Ko Chit Htun (Mining) passed away at the age of 68 on 19 December 2011 (Monday). His funeral will be on 23rd December, 2011 at Yae Wai at 2 pm. He was a lecturer at YIT.
Chit Htun
We are going to meet his family this evening.
With Metta, Aung Min ( M69 )
Comments
U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M 69) wrote :
So sad to hear that Ko Chit Htun has passed away. Please send my deepest condolences to his family.
U Aung Myint (M 69) wrote :
Hi Danny, I met Ko Aung Min online yesterday just after he had sent out sad news to us. When I asked Ko Aung Min to send our condolences to Ko Chit Htun’s bereaved family, he mentioned to me that he’d donate Ks 100,000 from 69ers fund. Besides, Ko AM said he would go there in a few minutes when we were online. By the way, Ko Chit Htun, Mehm Aye Chan (Ohn Mg), Kyaw Tint, Ko Taing Ok and I were together at ThaMine College hostels looking after RIT 1st yr students. I still remember him as a very jovial person. I believe Ko Chit Htun will now rest in peace.
Executive Committee member of the RIT Electrical Engineering Association.
Graduated from RIT in 1968 with B.E (EP).
Joined EPC (Electric Power Corporation) and retired as DyCE (Deputy Chief Engineer).
Played soccer for RIT, All Universities & Institutes, Electric Power Corporation (EPC) and Burma.
Passed away at the age of 72.
Cousin of Daw Thuzar (actress & spouse of Jeffery Tun Aung).
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EP76) wrote :
I believe he left EPC as DyCE. Upon retirement he was active in football [soccer], became Technical Director/Team Leader with the Football federation. For all his efforts, he was awarded “Excellent Performance in Social Field (Third Class)” in January 2008.
First native Dean to head the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University
Transferred to the Faculty of Engineering, RU from GTI (Government Technical Institute) where he was Principal and Professor of Civil Engineering
Credited for the “Twinning Program” between the Faculty of Engineering, RU and the prestigious universities in the USA
Per request from U Aung Khin (retired Professor & Head of Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (EE) — the only son — wrote about his beloved father for the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP-2000. It has been re-posted in the newsletter updates and in the RIT Alumni Facebook Pages. Sayagyi passed away in his house on U Wisara Road in Rangoon.
Tribute to U Ba HliTribute
Interim Deans
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Dr. Tha Hla
U Po Tha
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Htin Aung
Principal, Rangoon College
Rector, Rangoon University
Vice Chancellor, Rangoon University
Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Burmese Ambassador to Ceylon
Folklorist / Historian
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Dr. Maung Maung Kha and family
Doctorate in Meteorological Physics from Imperial College, London University
Professor & Head of Physics Department at Rangoon University
Interim Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University
Longest tenured Rector
Rector of Rangoon University
Rector of RASU
Rector of University of Distance Learning
Plays the violin well
Accompanied U Ba Kyi (Artist, translator/composer of songs”) singing “Hne Yauk Hte Nay Chin De” in Burmese and English
Passed away in Yangon in 2005.
Centennial celebrations for his birthday were held in 2015.
Early Rectors
Dr. Htin Aung (RU)
Dr. Hla Myint (RU)
Dr. Tha Hla (RU)
U Kar (RU)
Dr. Maung Maung Kha (RU, RASU)
U Yone Mo (RIT)
Dr. Aung Gyi (RIT)
U Khin Aung Kyi (RIT)
U Maung Maung Than (RIT)
U Yone Mo
U Yone Mo
Retired Chief Engineer, Burma Railways
In 1961, the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University moved to Gyogone and had a new name Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).
Appointed Dean of Engineering at the BIT Gyogone Campus
Under the new Education System, BIT became an autonomous Institute with the name Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). He became the Rector.
Proponent of taking power naps
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) remembers how his friends were having fun with the “Ye Punn ရေပန်း” (Water Foundation). Saya saw them, but did not scold them. He said with a smile, “Young men, you can go to the University Swimming Pool or to the Inya Kan ကန် (Lake)”.
Established the weekly “Yoke Shin ရုပ်ရှင်” at the Assembly Hall.
