Allen Htay (C) — RIT Alumni International, SPZP-2000
Dr. Aung Gyi
Dr. Aung Gyi (C, Rector)
U Aung Hla Tun
U Aung Hla Tun (Met) — HMEE
U Ba Than
U Ba Than (M) — Double Dana
U Ba Toke
U Ba Toke (M, MASU Rector)
Dr. Chit Swe
Dr. Chit Swe (UCC Founder)
H Num Kok
H Num Kok (C) — Saya of our sayas
U Khin Aung Kyi
U Khin Aung Kyi (ChE, Rector)
U Kyaw Tun
U Kyaw Tun (EE) — Saya of our sayas
U Maung Maung Than
U Maung Maung Than (T, Rector)
U San Tun
U San Tun (M) — BEA
EE Sayas
EE Sayas — U Sein Hlaing, U Kyaw Tun, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way, U Nyi Nyi
see GBNF posts
RIT Alumni International
SF Bay Area Alumni Advisory GroupMeeting
Saya Allen Htay (C58) — President; GBNF
Saya Dr. K C Chui (ChE63) — Past President, BEA; Moved to LA
Saya Dr. Nyo Win (M65) — Past President, BAPS
Saya U Maung Maung / George (ChE66) — (later) President, NorCal RITAA
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) — TBSA; BADA; Co-emcee, SPZP-2000; (later) BOD Chair, NorCal RITAA; GBNF
U Hla Min / Lifelong Learner (EC69) — RIT Alumni Newsletter; Messenger
Benny Tan (M70) — Past President, BAPS; Co-chair, SPZP-2000; Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZP
Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) — Mr. RIT68; Co-emcee, SPZP-2000; (later) Professional Nanny for grandkid
Maurice Chee (M75) — Past President, BAPS; Wore multiple hats for SPZP-2000; Book Drive for YTU; (later) VP, NorCal RITAA
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) — Designed and implemented first ex-rit website; Alumnus of Microsoft; Flew in from Seattle & Kirkland, Washington State to attend meetings and gatherings in SF Bay Area
Gordon Kaung (M83) — Mechanical Solutions; iNapa Winery (with Lillian); hosted RIT related gatherings; (later) President, NorCal RITAA
Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, GBNF)
Steeve (in the middle)
Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs
Provided seed money for designing memorabilia to be given to sayas & sayamas attending SPZP-2000, commemorative T-shirts to the organizers and volunteers, and to raise fund by selling the surplus items.
Attended SPZPs in USA, Singapore and Yangon.
With Steeve Kay (Ko Thaung Sein, EC70)
Around 2019, he had medical problems. He could not travel far, but continued conducting his business & philanthropy from home.
Multiple projects to implement (including writing books), but he finally succumbed to Jara, Byadi & Marana.
May he rest in peace.
Best Friends Forever
69ers meet monthly for breakfast at Taw Win Hnin Sni (Royal Rose).
There was a pause during the pandemic. About 20 members passed away (mostly due to Covid).
Annual Dinner gatherings at Panda, M3 and U Aung Min’s former office in PWD compound
Celebrated Anniversaries in 1999, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
Pu Zaw Pwe in 2019Golden Jubilee of Graduation
They have gatherings to welcome 69ers from overseas. e.g. Daw Myint Myint (C69) hosted a lunch gathering at Kandawgyi Westin Park Hotel to welcome Daw Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie, T69).
During my visits, U Ohn Khine (M70) gave me rides to SPZP & HMEE-2012 meetings and selected 69er gatherings.
With 69ers and Ko Ohn Khine (M70)
SPZP-2016
Both the Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and the Alumni Reunion & Entertainment were held at the Gyogone Campus.
Free food was provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner to all attendees.
Kudos to the Organizers, Sponsors, Donors, Volunteers and Supporters for making SPZP-2000 unique & memorable.
At SPZP-2016
All Mech Gathering
U Thant Zin (M82, GBNF, son of Saya U Sein Shan) invited me to All-Mechanical Gathering held at Dolphin.
U Hla Win and Daw Mar Mar Yee were co-emcee at the event.
At All Mech Gathering
Sayas & Sayamas at SPZP
U Tin U, Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily), Daw Myint Myint Khaing at SPZP
U Tin U matriculated in 1946. He received BSCE from the University of Oregon and MSCE from Yale University. Upon his return, he taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department at the RU Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon. He is the most Senior Past Captain of RUBC. He is the oldest of nine siblings. Two younger brothers Saya U Ba Than (Gold Medalist in 1948) and Dr. Myo Tint (3rd in Burma in 1952 Matric exam) have passed away.
U Ba Than (Leftmost)
Daw Khin Swe Aye graduated with Physics Honors in 1962 along with Daw May Than Nwe (GBNF) and my elder sister Daw Khin Than Nwe. Sad to learn that she had vision impairment.
Daw Myint Myint Khaing is the daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khaing. She transcribed the interview tapes recorded by her spouse Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char, GBNF) for the book on Sayagyi U Ba Toke and his life journey. Sayagyi gave autographed copies of the book to U Ohn Khine and me. Sayagyi is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the First RU Students’ Strike in 1920. Sayagyi passed away on 2nd December 2020 (a few days short of his Centennial birthday).
Due to time & resource constraints, only a fraction of the materials could be described in the book “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”
CD Supplement
U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled references, articles in English and photos that were not covered in the book into a CD.
We attempted to cover as much historical data and articles as possible.
Materials for non-Burmese readers
Part 1 of the HMEE book was translated by U Ohn Khine (M 70). Saya Des Rodgers corrected the contextual and usage errors.
Part 2 is not a complete translation of the Burmese text. To avoid duplication of some materials (e.g. lengthy tables), we have chosen to present a summary & overview.
Archives from the SPZPs: SPZP-2000 (San Francisco), SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 (Singapore), and SPZP-2004 (Yangon)
Photo Albums
From ex-RIT web sites, RIT Alumni Facebook Pages, Sayagyi U Ba Than, Saya U Soe Paing and U Myo Myint (EC67)
History of the Engineering Departments
By Dr. Aung Gyi (Rector), U Min Wun (C), U Aung Khin (M), U Soe Khaw (Min), U Thit (Met), U Myo Myint Sein (A)
Selected Posts
Excerpts from “RIT Alumni International Newsletter Updates” from 1999 – 2012 by U Hla Min (EC 69)
Interviews
Saya U Tin U, Saya U Ba Than and Saya U Khin Aung Kyi gave interviews for HMEE-2012 project.
Proofreaders
Saya U Soe Paing, U Ohn Khine and I proof read HMEE-2012 and provided corrections (e.g. RIT Luyechun list did not contain 1965), but they was not enough time to do all the corrections.
HMEE projects
Saya U Aung Hla Tun is the leader for HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 Projects.
HMEE-2018 will cover revisions and extensions to HMEE-2012.
Due to the pandemic and Saya’s demise, HMEE-2018 is in limbo.
Matriculated from St. Albert’s High School, Maymyo in 1964.
Had a high ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) and was admitted to the first ever 1st BE as Roll Number One.
Selected RIT Luyechun for the 1965 Summer Camp at Inlay. His outspoken remarks about the Camp drew the ire of higher authorities.
Graduated with Electrical Power (EP) in 1970.
After working in the industry, he moved to the USA.
Studied Electronics in the USA
Added “Nawaday” to his name.
Several years ago, he shared his memories of RIT to the Google group of “the Combined Intake of 1st BE for 1964 and 1965”.
