Category: RIT

Engineering Schools in Burma

  • Saw Lin (C71)

    Saw Lin (C71)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    2012

    March

    • Visited Yangon to meet with some organizers of SPZP-2012 (to be held in December, 2012).
    • U Saw Lin hosted a dinner at Feel Restaurant.
    Dinner

    Attendees

    • U Ohn Khine (M70)
    • Saya U Aung (C70)
    • U Khin Maung Myint & Rosie Mai Khin Nyunt (both ChE71)
    • Gift — RIT Cartoons
    RIT Cartoons

    December

    • Gave me a ride to attend SPZP Preparation meeting
    • Hosted a light dinner on the way back. Mentioned that he had dietary restrictions due to his medical condition
    • He wore multiple hats at SPZP-2012

    Brief Bio

    RIT

    • Past Secretary, RIT Civil Engineering Association
    • Graduated with Civil Engineering in 1971

    Experience

    • MD ကြေးနီစီမံကိန်း
    • MES EC
    • Publisher of MES Technical Publications

    SPZP-2012

    • Several roles
    • Chief Editor, Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
    • Reprinted limited copies for 23 RIT Annual Magazines
    • Chair of Logistics, Security & Entertainment Committees
    U Saw Lin
    • Had medical treatment — Transplant and Visits to ICU
    • Passed away in July 2014.
    • Khamee Khamet of U Win Thein Zaw (Min69).

    Memories

    • With Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
    With Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
    • With Saya U Moe Aung
    With Saya Moe
    • Civil Engg Gathering
    Civil Gathering
    • Past Secretaries of RIT Civil Engg Association — Ko Ko Gyi, Saw Lin, Myo Khin, Hla Myint Thein
    Civil Engg Secretaries

    Posts

    • Cartoons & Cartoonists
    • Civil Engineering
    • RIT Annual Magazine
    • SPZP-2012
    • Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
  • Electrical Engineering Sayas

    Electrical Engineering Sayas

    by Hla Min & U Myo Kyi

    1965 – 66

    EE Sayas

    Seated : U Soe Paing, U Thein Lwin (GBNF), U Tin Swe (GBNF), U Sein Hlaing (Professor, GBNF), U Kyaw Tun (GBNF), U Sein Win (GBNF), U San Tint (GBNF)

    Standing : U Soe Min (GBNF), U Chin Way (GBNF), U Win Tin, U Ba Myint, U Nyi Nyi (GBNF), U Moe Aung, U Sein Maung

    Studying abroad : U Myo Kyi, U Ba Lwin, U Tin Maung Thein

    Absentee: U Khine Oo

    U Myo Kyi
    U Ba Lwin
    U Tin Mg Thein

    Associated Article

    I wrote “A short and sad clip : EE Sayas” for the commemorative issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010. Saya U Moe Aung suggested the title of my article.

    Sayagyis & senior sayas

    Source : Saya U Myo Kyi (EE59)

    U Moe Aung
    SPZP

    1. U Kyaw Tun 1950 – 1971 (started teaching at BOC College)

    C Ping Lee


    2. U C Ping Lee 1950 – 1952
    3. U Sein Hlaing 1954 – 1986
    4. U Tin Swe 1954 – 1998
    5. Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Part time) 1959
    6. U Htin Paw 1958 – 1959
    7. U Ba Nyunt 1958 – 1959
    8. Dr. A. E. Guile (Colombo Plan) 1959 – 1960
    9. U Myo Kyi 1959 – 2002
    10. Dr. Ba Lwin 1959 – 1994
    11. U L. Tin Htun 1959 – 1960
    12. Teoh Chin Koon 1959 – 1960
    13. U Sein Win 1960 – 1994
    14. Dr. San Tint 1961 – 2002
    15. Mr. Zagarosky (Russian) 1962 – 1963
    16. Dr. Ba Myint 1963 – 2000
    17. U Sein Maung 1963 – 1994
    18. U Khine Oo 1963 – 1996
    19. Dr. Win Tin 1963 – 1990
    20. U Moe Aung 1963 – 1990
    21. U Chin Way 1963 – 1968
    22. U Soe Min 1963 – 1965
    23. U Nyi Nyi 1963 – 1965
    24. U Thein Lwin 1964 – 1972
    25. U Soe Paing 1964 – 1971
    26. U Tin Maung Thein 1965 – 1990
    27. U Tin Shwe (Ashin Wi thu ta) 1966 – 1996
    28. Daw Mya Mya Than 1968 – 2003
    29. U Than Lwin 1970 – 1994
    30. U Kyaw Lwin 1970 – 1991
    31. U Tin Win 1972 – 1980
    32. U Thein Dan 1973 – 1997
    33. U Khin Soe 1973 – 1982
    34. Daw Khin Aye Win 1973 – 2009
    35. Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee 1973 – 2000
    36. U Kyaw Aung (U Kyin Phyuu) 1973 –
    37. U Aung Than (U Ah Chun) 1973 – 2004
    38. Daw Khin Swe Oo 1974 – 2002
    39. U Clement Sadhana 1976 – 2010
    40. Daw Than Than Win 1976 – 2012
    41. Daw Khin Tint 1981 – 2008
    42. U Myint Oo 1982 – 1990
    43. Daw Khin Ma Ma Soe 1982 – 2008

