Sayama Julie Han was among the pioneer female engineering students in Burma/Myanmar.
Her contemporaries include Sayama Daw Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin, T61, GBNF), Daw Yin Yin Kyi (T61), Ms. Pauline Reynolds (ChE61), and Daw Khin Than Nwe (Magaret Than Maung, T62).
She served as the Vice President of Theravada Buddhist Association of America (TBSA) and headed the fund raising for the Dhammananda Vihara (then based in Daly City, Northern California).
She passed away several years ago. Saya U Htin Paw (EE 58, Past President of TBSA, GBNF) donated to the new Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay in her memory.
She attended SPZP-2000. At that time, she stayed with her sister Daw Polly Han.
She wrote the following for SPZP-2000.
Sayama Julie Han
Here is a brief description of my years after leaving RIT.
I spent 6 years at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, getting a M.S. degree in Textile Chemistry and Ph. D. in Materials Science.
The companies that I worked for in chronological order are: Burlington Industries, CIBA-GEIGY, Sears Roebuck, Levi-Strauss, Raychem Corp, Tacan Corp, Johnson Matthey Inc, Xytronyx Corporation.
At present I am working as a sales manager for an optoelectronic company IPITEK, which is a division of Tacan Corp.
Since 1980 I left the field of textile engineering and have been working in opto-electronic field.
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, Webmaster) set up three GBNF pages on the web site : (a) GBNF for Sayas and Sayamas (b) GBNF for Alumni (c) GBNF for Spouses
Several classes maintain their GBNF list.
U Aung Min (M69) and team maintain the GBNF list for the Class of 69. As of this time of writing, there are 115 members in the GBNF. Some may remember that U Aung Min’s Roll No in the last ever I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone in 1963 was B115, where B stands for the Science Option. In a sense, U Aung Min is a Tone Kyaw.
U Ohn Khine (M70) and team maintain the GBNF list for the Class of 70.
GBNFfrom Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS)
Among my Primary School classmates, Myo Set (son of actor Tha Gaung Gyi) was the first to pass away. He perished in a car accident.
Myat Hla Sein (Former Head of Yoke Shin, RC2, son of Director U Chin Sein) was the last to pass away. He also perished in a car accident.
Most of the sayas and sayamas from our PPBRS days are GBNF
Further Reading : Memories of PPBRS
GBNF from St. Paul’s High School (SPHS)
Among my High School classmates, Min Thaw (Gilbert, SPHS63) is among the early ones to pass away.
Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San, SPHS63, Third in Burma) might be the most recent to pass away.
Further Reading : Memories of SPHS
GBNF from Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)
Among my RIT classmates, 115 (about a third of the class) are GBNF. U Aung Myint (Pet69, Saya, “Kyant Ba Hone” Creator)
It is sad and alarming to note that about 20 passed way in 2021 (many due to COVID-19)
Among the EC69ers, 3 (out of 11) are GBNF. They are U Kyaw Soe, U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way) and U Chit Tin.
Further Reading : RIT, GBNF Saya, GBNF Alum
GBNF from UCC, DCS and ICST
Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe, Founder Director of Universities Computer Center) passed away in Sydney, Australia in November 2019
Saya Lay (U Ko Ko Lay, co-founder of UCC, Professor at the Department of Computer Science and the Institute of Technology) had the longest tenure at UCC, DCS and ICST. He was the earliest among the UCC Founders to pass away.
Saya Dr. Tin Maung succeeded as Director of UCC and retired as Rector of ICST.
Saya Dr. Kyaw Thein succeed as Rector of ICST. He succumbed to Covid-19.
Further Reading : Memories of UCC
GBNF from Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC)
Several Past Captains and Old Members are GBNF.
U Maung Maung Than Tun, Oldest among the surviving Past Captains, is the latest GBNF.
Further Reading : Memories of RUBC
Tone Kyaw
One should have Samvegha (sense of urgency) after hearing the sad news.
When my name sake Hla Min (Pauk Si, SPHS64, EP70, UCC) passed away in his mid-thirties, we were shocked since he seemed strong and did not wear jackets (mandated for UCC employees entering the Computer Room). He would often be seen in sport shirts. He passed away with a few months of being diagnosed with liver problem. He was not a drinker, but other causes inflicted his liver.
I became a Tone Kyaw when two government departments where I had given Guest Lectures on Computers and Applications tried to send me “Lwan Thu Pan Khwe”.
