There are about 3000 articles in my web site hlamin.com
It is difficult if not impossible to revise all the articles.
Note that the events described here mostly cover my journey as a University Student.
Other events (e.g. 1946 to 1970s) are covered in other Posts. I have honored Outstanding Matriculates (e.g. f1951 to 1965) in other Posts.
1963
Guinea Pigs
We took the Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
SPHS63Hla Min (7th Place)
Paulians took 5 places among the Top Five, 7 places among the Top Ten, and 10 places among the Top Twenty.
Khin Maung U (1st)
Min Oo (2nd)
Myo San (3rd, GBNF)
Nyunt Wai (4th)
Thein Wai (5th)
Hla Min (7th)
Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th)
Maung Maung Kyi (11th, GBNF)
Aung Thu Yein (13th, GBNF)
Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th)
We attended the last ever I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone.
Following the “Anniversary of 7th July, 1962” events, the major parts of Rangion and Mandalay Universities were closed for an unspecified period.
Engineering and Medical Classes were spared at that time.
Subsequently, those who were only one year senior to us in High School graduated 2.5 years ahead of us (the Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems).
RUBC
We joined Rangoon University Boat Club.
Our Paulians Crew was Runners-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, Vice President U Po Zon and U Tin Htoon (A60) compiled the 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 and the Patrons decided to hold the “40th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC” at a hotel in Kandawgyi.
RUBC 40th Anniversary
Burma Institute of Technology
My elder brother and several of my sayas graduated from the Burma Institute of Technology (BIT) in 1963.
They were from the second batch of BIT.
The degree conferred was B.Sc. (Engg).
1964
Education System
The New Education System was implemented in November, 1964.
Most Faculties of the University of Rangoon became autonomous Institutes with their own Rectors.
The Youth Affairs Department implemented Luyechun (Outstanding Students) Program in the Summer of 1964. Eligible students from 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Standards were chosen to attend the 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 the controversial Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA). Ko Zaw Min was admitted as Roll Number One. Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Cho Aye (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) and Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, GBNF) were among the top students.
300+ who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(A) examination 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) and Thein Swe (GBNF) were among the top students.
About 200 students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) examination were admitted to the 3rd BE (formerly 1st year Engineering). Tun Aung (Jeffrey, GBNF) was a top student.
RUBC
Elected as Honorary Treasurer of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). I had to report to Professor William Paw (President of RUBC).
I was the last Executive Committee member to be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Served as Vice Captain the following year.
The 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)
Note : My affection for Rowing & RUBC did not wither. I served as Contributing Editor for the RUBC 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine.
RUBC Souvenir Magazine
Matriculation
Cherry Hlaing (Than Than Tin, St. John’s Convent) and Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) had the Joint Highest Marks.
Based on ILA, Cherry would be admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1). She would be selected Luyechun for the Inlay Camp in the summer of 1965. Her grand father U Hoke Sein and her father U Saw Hlaing were also First in Burma. Her two children would also be First in Family. The record of five family members (spanning four generations) standing First in Burma is an enviable record that will not be broken.
Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS64) had four distinctions and the same raw score, but his performance in Burmese gave him a lower ILA than Cherry. He is a Scholar Athlete with proficiency in Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis and Chess. He was selected Luyechun in a subsequent year.
Aung Win Chiong (SPHS64) has the next best raw score. He had a perfect ILA score and was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number One.
Maurice Hla Kyi (Min Lwin, SPHS64) had the 5th highest marks. He was 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. He majored in Chemistry before moving to USA. He retired as a Chemical Engineer and Pastor.
Bernard (Center)
Aung Myint (SPHS65) had the second best raw marks. He and his twin brother Maung Aye moved to USA and pursued Ph.D
Winston Sein Maung (SPHS65, GBNF) had the third best raw marks.
Cherry Than Tin had the fourth best raw marks. She was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (2).
Yi Thwe (SPHS65, GBNF) was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (1).
Paing Soe (Freddie, SPHS65) had same marks as Yi Thwe. He was 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.
After Nationalization, St. Paul’s High School was renamed as No. (6) Botathaung State High School.
Nationalization
The consequences of the Coup d’etat include
Disappearance of Democracy
Nationalization of industry and schools
Indiscriminate demonetization
Increased censorship
With every turmoil (effecting “National Security”), the universities, institutes and schools were suspended.
After the schools were nationalized, 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
The program was extended to include Universitites and Institutes in the Summer of 1965.
I attended the Inlay Khaung Daing Lu Ye Camp in the summer of 1965 along with U Sein Shwe, Daw Khin Than Myint Tin and U Zaw Min Nawaday.
LYC 1LYC 2
MC(1) sent Cherry Hlaing, Khin Maung U, Anita Aye Pe and Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF).
RIT
There were eight engineering departments
Architecture
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Mechanical
Metallurgy
Mining
Textile
Most departments have associations. The RIT Mechanical Engineering Association was active. U Win Thein (M67, GBNF) was a Prime Mover. He co-founded Set Hmu Thadinzin and Mechanical Magazine. He co-organized activities.
The 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 was headed by a saya.
Several RIT students were Burma Selected. They include Sai Kham Pan (Badminton) and Htay Aung (Swimming and Water Polo).
Htay Aung
Saya Mao Toon Siong (former Burma Champion) was National Coach for Table Tennis. He also coached the RIT team which won the Inter-Institute Championship.
Saya Mao
Electrical Sayas
EE Sayas
In those days, the Electrical Engineering was headed by Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor and Head).
The senior sayas included U Kyaw Tun (saya of our sayas), U Tin Swe and 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 in the industry, only a quarter of the students were accepted for EC.
There were 80+ EE students in the beginning. Tin Tin (Anne) was the lone female EE student.