    U Sein Maung
    U Ba Myint
    U Khine Oo
    U Soe Paing
    Daw Mya Mya Than
    U Thein Dan
    U Tin Win
    U Ko Ko Kyi
    Daw Khin Aye Win

    Editor’s Notes

    • U Kyaw Naing (Sin Gwan, EC70) is GBNF.
    • U Ko Ko Kyi (EC72) later worked in Malaysia and Canada.

    More EE Sayas (Electronics and Power)

    • U Win Khaing Moe
    • U Maung Maung Latt
    • Daw Lei Lei Yee
    • Daw Khin Sandar Tun
    • Daw Khin Lay Wai
    • Daw Zin Mar Oo
    • Daw Khaing Khaing Kyaw
    • Daw Thazin Phyu
    • Daw Myint Myint Lwin
    • Daw Lei Lei Win
    • Daw Thidar Than (1)
    • Daw Mya Mya Aye
    • Daw Myint Myint Than
    • Daw Tin Tin Naing
    • Daw Sint Sint Win
    • Daw Thandar Naing
    • Daw Khin Swe Lwin
    • Daw Myint Myint Mon
    • Daw Nilar Aung
    • U Zaw Min Naing
    • Daw Moe Nilar
    • Daw Khin Moe Yee
    • Daw Kaythi Khaing
    • Daw Ah Tar Mon
    • Daw Ni Ni Thein Htay Pe
    • Daw Thidar Than (2)
    • U Thein Htay
    • U Tun Oo
    • Daw Aye Aye Mar
    • Daw Ni Ni Win
    • Daw San Myint Yee
    • U Aung Naing
    • Daw Naing Naing Maw
    • U Ananda
    • Daw Lei Lei Sein
    • Daw Min Min Myat
    • Daw Thi Thi Soe
    • Daw Mar Mar Lwin
    • Daw Su Myat Htut
    • Daw Win Lein Aye
    • Daw Han Thu Lwin
    • Daw Yin Yin Htwe
    • Daw Naing Naing Win
    • Daw Khin Kyu Kyu Win
    • Daw Cho Cho Aung
    • Daw Tin Tin Aye
    • Daw Ni Mar Nwe Aung
    • Daw Ei Ei Khin
    • Daw Kyaaw Khin
    • U Zaw Min Aung
    • Daw Aye Thinn Naing
    • Daw Nwe Ni Aye
    • U Soe Naing
    • Daw Phyu Phyu Moe
    • Daw Marlar Kyaw
    • Daw Aye Aye Thinn

    EE Association (1965 – 66)

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ee-association-2.jpg
    EE Association for 1965-66

    Seated : Ma Pwint Than, Ma Yi Yi Aung, U Sein Win (Vice President), U Kyaw Tun (President), Ko Shwe Win (Secretary), Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Mo Mo Yi

    Middle row : Ko Thein Swe, Ko Soe Than, U Sein Maung (Auditor), U Soe Paing, U San Tint, U Moe Aung (Treasurer), U Thein Lwin, U Soe Min

    Last row : Ko Nyunt Pe, Ko Ye Win, Mehm Ye Win, Ko Kyaw Swe Win, Ko Hla Min, Ko Myo Myint, Ko Hla Thaung, Ko Aung Khin, Ko Soe Win, Ko Tin Than

    I served as a EC member.

    Hlyat Sit Sar Saung (1965 – 66)

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ee-magazine-1.jpg

    Seated : Ma Mo Mo Yi, Ma Than Yi (Associate Editor), U Moe Aung (Chief Editor), U Kyaw Tun (Patron), Ko Ye Win (Secretary), Ma Yi Yi Aung

    Standing : Ko Sann Oo (Associate Editor), Ko Thein Tun, Ko Hla Min, Ko Myo Myint (Associate Editor), Ko Soe Tha, Ko Soe Win, Mehm Ye Win

    I served as a member.

