by Hla Min

Updated : Apr 2026

Pillars of Learning

• Learning to know
• Learning to do
• Learning to be
• Learning to live

Daily Habit

• Learn new things
• Listen to Blinkist & podcasts
• Write or update posts in Facebook and this website.

Public Speaking & Leadership

• Distinguished Toastmater
• Club Coach, Mentor, Guest Speaker, Trainer, Ambassador, Contest Chair, Test Speaker, Evaluator

Facebook Groups

Owner / Admin

• RIT Updates
• Life Long Learning
• Memories
• Myanmar

Past Contributor / Moderator

• Buddhism Q&A
• PBRS
• Rangoon University Centennial
• RUBC
• SPHS
• UCC
• Old Burma

Pay back to

• Alma Mater
• Ancestors
• Mentors
• Engineering & Computing Communities

Alma Mater

• Private Primary Boundary Road School
• St. Paul’s High School, Rangoon

• Rangoon University
• Rangoon Institute of Technology

• Universities Computer Center
• Rice University

Lecture / Teach

• Universities Computer Center

• Department of Computer Science
• Institute of Computer Science and Technology

• Guest lectures at Government Departments, Training Schools, Luyechun Camp, BARB, MARB

Mentors

• Parents
• Teachers — Thin Saya, Myin Saya and Kyar Saya
• Helped me develop passion for Lifelong Learning, Sharing of Knowledge & Expertise.

Ancestors

• Philanthropists
• Donated schools & books, hospitals & medicine, and buildings (Pagoda, Tazaung, Zayat, Shelter).
• I am trying to emulate their philanthropy by sharing my knowledge & expertise.

Sharing Knowledge & Expertise

Jack of All Trades; Master of Some

Proponent of Youth Leadership

Sharing Knowledge & Expertise gained as

• Software Engineer / Craftsman
• Consultant
• Distinguished Toastmaster
• Author & Blogger
• Translator & Interpreter
• Editor of newsletters & books
• Folklorist & Historian

Recording history of our beloved land

• Love history

• Was Member of “History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project”. U Ohn Khine (M70) & I compiled CD supplement for HMEE book.

• Was Docent at the “Computer History Museum” in Mountain View, California, USA.

• Published 2500+ posts
• Broadcast 220 Short Talks from August 2020 to February 2021. Can be viewed using @hmin3664 on YouTube

• Hope that my posts &videos will be helpful to scholars and historians in Myanmar and beyond.

Wrote articles, reviews, poems & translations for

• National Foreign Language Center at University of Maryland, College Park : Burmese Language Lessons (Listening and Reading)
• Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
  ABC-CIO Press : Can access my articles from Google Books.

• MoeMaKa : Online Publication
• RIT Alumni Newsletter : from April 1999 – present

• Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung : Poems for SPZP-2002 & 2007; Article in SPZP-2010

• Swel Daw Yeik Magazine : Article for Shwe Yadu 2014

• History of Myanmar Engineering Education : U Ohn Khine (M70) & I compiled CD Supplement for HMEE Book

• BAPS Newsletter : Contributing Editor

• Dhammananda Newsletter : Contributing Editor for Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California & Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)

• Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhimvama : Contributing Editor & Member of Publications Committee

• Rangoon University Boat Club : Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue

• Guardian Newspaper : Poems (e.g. Men on the Moon); Articles (e.g. Computers and Applications) in English

• Working People’s Daily (WPD) :
  Poems (e.g. Phaung daw-u Festival); Translation (e.g. Still So Young) in English

• Forward Magazine : Poems (e.g. To the Fallen Warrior) in English

• Veda Magazine (ဝေဒ) : Articles for Burma Astro Research Bureau
• Pan Magazine (ပန်) : Articles in Burmese
• High School Mathematics Project : Member of Editorial Team
• Team of System Specialists :
  Computer Education & Application
• Set Hmu Thadin Zin (စက်မှုသတင်းစဉ်) : Short notes
• Hlyat Sit Sar Saung (လျှပ်စစ်စာစောင်) : Article for RIT EE

I have volunteered for

• Computer History Museum
• History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project
• Toastmasters International
• SF Bay Area ACM Chapter
• 2010 Census Count Committee
• RIT Alumni International
• NorCal RIT Alumni Association
• Tathagata Meditation Center
• Theravada Buddhist Society of America

Dream Big or Small

“If one person can dream, others will fulfill”

The saying is attributed to Jules Verne who dreamed & wrote about space ships, submarines, and travel around the globe.