Ohn Khine (M70)
Ohn Khine
He matriculated from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay in 1964.
Took a combination of Science and Arts subjects and had good ILA score to be admitted to RIT.
Graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1970
Worked for Heavy Industries Corporation (HIC),
Created and maintained the the Google group of “the Combined Intake of 1st BE for 1964 and 1965”.
Volunteered for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016, HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and several RIT-related activities.
Gave me rides during my visits to Yangon.
Filled the missing pieces in Ko Zaw Min’s accounts.
Hla Min (EC69)
Hla Min (DTM)Hla Min (Pon Tu)
He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963. Stood 7th in Burma and received Collegiate Scholarship.
Finished Top in the Science Option of I.Sc.(A) examination
Admitted to the first ever 2nd BE in November 1964 as Roll Number One.
Selected Luyechun for the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the Summer of 1965
Graduated with Electrical Communications in 1969.
Started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in 1989 and have maintained it for 26 years.
Administrator or Moderator of selected Facebook pages.
Maintain web sites : hlamin.com & myanmar2021.wordpress.com
Had the honor to edit the draft versions “Memories by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) and Ko Ohn Khine (M70)”, which was first posted as Google Docs for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Published the edited document as a series of articles in “RIT Alumni Newsletter and Updates”.
Three Intakes in 1964
The new education system started in 1964. Eligible students were admitted to the 1st BE, 2nd BE and 3rd BE classes. They are also known as
Class of ’70 (1st BE Intake in 1964) : Matriculates were admitted using the ILA
Class of ’69 (2nd BE Intake in 1964) : Those who had passed I.Sc.(A) with Science Option were admitted in order of merit
Class of ’68 (3rd BE Intake in 1964) : Those who had passed I.Sc.(B) with Science Option were admitted in order of merit
The RIT Rector was U Yone Mo and the Registrar was U Soe Thein.
U Yone Mo
Class of ’70
It comprised of the first year intake students in 1964. There were 494 registered students, of which 67 were female. Most graduated in 1970. Some took sabbatical and graduated later. A few left RIT before graduation. The GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) list is maintained by Ko Ohn Khine & team.
The matriculates entered the first ever 1st BE classes. The ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) was used for the vetting of applicants. In the system, a score of 1 to 20 was assigned to map the marks for each subject. The ILA score (rather than the raw marks) was used to determine the eligibility of the students admitted to an institute.
Under the old education system, the matriculates had to attend I.Sc. (A) classes. There were restrictions on the subjects taken at Inter classes to be eligible for Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, etc. For example, one must pass the I.Sc. with at least 50 marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry to attend the 1st Year Engineering Classes (3rd BE in the new system).
Under the new education system, there were no restrictions on the subjects taken in Matriculation exam. As such, many students who passed Matriculation with combined Science and Arts subjects and even those with pure Arts subjects were able to attend RIT. For example, Ko Ohn Khine passed the Matriculation exam with the combination of Maths, Chemistry and Geography.
Class of ‘69
Most members matriculated in 1963. They attended I.Sc(A) with the Science Option : Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
Eligible students were admitted to 2nd BE in November 1964.
Most graduated in 1969. Some took Sabbatical and graduated later. A few left RIT before graduation. The GBNF list is maintained by Ko Aung Min (M69) & team.
Class of ‘68
Most matriculated in 1962. They attended I.Sc(A) and I.Sc(B) with the Science Option : Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
Eligible students were admitted to 3rd BE in November 1964.
Most graduated in 1968. Some took Sabbatical and graduated later. A few left RIT before graduation. There is no official maintainer for the GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) list.
The 1969 RIT Graduates Reunion was held in Rangoon/Yangon,
Burma/Myanmar on Saturday, 20 February 1999 at Sait-Teng-Kya Restaurant near Kandawgyi lake.
The idea was mooted three years ago when a few of us were having dinner together and thought of having a gathering in 1999. After that most of us have forgotten about the idea until around the end of November 1998 when a group of our friends led by Ko Yee Pinn (Tavoy), Ko Myint Maung (aka “Bu”, RIT Volleyball selected), Ko Shwe, Ko Win Lwin, etc. decided to have a grand re-union in February 1999. They also decided that to be more meaningful we should invite our Sayas to pay them respect as well and, hence, it became the reunion cum Saya-ga-daw-pwe.
On that very day the guest trickled in starting from about 4.00 p.m at the restaurant. The guests were required to fill in their names and contact numbers. The organizers promised to compile the name list and send to everybody who attended. By 6.00 p.m. about 30 Sayas and about 120 of our graduates were in the restaurant. The master-of-ceremony, Ko Win Lwin, announced the start of the ceremony.
The programme started off with a few speeches, led by Nyi Hla Nge, representing the graduates in Rangoon, followed by Danny, representing the graduates overseas, Sai Aung Win, representing graduates outside Rangoon and last but not the least, by Saya U Kyin Soe, representing all the Sayas.
After that we gave respect to the Sayas. All the Sayas were seated on the stage and all of us sat on the floor. Some gifts were distributed to the Sayas followed by photo taking session and then the sumptuous dinner began. About 9 to 10 dishes were served but, most of us were too excited to notice what we were eating. Halfway through the dinner some of us went up the stage and sang some songs for entertainment. Even all the ladies, led by Alice and Naw Mu Mu Aye were on the stage as well. The crowd went wild.
The party ended at about 9.30 p.m. with some of the graduates not so sober. It was indeed a memorable gathering and we all vowed to meet again in December 2000 at place and date to be announced early next year. Three cheers to the organizers and those who have one way or the other help in making this event a great success.
Some are unfortunate to lose one or both parents in their youth.
Some are fortunate to have one or both parents in their 90’s and beyond.
A few had a parent over 100.
Mother of Ivan Lee (M69)
Ivan is a Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2000 & SPZP-2007. He is an early supporter of the first RIT web site. He is a major donor for the 69er Health Care Fund.
He lost his father when he was young. His mother raised the children and also managed to stay healthy beyond the Century mark.
Ivan e-mailed us when his mother turned 100. It had the birthday card sent to his mother from the 43rd US President George W. Bush.
Ivan e-mailed again when his mother turned 101. It had the birthday card sent to his mother from the 44th US President Barack Obama.
We heard sad news from Ivan the following year. His mother passed away at the age of 102. She was alert until the final days. She played two hours of Mah Jong daily.
Let Oo Saya လက်ဦးဆရာ
I am fortunate to have parents who lived beyond 80, but not fortunate enough to have them around to see and appreciate my posts.
My Parents
My beloved mother
She lost her mom a few days after her birth. She made up for her loss by giving her metta (unbounded love) and cetana to the children and grandchildren. She kept a list of all the birthdays and anniversaries, and would be usually the first to wish. Even though she had maids, she would get up early & prepare breakfast for us. She also supervised the homework of her children, nephews and nieces.
I paid homage to her in my Newsletter & Updates for SPZP-2000.
My beloved father
My beloved father
He was a youth when he was given only three months more to live by the then best doctors in Rangoon. He had a Near Death Experience. His younger brothers cried thinking that he had died.
My dad told his brothers : “I was walking happily along a bund when a holy man stopped me and said, “Young man, you have to do sasana work. Do not go beyond this point.” Sensing that I was reluctant to end my walk, the man pushed me.”
Luckily, an indigenous medicine man named “Ga Doke Saya Gyi” treated my dad and even parted some of his medical knowledge.