    Saya U Sein Win (GBNF)

    • Younger brother of Dr. Tin U (Medical Superintendent, Rangoon Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Saw Lwin.
    • Top student at the University of Michigan.
    • His friends called him “Khone Swa Khone Swa” referring to his brisk walking style.
    • Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
    • When EE Department was reorganized, he served as Professor of EP.
    • Saya is an absent minded Professor. He married late. One day, he drove Sayagadaw to Bogyoke Market. He taught (or discussed with) his students for quite some time and almost forgot to pick up Sayagadaw. There are variations on this anecdote regarding the place (e.g. Hledan Zay).
    • He served as Technical Advisor for UCC. He worked closely with U Win Htein (Purdue University, EE at PWD, GBNF) for the design & maintenance of the Electrical Systems (including Motor Alternator, Diesel Generator, Air conditioning) at UCC.
    • Line Judge at the RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) Regattas.
    • President, RIT Swimming Association; He stays fit by swimming regularly (even when he was visiting Singapore on a business trip).
    • He has a vast knowledge. Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) remembers Saya U Sein Win discussing about Civil Engineering and other subjects.

    Updates

    • Several senior sayas — U Kyaw Tun, C Ping Lee, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way, U Nyi Nyi, U Tin Shwe, Daw Mya Mya Than, U Kyaw Naing, U Kyaw Lwin, Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee, U Khin Soe — are GBNF.
    • Some — U Moe Aung, U Tin Win, U Thein Dan — have medical problems.
  • Aw Taik Moh (C54)

    Aw Taik Moh (C54)

    by Hla Min & Aw Taik Moh

    Update : July 2025

    RUESU Magazine

    Brief Bio

    • Wrote the article “BOC College Student” for RIT Alumni International Newsletter
    • Business Manager for the publication of Rangoon University Engineering Students’ Union Annual Magazine in 1952-53.
    • Graduated in 1954 with Civil Engineering
    • MS from MIT as a recipient of the “Twinning Program” proposed by Saya U Ba Hli
    • Attended SPZP-2000 held in San Francisco. He requested to be seated with Sayagyis.

    Letter in 2012

    My dear Ko Aung Gyi:

    I tried to e-mail you several times in the past few months but they didn’t get through. I was wondering where have you been and how were you doing.

    By the way, as I am unable to attend the great Reunion myself, I have two important proposals for you to consider and, if you thought appropriate, present to the Reunion Organizing Committee:

    (1) That at the start of the reunion the whole body of attendees should pay respects to Sayagyi U Ba Hli and Dr. Murray P. Horwood from MIT who were instrumental in getting scholarships and admissions for Burmese graduates and students to MIT, Harvard (San Tun Aung and Nelson Chin graduated from there), Cornell (Kyit In [Min Wun] and Kyaw Win), Michigan State, Ann Arbor & East Lansing, Lehigh, even UCLA (my R.U. College of Engineering classmate graduate Ohn Ghine went there) etc. As you know, Dr. Horwood headed the team of professors from MIT to RU Eng. College back in the 1950’s – – that’s how it got started for the Burmese boys like myself to come to the U.S. for further studies.

    (2) I believe that this similar kind of arrangement with MIT or other institutions could and should be made with the Myanmar govt and RIT now for Myanmar to catch up with the world. If you have a chance to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, please tell her about this proposal. Education and higher education, esp. technical and medical, is extremely important for Myanmar students and graduates and for the country, and no one should overlook this.

    Thank you very much for your time and consideration of the above.

    My best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you and your family and all our Sayas, colleagues and friends at the Reunion, in Myanmar and overseas. Please take a lot of pictures at the reunion for me!

    Aw Taik Moh

    1954 B.Sc. Civil Engineering, R.U. Eng. College

    M.C.P.(City Planning) M.I.T. 1957

    P.S. Since I attended the last reunion in San Francisco many years ago the RIT Committee lost contact with me, otherwise I would have contributed something to the “Book” they are now publishing about the history of the university (which I heard of from Dr. Chris Lee). I want to let you and the Committee know that I have an original copy of the R.U. Engineering Students’ Union Magazine, published in 1953 – in both Burmese and English – for which I was a Business Manager when I was a 3rd year engineering student. It has the photos of Sayagyi U Ba Hli and the entire faculty and Dr. Horwood and all the students.

    Updates

    • RUESU published six Annual Magazines
    • Saya U Moe Aung was Editor of the magazine for 1960 – 61

    Posts

    • BOC College Graduate
    • Magazines
    • RUESU
    • SPZP
    • U Ba Hli
  • Soe Paing

    Soe Paing

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Paing Brothers

    Family

    • Parents : ICS U Paing & Daw Oo Yin
    • Siblings : Dr. Myo Paing, U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, GBNF), U Kyaw Paing
    • Spouse : Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69)
    • Children : Two sons & One daughter
    • Grandchildren : 3

    Education & Work

    • Mmatriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship.
    • At the Convocation of 1958, he won two Gold Medals — one for Highest Total Marks in I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B); and another for Joint Highest Marks in Maths for I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
    • Received a States Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
    • Joined the RIT Electrical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
    • Helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe found Universities’ Computer Center.
    • Transferred to UCC as Manager for Systems Division. He later also managed Operations Division.
    • Received M.Sc.(Computer Science) from Southampton University in UK.
    • Worked for UNDP Projects in several countries.