My Earlier Dream

Was to connect or re-connect Sayas, Colleagues & Friends physically and electronically.

We successfully organized the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in San Francisco, California in October 2000.

Six more World-wide Reunion and SPZP took place. Singapore in 2002, 2007 & 2010. Yangon in 2004, 2012 & 2016. Due to pandemic, SPZP-2020 was canceled.

Started RIT Alumni International Newsletter in April 1999.

Served as Content Provider & Editor for ex-RIT websites : first one by KMZ (UKhin Maung Zaw, now retired from Microsoft) and second one by Wunna Ko Ko (then at SAS).

Both ex-RIT websites are now inactive.

My Later Dream

Was to record Oral & Written History of our Alma Mater and our Beloved Land.

Set up hlamin.com (to archive old posts, add new posts and revise selected posts).

Requested SPZP-2000 Organizers, interested sayas & alumni to record gatherings.

Requested Subject Matter Experts & interested readers to review and enhance selected posts.

by Hla Min

Updates : Apr 2026

Awards

• Collegiate Scholarship (1963)
• Luyechun (1965)
• Appreciation (October 2000)
• Appreciation (August 2016)
• Appreciation (September 2016)
• Distinguished Toastmaster (2017)

August 2016

Birthday Soon Kway

• Maurice Chee (M75) organized a Birthday Soon Kyway at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay in August 2016.
• He prepared electronic & hard copy of the birthday wishes.
• Another set was for attendees, who had not sent wishes by e-mail.
• Thanks to the sayas, colleagues and friends for a memorable gathering.

Appreciation from Sayas and Alumni in US and Canada

• Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi could not attend the soonkyway, but he requested Ko Maurice to donate a food dish for him & his family. Sayagyi’s message was read by Ko Maurice.

• Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the appreciation award at Half Moon Bay soonkwyay and gathering (August 2016).

September 2016

Alumni Appreciation Award from NorCalRITAA

The award was signed by

• Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair, BOD)
• Gordon Kaung (M83, President)
• U Thaung Nyunt (M87, Secretary)

Saya U Myat Htoo presented the award to me at the NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner, 2016.

From SPHS in 1963

Collegiate Scholarship winners from SPHS in 1963

There were five Paulians in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.

• Khin Maung U (Retired from FDA, USA) – 1st
• Min Oo (Retired Maths Professor from McMasters University, Canada) – 2nd
• Myo San (Freddie, Surgeon, GBNF) – 3rd
• Nyunt Wai (Victor, Professor, IM & Malaysia) – 4th
• Thein Wai (Migrated to USA after graduation) – 5th
• Hla Min (Lifelong Learner, Retired Software Engineer) – 7th
• Aung Kyaw Zaw (Cardiologist) – 9th
• Maung Maung Kyi (Dip Ing, Retiree in Wales, GBNF) – 11th
• Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69, GBNF) – 13th
• Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, Retired Doctor in UK) – 17th
• Three are GBNF

Luyechun

Summer of 1965

• Attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp

From Toastmasters International

Awards

• CC (Competent Communicator)
• ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze)
• ACS (Advanced Communicator Silver)
• ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold)
• CL (Competent Leader)
• ALB (Advanced Leader Bronze)
• ALS (Advanced Leader Silver)
• DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)
• Triple Crown

I served as

• Club Officer
• Area Governor
• Club Coach
• Contest Chair
• Ambassador
• Guest Speaker
• Test Speaker
• Team Builder (for Excellent Leadership)

From my Life Savers

Coffee mug with photos

My beloved grandchildren gave me a present for Grand Father’s Day.