He built pagodas starting with Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Pagoda (ဓာတ်ပေါင်းစုံအောင်မင်းခေါင်စေတီ). His photo hangs in the Hall along with his grandparents who who bought the land where the pagoda was built.
He also helped renovate pagodas.
I paid homage to him in my Newsletter & Updates for SPZP-2000.
My parents
My parents
During my school days, they gave me 25 pyas as pocket money. They wanted to make sure that I study hard. They would give bonus prizes only when I excelled in the exams.
They provided us :
Remington English typewriter
Olympia Burmese typewriter
Dictionaries
Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan (Encyclopedia)
Reader’s Digest Magazine & Books
Student’s Companion
A book for Idioms
Grammar : Wren and Martin
King’s English : Fowler & Fowler
How and Why
Fun with Mathematics
Classics Illustrated
Junior Classics Illustrated
Bedin : Saya Maukဆရာမောက်
Palmistry : Cheiro
History : Second World War
Sports equipment
Bicycle
Scooter
Car
My Myees
My beloved parents would have smiled to hear my grand daughter say, “Who’s your doctor? What happened?” after I returned from a clinic. She added, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. I love you.”
Two lovely grand children
She must have inherited the loving kindness of her great grand parents.
She won the Super Reader and Scholastic Achievement Awards. She loves Swimming, Soccer, Basketball, Singing, Playing music, Dancing and Painting.
My grand son is athletic. He plays competitive Soccer. He loves Cycling, Kung Fu, Basketball, Swimming, Piano and Video Games. He is sociable.
Poem and Song
I would like to share a poem and a variant of a song that I learnt in my youth.
Father (Poem)
Be kind to your father For when you were young Who loved you as friendly as he He caught the first accent That fell from your tongue And joined in the heavenly glee.
Be kind to your father For now he is old His hair intermingled with grey His footsteps are feeble Once fearless and bold Your father is passing away.
The version that we learned at school use archaic words like Thee, Thou, Thy and Locks. I have replaced them by the current usage : You, You, Your and Hair.
Mother (Song)
M is for the mercy she possesses O means only that she’s growing old T is for her tender sweet caresses H is for her heart of purest gold E means every thing she’s done to save me R means right and right she’ll always be
Put them all together They spell MOTHER A word that means a world to me.
M is for the million things she gave me O means that I owe her all I owe T is for the tears she shed to raise me H is for the hands that touch and hold E means every thing she taught me R means rare and special she’ll always be
Put them all together They spell MOTHER A word that means a world to me.
In some countries, there is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
For us, everyday is Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Parent’s Day.
Dear beloved parents, I’m sure you will be in the good abodes. I want to thank you for your unbounded love and for your belief “Every thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well”.
During our first and second years, we were wild eyed students, partially overwhelmed by the imposing buildings and the college level classes.
Our outlook changed when we started our third year. We felt we were experienced students who knew their way around. During the first month of the school year, we would sometimes cut classes to go to RASU. Ko Win Htut (C), Ko Kyaw Phone Myint (M), Ko Nyunt Mg San (C), Ko Myo Khin (C, one year senior), Ko Tin Aye (M) were in that group. In addition, our 64 intake group of Ko Kyaw Phone Myint (M), Ko Nyunt Mg San (C), Ko Phone Thwin (Mn), Ko Win Htut (C), teamed up with Ko Myo Khin (C), Ko Tin Nwe (C, GBNF), Ko Min Thaw (E, GBNF), Ko Win Htein (A, GBNF), Ko Chit Po Po (M, GBNF), Ko Htin Aung (C), from the one year senior group and we could be seen sitting in the pathway leading to U Tin Maung’s shop, talking and laughing loudly.
In addition, with my room mate that year in C block, Sai Aung San (Met), I even traveled to MC2 a couple of times during school hours. I gave that up since the distance to travel was very long and was not worth it to satisfy a fleeting interest. I also remember going to Prome hall with Sai Aung San to eat the Sa Dhu Dee Thar given there for Tazaungdaing. That was the only night male students could get inside the Hostel compound after 6pm. The compound held three women’s hostels, Tagaung, Prome and another hostel that I have forgotten the name of. Needless to say, we avoided the Tagaung Hall, where our sisters were staying.
Sai Aung San and I were both goalkeepers. He was RIT B selected during out first year. We took turns in minding goal in Inter Block games. By a strange coincidence, his sister and mine were room mates at Tagaung Hall that year.
One thing different about playing football in our third year was that I no longer trained hard to better myself. I was content to use my angle cutting skills to keep the score down. In one Inter Block game, I was tending goal for C Block. A player from the opposing team, a final year student, ran up to me after I had caught the ball and threw himself to the ground. I thought it was strange he would do that. After the game, Ko Naing Win (M, GBNF), who was watching the game, remarked to me that I had “hacked” the other man down viciously. Since he was watching from a distance, he had no way of knowing what really happened. I told Ko Naing Win I did not even touch the other guy and that he threw himself down. Only much later did I learn that the person who threw himself to the ground did it to show someone who was watching from G Hall what a bad person I was, hitting him viciously. I was quite dismayed some people would go to such lengths to discredit me.
In addition to the Inter Block competition, Inter Department competition was held. I tended goal for the Electrical Dept.. We played against Civil Dept. in the finals and lost 0-1. I still remember the goal I let in (my fault again). Ko Kyaw Htin (C67, Burma Youth and Universities selected), kicked in a free kick from about 18 yards. I didn’t even need to jump to get the ball. As I was catching the ball, Ko Myo Nyunt (C69, RIT selected), rushing in, yelled out to frighten me. Distracted for a split second, I dropped the ball and he tapped it into the net. After that debacle, I knew I did not possess the mental toughness, confidence and concentration needed to be a good goalkeeper. A couple of years later, when the Universities team was visiting Maymyo, Ko Soe Myint Lwin (EP 68) told me he will ask the Universities coach, Saya U Nyein, to let me be the goalkeeper for the game against the Maymyo Selected if I wanted to play. I told him I did not want to play. He asked me if I was afraid, and I remember telling him that I was. I just did not trust myself to play flawlessly after the game against the Civil Dept.
Track and Field
The only other RIT sponsored activity I took part in our third year was to participate as an EC on the Track & Field Association. Saya Mr Num Kok (C) was the president and Ko Henry Khin Mg Lay (T68, nickname “Kywe Gyi”) was the secretary. The good thing about being in that T&F association was that Ko Henry liked to have meetings, which were held at Mr Num Kok’s residence and Mrs Num Kok would serve great cookies, which we greatly enjoyed eating. Being an EC member, I got to sit in the RIT tent at the annual Inter Institute Track & Field meet.
Sai Thein Maung (C) got golds in 100 meters and Hop Step and Jump. Helen Pershad (Ch 72, younger sister of Ma Tin Tin Nwe (Ch)), got the first ever women’s gold medal for RIT in the ladies high jump competition. Watching the women’s high jump, we could not help noticing a beautiful student from the Institute of Education among the participants. She was Marjorie Duncan, later to become Mrs U Win Mra. Ko Oo Myint (Mn) and Ko Aung Gyi Shwe (Ep, one year senior), got silver medals in Javelin and 200m respectively.
Time outside RIT
Third year also meant spending more time outside RIT. I remember going to Hnin Si Gone Bo Bwar Yeiktha နှင်းဆီကုန်းဘိုးဘွားရိပ်သာ fun fair with Ko Myo Khin (C, senior to us in 1964), and Ko Nyunt Mg San (C), stopping by at the stall ran by Ma Than Than Yi (T71). I believe Ma Than Than Yi’s parents (“Han Tha Aye ဟံသာအေး Nylon”) were the principal sponsors of that event.
