Served as a messenger for the RIT & Engineering Community for 26 years.
Newsletter
Newsletter
RIT Alumni International Newsletter was started in April 1999. Served as Chief Editor. In the early days, many RIT sayas and alumni provided articles, news & photos.
Messenger 2
RIT website
Maurice, HM, KMZ, Benny
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) designed & implemented ex-rit.org website.
I served as Editor and Content Provider of the website.
Several hundred accessed the first RIT website.
The website played an important part for planning and implementing First RIT Grand Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) held in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
Some traveled from Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Australia & New Zealand to attend SPZP-2000.
SPZP-2000
Membership
Founding member, RIT Alumni International
Founding member, NorCal RITAA
Life member, RITAA
Life member, BAPS
Life member, RUBC
Member, HMEE Project
Former Docent, Computer History Museum
Former member, ACM & SF Bay Area Chapter
Former member, IEEE (CS)
NorCal RITAA
Sharing News
Able to share news — good, sad and bad.
Jara and Byadihave caused a decline in health of sayas and alumni. Marana has claimed the lives of several especially during the pandemic.
Some sayas and alumni are Gone But Not Forgotten. The GBNF list for 69ers has 137 members.
With the event of social media, the number of RIT related pages grew. There are many silent readers and few active contributors.
Fact Checking
Being a messenger is not easy.
When an alumni asked me to relay the demise of U Ne Win Myint (Victor Win, ChE66), I double checked before posting the news. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even then, someone who is near & dear to Jean (Mrs. Victor) claimed that Ko Victor was hospitalized, but had not passed away. The claim confused some alumni before the sad news was confirmed & details of the last journey were published.
Victor (Center)
When Dr. Tin Hlaing, former Principal of Maritime Studies, passed away in Singapore, an alumni posted Condolence message in the Facebook pages to the family of Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63). Saya became a Tone Kyaw.
Dr. Tin Hlaing
There are fact checking websites. They have reports about Urban Myths & Legends.
Concerns
Some sayas & alumni want privacy. They do not want news of their visits or failing health to be relayed. We have to respect their concerns.
There are many posts by sayas, alumni & friends. The posts may be public, restricted or private. We have to be careful before sharing or re-posting them.
Most people do not have the time & energy to read long posts. A post should have an interesting & informative message.
As my mentors said, “The message is usually much more important than the messenger.”
Thanks
The RIT Spirit is alive and well.
Kudos to sayas, alumni, sponsors, donors, volunteers & well wishers.
Updates
I belong to various circles.
I have posted about them in my FB pages and website.
Events described here cover my journey as a University Student
Other events (e.g. 1946 to 1970s, Top Matriculates) are covered elsewhere
1963
Took Matric Only exam in May
Most exams were held in March
SPHS63Hla Min (7th Place)
Collegiate Scholarship
Paulians had 5 in the Top Five, 7 in the Top Ten, and 10 in the Top Twenty
Khin Maung U (1st in Burma)
Min Oo (2nd)
Myo San (Freddie Ba San, 3rd, GBNF)
Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt, 4th)
Thein Wai (5th)
Hla Min (7th)
Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th)
Maung Maung Kyi (11th, GBNF)
Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, 13th, GBNF)
Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th)
Leik Khone
Attended last ever I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone.
Following the “Anniversary of 7th July, 1962” events, most classes at Rangoon & Mandalay Universities were closed for an unspecified period.
Engineering & Medical Classes were spared at that time.
As a result, those who were a year senior in High School graduated 2.5 years ahead of us (Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems).
RUBC
Joined Rangoon University Boat Club.
Paulian Crew was Runner-up for Senior Novices.
Maung Maung Kyi (Bow, GBNF)
Hla Min (2)
Kyaw Wynn (3)
Willie Soe Maung (Myint Soe, Stroke, GBNF)
Myint Thein (Cox, GBNF)
We were awarded Full Green.
Maung Maung KyiKyaw Wynn (2nd from Left)
40th AnniversaryGathering
President Sithu U Tin, VP U Po Zon & U Tin Htoon compiled Souvenir Magazine for the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC
Due to Security Concerns, the 40th Anniversary Annual Regatta was cancelled
Sithu U Tin & the Patrons decided to hold the “40th Anniversary Dinner of the founding of RUBC” at Orient Hotel in Kandawgyi
RUBC 40th Anniversary
Burma Institute of Technology
My elder brother and several sayas graduated from BIT in 1963.
They were from the second batch of BIT.
The degree conferred was B.Sc. (Engg).
1964
Education System
New Education System was implemented in November 1964.
Most Faculties of the Rangoon University became Institutes with their own Rectors.
Youth Affairs Department implemented Luyechun (လူရည်ချွန်) Program in the Summer of 1964. Eligible students from 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Standards were chosen to attend Ngapali Shwe Wah Gyaing Camp in the Summer of 1964.