Dr. Aung Gyi (Professor of Civil Engineering) remembered seeing a letter from U Yone Mo (Rector) sent to U Yone Mo (Parent of a son who happened to visit his gambling friends at the hostel). Dr. Aung Gyi told the Admin to stow away the letter.
Ko Zaw Min Nawaday knows Sayagyi & his spouse (Daw Elizabeth Yone Mo, High Ranking Nurse at RGH and a close friend of Daw Khin May Than) very well. Sayagyi and Dr. Aung Gyi were in May Myo during one summer. Sayagyi asked Dr. Aung Gyi and Ko Zaw Min to accompany him. They ate Khauk Swe. Sayagyi reminded them not to tell about his “Khauk Swe” appetite to Sayagadaw.
Dr. Aung Gyi
Dr. Aung Gyi
Succeeded U Yone Mo as Rector
Rector (1971 – 1977)
See Posts
Memories of Dr. Aung Gyi
Speech at SPZP-2000
Coconut Episode
U Khin Aung Kyi
U Khin Aung Kyi
Stood 7th in Burma in the Matriculation of 1949
He did his B S and M S at MIT
Professor of Chemical Engineering at RIT
Succeeded Dr. Aung Gyi as Rector
Taught at Rengsit University in Bangkok, Thailand
Provided interview for HMEE-2012 Project
U Maung Maung Than
U Maung Maung Than
BS in Textile Engineering from Clemson University and MS from Lowell University
Professor & Head of Textile Engineering Department, RIT
Rector, YIT
DG, DHE
Chair, RIT Sports Council
Hobbies : Chinlon, Music
Helped establish Engineering at Defense Services Academy
Dr. Henry Cho Tun (Myint Tun) wrote:
I’m going to add a few things about Saya U Mg Mg Than. I’m very close to him and the family and the son is my student. We are all golfers and both of them are very good. Saya MM Than is as good as Saya Soe Paing and plays with clubs that are custom made for him. Hope the following would be useful additions. Thank you
He did his B S at Clemson and M S at Lowell.
He joined BIT in 1957 as lecturer -Head of Textile Engineering Department at BOC college
1964 was appointed Professor at RIT
Served as Rector, 1990-1992
Director General of The Department of Higher Education 1992-1994 and retired
Served as Director of Studies at DSTA (Defense Services Technical Academy)
Dr. Tin Win, son of U Kwet Kaw and Daw Hla Yi, was a Maths Gold Medalist in 1958 I.Sc. Exams. He stood first in 1962 batch of B.Sc. Mech. Eng. graduates. After working at Mandalay Brewery and Distillery for a year, he joined RIT as an Assistant Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Department in 1963. He left for Melbourne University, Australia, in 1966 and obtained the doctorate degree in 1971. In 1972, he was promoted to Lecturer and worked at RIT till 1977 when he left for USA.
After working six months at Gardner Denver in Dallas, Texas, he joined Brown & Root (Halliburton Company) in Houston and became Head of Mechanical and Piping Department in 1988. Since 1992, he has been working as a Project Manager, currently in Subsea Engineering Division of Brown & Root Energy Services Business Unit.
He married Lily (Khin Htar Yee, T72) in 1984, and both of them will be attending the RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.
Updates (by Hla Min)
Saya is Past President of BASES
Was interviewed by Mandalay Gazette
Ran the Los Angeles Marathon to raise fund for SPZP-2007
Core organizer for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Ma Rosie, his sister, worked for RIT Chemistry department from 1965 to 1976
Penny, another sister, is from the class of 70
Lily was Founding member & Secretary of BEA (in Northern California) before she moved to Texas
After retirement, he and Lily relocated to Los Angeles (Southern California).
Lily’s sister is from the class of A73.
Myint Thin (Standing rrightmost)
Myint Thin (M71, GBNF) is a multiple RIT Luyechun. He rowed for RIT. He sponsored Sayagyi U Ba Than to SPZP-2007 in Singapore. He worked in Singapore and Malaysia.
Professor Emeritus & Head of Civil Engineering at Rangoon Institute of Technology
Nativity
Born, brought up, and schooled in Taungdwingyi, Magwe Division, Myanmar, by my parents Saw Boon Koke (aka) U Win Myint and Daw Kyin Toke.