Sometimes, I would go to Ko Nyunt Mg San’s house in Inya Myaing on weekends and his mother would prepare lunch for us. Ko Nyunt Mg San’s mother, Daw Daw Nyunt, was a classmate of my mother at the Mandalay ABM school back in their high school days (late 1920s). Knowing I loved Hta Ma Nae, Ko Nyunt Mg San would bring it to RIT for me to eat whenever Hta Ma Nae ထမနှဲ was made in his home. Ko Nyunt Mg San accompanied me to Maymyo on one of the holiday school closures but I do not remember which year that happened.
Summer Training
We all started summer training after the half yearly exams in March. It was decision time for me. Since summer training was a requirement for graduating from RIT, I had to submit my resignation from UTC. It was the first of many decisions I had to make regarding what I would have loved to do, and what I really had to do for practical reasons.
I believe Ko Han Tha Myint was with us when we opted to go to the Post and Telecom for our training. We were first sent to the P & T storage facility at Botahtaung, next to the main exchange at Pansodan and then to the long distance interface exchange in Maung Taw Lay Lan. Lastly, we had to go to the wireless relay station in Toe Gyaun Gale. The bad thing about going there was once we got there, the train back to the central Yangon station did not come until about 3.30pm
Kauk Yoe Mee
I also had another of my Kauk Yoe Mee ကောက်ရိုးမိုး projects in our third year. I took lessons in playing the Myanmar Guitar. I was so impressed by the way Ko “Guitar” Than Myint (M) played the Myanmar Guitar that I signed up for lessons taught by Guitar Ko Mya Gyi in Myenigone. After 5 months, Ko Mya Gyi’s assessment of me was “rough player”. I had tried to do something I did not have the aptitude for. I didn’t even know how to distinguish a note so that I did not know whether my guitar needed tuning or not.
Football Competition at Aung San Stadium
All of us had something to cheer for when we went to Aung San Stadium in May 1967 for the finals of the Opening Cup competition. The finalists were Universities and P&T. Universities team won 1-0, the winning goal being scored by John Tint (M72, Universities and Burma Youth Selected). John Tint entered RIT as a Mechanical engineering student in October 1966.
After the Final Exams
After the final exams, I took a trip to Rakkhine with Ko Sein Win (EC) and Ko Han Thar Myint (EC).
After coming back from the Rakkhine trip, Ko Kyaw Phone Myint (M), Ko Nyunt Mg San (C) and Ko Han Kyu Pe (A, GBNF), came with me to visit Maymyo. Arriving in Mandalay, I found that my father’s Say Gan ဆေးခန်း was locked, and we decided to go and spend the night at Ko Ye Myint’s (EP, 65 intake) home at the Mandalay University compound. Ko Ye Myint (EP) is Sayagyi U Ba Toke’s son. His mother, Sayagadaw Aunty Khin, was very kind and welcomed us warmly. The next day, we picked up my brother’s car (which was stored at my father’s place), and with Ko Win Htut (C) we went to the Sagaing hills.
A funny incident happened while we were exploring Oo Min Chauk Sae in the Sagaing hills. Ko Win Htut yelled out in fright while we were going into the pitch dark man made caves, thinking he met a “Tha Ye သရဲ”. Turned out to be Ko Kyaw Phone Myint who had entered from another entrance. Ko Win Htut treated us to lunch at his parent’s house, which was just around the corner from my father’s Say Gan. Ko Win Htut drove us to Maymyo in my brother’s car since I did not have a driver’s license at that time. Ko Win Htut stayed at his parent’s Maymyo house, which was about 10 minutes walk from my house. The rest of my friends stayed with me at my house. I had been taught how to drive by our driver in my high school days, using the army jeep while my father wasn’t looking. Apart from that, I had no experience in driving. Ko Kyaw Phone Myint showed me some fine points about driving during his stay in Maymyo.
We spent time going around Maymyo. I remember going to Anisakan အနီးစခန်း Falls, about 7 miles outside the city limits, where you had to go down a gorge for about 800 feet to reach the mid section of the waterfalls. Anisakan was not just one waterfall. It was a series of waterfalls, some low, some high. By going down 800 feet, following a mountain footpath, we had arrived at the middle of the series of waterfalls. We tried to follow the waterfalls upwards by wading through the rushing waters and climbing up the falls against the current. We gave no thought to the fact that had we lost our footing, we could be swept down the waterfalls. Luckily, we reached a fall that was too steep to climb and we had to turn back. The things we did in those days, I would not do now even if I get the chance to do again.
Fourth BE (1967 – 68)
We felt we were veteran students when we entered the fourth year classes. After all, if we had been at RASU, that would have been the final year.
We had Sayagyi U Ba Than for “Strength of Materials”. Back in our third year, we had all been “stressed” and “strained” by this subject. After listening to Sayagyi U Ba Than’s first lecture, we knew we had nothing to be afraid of. Sayagyi U Ba Than had a unique way of teaching. He would go through the text book, word by word, and explained everything slowly and calmly in very clear terms. If I have to vote for the best lecturer at RIT during our days, Sayagyi U Ba Than has my vote. I have no doubt all the Sayas and Sayamas taught with Cetana in their hearts. Perhaps it was due to our inattentiveness or lack of some fundamental understanding that prevented us from fully understanding what was being taught. With Sayagyi U Ba Than, for some reason, everything he taught registered in our minds.
Saya U Maung Maungg Win (M) and Saya U Soe Paing (E) were two other Sayas that were also excellent teachers (in my opinion). Of course there may have been other Sayas in other disciplines that were excellent teachers but I have no way of knowing.
Years later, after I got married, I was told about the kind “Uncle Gwan” that lived next door to my wife’s house in Windermere. My wife told me her parents bought that house from “Uncle Gwan”. Imagine my surprise when I found out that “Uncle Gwan” was Sayagyi U Ba Than. Many years later, in the USA, I met and became very good friends with Sayagyi U Ba Than’s younger brothers, U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Myo Min (B.Com, Chartered Accountant, former Manager at UCC). U Myo Min is married to Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Mg (English), who turned out to be my wife’s classmate since Kindergarten at St John’s Convent. U Tin Htoon (A60) mentioned to me he had designed the house that my In-Laws bought from Sayagyi U Ba Than.
Tazaungdaing
I was the Ah Saung Athwin Ye Hmu အဆောင်အတွင်းရေးမှူး for C and D blocks for that year. A decision was made to have a “Sa Dhu Dee Tha စတုဒီသာ” for Tazaungdaing. We wanted to have it done near the RASU campus in Kamayut (in order to attract students from other Institutes), but the final decision came down with the Shwe Dagon Phaya Yin Pyin Daw as the venue. Ko Tha Htay (M), Ko Aung Min (Ch) and I took care of asking for donations from the hostel students.
Ko Kyaw Win Maung (Ch) worked hard to ensure things get done in the Paun Mont Ohn Noe San ပေါင်မုန့်အုန်ူနို့စမ်း preparation. I don’t know the details so I hope Ko Kyaw Win Maung (Ch) will write about them. Ma Tin Tin Hla (A) took charge of buying the coconuts, with Ko Mg Mg Swe (M) showing the way (using the RIT truck) to the market that sells coconuts wholesale. After the Sa Dhu Dee Tha, we spent the night on the Phaya Yin Pyin and waited for the Ma Tho Thin Gan မသိုးသင်္ဃန်း to be presented to the Sangha သံဃာ
Need Anger Management?