At the Kyan Daw Cemetery, my classmate Moe Hein (Ajala, ChE69, RIT Swimming and Water Polo) looked at me as if I was a ghost. He had come to bid me Good Bye.
The family of Saya U Aung Zaw (Sydney, Australia) — Daw Kyawt, San Tint Tint Zaw, Ant Bwe Zaw, Nyan Htet Zaw, Three Grandchildren — thanks all those around the world who sent messages and donations during the recent bereavement.
In Saya Zaw’s memory, the family donated AUD5000 to the Metta Foundation (which provides health care to the elderly and the needy).
The family also offered requisites to the Sangha in Sydney. The dhamma friends at the Yennora Monastery helped with the Soon Kwyay.
U Myint Lwin (Charles) coordinated the three Ah Hlu in Thanatpin, Myanmar :
Two nights offering Lights
Two days offering drinking water
Soon Kyway
Daw Pyone Yee (Saya Zaw’s older sister in Myanmar) and family performed dana for Saya Zaw.
U Zaw Tun (UCC), family and friends in Singapore hosted Soon Kyway for Saya Zaw.
U Ngwe Soe (UCC, Singapore) earlier donated Saya Zaw’s books to a library (in a monastery) for public access.
Due to relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, Saya Zaw’s last journey was allowed 45 minutes (instead of 15 minutes) and 60 attendees.*
Hosted Welcome Dinner for U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69, Singapore) at a restaurant in Castro Street, Mountain View
Dinner hosted by Saya Allen Htay
Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San, SPHS63)
3rd in Burma in Matriculation of 1963
Graduated from IM(1) in 1970
Surgeon
Photo with two younger sisters Elsie and Ivy
Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San)
Saya U Tin Maung Oo (M67)
Joined RIT Mechanical Engineering Department
Served as Assistant Superintendent, RIT Workshop
Photo with spouse (Daw Thida Swe) and U San Lin (Maung Lu Pay, M87)
U Tin Maung Oo
U Tun Aung (Jeffery, EC68)
Suggested BASES as the name for the Association co-founded by Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
Helped Saya U Chin Way (EE, GBNF) The interviewers ended the interview when they learned that their Boss (U Tun Aung) was a former student of Saya
Brought pens for SPZP-2000
Photo with spouse (Daw Thuza, Movie Star, younger sister of Academy May Yu)
U Tun Aung (Jeffrey)
Tobias Kittim Ku (A69)
He succumbed to Covid.
GBNF list for 69ers has 119 members. 20+ passed away (most of them unexpectedly) in the past two years.
Photo with fellow Architects Ashin Pannagavesaka (Bobby Myo Tun, A69) U Khin Maung Maung (A70, Organizer of Architect Gatherings) Daw Phyu Phyu Latt (A70, Co-owner of company in Sydney, Australia with U Aye Win Hlaing / Abel / La La)
Tobias Kittim Ku (Tobi)
U Bo Gyi (A59)
Designed Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi He was shunned by higher authorities
Became a monk after retirement from PWD
He was an excellent pianist and Modeling expert
Photo taken at Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe hosted by MES (for senior Engineers and Architects)
Uzin U Bo Gyi
U Kin Maung Yin(A60)
Movie Director
The first movie “Hna Ma Let Shawt Nay Le Daw” was unorthodox. Grapevine says some foreigners tried to buy the movie.
The second movie produced by Daw Khin Mar Lar (Collegian Nay Win’s spouse) was not so controversial
Sayagyi U Ba Than lost his “right arm man” U Aung Moung (M73) in early January, 2018.
Whenever Sayagyi asked for U Aung Moung’s help, he will be at Winner Inn as fast as time and schedule permit.
I met him last year at Winner Inn. He was visiting Sayagyi U Ba Than as well as Daw Win Mar, younger sister of his childhood friend.
U Aung Moung was active in RIT-related activities and in his neighborhood monasteries. The monks voluntarily offered to take part at U Aung Moung’s final journey at Yae Wae. Actions speak louder than words.
Saya U Tun Shwe, Saya U Lin, Saya U Nyunt Htay, U Han Sein, U Tin Tun Aung, U Than Po, U Kyaw Kyaw and several alumni showed last respect to U Aung Moung at Ye Way Crematorium/Cemetery.