Family
Named as Maung Kyit Ing, the eldest son of six, three younger brothers (two Medical Doctors and one Head Master of State High School) and two younger sisters (one Medical Doctor and one Director of Education).
Married to Daw Khin Myint Myint.
Have two sons (Nicholas, a Medical Doctor and Daniel, a Computer Analyst) and one daughter (Penthea, a Medical Doctor), and three grand daughters.
Residence
Currently living with my spouse at 5947 Loma Avenue, Temple City, California 91780-1924, U.S.A.
Academic Career
School Leaving Certificate from Taungdwingyi State High School and Matriculated, 1948
University of Rangoon: Intermediate of Science, 1950
B.O.C. College: 1st Year B.Sc. Engineering, 1951
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): BS (Civil Engineering), 1955
Cornell University: MS (Civil Engineering) with Major in Geodesy and Photogrammetry, 1956
Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon, 1957-1961
Colombo Plan Professor, University College, London, 1974-1975
Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT), once also known as Burma Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Civil Engineering, 1961-1988
Accomplishments
Professor & Head of Department of Civil Engineering, more than 31 years of service as educator and administrator at RIT, (1957-1988)
Director of Regional Colleges Development Project (Burmese Counterpart to Foreign Experts) (1978-1982), helped establish 20 Regional Colleges all over Burma
Chairman of Civil Engineering Construction Cooperative (CECC) (1976-1982), created job opportunity and On-the-Job-Training (OJT) for RIT and University Graduates, a Consultant Firm engaging the expertise of Faculty and Laboratory Staffs
Consultant Member of the Myanmar National Calendar Advisory Committee (1972-1988), helped revise and update Traditional Calendar Computation and Compilation Methods
Member of the Advisory Committee for Restoration of Bagan (1975-1988), helped strengthen Bagan Monuments (Stupas & Pagodas) and establish Photogrammetric Resources for rapid and precise mapping of Bagan Monuments.
Editor’s notes
Saya taught “Surveying” in my 2nd B.E. course
He is an expert in both Western & Eastern Astronomy, Western & Eastern Astrology.
He served on the “Myanmar Calendar Advisory Board” for many years.
He wrote an article, which complements/augments Kogyi Koung’s narrative of the “Kyaikhtiyo Project”.
He also wrote about “Bagan restoration” and “Civil Engineering Department”.
He retired from Caltrans when he was about 80 years young.
He passed away in Southern California.
Memories
Attended SPZP-2000 & gave speech
Welcome Dinner for SPZP-2000
Alumni mostly from SoCal meet annually for Lunch gathering with Saya. Dr. San Lin invited us to one gathering.
Saya & former students
Dr. Aung Soe led the practical for Saya’s course on Surveying.
U Min Wun Professor Emeritus, Civil Engineering, RIT
U Min Wun
When I read the article on “Kyaik Hti Yo Development Project” (KHYDP) by Dr. Koung Nyunt, Arch 67 – New Zealand, it brings me lots of fond memories and remind me of the “Good Old Days” of my tenure at the then R.I.T. It urges me to write this supplemental article.
There are many attractive sites in Myanmar for pilgrims, such as
• “Ah Laung Daw Katha Pha” to the west of Monywa, • “Popa Taung Kalat” and “Mount Popa” north of Kyauk Pa Daung, • “Pin Da Ya Hlaing Gu” near Nyaung Shwe in Shan State, • “U Daung Taung” near Inlay Lake in Shan State, • “Mrauk U” and “Wei Tha Li” in Rakkhine State, • “Kyaik Hti Yo” in Mon State, … and so on, just to mention a few.
These pilgrimage sites are our “National Wilderness Heritages”. A Wilderness is a place where the imprint of humans is substantially unnoticed, and the changes will occur primarily through natural disturbance, and minimum human influence. This is not the case with Kyaik Hti Yo, and many of the above pilgrimage sites in Myanmar, where human encroachment and activity are becoming noticeable.