The next day, I did something that I regret doing to this day. I got physical with a student from the 2nd yr class. He was putting up a cartoon critical about the behavior of some student volunteers that worked at the previous night’s event. I did something I should never have done, hitting that student with my fists. I was totally wrong to do this sort of thing. If I have the chance to redo things in my life again, this is one thing I would have liked to correct. But, unfortunately, what’s done is done and the past can never be undone. The Registrar, Saya U Hla, was very understanding, and called a meeting of both parties in his meeting room. Our 64 intake students sat down with the 66 intake students, with Saya U Hla and Sayagyi Dr Aung Gyi (C) mediating and resolving the issue. Sayagyi Dr Aung Gyi told me to count to 100 the next time I got angry so that my anger would die down. Unfortunately, that would not have worked with me. I had waited over 2 hours to get my hands on the person responsible for the cartoons. My problem being that once I set my mind to do something, I would do it regardless of the consequences, and even if I had to wait a long time to do so.
This incident came back to haunt me 3 years later when I was about to get married. My wife’s father, a retired Dy. I. G. of Police, asked for a police report on me from his former colleagues in the police force. This incident was mentioned in that report. My wife’s mother, after reading the police report, asked her daughter to call off the wedding. Fortunately (or unfortunately), my wife had the habit of doing the exact opposite of what her mother wished, and went through with her wedding plans.
MAKE RIT BEAUTIFUL
I had another of my Kauk Yoe Mee projects that year. Using my position as Ah Saung Ahtwin Ye Hmu for C and D blocks, I initiated a “make RIT beautiful” drive. With Ko Phone Thwin (Mn), Ko Aung Min (Ch) and others, we started by cleaning up the grass near the pedestrian entrance to RIT from the BPI bus stop. Saya U Myo Win (Agri) came with his tractor and cut down the heavy foliage all the way to the sheds, L1 to L4. Sayagyi U Yone Moe came out to talk to us and mentioned he did not like the way the cactuses that were already growing in the big lawn in front of the Hostels had been planted, since they were not planted uniformly.
Here, I made a mistake. Ko Aung Min (Ch) advised that we should think about planting more cactuses rather than remove the ones that seemed to be planted oddly out of place. I did not take his good advice and tried to remove a cactus tree. I found out the hard way why these plants grow even in desert conditions. It was next to impossible to remove them. So, instead of making RIT beautiful, I created an eye sore by mutilating one of the cactuses.
Pardon My Memory
I do not remember whether the following took place during our fourth year or fifth year. The Inter Institute football tournament was held to include Institutes, Universities and Colleges from the whole country. RIT faced RASU in the semi finals. This competition was held during the summer recess so that not many students were aware of the games.The semi final game was held in Aung San stadium. RIT was the better team, with Ko Khin Mg Shwe on the front left wing, Ko Win Zaw (A), right blender, Sai Thein Maung (C) the goalkeeper and Ko Myint Sein (M), outer right back. Ko Win Zaw thrilled the crowd with his runs down the center of the field. He looked exciting as he ran with the ball, dribbling past opposing players. At times, it seemed no one could stop him. I have no doubt Ko Win Zaw would have been a great Universities selected player had he gone and practiced at the Universities football field under the Universities coach Saya U Nyein. I believe Ko Win Zaw only wanted to play for RIT and did not go. The score was tied 2-2 at full time and the outcome was decided by tossing the coin. Unfortunately, RIT lost the toss and RASU advanced to the finals. In addition, Ko Khin Mg Shwe got a broken rib when a RASU player jumped up and “Knee-ed” him during the match. Going back to RIT, Sayagyi U Maung Maung Than kindly allowed us to ride with the football team on the Hino bus (Sin Phyu Daw Hmee, Kyan Sote).
Electrical Association
Ko La Min (EP) was the secretary of the Electrical association that year. I was an EC member. One day, Ko La Min told me he had been asked by Saya U Moe Aung to publish the Electrical magazine. He asked me to speak out against doing the publication. At the meeting, I argued against publishing the magazine. Saya U Sein Win and Saya U Moe Aung spoke for publishing the magazine. A vote was called for. Only I and Ko Ye Myint (EP, 65 intake) were against it. We lost the vote.
A couple of months later, I asked Ko La Min when the magazine will come out. He said “Never” and told me what he did. He insisted on having his room number as the place where articles can be submitted on the announcement, in addition to Saya U Moe Aung’s room. He put away all, but two of the articles, under his bed. When Saya U Moe Aung asked him for the submitted articles, he showed Saya U Moe Aung only the two he did not throw away under his bed. You cannot publish a magazine with two articles only so that was the end of the Electrical magazine.
Summer Training
For summer training in our fourth year at RIT, I went to the small appliance manufacture and repair departments of the small scale industries. Ko La Min (EP) was with me. At the assembly plant of “Sein” radio in Pazundaung, we were asked to solder the circuit boards for the radios.
For the second part of the training program, we were assigned to the small appliance repair shop located on either Merchant St or Anawratha St, near 38th street. Here, we were shown how to test the electric irons that were sent there for repairs. After a week, the supervisor there told us that although he appreciated our work, he wished we would never get posted to his department after we graduate, since we “worked too hard”.
Research Congress
Summer time also meant attending the “Research Congress” held in the RASU campus. Not that we were interested in any engineering research. Our main interest were the papers presented by well known writers of that era, like Thetkatho Phone Naing.
Don’t even think for a minute that we had any literary interests. Our attention was on the large number of the fairer sex that were listening at those meetings.
Sayas’ Football Team
We also had a football match between the Ah Zaung Thar Yar Ye Athin and the Saya’s team. I did not tend the goal for this match and played in midfield instead. I did something I was not proud of in this game. Sayagyi Dr Aung Gyi and I were running for the ball. Sayagyi was surprisingly swift and beat me to the ball. My animal instincts took over and I pushed Sayagyi to the ground and took the ball away. Sorry, Sayagyi. I know I shouldn’t have done that. I acted really bad that time.
The winning goal was scored by Ko Aung Min (Ch) from a ball I pushed forward. To the onlooker from a distance, it might seem that I passed forward for Ko Aung Min to score. In actual fact, I was taking a shot at goal, the ball fell short and got stuck in the mud. Ko Aung Min was nearby to take advantage of the situation and kicked in the winning goal.
Mathematics Association
Another activity I was involved was as secretary of the Maths Association. The only thing we did was to have a Hoa Pyor Pwe. I don’t remember who the guest speaker was. The only thing I remember is that I had to go and get the Zee Pyaw Ye concentrate and ice for the attendees.
Russian Language Class
During summer training, either in our fourth year or fifth year, Ko Myo Khin (C, one year senior in 64), and I took lessons in Russian language at the Leik Khone in the evenings. Mrs Marinsky was the instructor. Except for a few words of Russian, I don’t remember much except for the song “Sol Nich Nay Druk”.
