Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt, Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) and Ko Myint Swe attended the Baby Shower for our daughter-in-law.
U Tin Mg Nyunt
We now have a grand daughter and a grand son.
My beloved mom
She is holding my elder son.
The photo shows
a son of my elder brother
two sons of my eldest sister
a son and a daughter of my elder sister
GM with six grand kids
Thingyan
Burma celebrates the Burmese New Year in mid-April. Thingyan is the associated Water Festival.
For logistics, the San Francisco Bay Area celebrates Thingyan in May.
Thingyan
Uncle U Thein Han
He is my mom’s youngest brother. He worked for IBM Burma before moving to the USA.
We visited him in Maryland in 2015.
Sadly, he passed away on Sept 29, 2025. He was 96+ years old.
Uncle U Thein Han 1
My aunt taught Psychology at Rangoon University. She studied Library Science in the USA. She retired as Head of the Burmese Collection at the Library of Congress.
Uncle U Thein Han 2
Their elder son is a medical doctor in Texas. Their younger son is a Civil Engineer in Maryland.
The initial Luyechun program ran from 1964 to 1988.
1964
Luyechun Program was established in 1964.
Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
1964 Luyechuns include Ko Win Aung (TTC), Ko Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw), Ko Aung Myint (Mandalay), and Ma Mie Mie Khine (Akyab).
1965
Luyechun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes. There were three Camps
Inlay Camp for high school and university students
Ngapali Camp for middle school students
Combined Camp in Rangoon
I was selected as RIT Luyechun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).
Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor Koe, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U & Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry Hlaing) were selected for IM(1).
Ko Tun Naung (GBNF, BDS), Ko Soe Aung & Ko Thein Win (IM2), Ko Min Oo (Maths), Ko Ye Myint & Ma Khin Aye Than (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein & Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were some who were selected for their disciplines.
Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint (later Bogyoke), Ko Aung Win (later RIT Saya), Uttam Singh (later NASA) and Ma Pwint Than (later EPC). They joined RIT.
Others include : Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF, Liver Foundation), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, Nelson Kaw & Ko Kyaw Myint.
Multiple Luyechun
Several students (e.g. Dr. Khin Maung U, Dr. Thynn Thynn Lynn, Daw Mie Mie Khine) were selected Luyechun multiple times.
Staff Sayas
Some sayas from Universities and High Schools were chosen to manage the Luyechuns. e.g. U Aung Gyi (MASU), Daw Po (RASU), Dr. May May Yi (GBNF, IM2)
Ko Min Oo (SPHS63, Maths) was selected Luyechun in 1965 and later as a Staff Saya.
Guest Speaker
Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi), Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi & U Thu Ta (Meteorology) were Guest Speakers at the Inlay Luyechun Camp.
Saya U Kyaw Myint (DHE) & I were Guest Speakers at the Nagapali Lu Ye Chun Camp in 1988.
Status
Luyehun project ended in 1988.
Several years back, an Association was formed for Luyechuns from 1964 to 1988.
The 7th Annual General Meeting was held online in January 2021.
The first was given to me at SPZP-2000 (First RIT Grand Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw) for founding the RIT Alumni Newsletter in 1999, and serving as Content Provider & Editor for ex-rit website and as Core Organizer for SPZP.
SPZP-2000
I received the second one at the Birthday Soon Kyway Gathering at Dhammanda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California in August 2016.
Award
I received the third one at the Annual Dinner of NorCal RIT Alumni Association.
NorCal RITAA dinner in 2016
HMEE
HMEE team
In 2012, the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) team led by Saya U Aung Hla Tun published the HMEE book.
HMEE Book
U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement. The books were sold at SPZP-2012 (Sixth RIT Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe).
CD Supplement for HMEE book
Several copies were donated to Universities’ Central Library and YTU (Yangon Technological University).
Donation to RUCL
SPZP-2016
Bagyee Myat Myo Myint (U Myo Myint) had an exhibition booth at SPZP-2016. He sold several paintings and donated some earnings to SPZP Organizing Committee.
U Myo Aung and I took a photo at the booth.
Exhibition booth at SPZP-2016
Weekly Routine
Ride a stationary bike for 30 minutes daily.
Learn new things.
Listen to Dhamma CDs, Blinkist, “Word of the Day” from Merriam Webster and selected “Language courses”.
Write articles for RIT Updates and my Facebook Groups
Do not use notes to write articles, poems & translations. My readers point out typos, errors & inconsistencies. They provide information and suggestions for improvement.
My Nicknames
“Jack of all Trades and Master of some”
“Walking Dictionary”
“Spelling Checker”
Mini-Encyclopedia”
“Pre-Google Search Engine”
“Tone Kyaw”
History
A teacher told me, “You cannot make money by studying History”.
There are Social & Intellectual Currencies.
Learned interesting stories from a former student leader, Say Saya ဆေးဆရာ (who lost his wife to his Political Boss), elders who experienced WWII, barbers and cab drivers.