    Mentor

    • My mentor at RIT & UCC.
    • Allowed U Aung Zaw & me to co-author Texts, User Guides and Manuals for use at UCC.

    HMEE

    • Early supporter of the HMEE project.
    • Prepared a draft for the HMEE book and handed it to Saya U Aung Hla Tun & team.
    • He and U Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 of the HMEE Book and summarized Section 2.

    Posts

    Post from March 2011

    I went to the University Central Library and managed to get scanned photos from the Engg Student Annual Magazines 51-52, 52-53, 56-57 and 60-61. Photos include photos of Sayas, students of that year. From these when can know about the Sayas at that year. We can also identify the students at that year.

    U Sein Hlaing (Prof EE) was a final year student in 1951-52 and became an A/L starting 1952-53. Saya U Tin Swe was a student in 1951-52 and 52-53. He was a member of the Eng Student Union and the victorious Prome Hall football team. Ex-Burma Selected Footballer U Chan Tha (Chief Engineer, Roads, Rangoon Municipal) was the Captain. U Khin Si (husband of RIT Finance Officer Daw Yin Yin Htway and part time lecturer Textile) and U Tin Si (U Khin Si’s brother and tennis doubles partnership that won RU as well as national championships) were members of the Prome hall team.

    The 1956-57 magazine contains photos when the new Leik Khone Engineering Buildings were inaugurated in 1956 Nov by the Prime Minister at that time U Ba Swe.

    In the 1952-53 magazine I found out that Mr. Robert Hole (ex-EE, Highways, PWD, PWC, CC; uncle of Percy Maung Maung and uncle Bobby to me) was the English editor. I called Uncle Bobby and requested him to write something about his engineering student days, his teachers and fellow students. He agreed and asked for about three weeks time.

    I need to go back and to the UCL to get more info from the RIT handbook 1966-67 and photos from the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung.

    U Ba Than has donated some of his Engineering College photos to the MES library and I need to go there to check up on the photos.

    Post from May 2000

    The mention of RIT, BIT, and BOC college in the first newsletter bring back memories of our good old days in Rangoon University. Although we did not graduate from Rangoon University, we had a really great two and a half years there before we went for studies aroad under government scholarship.

    Our first year 1956-1957 was in Yankin College. Yankin was a campus of RU for first year science students. It is now Yankin State High School No. XX? Hteedan was for the 1st year arts students. Our second year I.Sc. was at the RU campus itself which we refer to as Main. The Arts students have classes at Judson. That time the new Social Science Building (now Institute of Economics) was completed. We had our second year ISc exams in that new building.

    Then it is our 1st year B.Sc. Engineering course at the new Faculty of Engineering in Prome Road (now Institute of Medicine I). We attended for six months till December 1958. That campus was designed and built especially for the Faculty of Engineering. Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Departments were there but Chemical, Textile, etc. were in the old BOC building at the back.

    The 1st year classes were from 7 to 9 a.m. for Mathematics. We then have a one hour break and we start the engineering courses at 10 a.m. We usually have a snack during the break at a small cafe between Tagaung and Prome Halls. Those halls were only for engineering students then. The mathematics (Pure & Applied) lecturers were from India hired under contract. We had three engineering courses: Building Materials taught by Mr. Tan Ba Hli (the Dean of Engineering himself). Heat Engines taught by U Aung Khin. Principles of Electrical Engineering taught by U Kyaw Tun. We had EE lab with Ko Htin Paw and Ko Ba Nyunt as lab instructors. We also had engineering drawing with Ko San Hla Aung and Allen Htay (for Chem, Tex, etc.) as instructors.

    Those were the days when Rangoon University was one of the best universities in SE Asia and Asia. It also had a really nice campus.

    RIT Saya Soccer Team

    Reading about communications from Richard Khoo (Dr. Aung Soe, C61) and seeing the list of Sayas in the 1966-67 Handbook brings back memories of our soccer team.

    As I remember it was from 1964 to 1968 or 1969. We played against (i) the senior students of different majors Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc. (ii) the sayas at GTI and Natmauk Technical Institute (iii) the Burma Air Force officers.

    We also played in the annual tournament for RIT Staff. The staff teams are the Sayas, Workshop staff, Lab staff, Hostel staff and the youth team from the RIT compound.

