Category: Anniversaries

RU was founded in 1920 with Rangoon College and Judson College as its constituent colleges. RU celebrated the Golden Jubilee in 1970, the Diamond Jubilee in 1995, and the Centennial in 2020.

Engineering courses were first offered in 1924. The first courses were for Civil Engineering. Mechanical and Electrical Engineering courses were offered in the 1940s. Mining, Chemical, Textile, Metallurgy and Architecture courses were offered in the 1950s.

Intermediate courses were initially offered in the Main Campus. Later, Yankin College was opened for Science students. Hteedan College was opened for Arts and Social Science students.

Intermediate Colleges were opened in Mandalay, Taunggyi, Moulmein (Mawlamyine), Bassein (Pathein), Myitkyina, Kyauk Phyu and Sittwe.

In some years (probably due to the insurgency in some parts of Burma), students have to sit the “combined” Intermediate examination. Otherwise, they have to sit for Inter (A) and Inter (B) exams separately. Even then, there were two chances to pass the exam. The first exam was usually held in March. The second (aka supplementary) exam was usually held in June. The compartmental system requires a student to re-take only the subjects they have failed. Stipends and awards (Gold and Silver medals, …) are eligible only for students who pass all subjects in the first exam.

Those who aspire to become engineers must pass I.Sc. with 50+ marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

According to U Aw Taik Moh (C54) and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58), the engineering students  had to take a bike or walk to the Main Campus to attend Mathematics and Geology classes. U Ba Toke taught Mathematics to several engineering students (who later became sayas).

The Second Year of Engineering (equivalent to 4th BE) and 2nd MBBS were the filters (or stumbling blocks) for engineering and medical students. Some had to change their study to Pure Science or Arts.

Leik Khone was attended by engineering students from 1957 to 1960. From 1961 – 1964, Leik Khone became the Intermediate College of Rangoon University. From 1965 onward, Leik Khone was home of the lower level classes of the Institute of Medicine (1). The Faculty of Engineering relocated in 1961 to Gyogone as BIT (Burma Institute of Technology).

Brief Bio

• Matriculated from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay in 1964
• Admitted to the first ever 1st BE in November 1964
• Joined Heavy Industries Corporation) HIC after graduation

History of Myanmar Engineering Education (HMEE)

• Member of HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 projects
• Compiled CD Supplement for HMEE book with U Hla Min (EC69)
• Translated Section 1 of HMEE book
• Summarized Section 2 of HMEE book

Activities

• Moderator of Google group for 1st BE Intake of 1964
• Secondary author of the long article “RIT Days (1964 – 1970)”
• Organizer, Combined 1st BE Intake of 1964 and 1965
• Volunteer for Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP), Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF) and RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association

Alternative Version

U Ohn Khine (M70) offered me rides during my visits to Yangon especially to attend meetings for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016, HMEE-2012, and to selected 69er Breakfast Gatherings.

His spouse is Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (ChE70), younger sister of U Win Maung (“Lake”). His younger sister is Sayama Dr. Khin Swe Myint (Physics).

His friends called him “Gaing Gyi”. A few would say “Ohn Gaing”.

He matriculated in 1964 from St. Peter’s High School in Mandalay. He was admitted to 1st BE at the Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) in November 1964.

He is the founder and moderator of the Google Group “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”. He and his group maintain the Gone But Not Forgotten (GBNF) list for the Class of 70.

After graduation, he joined HIC (Heavy Industries Corporation).

He is a volunteer for

• Saya Pu Zaw Pwes in Rangoon in 2012 and 2016
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
• Shwe YaDu (RIT Golden Jubilee)
• History of Myanmar Engineering Education projects (HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018)
• Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65

Publication

• U Ohn Khine and U Hla Min compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE Book.
  He translated Section One of the book into English, and summarized Section Two.
• He co-authored the “RIT Days (1964 – 1970)” article with U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70).
  U Hla Min edited the joint article and published in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”. The article was also reprinted in the Golden Jubilee magazine by the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.