Rangoon Institute of Technology
RIT Student
In November 1964, three batches of students entered RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology).
400+ were admitted to the first ever 1st BE using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA). Zaw Min was admitted as Roll Number One. Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Cho Aye (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) & Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, GBNF) were among the top students.
300+ who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(A) exam were chosen by merit to attend the first ever 2nd BE. I was admitted as Roll Number One. Taing Oke, Kenny Wong, Tun Aung Gyaw, Tin Tun (GBNF) & Thein Swe (GBNF) were among the top students.
About 200 students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) exam were admitted to the 3rd BE. Tun Aung (Jeffrey, GBNF) was a top student.
RUBC
Elected Honorary Treasurer
Had to report to Professor William Paw (President)
Last Executive Committee member to be elected at the Annual General Meeting
Served as Vice Captain the following year
Higher authorities prevented me from becoming RUBC Captain by discarding the Bye Laws and using their ad-hoc rules (e.g. selecting instead of electing Captain)
My affection for Rowing & RUBC did not wither. I served as Contributing Editor for the RUBC 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine in 2013
RUBC Souvenir Magazine
Matriculation
Cherry Hlaing (Than Than Tin, St. John’s Convent) and Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) had Joint Highest Marks.
Based on ILA, Cherry was admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1). Was selected Luyechun in summer of 1965. Grandfather U Hoke Sein & father U Saw Hlaing were First in Burma.
Lyn Aung Thet had four distinctions and joint Highest Marks. He had lower ILA than Cherry. Scholar Athlete who excelled in Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis & Chess. Was Luyechun in a later year.
Aung Win Chiong (SPHS64) has the next best raw score. Had perfect ILA score. Admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number One.
Maurice Hla Kyi (Min Lwin, SPHS64) had the 5th highest marks. Admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number Two.
Maurice & Aung Win
1965 – 1969
Matriculationin 1965
Bernard Khaw (SPHS65) had four distinctions (with 80+ marks in English) and stood First in Burma. Due to the revised policy (e.g. 3 NRC requirement), he could not apply for professional courses. Majored in Chemistry before moving to USA. Retired as a Chemical Engineer & Pastor.
Bernard (Center)
Maung Aye (SPHS65) had second best raw marks. He and his twin brother moved to USA
Winston Sein Maung (SPHS65, GBNF) had third best raw marks
Cherry Than Tin had fourth best raw marks. She was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (2)
Yi Thwe (SPHS65, GBNF) had 5th best raw marks. Admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (1)
Paing Soe (Freddie, SPHS65) had same marks as Yi Thwe. Admitted as Roll No (2) to MC (1)
Forty four Paulians were admitted to MC in 1965. They are from the Last Batch of True Paulians.
Nationalization
Consequences of Coup d’etat include
End of Democracy
Nationalization of industry & schools
Indiscriminate demonetization
Increased censorship
With every turmoil (effecting “National Security”), the universities, institutes and schools were suspended.
SPHS
The schools were nationalized on April 1, 1965.
St. Paul’s High School became No. (6) Botathaung State High School. Some Brothers left Burma. A few indigenous Brothers remained in Ady Road. Brother Joseph was ordained as Father Joseph.
Luyechun
Program was extended to include Universitites & Institutes in Summer of 1965
I attended Inlay Khaung Daing Lu Ye Camp in the summer of 1965 along with Ko Sein Shwe, Khin Than Myint Tin and Zaw Min
LYC 1LYC 2
MC(1) sent Cherry Hlaing, Khin Maung U, Anita Aye Pe and Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF).
RIT
Eight engineering departments
Architecture
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Mechanical
Metallurgical
Mining
Textile
Most departments have associations. The RIT Mechanical Engineering Association was active. Ko Win Thein (M67, GBNF) was a Prime Mover. He co-founded Set Hmu Thadinzin & Mechanical Magazine. He organized activities.
RIT Sports Council was headed by Saya U Maung Maung Than (GBNF). U Maung Maung (Burma Selected in soccer) was Sports Officer. The associations for the various sports were headed by sayas.
Several RIT students were Burma Selected. They include Sai Kham Pan (Badminton) and Htay Aung (Water Polo).
Htay Aung
Saya Mao Toon Siong (former Burma Champion) was National Coach for Table Tennis. He also coached RIT team which won the Inter-Institute Championship.
Saya Mao
Electrical Sayas
EE Sayas
Electrical Engineering was headed by Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor & Head).
Senior sayas included U Kyaw Tun (saya of our sayas), U Tin Swe & U Sein Win. All are now GBNF.
There were about 20 sayas. Five were on deputation for further studies abroad.
I wrote “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” for SPZP-2010. Sayas U Thein Lwin and U Nyi Nyi have since passed away.
EC and EP
There were two options : EC (Electrical Communications) and EP (Electrical Power). Per advice from the industry, only a quarter of students were accepted for EC.
80+ EE students in 3rd BE.