    As I remember (other Sayas & graduates may correct me) these were the people in the team.

    Goalkeepers :

    • Richard Khoo (Civil)
    • Maurice Kyaw Zaw (Chemistry),
    • Sein Myint/Ah Sein (Petroleum)

    Defenders :

    • Ko Maung Maung Than (Textile)
    • Ko Aung Soe (Math)
    • Ko Aung Hla Tun (Met)
    • Ko Sann Tint (Elect)
    • Christopher Maung (Civil)
    • U Tin Swe (Elect)
    • Ko Tin Win (Mech)

    Midfielders :

    • Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri)
    • Desmond Rogers (English)
    • Ko Khine Oo (Elect)
    • Ko Maung Maung Win (Mech)
    • Ko Tin Hlaing II (Mech)

    Forwards :

    • Ko Pike Htwe (Chemistry)
    • Ko Aung (Math)
    • Ko Tin Hlaing I (Agri)
    • Ko Soe Min (Elect)
    • Ko Kyin Soe (Auto)
    • myself (Elect)

    We rarely practiced but we enjoyed playing the games. We split games with the GTI sayas & the Air Force officers. We beat the Natmauk sayas and we won more than we lost in the RIT staff tournament. But I am sure we lost more than we won against the final year students. Would appreciate comments on this; especially on the names I missed in the team.

    Updates

    • Wrote articles about his experiences as a State Scholar, Saya, UCC Co-founder & UN Advisor. They can be read from SCRIB-D.
    • Gave an interview to MASTAA.
    • Had recovered after medical treatment.

    Posts

    • Computer Pioneers in Burma
    • EE Sayas
    • HMEE
    • Memories of UCC
    • Paing Family
  • Paing Family

    Paing Family

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    U Paing & Siblings

    ဦးပိုင် ညီအကိုမောင်နှမများ

    U Paing & Siblings
    • Daw Ma Ma Tin ဒေါ်မမတင်
    • U Saing ဦးဆိုင်
    • U Hlaing ဦးလှိုင်
    • U Paing ဦးပိုင်
    • Daw Ma Ma Lay ဒေါ်မမလေး
    • U Chan Maung Kun ဦးချမ်းမောင်ကွမ်း
    • Bogyi Hla Maung ဗိုလ်ကြီးလှမောင်
    • U Sein Yoe ဦးစိန်ရိုး
    • U Yan Way ဦးရန်ဝေး

    Family

    Father : ICS U Paing

    Mother : Daw Oo Yin (daughter of Sir Po Tha & Lady Tha)

    Sons : Myo Paing, Soe Paing, Win Paing, Kyaw Paing

    Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54)

    • Medical doctor & researcher (at BMRI)
    • Early assignment was Malaria Campaign
    • Champion golfer.

    U Soe Paing (SPHS56)

    U Soe Paing
    • In the Matric exam of 1956, he stood 13th in Burma and won a Collegiate Scholarship.
    • In 1958, he received two Gold medals : one for Highest Total Marks for I.Sc (Combined) & another for Joint Highest Marks in Maths for I.Sc (Combined).
    • While attending Engineering classes at RU, he received State Scholarship to study Electrical Engineering at Stanford University in the USA.
    • Received BS and MS in EE (Electrical Engineering) from Stanford University.
    • Upon his return, he joined the EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer. He helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe with the UCC project.
    • Transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
    • After reorganization, he also managed the Operations Division.
    • Received M.Sc. in Computer Science from University of Southampton, UK.
    • Taught CS courses at UCC. He co-authored Programming Texts, Lecture Guides and Manuals with U Aung Zaw and me.
    • Worked for UN projects in several countries.
    • Wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and his experiences as a States Scholar and UN Advisor. They can be read from SCRIB-D
    • After retirement, Saya spent time playing golf & practicing vipassana meditation.
    • During his UCC days, he served as a Golf Correspondent. I helped him type about the competition at RGC (Rangoon Golf Club) and BGC (Burma Golf Club) and submit to the English newspapers.
    • Visited RUCL. Compiled material for HMEE Project & prepared a Draft. Translated Section 1 of the HMEE book and summarized Section 2.
    • Gave an interview to MASTAA

    U Win Paing (SPHS64)

    U Wara 1
    U Wara 2
    U Wara 3
    • Won Golf Championships with his younger brother U Kyaw Paing.
    • After finishing the finals for ChE (Chemical Engineering) exam in 1970, he became a monk.
    • Served as Taik Oke for about four decades before becoming Chief Resident Monk of Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw.
    • Known as Sayadaw U Wara.
    • He is now GBNF.

    U Kyaw Paing (SPHS67)

    • Represented Burma in the Putra Cup.
    • Lawyer and entrepreneur.