Photos

• HMEE Members
• HMEE Meetings
• HMEE Book
• CD Supplement for HMEE Book
• Welcoming U Win Htay (Walter, M70, USA)
• Mechanical Class of 1970
• Saya U Ba Than’s Soon Kyway
  

• Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe
• Sharing is Caring

Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

• I was fortunate to be an organizer for the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes.
• The first SPZP was held in San Francisco, California, USA in 2000.
• The Singapore alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2002, 2007 and 2010.
• The Myanmar alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2004, 2012 and 2016. The next SPZP scheduled for December 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic.

• The precious memories are shared by alumni — young and old, far and near, weak and strong — via pictures, anecdotes, poems (in both Burmese and English).

Sharing is Caring

There are many Subject Matter Experts (SME) in the group. They can share their knowledge, experience and wisdom.

• Sayas and Sayamas
  Retired, Semi-retired, Active
• Family members of Sayas and Sayamas
  Children, Grand children and Great grandchildren
• Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins
  Cartoonists
  Composers
  Dancers (Minthas, Minthamees)
  Journalists
  Lu Shwin Daws
  Musicians
  Vocalists
  Zat Sayas
• Athletes
  Burma Selected
  University Selected
  Selection for Halls, Disciplines and Classes
• Authors
• Bloggers
• Organizers and/or Executive Committee Members
  Annual Dinner
  Associations
  Magazine
  Social and Reading Club
  Student Union
• Photographers
• Poets
• Professionals
  Retired, Semi-retired, Active
• Videographers

• Served as Volunteer for various organizations (Professional, Social, Religious, Sports, Alumni) for five decades
  ACM (SF Bay Area Chapter Volunteer)
  BAPS Newsletter (Contributing Editor)
  BARB / MARB (Guest Lecturer)
  NFLC Burmese Language Project (Language Expert)
  Computer History Museum (Docent)
  Curriculum Development (High School Mathematics)
  Dhammananda Newsletter (Contributing Editor)
  Editor (for Books by friends and sayadaws)
  NorCal RITAA (Founding member, BOD)
  RIT Alumni International (Founding member, Chief Editor)
  RIT EE Association (Secretary, Joint Secretary, Magazine Committee)
  RUBC (Vice Captain, Treasurer)
  TBSA (Vice President, BOD, Emcee for Sayadaw U Silananda’s Memorial Service)
  TMC (Interpreter for Dhamma Talks)
  Toastmasters International (Distinguished Toastmaster)
  UCC (Lecture Guides and Manuals)
  …
  
• Completed 22 years as Chief Editor of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter“
  Posted thousands or email newsletters and/or blogs.
• Helped organize World Wide Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP)s starting with SPZP-2000 in San Francisco, USA.
• Wrote 64 “Count down to the Reunion” and 36 “Post Reunion” for SPZP-2000.
• Wrote Poems and Articles for Commemorative Issues of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung and Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
  
• On behalf of the 69ers, thanked the sayas, sayamas, sponsors and attendees at the Golden Jubilee of Graduation on December 14, 2019 at the YTU Assembly Hall.
  
• Wrote Preludes to every section in the 90th Anniversary Issue of RUBC in half an hour.
  Wrote three articles as Contributing Editor for the Magazine.
  
• Wrote 30+ “Memories of UCC” in three days (during my visit to Yangon in 2018)
  
• Wrote / revised 2000+ posts in hlamin.com
  
• Broadcast 200+ Educational Videos.
  Most of them are on Facebook.
  The later ones are on my You Tube Channel.

• Have dumped my still reasonably good memory to pay back to my alma mater.
• Attended PPBRS, SPHS, Leik Khone, RIT and UCC.
• Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST.
  
• Admin of several FB groups :
  RIT Alumni
  Fun with Learning
  Life Long Learning
  Myanmar 2021
  
• Moderator
  Rangoon University Centennial FB Group
  
• Requested sayas, alumni and friends to help me with my journey.
  