Drawings

On several occasions

Book Presents

For editing and proof reading

I edited or proof-read books by

• Sayadaws (U Silananda, U Jotalankara)

• Sayas (Saya Des Rodgers)
• Friends (Saya U Aung Zaw)

• They provided me copies of their books.

From colleagues and friends

I also received copies from others. They include

• “Myanmar in my life-time”
  Book by BBS U Khin Zaw
  air mailed from Australia by U Wint Khin Zaw

• Book honoring Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
  air mailed from Australia by Dr. TOKM

• Centennial for U Khin Maung Latt & Daw Khin Myo Chit
  Two books given by Junior Win, twin sister of Maung Yit
• Books by U Ye Sint (former Editor of Dhammanda Newsletter)
  His works
  Pathan Dethana (Dhamma Dana by his siblings)
• U Kesala (Chief Resident monk, Alodaw Pyie Monastery in Arizona)
  Dhamma Q&A
  Several other books

• “Nga Doh Khit Ka Tekkatho”
  Book by Shwe Ku May Hnin
  Given to me at the San Francisco Bay Area Talk

• Books by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War)
  Collection of Poems
  Collection of Articles

• Book by Saya U Nyunt Htay
  Collection of Swel Daw Poems

• Books by Nyan Oo Maung
  Currently known as “Mudita Shwe Kyaung” Sayadaw U Nyanika
• Books by various sayadaws in the Bay Area & beyond
  U Dhammapiya
  U Gosita
  Dhamma Bheri Sayadaw
  Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw
  Thamanay Kyaw

• Books by Dr. San Oo, Daw Than Yi & family
• “Yahandar and Poke Ko Htoo Myar”
  Book by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing
  (in the 80’s for translating several of his “Dhamma Duta” articles)
• Books by Sayawun Tin Shwe
  Given by his daughter Tyn Tyn Aye during her UCC studies
• U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) mailed me two books that he bought in Myanmar.
  U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin
  Collection Bagan poems (by Zawgyi, translated by Ah May Thar).
• Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt believes in a “revolving library”. Gave me several books that he enjoyed reading.
• 8-8-88
  Book by Dat Pone Htein Win
  Given at 5th ILF in Mandalay
• Books by Members of Professional Spakers Association (PSA)
  Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing
  Kaythri Kyaw
  …

Magazines

Editor for “90th Anniversary Issue of the Founding of RUBC” (2013)

Wrote poems and articles for

• RIT Alumni International Newsletter (for SPZP-2000)
• “Swel Daw Yeik Sarsaung” for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010
• “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu”

U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement for HMEE-2012.

CDs

Received raw and formal CDs and DVDs for the various RIT Gatherings.

by Hla Min

Updated : Apr 2026

Jubilees

• Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary)
• Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary)
• Diamond Jubilee (75th Anniversary, 60th for Coronation)
• Centennial (100th Anniversary)
• Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary)
• Bicentennial (200th Anniversary)
• Tricentennial (300th Anniversary)

Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)

• The Faculty of Engineering was briefly known as Burma Institute of Technology (BIT) after moving to the Gyogone Campus.
• In 1964, under the then new Education System, BIT was renamed as RIT.
• RIT became an autonomous institute with its own Rector.
  

SPZP and Alumni Activities

• Saya Pu Zaw Pwe is a noble tradition.
• I am honored to be a core organizer of the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
• I have supported the subsequent SPZPs and several RIT-related projects and activities.
  

Last Journeys

• I am honored to have been a Master of Ceremonies for the Last Journeys of Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo and Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa.
• I was also requested to give eulogies.

Jubilees

Rangoon University

• It was established in December 1920 with two constituent colleges : Rangoon College and Judson College.
• Saya U Pe Maung Tin served as the first native Principal of Rangoon College.
• Saya Dr. Htin Aung served as the first native Rector of Rangoon University.

RU Golden Jubilee

• The RU Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1970.
• Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Thet Lwin are among the core organizers of the RU GJ Celebrations.
• I had a minor role as a volunteer for the “Zay Committee”.
• RIT Ah Nu Pyinnyashins took part in the Entertainment Program. The “Htee Yein” and “Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint” were attractions. The term “Swel Daw Yiek” became synonymous with RIT and the engineering schools which preceded RIT.
• The Commemorative Magazine reprinted Bogyoke Aung San’s translation of “Invictus”. The Magazine also had an account of U Hla Maung, who graduated with B.Sc. (Engg) degree in 1928.