    U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :

    For number of years, I was the carrier-cum-postman to bring Saya U Soe Paing’s typed golf news to the WPD, Working Peoples’ Daily at Theingbyu Street! Just one of the chores I had in those days.

    I remember jokingly asked Sayadaw U Wara how he felt seeing the (18th??) hole over the fence from the Sunlun Kyaung’s “Thein”. The new golf course was built for VIPs inside Kabaaye, and that particular hole was seen from the “Thein” less than 40-50 yards, of course over the fence.

    Updates

    • Nyi Lynn Seck created a family tree for Sir Po Tha

    Posts

    • Medical Research
    • Priests & Sayadaws
    • SPHS
    • UCC Founders
  • Engineering Library

    Engineering Library

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Faculty of Engineering အင်ဂျင်နီယာမဟာဌာန

    Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean) asked U Ba Than to help with the Engineering Library.

    U Ba Than

    RIT Library ရန်ကုန်စက်မှုတက္ကသိုလ်စာကြည့်တိုက်

    Daw Myint Myint Khin

    Daw Myint Myint Khin was Assistant Librarian at the Faculty of Social Science Library. She became Librarian at the Rangoon Institute of Technology.

    The Library was located on the Ground Floor.

    Several years later, the Library was relocated to a two-storey building near A Block.

    Sadly, it was not maintained well.

    YTU Library

    The YTU Library Upgrading / Modernization Project was initiated as a Requirement for Accreditation of YTU.

    Alumni worldwide donated for the project.

    Daw Myint Myint ဒေါ်မြင့်မြင့်

    • Donated K150 Lakhs
    Daw Myint Myint (C69)

    Dr. Myo Khin & Daw Mya Nwe ဒေါက်တာမျိုးခင် နှင့် ဒေါ်မြနွယ်

    • Donated K100 Lakhs
    Saya Dr. Myo Khin (C) & Daw Mya Nwe

    Training Component စာကြည့်တိုက်မှူးများသင်တန်းတက်ရောက်ရန်

    • Saya George (U Mg Mg) provided $500 as seed money
    • Saya U Myat Thwin, Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt and others donated
    • Total : $3000+
    Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE)
    Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M)

    Other Donations

    • BASES — Members & Friends
    • NorCal RITAA
    • Many individuals
    • Several groups
    • See posts by Wynn Htain Oo & Nan Khin Nwe
  • Myo Khin, Dr.

    Myo Khin, Dr.

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Highlights

    Dr. Myo Khin 1
    • Paulian
    • Past Secretary, RIT Civil Engineering Association
    Past Secy of RIT Civil
    • Graduated from RIT in 1970 with Civil Engineering
    • Received Masters and Doctorate from Japan
    • Retired as Professor from a Japanese University.
    • Consultant for selected Japanese companies.
    • Helped Civil Engg grads from Myanmar get internship and/or job in Japan
    • In 2017, Saya and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73) donated K100 Lakhs to the YTU Modernization Project.
    Donation
    • He had a Stroke.
    • Praying for a speedy recovery.

    Dr. Myo Khin wrote :

    Dear U Hla Min, Thank you very much for your kind and favorable phrases for my donation to the RIT library. This is the token of my feeling to my home university. Up till now I have helped around 50 grads from RIT and other TUs in Myanmar with respectable engineering jobs in Japan. Moreover this is totally free of any charges or obligations. Only one request I made is “please try hard and prove yourself” and this will lead to the next recruitment for your juniors back in Myanmar.

    Updates

    • After treatment & rehab, he recovered from the Stroke reported in the post.
    • We had frequent conversation.
    • He had another Stroke.
    • He is happy to become a father-in-law.
    Pon Tu by Bagyee Myat Myo Myint
  • Highlights (1961 – 65)

    Highlights (1961 – 65)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    1961

    Female Engineers

    • Mi Mi Lay (Tex)
    • Julie Han (Tex)
    • Yin Yin Kyi (Tex)
    • Pauline Reynolds (ChE)
    • Tin Tin Ohn / Amy (Tex)

    Burma Institute of Technology

    U Yone Mo
    U Sein Hla

    In the 1961 – 62 Academic Year, the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University moved to the Gyogone Campus.

    It was named Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).

    Sayas & Sayamas

    U Yone Mo served as Dean.

    U Sein Hla served as Registrar.

    Newly minted sayas & sayamas include U Aung Soe (C), U Maung Maung Win (M), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T) & Daw Julie Han

    Matriculation & HSF

    In 1961, the last Matric & High School Final exam took place. Those who pass the exam could attend the University.

    In 1962, there were separate exams for Matric & HSF. Those who pass HSF had to take the Matric exam in order to attend the University.