On your way up the Kyaik Hti Yo Trek, after the Nga Gar Lain climb, the first sight of the Gilded Stupa-Topped Boulder, resembling a Hermit’s Head, floating on top of a Stone Pillar, appears in vista vision. At that time, a thrilling feeling of achievement and excitement is beyond description and all the physical tiredness seems to have dissolved and melted away in the bodily blood stream. During the Pagoda Festival Season, this scenario was usually hidden from view by a long row of bamboo huts along the last ridge toward the Kyaik Hti Yo Pagoda Plateau. Many smaller boulders along the ridge were painted in white for advertising the vendors.
To the East of the Pagoda Plateau many bamboo huts align the smaller ridges with waterless bathrooms in the back and human wastes are dumped along the slopes, creating ugly and unsanitary sites for parasites, and causing unpleasant smell in the air. Water is a scarce property and it is a luxury to afford a shower.
With the blessing of the venerable “Me Byaw Sayadaw”, the Kyaik Hti Yo Pagoda Trustees (KHYPT), requested me to prepare a Project Report for the development of Kyaik Hti Yo and its Environment. The Project was sponsored by the KHYPT under the auspices of the Kyaik Hto Township Party and Council. The Project Development Team (PDT) was formed with the following volunteer Team Leaders: Dr. Koung Nyunt, ( Dept of Architecture, R.I.T.); Dr. San Lin and U Hla Thein (Electric Power Corporation, E.P.C.); Dr. Kyaw Latt, (National Housing Board, N.H.B.); U Tint Lwin (?), (Dept of Geology, R.A.S.U.); U Aye Win Kyaw, (Dept of Civil Engineering, R.I.T.).
And volunteer members from R.I.T., E.P.C., N.H.B., R.A.S.U., too numerous to mention and I do hope they will excuse me.
Preservation of Wilderness : Dr. Koung Nyunt and his team had prepared many good recommendations to preserve Kyaik Hti Yo and its environment by maintaining the natural landscapes and scenic beauty, and to preserve it as a Wilderness Area. (See Slide #16 of Kyaik Htiyo Album, KHA. Dr. Kyaw Latt is the Second from the Left, looking away from camera.)
Zoning : The team lead by Dr Kyaw Latt had prepared useful Zoning Maps, with guidelines for enforcement, to demarcate Kyaik Hti Yo Plateau for Resting Huts, Food Stalls, Souvenir Boutiques, Photographers, etc.
Hydro-power : The Hydropower Team lead by Dr. San Lin & U Hla Thein made a feasibility study for Micro-hydro Power Project, for lighting, for pumping water to the Pagoda Plateau level for water supply and sanitation purposes. U Hla Thein will design the turbine and manufacture it locally. (See Slide #29 of KHA.)
Geological Survey : U Tint Lwin and his team made a general geological survey of Hyaik Hti Yo Pagoda Site. A detailed study of the Stone Pillar and the Hermit-Head Boulder was conducted. Disposed “Food Offerings” were found at the foot of the Stone Pillar and many “rodent holes” were also observed. These holes became small piping tunnels for runoff water to drain deeper and quicker into the ground, causing erosion and exposing the base of the Stone Pillar. This process was gradually endangering the stability of the Stone Pillar, which is “supposed” to support the 160-ton Hermit-Head Boulder on top of it. A concrete slab was poured around the base of the Stone Pillar and discarding of “Food Offerings” at the base was at once prohibited. Several hairline cracks were observed at the top of the Stone Pillar and “Water Offerings” to the Stupa on top of the Boulder was prohibited temporarily until the hair line cracks were sealed with apoxy resin. (See Slide # 25 of KHA.)
Civil Engineering : U Aye Win Kyaw and his surveying team were very ingenious to determine the volume of the Hermit-Head Boulder and its weight, which was calculated to be approximately 160 tons. The center of gravity of the Boulder was determined to be 6 to 9 inches away from the vertical axis of the “Contact Point” with the Stone Pillar, giving an impression of being on the verge of falling off. The Boulder seems to be afloat and can be rocked back and forth about a shifting “Contact Point” on top of the Stone Pillar. A rope can be pulled through this “Contact Point”, without getting crushed, by rocking the Boulder gently. And it seems to defy the Law of Gravity, thus making it both a terrestrial and a celestial “Wonder”. (See Slides #13, #22, and #24 of KHA.)