RU Centennial

• It was celebrated in 2020.
• Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) and fellow authors (e.g. Shwe Ku May Hnin) have published “Collections of Poems and Articles” to commemorate RU Centennial.

Myanmar Engineering Education

• Engineering Education in Burma started in 1924.
• The History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project compiled and published HMEE-2012 in time for SPZP-2012. Saya U Aung Hla Tun was the Team Leader.
  U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the book.
• HMEE-2018 is a follow up Project to revise the HMEE-2012 book and publish new material (e.g. History of the Engineering Departments). However, after Saya’s demise, the project is in limbo.
• The 90th Anniversary was celebrated in 2014.
• The Centennial was celebrated in 2024.

Rangoon Institute of Technology

• The New Education System which made RIT an autonomous Institute with was established in November 1964.
• Saya U Yone Moe served as the first Rector of RIT. He was succeeded by Saya Dr. Aung Gyi in 1971.
• In 1964, there were eight Engineering Departments : (1) Architecture (2) Chemical (3) Civil (4) Electrical (5) Mechanical (6) Metallurgy (7) Mining (8) Textile.
• Supporting Departments were established at RIT. They include (1) Burmese (2) Chemistry (3) English (4) Geology (5) Physics.
• For some time, there were Visiting Lecturers from USSR and selected Departments of other Universities and Institutes.
• RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology). YIT in turn became YTU (Yangon Technological University).
• The Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2014.
• The 60th Annivrrsary was celebrated in 2024.

RIT Spirit

• The sayas and alumni are known for the “RIT Spirit” which survived the brutal crushing in the Adhamma Era.
• RIT was considered a Dying Breed. The school was branded as “Thabone Kyaung”. The Swel Daw Bins were banished from the Gyongone Campus. Several equipment were taken away to set up a Military Engineering school at DSA.
• The alumni wanted to pay back the metta and cetana of their mentors.
• The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in California, USA in October 2000. I wrote the “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” poem. It has been reprinted in several RIT-related publications.
• The subsequent World Wide SPZPs were held in Singapore (in December 2002, April 2007 and December) and in Yangon (in December 2004, December 2012 and December 2016).
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation was established in 2013.
• The Shwe YaDu Celebrations were held in 2014.
• RITAA is helping YTU in several ways. It is helping to raise the fund for YTU Library Modernization Project (which is a requirement to get YTU accredited at the Regional level and beyond).

Stories to illustrate the RIT Spirit

• I am an amateur historian and a folklorist.
• I have a dream to compile stories to illustrate the friendly and indomitable RIT Spirit.
• I will use the articles that were contributed to the RIT Alumni Newsletter and Updates.
• Sayas and alumni could provide new and old stories (e.g. published in the various Magazines, Sar Saungs, Thadin Zin, Wall Posters, Cartoon Box, Exhibitions).
• While we have reasonably good health and memory, we plan to pay back to our alma mater.

My Facebook Pages and Web sites

I have three kinds of Facebook Pages :

• One for my acquaintances
• One for family members, relatives and close friends
• One for knowledge sharing (e.g. Life Long Learning) and/or archiving my posts

Not all postings are of equal importance. They can be grouped as follows:

• News & Updates
• SPZP-2012 : Count down and Event
• Shwe YaDu Golden Jubilee Celebrations
• SPZP-2016
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
• Alumni Associations in Myanmar & California
• History of Myanmar Engineering Education
• Memoirs (e.g by U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) & U Ohn Khine (M70))
• Golden Jubilee (GJ) Magazine published by the Class of 70 & 71
• 69ers
• Class Photos
• Brief History of the RIT Departments by Sayagyis
• Excerpts from the archives of SPZP-2000
• Successors of RIT (e.g. YIT, YTU)
• Where are they now?
• GBNF : Sayas and alums

Hope the postings will be of interest to historians — professional or amateurs.