After the Finals
After the final exams in our 4th year, I took the “Ah Myan” train back to Mandalay. The train started out from Yangon Central Station at 6am and arrived in Mandalay at 6pm. It was like traveling in an RIT train, since a lot of our fellow RIT students were on it. I had the habit of never letting my parents know when I was coming back. I was prepared to find my way around when I got to Mandalay. Since I did not tell my father I was coming, when I went to his Say Gan on 84th St (Zeygyo) near 32nd St, I found the door locked from the outside. It was about 6.30pm and starting to get dark so I decided to go and spent the night at Ko Ye Myint’s (EP, 65 intake) parents’ house in the Mandalay University compound. I jumped into a “Side Car” for the ride to the Mandalay University compound that cost me 3 Kyats. Ko Ye Myint was not at home when I got to his house, but Sayagadaw Aunty Khin warmly welcomed me and made me feel at home. The next day, I took my brother’s car that was in my father’s Say Gan garage and drove to Maymyo.
Fifth BE (1968 – 69)
After the fourth year, it was decision time for us again. We could either take Electrical Communications (EC) or Electrical Power (EP).
My heart said Communications but my brain decided for Power. Employment opportunities for communications graduates were limited so I decided to do what should be done, rather than what I wanted to do. I had to wait another 12 years before I could do what I wanted to do, take Electronics when I continued my studies in the USA.
I was surprised to learn that someone else did the opposite. I met Ko Henry Khoo (EC 67) while attending the mini reunion hosted by Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70), in December 2011. He had taken the opposite path. He took Electrical Communications at RIT and changed to Electrical Power when he came to USA.
Activities
When the fifth year started, I decided not to get too involved in activities at RIT. Still, I remained as the Secretary of Maths Association at the request of Saya U Sein Shan (GBNF).
One day, Ko Win Zaw (A) reminded me to attend the meeting for the formation of the RIT football association for that year. At the meeting, both Ko Win Zaw (A) and Sai Thein Maung (C) urged me the to be the secretary. The only thing I remember doing as secretary of the RIT football association for our 5th year at RIT was to go around the hostels, asking for donations. RIT had opted to participate in the Insein Township football competition and money was needed to provided transportation for the students to Ywama Stadium from RIT Hostels. Since there was an important game, we had to solicit donations from the students and rented 6 Dodge Jeeps from the Insein-Danyingone Bus Line. After the game, we found that there were only 4 Dodge Jeeps waiting at Ywama Stadium to take us back to RIT. I don’t remember what team RIT played against. I can only recall that RIT lost.
I started two other activities that took me outside RIT. One was to go to the University swimming pool in Kamayut a couple of times a week, with Ko Win Thein (EP) GBNF, Ko Tin Win (EP) and Ko Than Lwin (EP).
Water Polo Match
We also watched RIT play against the Inst. of Medicine 1 in the Water Polo competition. We were loud and boisterous as usual, filling the air with derogatory comments about the Inst. of Medicine. Ko Htein Win (M, nickname Chauk Pe), tended goal for RIT at the shallow end. Ko Win Aung (M) played in the forward position. After RIT scored the first goal, Ko Myo Khin (C, one year senior in 64), jumped into the swimming pool fully clothed. (He was told to get out of the water immediately). But our joy was short lived. At the change of ends after 15 minutes of play, Aung Tun Oo (a) George Htoon Pay (M, 65 intake), took over as deep end goalkeeper for RIT. Inst. of Medicine scored 7 goals against RIT in a space of 15 minutes, Since RIT was losing badly, we stopped yelling bad things about the Inst. of Medicine, but we did not totally shut up. Ko Myo Khin (C) noticed the Saya U Hlaing, the sports- in – charge from the Inst. of Education, was sitting improperly across that pool and his private part was showing. Ko Myo Khin (C) told us to yell “Ha Bac Ko Aing Luu, Ah Htaw Ma Tine, Gor Pwae”. U Hlaing got the message after we had shouted out twice.
Rowing
Another activity that I undertook was to go to the University Boat club. The RIT Rowing Association had Saya U Thein Dan (C) as President and Ko Aung Lwin (Jasper Wu, C), as the Secretary. Saya U Thein Aung (Mickey Tan, Physics, RASU), took care of most things at the Boat club. We formed a novice crew. Ko La Min (EP) was our cox. I was in the Stroke position, Ko Zaw Win (Ch) was No 2, Ko Yit Moe (C, 65 intake), was No 3 and Ko Than Htun Aung (Ch) was in the Bow position. Ko Aung Lwin guided all of us through the steps at the Boat club. As novices, we were only allowed to row wooden tubs. The only race we won was by default when the other crew did not have enough men to compete in the heats for the annual Regatta. We lost the semi-final race against a team from RASU and did not get the chance to participate on Regatta day.
On Regatta day, George Htoon Pay (M, 65 intake), won the single sculls competition. Ko Aung Lwin (C) and another person won the coxless pairs competition. There was also a female novice crew from RIT. Ma Myint Myint Sein’s (M) younger sister, Aye Aye Than (nickname Pauk Pauk) headed that crew of 66 intake students. We used to travel together from RIT to the Boat Club and back.
Ma Pauk Pauk and her daughter stayed overnight at our house in New York (around 1998) when they came for a visit from England (where they were living). Actually, they visited Washington DC first, and Ma Lei Lei Myaing (T, my wife’s classmate from St John’s convent), brought them to our house when they visited New York city.
Cross Lake Swimming
Going to the RUBC almost daily meant I was around when the 2000 meter cross lake swimming eet was held. About 30 to 40 swimmers from RIT took part. Saya U Hla Myint (Charlie, M65) as President of the RIT Swimming Association, was the organizer and supervisor of the event. Non-participants like us, took to the water in flat bottom paddle boats and rowed on the sides of the swimmers, ready to give aid if needed. I was with Ko Win Thein (EP, GBNF) and another person for the event held in our 5th year. We followed the swimmers to Dubern beach and paddled back.
Cross Lake in Final Year
For the event held in our Final year at RIT, which was won by Ko Wunna Sithu (EC71), I was in the paddle boat with Ko Ye Myint (EP) and Ko Mg Latt (M) both 65 intakes. None of us knew how to steer a paddle boat, but we blushed it off as no big deal. We would somehow make it across the water to Dubern beach. Easier said than done. We found ourselves going around in circles in the middle of Inya lake, listening to the laughter and jeers of the people looking at us from the Boat club. Finally, I asked the other two not to paddle and slowly paddled and guided the boat to Dubern beach. We arrived at Dubern beach after the last swimmer had gone ashore. Luck was with us as there was a person who was taking care of getting the boats back to the other side of the lake and we gladly let him take it.
I remember meeting Daw Tin May, wife of the late Sayagyi U Ba Kyi, nationally well known artist and Saya, as we walked up Dubern beach. She was there since her house was being built there at that time. After Ko Ye Myint introduced me to her, I remember her comment “Thi Par Dae, Ah Chaw Myo Tway Bae”.
RIT Magazine
A committee was formed at RIT for the publishing of the RIT Magazine. I was in the sub committee led by Saya U Win Kyaing. Our sub committee was assigned to take care of advertisements. Saya U Win Kyaing decided we should ask for advertisements from foreign embassies. I remember going in Saya U Win Kyaing’s car into the North Korean consulate compound and being ushered out quickly.The only embassy interested in putting an advertisement was the West German embassy. We talked to their cultural secretary and he cut out a cheque for 100 Kyats as payment for the advertisement. Saya U Win Kyaing later told us that he had been instructed not to take advertisements from foreign embassies and we had to send the cheque back.
Saya U Tein Kyi asked us to come to his house (on Attia Road) on weekends so that he may give us submitted articles for us to edit. One article I edited was “Sabe Hna Pwint Hta Yan Kar”, which I found to be very well written with a great story line. That article won the best fiction article award.
