Category: Hla Min

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Program

• Luyechun stands for Outstanding Student.
• 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.
  

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Awards

• I have three Appreciation Award.
• 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.

• I received the second one at the Birthday Soon Kyway Gathering at Dhammanda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California in August 2016.

• I received the third one at the Annual Dinner of NorCal RIT Alumni Association.

HMEE

• In 2012, the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) team led by Saya U Aung Hla Tun published the 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).

• Several copies were donated to Universities’ Central Library and YTU (Yangon Technological University).

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.

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
• Revise old posts on my website hlamin.com

Memory

• Have an excellent Associative Memory.
• Know thousands of names and words.
• 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.

Related Posts

• Memories of 69er, PBRS, RUBC, SPHS, UCC
• My Beliefs
• My Dream
• My Passion
• My Writings