I have two web sites.

• http://myanmar2021.wordpress.com is a free web site. I have archived most of my posts in the web site.
• http://hlamin.com is a paid web site. I have revised many of my posts. Some posts have been merged and enhanced.

SPZP and Alumni Activities

Paying respect to Sayas for their metta and cetana is a tradition that is unique to Burma/Myanmar.

The tradition is alive and well.

There have been SEVEN world wide SPZPs :

• SPZP-2000 (US)
• SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, SPZP-2010 (Singapore)
• SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016 (Yangon)
• SPZP-2020 (scheduled for December 26, 2020 in Yangon) was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Many alumni are active in the following:

• SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
• RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
• MES (Myanmar Engineering Society)
• MEC (Myanmar Engineering Council)

HMEE Projects

• “History of Myanmar Engineering Education” was published in time for SPZP-2012.
• The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni. See Acknowledgement in the Book.
• Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF) and team (including me) compiled the book.
• The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing & team.
• U Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2. His work have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.

Saya U Aung Hla Tun suggested that the Book should be revised/updated (e.g. every five years or so).

YTU Library Modernization Project

• The project was established as a requirement for the Accreditation of YTU.
• Donations — large and small — came in. An alumnus had made monthly donation of One Lakh kyats for over two years.

• U Khin Maung Tun (T78), Daw Myint Myint (C69), Saya Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73) and Saya U Tin Htut (M60) donated K100 Lakhs (or more) for the Project.

• Thanks to Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and the fund raising team. The team had periodically published the list of donors.

Health Care

• There were several HCF (Health Care Funds).
• The balance of “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT sayas and sayamas” has been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
• The balance of “U Khin Maung Tun’s family for providing Vision Care to eligible sayas and sayamas” have been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
• SDYF provides limited financial assistance to eligible RIT sayas & sayamas for health care (e.g. hospitalization, frequent visits to clinics).
• SDYF also provides Annual Medical and Vision Checkup for eligible sayas & sayamas.

RIT related Facebook pages and web sites

• RIT Updates
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
• RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association

• Google Group for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
• Google Group for RIT Updates

• hlamin.com
• lmyanmar2021.wordpress.com

Last Journeys

• I had the opportunity to serve as Master of Ceremonies at two last journeys.
• The first was for Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (EP 74), part time Professor at San Jose State University. Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) set up the commemorative web pages on http://www.ex-rit.org. I have excerpted some in my Trivia posts.
• The second was for Sayadaw U Silanandbhivamsa, Rector of the International Theravada Buddhist University.
• I volunteered as Book Committee member and Contributing Editor for “Paying Homage to Saya U Silanananda.
• There is a 2-set DVD of Saydaw’s last journey and can be found as a supplement for the Commemorative book.

Simple Joys of Living and Paying Back

• We are deeply honored to the sponsors, donors,volunteers, and well-wishers for the soon kyway on August 20, 2016 at Half Moon Bay monastery.
• Special thanks to sayas and alumni near and far who took special time to express their appreciation to the messenger turned amateur historian.
• We are simply following the practice of our beloved philanthropic ancestors who donated for the construction and maintenance of hospitals, schools, pagodas, zayats, free dispensaries.
• I have donated thousands of hours trying to get the sayas and alumni get connected electronically and physically, and also share my experience as a Life Long Learner.
• Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs) said, “Do not retire. Re-tire.” He mentioned that if we can serve the sayas and alums for two decades, we should be satisfied since RIT is a dying breed.
• I have completed 26 years as a founder and editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter.

by Hla Min

Updated : Apr 2026

Tommy Shwe (GBNF)

Alumnus of RIT

• Matriculated from St. Albert’s High School, Maymyo in 1964
• Admitted as Roll No 2 (in order of merit among Matriculates) to 1st BE at Rangoon Institute of Technology
• Represented RIT in Badminton

Taiwan & USA

• Completed three Masters
• Entrepreneur
• Supporter of Education

Untimely Demise

• Victimized by a handyman that he had helped
• Reported in Los Angeles Times