U Aye Win Kyaw (C70)
U Aye Win Kyaw & Madan Chand
He passed away in Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo). He earlier lost his son due to a faulty water heater system in the medical clinic where U Aye Win Kyaw was being treated. It was a double tragedy for the family.
U Aye Win Kyaw taught astronomy and astrology at MARB.
Saya Madan Chand (C70)
He passed away in Illinois, USA
Dr. Aung Thwin (SPHS63)
Dr. Aung Thwin
He was a successful OG. He passed away in Southern California. He is the brother of Dr. Khin Khin Thwin (Carmen) and Daw Yee Yee Thwin (Jasmine).
U Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi, SPHS63)
Aung Kyi, Khin Maung Bo and Tin Tun are GBNF
He passed away in Yangon.
U Khin Maung Bo (SPHS63, EP69)
He passed away in Yangon.
U Tin Tun (SPHS63, M69)
He was Joint Secretary of RIT Thaing Association. He taught Naval Architecture. He passed away in Yangon.
U Myint Sein (SPHS64)
U Myint Sein
He is an alumnus of Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS), St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) and the Institute of Economics. He is Past Principal of BARB (Burma Astro Research Bureau), Visiting Lecturer at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (in Mandalay) and Founder of Idea Astrology.
U Aung Myint (SPHS64)
He joined RIT EE as Lab Technician. He transferred to UCC as Maintainence Technician. He was promoted to Maintenance Engineer. He lost his job after filling in the 1988-related questionnaire. He gave private tuition on PLA. He passed away at his breakfast table.
Three SPHS & UCC alumni — CO U Hla Min (Pauk Si), U Maung Maung Gyi (Henry Than Htay) and U Aung Myint (Sonny) — are GBNF.
U Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, C63)
U Myint Lwin
He was from the Class of 61. He took sabbatical to get married. He is a good vocalist. He passed away in California, USA.
U Myint Thein (Kabar, M69)
U Myint Thein (Kabar)
He was a core organizer of the 69ers. He had medical checkup in Singapore and India, but he passed away in Yangon due to his deteriorating health. He is fondly known as Maung Kabar (a famous cartoon character of our younger days).
U Chit Tin (EC69)
Kabar and Chit Tin
U Chit Tin graduated in 1969 with EC (Electrical Communications). He is the third member of the group to pass away. The other two are U Kyaw Soe (EC69) and U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69).
U Oo Kyaw Hla (EC69)
He passed away in Canada. He is the fourth EC69er to pass away.
Dr. Chan Nyein (M67)
Dr. Chan Nyein
Dr. Chan Nyein (M67) is a retired Minister of Education.
U Saw Lin (C71)
U Saw Lin
He had several medical problems, but he was active as a core organizer of SPZP-2012.
Saya U Tin Swe (EE53)
He played soccer for the Prome Hall team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for three consecutive years.
Saya H Num Kok (C)
He was a saya of our sayas. He passed away at the tender age of 98 in Oregon, USA.
Saya Allen Htay (C58)
He a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000. Saya’s books were donated to YTU Library by Daw Mu Mu Kin. In saya’s memory, several YTU students have been provided scholarships (with the coordination of NorCal RITAA and volunteers from RITAA).
Shastri
Shastri and mostly 69ers
He received the nickname due to resemblance to the Indian Prime Minister.
Dr. San Tint (EE61)
Dr. San Tint visiting Seattle
He taught at BIT, RIT and YTU. He retired as Professor of Electronic Engineering. He attended SPZP-2000 and took trips to Seattle and New York to have mini-reunion with former students.
Paulians
SPHSSPHS
Aung Khin, Aung Kyi, Aung Thu Yein, Khin Naung Bo, Maung Maung Kyi, Richard Lim and several others are GBNF.
Dr. Saw Tin (Maths)
Dr. Saw Tin
Dicky Tan (Win Naing, M69)
Win Naing (Dicky)
He passed away in Singapore. He represented RIT in Rowing.
U Tin Myint (John Lee, M69)
Tin Myint (John)
He passed away in Union City, California, USA. He represented RIT in Table Tennis. He was selected RIT Luyechun for 4th BE.
U Hla Shwe (T69)
Hla Shwe
He retired as Associate Professor. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
U Tin Shwe (EP66)
U Tin Shwe
He taught at RIT and Assumption University in Bangkok. After retirement, he became a monk. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
HlaMin 