When the printing started, I had to go to Pazaundaung in the evenings to check on the progress and edit sample runs of the RIT Magazine for errors. We took turns going there, and as far as I can remember, there were always two of us paired to work together. I might have been paired with Ko Kyaw Win Maung (Ch) but I am not certain.
Ko Cho Aye
At the end of our 4th year at RIT, Ko Cho Aye (M, GBNF) and I agreed to submit as room mates for the 5th year. When the 5th year started, we were on the 3rd floor of D block, facing C Block. Even though we were in different disciplines, Electrical for me and Mechanical for Ko Cho Aye, we still had classes in common. Advance Calculus, Industrial Management and Fluid Mechanics were common to both of us. Saya U Tin Htut taught Industrial Management and I still remember the “Critical Path Method” he taught.
Summer Training
For summer training in our 5th year, we went to ESB. Ko Khin Mg Shwe (EP) and Ko Pyi Soe (EP) were with me. We had to accompany the crews that were sent out on calls at first. Later, we were sent to the Ywama Power Station. At the Ywama Power Station, they had a program ready for us, detailing what we should be taught on each day.
Maymyo
After the summer training was over, I went back to Maymyo. Ko Phone Thwin (Mn), showed up in Maymyo as guest of Ko Win Htut (C). Since Ko Win Htut’s parents’ Maymyo house was quite near to mine, I remember spending time in the evenings, sitting on a little bridge over a stream near Ko Win Htut’s house. with Ko Phone Thwin (Mn) and Ko Win Htut (C) .
One evening, while we were sitting there, a man passed by on a bicycle and called out Ko Phone Thwin’s name. I asked Ko Phone Thwin who he was and was told that this person had been with our 64 batch at RIT and left to attend DSA after the first half of the year. Ko Phone Thwin probably remembers who that person was.
Final Exams and After the Finals
The final exams for the 5th year were held earlier than usual, in August. The reason being that efforts were been made to move the start of the school year to June from November.
After the finals, I went back home. Ko Aye Win Hlaing (EP, 65 intake), came to stay with me for a little while. Ko Ye Myint (EP, 65 intake), who was always with me during holidays, could not come anymore since his father, Sayagyi U Ba Toke, had transferred to RIT on his own volition from his previous position as Rector of Mandalay University.
First HSF Only exam in 1962; Those from Rangoon had to take exams in March & August
Matric Only exam in 1963; My older brother entered Yankin College in 1957 after passing 9th Std (HSF & Matric) exam.
Attended last ever I.Sc(A)
Admitted to 2nd BE in Nov 1964
Graduated with BE (a few with BArch) in 1969
Long After Graduation
First major Reunion in 1999
Anniversary Reunions in 2009, 2014 and 2019
Except for pause during pandemic, Monthly Breakfast Gathering (usually at Taw Win Hnin Si)
Jara, Byadi & Marana
Over 40% are GBNF
Remaining 69ers try to be active physically, mentally & spiritually.
Two are Sayadaws: Ashin Ukkamsa & Ashin Pannagavesaka
Many hosted and/or attended Monthly Breakfast Gatherings.
One gathering had a record of nine hosts.
Gifts — 69er towel, 69er mug, 69er cap, 69er hat, 69er pen, medicine — are given at selected gatherings; Albert & company gave out towels; Millie was represented by her cousin; Kyaw Zin was represented by his elder daughter; Fred gave some gifts via 69ers that visited USA (e.g Kyaw Nyunt)
69er mug69er cap69er cap
Some donated and/ or joined virtually (via Zoom or Messenger).
Will go on Sharing & Charing
until the Last 69er
The following gives an account of 69ers & their gatherings.
Need input, feedback & suggestions to have a comprehensive album.
Donors & Volunteers
Aung Min (M) is Chair of 69er Health Care Fund. He & his team organized 69er events. They have updated Contact List several times.
Aung Min (Right)
Myint Myint, Ivan & Sein Myint are major donors. Others (e.g Mehm Aye Chan) make recurring and lump sum donations.
Myint MyintIvan (Right)Sein Myint (2nd from Right)
There are many unsung heros. Despite having limitations due to an injury at work, Ko Shwe drove long distance to collect donations.
Ko Shwe (3rd from Left)
Others visited 69ers in hospitals & homes (e.g to aid health care or offer Kutho donation).
1964 – 65
About 320 were admitted to 2nd BE in Nov 1964
Most graduated in 1969.
Luyechun program started in 1964 for high school & middle school. The program was expanded in 1965 for Universities & Institutes.
2nd BE (1964 – 65)LYC (Summer of 65)
See also
From BIT to YTU
Luyechun
Memories of a 69er
RIT Days
1966 – 69
Tennis
Inter-Institute Trophy winners
Kyaw Nyunt (M, GBNF)
Than Htay (EE)
…
RIT TennisKyaw Nyunt (2nd from Left)
Badminton
Inter-Institute Trophy winners
Sai Kham Pan (EP) : Burma Selected
Bishnu (EP, GBNF)
Myint Sein (M, GBNF)
…
RIT Badminton 1RIT Badminton 2Sai Kham Pan
Track & Field
Aung Gyi Shwe (EP, GBNF) : Secretary
Margaret (Khin Than Myint Tin)
Myo Nyunt (C) : Joint Secretary — for Henry Khin Maung Lay (T68)
…
Aung Gyi Shwe (Standing Left)Myo Nyunt
Swimming & Water Polo
Htay Aung (M) : Burma Selected; Fifth SEAP Games
Hla Kyaing (M)
Han Sein (C, GBNF)
Jimmy Kyin (T, GBNF)
Sein Myint (EP)
Swan Kong (?)
Win Maung (Lake)
Moe Hein (ChE)
…
Htay AungRIT Crosslake Swimmers
Rowing
Chit Po Po (M, GBNF)
Hla Min (EC) : Treasurer & Vice Captain of RUBC
Sein Myint (EP)
Win Maung (Lake)
Win Naing (Dicky, M, GBNF) : recruited David, Fred, Ohn Mg & Sein Tun
…
Chit Po PoWin Naing (Dicky)Sein Myint, Hla Min, Tin Myint
Table Tennis
Tin Myint (John, M, GBNF) : also Luyechun for 4th BE
Aung Myint (Pet) : Kyant Ba Hone (Cartoon); Tech & Edu Notes
Taing Oke : Yin Maung; National Literary Award
Tin Htut (Harry, M) : Mon Yu
Win Thein Zaw : Wai Lu
…
Kyant Wai Lu
69ers at Inya
Nay Win, Yee Pin, Khin Mg Gyi & Chit Po Po are GBNF
69ers at Inya
See also
Activities
Celebrations
Publications
RIT & Burma Selected
Sports
EE69
See post with annotations by Thein Swe (GBNF, Luyechun for 3rd BE) & me
EE69Ko Shwe (L), Thein Swe (R)
Graduates
Mostly Mech
Aung Thu Yein (E), Kyaw Than (Met?), Nay Win (M), Khin Maung Gyi (M) & Toby (A) are some of the GBNF
Most worked for government and industry. Some joined the Faculty. A few worked for private & family business. Some went overseas.
GradsA69
See also
69er — Memories
Then & Now
How Time Flies
1970 – 1998
There were no formal Reunions.
Most were busy with their work and family.
In the mid 1990s, Danny discussed with some friends about a 69er Reunion.