Docent at Computer History Museum for two years
Member of “History of Myanmar Engineering Education” project. U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for HMEE book.
Moderator for Rangoon University Centennial FB Group
Speaker for “U Thant Centennial” in SF Bay Area.
I have honored Mentors, Benefactors and Pioneers in my posts.
Utility
A manager said, “What’s the use of learning about your colleagues’ hobbies?”
I know only a fraction of sayas & colleagues, but I appreciate their achievements & expertise.
Some Thoughts
A Veda Saya (who has passed away) predicted that my works will be appreciated.
Wrote many articles over five decades. Almost 3000 posts can be read from my website hlamin.com. They might help researchers, educators, folklorists & historians.
Edited articles and books for selected Sayadaws & friends.
Translated poems & articles.
Volunteered as translator / interpreter at Dhamma Lectures & Meditation Retreats.
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (former Rector of Rangoon Institute of Technology) said, “I cannot reply to all your mails with links to your posts. I appreciate what you have done for the RIT Community.”
I have served as volunteer for the RIT Community for 26 years. The smiles of our sayas and colleagues give me Second Wind.
I still have good physical and mental health.
About 40% of our Class of 69 are GBNF. Several succumbed to Covid. I had six doses of Covid vaccine. I also had RSV.
U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) said, “I hope to die before you, so that our friends can read about me in your posts.” Hope he will live to 100.
Several Sayas were interviewed for the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Ecucation) Project.
Saya U Tin U
U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) interviewed U Tin U (C).
U Tin U joined RU in 1946 and attended Engineering classes before studying in the USA.
BS in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University
MS in Civil Engineering from Yale.
He taught Part-time at Rangoon University while working for a private Construction Company.
Treasurer, BSCE (Burma Society of Civil Engineers)
He is the Most Senior & Oldest Past Captain of RUBC and Past Captain of RGC.
U Khin Aung Kyi (GBNF)
U Khin Aung Kyi
U Ohn Khine (M70) and team interviewed Saya U Khin Aung Kyi.
He joined RU in 1949 and attended Engineering classes before studying in the USA.
BS and MS in Chemical Engineering at MIT.
He served as Professor and Head of Chemical Engineering, and as Rector of RIT (1977 – 1988).
Interview by Gazettes
Mandalay Gazette and Myanmar Gazette interviewed selected Sayas and Alumni.
U Maung Maung Kyi founded Mandalay Gazette.
Thakin Kai Bhor is Chief Editor and Publisher of Myanmar Gazette. He earlier served as Editor and Technical Advisor for Mandalay Gazette.
I was interviewed by Mandalay Gazette several years ago.
Mandalay Gazette
Saya U Min Wun and Saya Dr. Tin Win were interviewed by Myanmar Gazette.
Interview by AZMTV
U Htaik San (Henry Kao, M81) is Past President of Burmese Associations in Southern California.
He is Past Captain and Gold of RUBC.
He and his spouse helped run AZMTV. They and their team interviewed selected sayas and alumni who attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
Henry sent me links to the videos (published in You Tube). I have posted the links.
Sample link (for Saya U Min Wun’s interview)
Saya U Min Wun
He joined RU in 1949 and attended Engineering classes before studying in the USA.
BS from MIT and MS frim Cornell.
He served as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering before moving to USA.
He retired from Caltrans at the age of 80.
He was a member of Myanmar Pyeik Ka Dein Ah Phwe.
He wrote articles for RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
Saya U Myo Myint Sein (A58)
He is from the first batch of Architecture graduates.
He received MS from Michigan.
He served as Professor and Head of Architecture before moving to USA.
He served as Consultant / Lecturer and also authored books.
He wrote for Swel Daw Yeik Magazine and HMEE.
He played soccer for Engineering and RU.
He was President of RU ConBro Association.
Life Journey of Saya U Ba Toke
Tekkatho Maung Thin Char (Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe, GBNF) interviewed Sayagyi U Ba Toke (GBNF).
The tapes were transcribed by his spouse Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing (daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khaing).
The book was sponsored by RU Thin Char Ah Thinn as a birthday present for Sayagyi.
Interview by Yangon Media
Saya U Thet Lwin (Maung Ngwe Hlinne)
He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School.
He taught Burmese at the Institute of Economics.
He transferred to RIT as Registrar.
He retired as Director from DHE.
He received a Dat Pya and a remuneration of K100 for his song “Mya Kyun Nyo”. The song has been sung at RU Centennial and SPZPs. He played the song for a special TV program.
Patron of RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thinn
Publisher of RIT Annual Magazine
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War)
He matriculated from St. John’s Dio.
He was Editor of RUESU Annual Magazine and learned first hand about early Printing systems.
Poet
Author of five books
Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazine, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung (for SPZPs in 2002, 2007 and 2010) and Swel Daw Yeik Magazine (for Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016).
![Longing [for]](https://hlamin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/u-moe-aung-2.webp?w=720)
HlaMin 