    2nd SEAP Games

    RU athletes in 2nd SEAP Games
    • In December 1961, Burma hosted the 2nd South East Asian Peninsular Games.
    • Burma placed First (according to the Tally of Medals) in the Games. Burma was dominant in Track & Field, Swimming & Diving (to name a few).
    • About 20 students Rangoon University represented Burma in the Games. Several won Gold Medals : Tun Mra (4 x 100 meters relay), Soe Mra (Pole Vault), Kyaw Han (Volleyball), Richard Yu Khin (Yachting).
    • Ko Richard (GBNF) provided the group photo. He also wrote about the swimming training with Ko Tin Maung Ni under a Japanese coach.
    • Met Ko Tun Mra, Ko Khin Maung Latt & Ko Tin Myint (GBNF) at the RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta in December 2019. Ko Tun Mra mentioned that he, Ko Kyaw Mra (GBNF), Ko Soe Mra & Ko Tun Naung represented Burma in the first SEAP Games held in Bangkok in 1959.

    1962

    Coup d’etat

    • On March 2, 1962, a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat. Sao Shwe Thaik’s son was killed.
    • Mahn Win Maung (President), U Nu (Prime Minister), U Myint Thein (Chief Justice), several high ranking officers & Sawbwas were imprisoned.
    • U Myint Thein was among the first to be detained and the last to be released. He was given only a part day off to attend the last journey of his spouse Daw Phwa Hmi (pioneer Burmese female barrister).
    • Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung had been selected to succeed Mahn Win Maung as the President, but the Coup ended the democratic parliamentary system.
    Sama Duwa Sin Wa Naung

    HSF Exam

    • The HSF exam results for Rangoon Division was annulled claiming a leakage of exam questions.
    • The students had to retake the HSF exam in August, 1962.

    Dark Days in July

    • There were two Dark Days.
    • Student protesters faced indiscriminate shooting on July 7, 1962. The newspapers & Myanmar Ah Than said that there were 17 victims.
    • Ko Aung Khin who was killed by a stray bullet on his way back from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road was listed as the 17th casualty.
    • On July 8, 1962, the revered RU Student Union Building was demolished.

    1963

    Matric Exam

    SPHS63 Scholarship Winners
    • Most exams were held in March. However, the Matric exam in 1963 was held in May.
    • St. Paul’s High School had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.

    Anniversary of 7th July

    • In July 1963, the first Anniversary of 7th July 1962 was celebrated with posters, pamphlets & magazines.
    • Some time later, the higher authorities announced the closure of most schools except the Faculty of Medicine & the Faculty of Engineering.

    Rangoon University Boat Club

    Dinner to celebrate the RUBC 40th Anniversary
    • Annual Regatta was canceled citing security reasons.
    • Sithu U Tin (President) decided not to cancel the Dinner commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC by Sit Arthur Eggar (Law Professor).

    1964

    Scholarship for USSR & East Bloc

    • Soviet Union and East Bloc nations offered scholarships for undergraduates & graduates.
    • Some classmates (who were concerned about how long the schools will close) applied & were accepted.
    • Maung Maung Kyi studied Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, GDR.

    New Education System

    Shwe YaDu
    • Enacted in November 1964
    • The reorganization saw former Faculties as independent Institutes with their own Rector and Registrar. The remaining faculties of Rangoon University became Rangoon Arts & Science University (RASU).
    • Under the new Education system, BIT became Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). It had autonomy. U Yone Mo served as Rector. U Soe Thein (former student leader) served as Registrar.
    • Matriculates were admitted to the fresher classes at the Universities & Institutes using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA).
    • The marks for each subject were converted to an ILA score (1 – 20). Those who have a balanced score can have a higher ILA than someone who has high marks in most subjects but a low score in one subject.
    • There were name changes to the degrees offered, e.g B.E instead of B.Sc.(Engg)
    • Majors were introduced.
    • LL.B was offered.

    Luyechun

    • The program was initiated in the Summer of 1964.
    • Outstanding students from middle school and high school was chosen as Luyechun. They were sent to the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
    • Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Win Aung (TTC) and Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw) were some High School Luyechuns.

    1965

    Nationalization

    • On April 1, 1965 private schools were nationalized.
    • St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) became No. 6 Botathaung State High School.
    • Methodist English High School (MEHS) became No. 1 Dagon State High School.

    Luyechun Camps

    Inlay Luyechun
    • The Luyechun program was extended to students of Universities & Institutes in the summer of 1965.
    • I was selected as RIT Luyechun along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ma Khin Than Myint Tin, and Ko Zaw Min. We were sent to the newly opened Inlay Khaung Daing Camp was added.
    • The Rangoon Combined Camp was the meeting point for those from Ngapali Camp and Inlay Camp.