1999
30th Anniversary of Graduation; See Danny’s post about the event
I started “RIT Alumni Newsletter”; See my posts
Newsletter
2000
First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) in the SF Bay Area : Oct 29 – 30, 2000 ; See posts about SPZP-2000
I was an Organizer & Chief Editor of the special issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”
(First) Alumni Appreciation Award received at SPZP-2000; Also given to KMZ (webmaster) & Maurice (core organizer)
Tint Lwin (Danny, M), Tin Myint (John, M), Lyo Kyin Sein (Mabel, T), Mg Toung (Tom, EC) & Myo Khin (C) attended SPZP-2000. Danny came from Singapore. John & Mabel live in Union City, California. Tom came from Connecticut. Myo Khin & Winsome (C73) came from Japan.
SPZP-2000 OrganizersSPZP-2000 attendees
2009
40th Anniversary of Graduation; See post for the event
Group photos : Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Textile, Chemical
ElectricalMechCivilTextile & Chemical
2014
50th Anniversary of RIT; See post about the event
Pseudo Golden Jubilee for 69ers
GJ of Admission
2015
Myint Myint (C) hosted a Welcome Lunch Gathering at Western Park for Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie, T)
Welcome Millie in 2015
Six 69ers at Ivan’s house. Ivan hosted annual RIT-UCC gathering for over a decade. Eventually, MASTAA was established with Ivan as CEO.
2016
(Second) Alumni Appreciation Award at the Birthday Soon Kyway Gathering in August; Organized by Maurice Chee (M75); Most attendees from California
Award 1
(Third) Appreciation Award at NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner in September
Award 2
SPZP-2016
Gathering — Welcome Sein Myint & me; Farewell to Tint Lwin
Gathering
2017
Monthly Gatherings
Ad hoc Gatherings
Annual Gathering
BFG 1
2018
Monthly Gatherings
Ad hoc Gatherings
Annual Gatheting
BFG 2017BFG 2018
2019
Golden Jubilee of Graduation
Home coming for Tin Tin (Ann)
GJ
2020 – 2021
SPZP-2000 canceled due to Pandemic
Several 69ers & family members succumbed to Covid
Gatherings put on hold
2022
December
Tin Shwe
2023
August
September 2023
အလှူရှင်
ဦးငွေထွန်း၊
ဦးတင်ရှိန်၊
ဦးသန်းဝင်း၊
ဦးချမ်းငြိမ်း၊
ဒေါ်ခင်သန်းမြင့်တင်၊
ဦးစောမြင့်နိုင်၊
ဦးဖေဟန်ထွန်း
U Zaw Win (Thailand)
Albert Kyaw Min
Dear RIT 69++friends
ဖိတ်ကြားအပ်ပါတယ်
September breakfast gathering သို့ မပျက်မကွက် ကြွရောက်ကြပါခင်ဗျား။
USA hosted the FirstRIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
The Celebrations kicked off with an Informal “Welcome” Dinner / Gathering” at a Sea Food Restaurant. The Main event was the Reunion and SPZP at Embassy Suites Hotel near San Francisco International Airport. The Family event was the “Farewell” Lunch / Gathering at a High School.
Donors
Saya Allen Htay‘s article, “Can you spare US$500 and more?” was a major factor for having Donors — large and small — for SPZP-2000.
There were Five Golden Sponsors. Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California) Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70, Northern California) Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey) David Ko (U Tin Myint, GBNF, M67, Northern California) U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
SPZP-2000 Organizers
U 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 (Yu Beng, Mech 70), Saya KC Chiu (Dr. Tin Aung, Chem 63), U Hla Min (EC 69) Editor Extraordinaire, Saya U Allen Htay (GBNF, Civil 58), Saya U Nyo Win (Dr. K H Chen, Mech 65), Saya U Tin Htut (Mech 60), Saya U Maung Maung (George, Chem 66), Daw San San Nyunt (Sandra, Mrs. Thein Aung, Mech 76)
Standing L-R: U Soe Aung (Mech 75), U Gordan Kaung (Kaung Kaung Oo, Mech 83), U Myint Swe (EP 74), U Anthony Ng (Aye Tun, Mech 76), U Mya Thwin (Phillip, EP 75), U Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, Mech 75), U Thura Thant Zin (Mech 76), Sayalay U Thein Aung (James, Met 72), U Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, GBNF, Civil 63), U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76), Daw Yi Yi Khaing (Audrey Wong, Civil 84), Daw San SanSwe (Mrs Myint Swe, EC74)
All of them, except KMZ, live in various cities across Northern and Southern California. KMZ lives in a city near Seattle, Washington State.
Publications
The Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” was published for SPZP-2000. I served as Chief Editor. Henry Lim (U Aung Myint, BAPS) and U Thein Aung (Met72) volunteered as Associate Editors. Maurice Chee (M75) served as Publisher (in addition to being Co-Chair, Working Committee; Financial Controller; Logistics Head)
It featured articles by Sayas and Alumni.
My poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” was published in the Newsletter as well as in the ex-RIT website (designed and implemented by U Khin Maung Zaw). Several sayas and alumni contributed to the two series : 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” articles and 36 “Post-Reunion” articles
SAYA PUZAW PWE Poem by Hla Min
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
Notes
The term “SAYA GADAW PWE” has religious connotations.
Since the SPZP-2000 organizers and attendees profess different religions, the term SAYA PUZAW PWE (meaning honoring the mentors and paying respect to them for their metta and cetana) was chosen.
GBNF means “Gone But Not Forgotten“.
As of March 1, 2024. the GBNF list for the Class of 69 is 128 (about 40%).
Of the 20 (or so) EE sayas of our RIT days, almost half are GBNF.
Singapore SPZPs
Singapore hosted SPZPs in December 2002, April 2007 and December 2010.
Saya U Moe Aung was Chair of SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010.
U Nyan Win Shwe (William, M72) chaired SPZP-2007.
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” was published for each SPZP. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as Chief Editor.
My poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” was reprinted on the Back Cover of SPZP-2002 Sar Saung.
My poem “SWE DAW YEIK” was printed in SPZP-2007 Sar Saung. In my later writings, I use SWEL DAW (following Saya’s usage) instead of SWE DAW.
My article “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” was published in SPZP-2010 Sar Saung”.
Yangon SPZPs
Yangon hosted SPZPs in December 2004, December 2012 and December 2016.
There was a slight earthquake on the day of SPZP-2004.
A follow-up SPZP was scheduled for Yangon in December 2006, but changes in Political Climate dictated the SPZP to be rescheduled for Singapore in April 2007 (around Thingyan).
SPZP-2012 was the first to be held at the Gyogone Campus.
Thanks to H.E. U Aye Myint (EP72) for his initiative to bring back glory to our beloved alma mater, and to the sayas, sayamas, and alumni who made the “Home Coming Reunion” possible.
There were tears of joys.
On a sad note, the higher authorities transferred U Aye Myint to another Ministry before he could help the alma mater to the fullest extent.
SPZP-2012 led to the founding of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF), the Shwe YaDu Celebrations (with the planting of 50 Swel Daw Bins), and the RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association (ARITA) — to name a few.
SPZP-2016 was a FREE All Day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) at the Gyogone Campus.
Due to the pandemic, SPZP-2000 was cancelled.
Not sure if there will be a SPZP (as comprehensive as SPZP-2016) in a foreseeable future.
Jara, Byadi and Marana have hit many sayas and alumni.
Steeve, Benny, Ohn Khine, Hla MinNews CoverageSPZP-2012SPZP-2012SPZP-2016U Lin Ovada