Many field trips were organized by each team to do site investigations both during Kyaik Hti Yo Festival Season (beginning at the end of the Buddhist Lent and ending on the Lunar New Year Day) and off the Festival Season. According to an age-old saying, the author should become rich because he had made more than “Three Trips to Kyaik Hti Yo Pagoda”, at least nine trips. The age-old saying is, perhaps, true, because many of the PDT members and volunteers are now abroad living comfortably or enjoying a retirement life.
A feasibility report was submitted to the Kyaik Hti Yo Pagoda Trustees in 1982. Since then I have not been to Kyaik Hti Yo Pagoda Festival. I have learned that there are many improvements to make Kyaik Hti Yo a Tourist Attraction. We should, however, keep in our mind that the “Wilderness” of Kyaik Hti Yo should be protected and valued for its unique ecological, historical, religious, scientific and experiential resources.
Note :
Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67) and Sayagyi U Min Wun are GBNF.
Was studying Mechanical Engineering when he was offered to study MET at Lehigh University in the US.
Completed BS & joined Faculty as Assistant Lecturer
Received MS from Melbourne University
Became Lecturer & Head of Metallurgy Department
Taught “Materials and Processes” in our 2nd BE class. He would throw chalk at the noisy student(s).
Moved to Australia.
Sent condolences via the RIT Alumni Newsletter when Saya Allen Htay (C58) passed away. He was a bit senior to Saya Allen during their high school in Yegyaw.
Wrote a brief history of the Metallurgy Department for HMEE project. He suggested other Met sayas to cover more (after he left RIT).
Attended selected Reunion and PZPs in Yangon.
Dr. Saw Pru (GBNF)
He succeeded U Thit as Head of Department
Ko Thein Ngwe (ChE76) posted an article about “လူဝင်စား” It mentioned that Saya chose to be reborn as a son of his nephew Ko Khin Aung Shwe.
U Than Tin
He studied in US.
Acting Head of Department
After teaching for several years, he moved to US.
I spoke with him briefly before SPZP-2000.
Dr. Tin Win said that U Than Tin moved from East Coast to Los Angeles
Dr. Khin Maung Win (GBNF)
Dr. Khin Maung Win
B.Sc. from Mandalay University
Worked at Mandalay U and later at UBARI in Rangoon.
Went on a government scholarship to USA to get his MS and PhD in Metallurgy.
Joined RIT Met
Later became DG of Technological Agricultural and Vocational Education.
U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF)
U Aung Hla Tun HMEE
Retired as Associate Professor
Published two books
Won National Literary Award for his first book.
Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazine
He & his team published the History of Myanmar Engineering Education book in 2012. U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement for the book.
Saya led HMEE-2012 & HMEE-2018 projects.
Some Senior Sayas
U Pe Win : Professor and Rector
U Tin Maung Nyunt (Met70) : Retired as Professor. Note that U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) taught Agricultural Engineering.
Daw Victoria Simon (Met70) : Retired as Professor. Her father was Workshop Superintendent.
U Win Kyaw (Met71) : Rowing; Moved to Ministry of Mines in 1982
Win Kyaw
U Thein Aung (Met72) : Mr. RIT in 1968; SPZP-2000 (co-emcee, Associate Editor), Lawrence Livermore Lab
Thein Aung
U Nyunt Htay (Met73) : High school Luyechun, Poet, Chief Editor of Mudita Myanmar)
Nyunt Htay
Miscellaneous
U Win Kyaw, U Thein Aung & U Nyunt Htay had a micro-reunion at 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles and at the iNapa Winery Lunch & Dinner hosted by Gordon Kaung (M83) and Lillian Kaung (EC83).
U Nyunt Htay hosted a Dinner for U Win Kyaw, U Ye Myint and me during my visit to Yangon (from Nov 2019 to Jan 2020). He also gave me the Kabyar book (by five RIT sayas / alumni) and the Mudita Sar Saung (which featured the kabyars of him and Saya U Moe Aung).
Younger sayas and sayamas include Dr. Naing Naing Aung (Met91, who organized seminars).
