR SAUNG for SPZP-2002 (Singapore).
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) & team published the commemorative issue.
They reprinted my poem (first published in the web pages of http://www.ex-rit and the commemorative newsletter). Thanks.
“Don Min” U Yu Swan, U Moe Myint, Daw Moh Moh Han, U Myint San (“Tet Lu”), U Aung Kyaw Myint (“ko Ba Kyaw”) and many other talented Geeta Ah Nu Pyinnar Shins helped with the entertainment for SPZP-2002.
SPZP-2007
U Nyan Win Shwe (Chair)
Saya U Moe Aung (Chief Editor of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung)
See “SPZP-2007 Diary”
SPZP-2010
Saya U Moe Aung (Chair; Chief Editor of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung)
Yangon SPZPs
SPZP-2004 was held in Yangon, but not at the Gyogone campus. The Tsuanami-related tremors did not deter the sayas and alums from attending SPZP-2004.
SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 were held at the Gyogone Campus.
SPZP-2012 was the first True Home Coming
SPZP-2016 was the Free All Day Event
SPZP-2004 in Yangon
The following appeared in the ReUnion 2004 Home Page
RIT Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe – 2004 Yangon, Myanmar 26th December 2004
Morning : Saya Pu Zaw Pwe
Date : Sunday, December 26, 2004 Time : 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 am Place : Myanmar Convention Center (MCC)
Evening : Dinner & Entertainment
Date : Sunday, December 26, 2004 Time : 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Place : Dusit Inya Lake Hotel
Pu Zaw Pwe Office & Contact
Office : United Engineering Co Ltd Corner of Wayzayantar Road & Yadana Road Thingangyun Township 11071 Yangon MYANMAR
Contact : U Zaw Min (Mechanical 1975) U Hla Win (Mechanical 1975)
The Third RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by the sayas and alums in Myanmar. U Win Khaing (M 75) & his team (U Zaw Min, U Hla Win) formed the core of the Yangon-2004 SPZP Organizers. An earthquake that morning did not deter the attendees.
SPZP-2012
Tears of Joy
SPZP-2012Attendees
When alums learned that SPZP-2012 will be held at their alma mater (which had been largely neglected and turned into dilapidated building with bushes around), tears of joy fell.
When alums learned that the Stage-3 cancer survivor “Seik Kyi” (Cartoon Myint Pe) and his fellow cartoonists will revive the Cartoon Box, and also publish a collection of “RIT cartoons” (at a modest price of K1500), they was laughter and echoes of “walking down memory lane”.
When alums learned that the multiple ICU visitor Ko Saw Lin (C71) would head not only the main preparation committee of SPZP-2012, but also publish the 350+ page commemorative SWEL DAW YEIK MAGAZINE, reprint limited copies of the 23 vintage RIT Annual magazines, their spirits became high.
When alums learned that Sayagyi U Ba Than, Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team would take the first (scoped but important) step to compile the “History of University Engineering Education in Burma / Myanmar”, the importance and uniqueness of SPZP-2012 became evident.
Homage at SPZP-2012
December 30, 2012 saw several Union ministers and deputy ministers sitting on the lawn alongside the alums and paying respect to the sayas and sayamas for their “Arcariya” virtues (irrespective of age and experience). That day saw sayas, sayamas, and alums endure the hot sun to bask in the glory and memories of the hey days. That day saw the re-emergence of RIT glory and the close bond of alums spanning five or more decades.
SPZP-2012 will go down in engineering history as one of the historic and memorable events (which many had feared would not see in their life time).
Thanks to the unsung heroes for carrying on the noble tradition.
SPZP-2016
SPZP-2016U LinBag for attendees
All-Day Free Event was held at the Gyogone Campus.
Free food for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in the morning.
Reunion Dinner & Entertainment took place in the evening.
Updates
Effects of Jara, Byadi & Marana are noticable
Several sayas — U Ba Toke, U Num Kok, U Ba Than, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Min Wun — are now GBNF
Some sponsors — Steeve Kay, David Ko — are now GBNF
Some organizers — Saya Allen Htay, U Win Khaing, U Saw Lin — are now GBNF
SPZP-2020 was canceled due to the pandemic
Some PZPs are conducted online
At some PZPs, attendees pay homage while standing. Sayas remain seated at their tables (do not have to go on stage).
Among the newspapers in Myanmar, Yangon Times proudly covered SPZP-2012 reminding the readers that it was the first time in four decades or so that the higher authorities permitted the RIT SPZP to be held at the Gyogone Campus.
Pictures speak louder than words.
Thanks to Sayagyi U Ba Than and U Ohn Khine (M70) for providing me copies of the Yangon Times.
Capacity crowd at SPZP-2012 Sayas (including Speakers)Aging sayas with indomitable spiritH.E. U Aye Myint never forgot his alma materH.E. U Aye Myint was transferred to another Ministry before he could pay back fully to the Alma Mater and the Engineering Community
Updates
SPZP-2016 was held at the Gyogone Campus. Free breakfast, lunch & dinner.
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.
HlaMin 