• Some provided insightful comments :
  Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
  U Aye (M62)
  Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60)
  Dr. Nyunt Wai (SPHS63)
  Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63)
  U Aung Myint (SPHS64, UCC)
  U Khin Maung Zaw (SPHS70, EC76)
  
• Know only a fraction of sayas and alumni
  But I know them with reasonable detail
  
• Am a Jack of All Trades and Master of Some.
  There are many areas of knowledge that I do not know. |
  But I know a few areas with reasonable detail.
  
• Am grateful to my ancestors who are philanthropists.
  They led by example.
  They donated cash and kind for hospitals, schools, religious and social institutions.
  Cannot donate a fraction of what they did in cash, but I have donated my time and energy.
  
• Am grateful to my “Let Oo Sayas”.
  My beloved father said, “Any thing that is worth doing is worth doing well.”
  My beloved mother said, “Eyes have you and you see not. Ears have you and hear not”.
  Without their unbounded love, support and exhortation, I would not be where I am today.
  
• “If one can dream, others can fulfill.”
  It was true of Jules Verne.
  
• Had two of my dreams fulfilled :
  (a) to get the sayas and alumni get connected and re-connected electronically and physically
  (b) to pay back the metta and cetana of our mentors via SPZP.
  
• Latest dream is to implement “Written and Oral History”
  
• Hope that amateur and professional folklorists / historians can massage my Posts and Videos into Reference Material.

SPZP-2000

Hosts

• RIT Alumni International
• Led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
• Benny Tan (M70, Co-Chair, Working Committee)
• Maurice Chee (M75, Co-Chair, Working Committee)
• Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, Webmaster, RIT web site)
• Hla Min (EC69, Content Provider of web site, Chief Editor of RIT Alumni Newsletter)
• …
  

Golden Sponsors

• Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California)
• Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70, Northern California)
• Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey)
• David Ko (Tin Myint, M67, Northern California, GBNF)
• Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
  
• Thanks to many other Donors — Large or Small, Young or Old, Far or Near, Cash or Kind

Memorabilia

• SPZP Banner : Designed by Benny Tan
  Handed over to Daniel Tint Lwin (M69, on behalf of Singapore Alumni)
  
• Kyauk Si Bagyee : Ordered by Maurice Chee
  Present for senior sayas and sayamas
  The rest put up for Fundraising Sale
  
• Mug : Designed by Benny Tan
  Present for most (if not all) attendees
  
• Tee Shirt : Designed by Benny Tan
  Present for all sayas and sayamas
  Present for SPZP-2000 Volunteers
  The rest put up for Fundraising Sale
  
• Calculator/Clock : Designed by Benny Tan
  Present for senior sayas and sayamas
  
• Bio of Sayas :
  Compiled by Thein Aung (James, Met72)
  
• RIT Alumni International Newsletter :
  Chief Editor : Hla Min
  Associate Editors : Thein Aung, Henry Lim

SPZP and Reunion Dinner

• Embassy Suites Hotel
• San Francisco
• October 28, 2000
  
• Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (Keynote)
• Saya U Ba Toke (Speech & Blessings)
• Saya U Aung Khin (Speech)
• Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Speech)
• Saya U Min Wun (Speech)
  
• Entertainment
  Band
  Sayas and Alumni

Pre and Post Gatherings

• October 27, 2000
  Welcoming Sayas and Alumni at Seafood Restaurant in San Mateo
  
• October 29, 2000
  Farewell Brunch at a High School in Daly City

Comments

• Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) was a Core Organizer of SPZP-2000.
  He designed and implemented the inaugural RIT web site and set up special web pages for SPZP-2000.
  He posted two memorabilia from SPZP-2000.
  
• Ko Benny used part of Steeve Kay’s donation to order his designs for RIT mug, RIT tee shirt, RIT calculator/clock and SPZP banner.
  I still wear the RIT tee shirt posted by KMZ.
  
• Ko Maurice ordered RIT Kyauk Si Bagyee.
  Several were given to sayas.
  The rest were sold for fund raising.
  I bought one.
  KMZ posted a photo of his.
  