    Updates

    • There were more changes in the Education System.
    • Some were name changes : RIT to YIT & YTU
    • There were more closures to Schools.
    • There were more Coup d’etat — in 1988 & 2021
    • Burma hosted 5th SEAP Games in 1969.
    • The Luyechun Program ended in 1988.

    Posts

    • Calendar
    • Education Systems
    • Exams
    • Luyechun
    • Memories of a 69er
    • Rangoon University
    • SEAP Games
  • Tekkatho

    Tekkatho

    by Hla Min

    Updated : July 2025

    Matric

    • Less than 10% passed the Matric exam in the early days.
    • A few (e.g U Ba Khin who stood First in Burma) chose to work instead of attending RU.
    • It was an honor to prefix one’s name with Tekkatho တက္ကသိုလ် or University.
    • Khin Nyo wrote: Absolutely right. I think in 1957 only 2% Passed and the total is 20000.
      Even dancer AmarSein was conferred with the title Thekkatho Amar Sein by the Rector Dr Tha Hla.

    Tekaktho Moe War (U Moe Aung)

    U Moe Aung

    Student Days

    • Matriculated from St. John’s Dio.
    • EC, RU Kalaung Ah Thin
    RU Association
    • Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine for 1960 – 61
    RUESU Magazine

    RIT Days

    • Electrical Engineering Saya at RIT
    EE Sayas
    U Moe Aung & U Sein Maung
    • Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine
    • Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
    • Co-leader, Swel Daw Yeik Troupe (Ah Nyeint, Htee Yein, Ta Bin Daing Ah Ka) at RU Golden Jubilee in 1970

    Singapore Days

    • Worked in Singapore
    • Chair, SPZP-2002 & SPZP-2010 (in Singapore)
    • Editor / Publisher, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
    • Organizer, Alumni Activities (e.g Thingyan)

    Post Retirement

    • Moved back to Myanmar
    • Taught refresher courses (e.g. Electrical Saftey) at Electrical Inspectorate
    • Kept mind alert by writing poems & articles in weekly publications
    • Patron, SDYF; Composed & performed SDY Song
    • Entertainment for SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016

    Publications

    • Distinguished Writer, Poet, Editor & Publisher
    • Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine
    • Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine for more than a decade
    • Chief Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
    • Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 in Singapore
    • Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu in 2014 & SPZP-2016 in Yangon
    • Kabyars — solo; with RIT poets; with former EC members of RU Kalaung Ah Thinn
    Book 1
    Book 2
    Book 3
    Book 4
    • Books — Collection of articles; Collection of poem
  • Tin Maung Nyunt

    Tin Maung Nyunt

    by Hla Min

    Updated : July 2025

    Highlights

    • Born in Mogok
    • Attended I.Sc at Mandalay University
    • Graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1960
    • Worked for Joint Venture Corporation (JVC) formed by relatives
    • Found an advertisement in a newspaper to apply for a Government Scholarship.
    • Selected to study Agricultural Engineering in USA
    • Received Masters from Virginia Tech
    • Came back to Burma on an Ocean Liner with Saya Allen Htay (GBNF), Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) & U Than Pe. They became close friends on the two-month long journey.

    M/Agri Saya at RIT

    • Upon his return, he was assigned to Agricultural Institute in Yezin. Before reporting for duty, he visited RIT.
    • Sayagyi U Ba Than asked if he would like to join Agri Sub-Department of Mechanical Engineering. Sayagyi said that some students were not at ease following lectures given by visiting Soviet lecturers via interpreters.
    • President, RIT Thaing
    • Played Defender on RIT Saya Soccer team

    Life after RIT

    • Worked in Thailand & USA

    USA

    • Attended RIT Alumni Gatherings
    U Tin Maung Nyunt 1
    • Donated $500 for the Training Component of YTU Library Modernization project.
    U Tin Maung Nyunt’s Donation
    • He is a day older than Saya Allen. Their birthdays are December 30 & 31.
    • Monthly Breakfast Gathering with Saya Allen, U Ko Ko Aye, Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) and me. Saya Allen & U Ko Ko Aye are now GBNF.
    U Tin Maung Nyunt & Saya Allen
    • Saya U Soe Paing visited him in Milpitas, California. We had a lunch gathering at a restaurant.
    U Tin Maung Nyunt 2
    • He enjoyed Hiking & Tennis, but had to suspend due to Jara and Byadi
    • Volunteer for establishing Taungpulu Kaba Aye Monastery in Northern California.

    Updates

    • He had operations (one quite early and another a few years back).
    • He listens to selected Dhamma talks.

    Posts

    • Books
    • Dhamma
    • Gatherings
    • Mechanical Engineering