40+ EE students graduated in 1969
EE69ers
EP students outnumbered EC students 3 by 1. Several bright students played safe by choosing EP (which provided a job guarantee).
We studied EC (Electrical Communications). Twelve of us graduated in 1969.
Five EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Aung Thu Yein, Chit Tin, Oo Kyaw Hla & Sai Aik Yee — are now GBNF.
Several years later, EC became Electronics Engineering.
A few decades later, Electronics Engineering and Electrical Power became full-fledged departments.
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
AFAIK, EC was the hardest and strictest discipline at the RIT in those days as we’ve been told. Some even asked us why we had to go there. Of course, I am not going to mention the easiest discipline there, but we joked like, “they had 109 students and 110 passed the exam”. I do not mean any disrespect to Sayas and friends from other majors!! At times, it made us wonder why were we there for god’s sake. CRAZY TIMES!!! Indeed.
Volunteer
I served as
Treasurer & Vice Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
Class Representative, Joint Secretary & Secretary of RITEE (Rangoon Institute of Technology Electrical Engineering Association)
Member of Committee for “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung”
Editor of the Bulletin published by RIT English Association
Member of UTC, Rowing, Scrabble, and Chess Assocations / Clubs
Free lance writer (articles, poems, translations). My poem “Men on the Moon” was sent to NASA by USIS, and it was published in the Guardian newspaper in July 1969
Men on the Moon
Updates
Some joined the Faculty. Some worked in the Industry. A few worked for private or family business. Some moved overseas.
Danny suggested to have a Class Reunion. It was realized as 30th Anniversary of Graduation & Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe in 1999.
I started “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in April 1999. It partially helped to have SPZP-2000.
SPZP-2000 Orgsnizers
69er Health Care Fund was established. Ko Aung Min is current Chair. He and his team maintain the finances & activities.
GBNF List
69ers hold monthly Breakfast Gatherings (except during the pandemic). They have major Reunions in 1999, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
40th Anniversary (2009)Golden Jubilee of Admission (2014)50th Anniversary (2019)
Awards
Received Alumni Appreciation Awards in October 2000, August 2016 and September 2016.
During our RIT days, he was a super energetic organizer and a prime mover. As a member of the Gold Flake Cigarette Family, he inherited business acumen and organization skills.
Co-founded “Set Hmu Thadizin Zin စက်မှုသတင်းစဉ်”. Typing and drawing on stencil paper were not easy, but he spent time crafting the stencils into the revered weekly Thadinzin.
Vice President, RIT Mechanical Engg Association. Co-founded Magazine for the Association.
Suggested to name the main gate as “U Lu Paw Gate ဦးလူပေါ ဂိတ်” after the famous cartoon character from “Burma Star”.
Organized mini-festivals for freshers and junior students.
Graduated in 1967 with Mechanical Engineering
Worked for Sittaung Paper Mill and PCIC.
Founded “Ya Tha Cho”.
Did not live long enough to see SPZPs, SDYF, RITAA, HMEE & Shwe YaDu.
Remembering U Win Thein
The following remembered his contributions well.
U Tin Maung Aye (M69) : Member of RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Troupe, Member of RIT Annual Magazine & Co-worker at PCIC. He gave us two photos of U Win Thein (one at RIT, one at PCIC)
U Aung Min (M69) : Chair of 69er Health Care Fund & Organizer for the Class of 69
U Thein Swe (EP69, GBNF) : 3rd BE Luyechun & Organizer of EE69er Gatherings
U Maung Maung Kyi (Dip Ing, Wales, GBNF) : Co-worker at Sittaung Paper Mill & PCIC
Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70, Singapore) : Co-founder of Dana Sri Lanka, Minthamee, Organizer of Singapore Pon Chan Chan Group
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) : Super Fund raiser for RIT-related activities including SPZPs, YTU Library Modernization Project; Patron of RITAA
U Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu) wrote : နာမည်ချင်းတူ၍သိခြင်း။ ကျောင်းသားချင်း Tuition ပေးခြင်း။ စစ်တောင်းစက္ကူစက်အုပ်စုဖြစ်ခြင်း။ မန္တလေးကုန်စည်ဒိုင်သို့ဆရာဦးလင်းနှင့်ရောက်လာခြင်း။ နေမကောင်းစဉ်ရန်ကုန်အိမ်တွင်တွေ့လိုက်ရခြင်းများကိုသတိရလျက်ပါကိုဝင်းသိန်းရေ
Updates
Mechanical Newsletters for 1968-69 to 1973-74 were scanned and archived in a CD by U Kyaw Thein and Daw Than Than Mu (1974 batch)
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 KyiU Ba LwinU 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 AungSPZP
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 MaungU Ba Myint U Khine OoU Soe PaingDaw Mya Mya ThanU Thein DanU Tin Win U Ko Ko KyiDaw 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)
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)
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.
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
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.
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 1U Wara 2U 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
HlaMin 