• Ko Thein Ngwe posted a photo taken in from of the RU Burmese Department Library.
  Myanmar Sar Mi Thar Su erected a bust of Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Founder of the Department and mentor of Theikpan Maung Wa, Zawgyi and Minthuwun).
  
• I love history.
• I was a Docent of the Computer History Museum.
• I was a member of HMEE-2012 project.
  Ko Ohn Khine and I compiled the CD supplement of the HMEE book.
  
• I have served for 22+ years as Founder / Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
• I posted 64 Countdown to the Reunion and 36 Post Reunion for SPZP-2000.
• I have archived and updated many posts about my alma mater, mentors, colleagues and friends.
  
• Time is running out.
• Please help compile both informal and formal history of our alma mater via photos, essays, and videos.
• Together we can preserve the glory of the Good Old Days and the Sad Dark Days.
• Wishing all of you a prosperous and Happy New Year.

• U Aung Min is Chair of the 69er Health Care Fund. He sends monthly reports about the Income and Expenditure.
• He and his team maintains the 69er GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) list. The list has 128 members (about 40% of the Class).

Donors

• Daw Myint Myint (C69) — donated K300+ Lakhs
• U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
• U Sein Myint (K K Wong, EP69)
• Many 69ers donate once or more at the 69er Gatherings and for special celebrations.

Volunteers

• U Aung Min (M)
• U Myo Nyunt (C)
• U Zau Lai (EE)
• U Kyaw Zin (EE)
• U Myint Thein (M, GBNF)
• U Shwe (EE)
• U Myint Sein (M, GBNF)
• U Kyaw Nyunt (M, GBNF)
• U Sein Win (Pet)
• U Yee Pinn (Maung Maung Kaung, M, GBNF)
• U “David” Myint Thein (M)
• U Win Lwin (M)
• U Chit Tin (EE, GBNF)
• U Aung Gyi Shwe (EE, GBNF)
• Daw Myint Myint (C)
• Daw Thaung Htwe (C)
• U Kyaw Min Thein (C)
• U Moe Hein (ChE)
• U “Albert” Kyaw Min (ChE)
• U Hla Shwe (Tex, GBNF)
• U Sai Kyaw Myint (Met)

For Upper Burma/Myanmar

• U Myint Aung (M, GBNF)
• U Sein Tun (C)

For overseas

• Daw Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE)
• Daw Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie, Tex)
• U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M)
• U Hla Min (EC)
• U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan, M)
• U Sein Myint (EP)
• U Win Boh (Robert, EC)
• Dr. Myo Khin (C)

He matriculated from Methodist English High School (MEHS) in 1964 and was admitted to the first ever 1st BE at the RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology). He graduated in 1970 with Mechanical Engineering.

• Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70)
  Spouse : Angelina (Benny’s Xerox Copier during his RIT days)
  Two children
  Six grand children
• He received his MS from the University of California at Berkeley
• He worked for the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
• He is a Serial entrepreneur. He started with a Gift Shop at San Francisco International airport. He expanded his business as CEO of Tan Enterprise.

• He never forgot his roots and his alma mater. He carried two copies of the “RIT Students’ Handbook” to the USA. One copy was borrowed by an alumni eons ago and had not returned the rare book.
• The Handbook includes a list of sayas and sayamas for the 1966 – 67 academic year.

• He succeeded Saya U Nyo Win (M65) as President of BAPS (Burmese American Professional Society).
• He is a Founding member of RIT Alumni International. He hosted several meetings at his house.
• He and Ko Maurice Chee (M75) served as Co-chair of the Working Committee for SPZP-2000.
• He designed the Banner, T-shirt, mug and calendar/clock for SPZP-2000.
• He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs.
• Along with U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70) and U Tha Htay (M70), he sponsored several Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.

• Seventh world wide RIT Grand Reunion and Pu Zaw Pwe
• Full Day events at Gyogone Campus
• Record attendance
• True display of RIT / Swel Daw Spirit
• Many sponsors and donors
• Free Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Entertainment and Exhibitions

Several years ago, I was interviewed by “Mandalay Gazette”, a newspaper based in Los Angeles, California.