At the end, there were 40+ EE students left.
EE69ers
The EP students outnumbered the 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.
Four EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Aung Thu Yein, Chit Tin and Oo Kyaw Hla — are now GBNF.
A few 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
In 2015, RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) Alumni had a Reunion in Los Angeles. It was a two day event — Reunion Dinner at Knott’s Berry Farm and a Farewell Brunch.
Dr. Aung GyiOrganizers
Event
Reunion
RIT Alumni Reunion was held in Los Angeles in 2015.
Organizers
Saya Dr. Tin Win : Past President, BASES; Initiator of the Reunion
Saya Dr. Tin Win
Saya U Tin Htut : Founder & Past President, BASES; Financial Controller
U Tin Htut
U Khin Maung Lay (Henry) : Past President, BASES; Emcee; Entertainment
U KML (2nd from R), U TTZ (3rd from R)
U Thura Thant Zin : Past President, BASES; Optional event was Brunch Gathering at the Campus of his Company.
Entertainers & TTZ
Several alumni and BASES EC members served as Volunteers.
Sponsor
Steeve (KFF Founder)
Kay Family Foundation (established by Steeve Kay / Thaung Sein EC70) provided a Matching Fund of $30000
Main Event
Dr. Aung Gyi
Reunion Dinner and Entertainment at Knott’s Berry Farm
The 1969 RIT Graduates Reunion was held in Rangoon/Yangon, Burma/Myanmar on Saturday, 20 February 1999 at Sait-Teng-Kya Restaurant near Kandawgyi lake.
Idea
The idea was mooted three years ago when a few of us were having dinner together and thought of having a gathering in 1999. After that most of us have forgotten about the idea until around the end of November 1998 when a group of our friends led by Ko Yee Pinn (Tavoy), Ko Myint Maung (aka “Bu”, RIT Volleyball selected), Ko Shwe, Ko Win Lwin, etc. decided to have a grand re-union in February 1999. They also decided that to be more meaningful we should invite our Sayas to pay them respect as well and, hence, it became the reunion cum Saya-ga-daw-pwe.
Attendees
On that very day the guest trickled in starting from about 4.00 p.m at the restaurant. The guests were required to fill in their names and contact numbers. The organizers promised to compile the name list and send to everybody who attended. By 6.00 p.m. about 30 Sayas and about 120 of our graduates were in the restaurant. The master-of-ceremony, Ko Win Lwin, announced the start of the ceremony.
Speeches
The programme started off with a few speeches, led by Nyi Hla Nge, representing the graduates in Rangoon, followed by Danny, representing the graduates overseas, Sai Aung Win, representing graduates outside Rangoon and last but not the least, by Saya U Kyin Soe, representing all the Sayas.
Paying respect
After that we gave respect to the Sayas. All the Sayas were seated on the stage and all of us sat on the floor. Some gifts were distributed to the Sayas followed by photo taking session and then the sumptuous dinner began.
Dinner & Entertainment
About 9 to 10 dishes were served but, most of us were too excited to notice what we were eating. Halfway through the dinner some of us went up the stage and sang some songs for entertainment. Even all the ladies, led by Alice and Naw Mu Mu Aye were on the stage as well. The crowd went wild.
Vow
The party ended at about 9.30 p.m. with some of the graduates not so sober. It was indeed a memorable gathering and we all vowed to meet again in December 2000 at place and date to be announced early next year. Three cheers to the organizers and those who have one way or the other help in making this event a great success.
1969
Updates
How time flies.
The Class of 69 celebrated the 30th anniversary reunion in 1999. The correspondence (Ko Daniel Tint Lwin, Ma Alice Saw Yu Tint, …) was partly responsible for the establishment of the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and the first ex-RIT web site.
40th Anniversary Reunion in 2009
2009
Golden Jubilee of Admission in 2014
2014
Golden Jubilee of Graduation in 2019
2019
U Aung Min (M69) is Chair of 69er Health Care Fund. He and his team maintain the GBNF list.
GBNF
Several Octogenarians — U Tin Maung, Harry Tin Htut, Uzin Bobby, Uzin Aung Chaw, U Ngwe Tun, U Win Thein Zaw, U Ngwe Soe, Albert Kyaw Min, Mehm Aye Chan, U Kyaw Zin, Robert Win Boh, U Tin Aung Win …
Matriculates had to study two years of Intermediate Classes.
Those aspiring to become Engineers had to pass the I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science) classes with 50+ marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry. They then study four years at the Engineering College for their B.Sc. (Engg) degree.
RU
Rangoon University was opened on 1st December 1920 with Rangoon College and Judson College as constitutent colleges. There were only three Faculties: Arts, Science and Law.
First Strike
The First RU Students’ Strike started on 5th December 1920 to protest the deficiencies of the 1920 RU Act. It led to the opening of National Schools and National College. It also forced amendments to the RU Act (notably in 1923).
Engineering Classes
In 1924, the inaugural engineering classes were opened.
Details can be found in the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) book published in 2012. Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF, National Literary Award winner, former Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazine) served as Leader and Principal Auhor of the book. U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE book.
Engineering students have to attend
I.Sc.(A)
I.Sc.(B)
1st Year of Engineering
2nd Year of Engineering
3rd Year of Engineering
4th & Final Year of Engineering
Engineering Departments
Architecture
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Mechanical
Metallurgy
Mining
Textile.
Civil was the earliest Discipline. Mechanical and Electrical Disciplines were offered next. In the mid and late 1950s, five more Disciplines were added.
New Education System
In November 1964, RU was reorganized. Several Faculties became autonomous Institutes.
RIT
The Faculty of Engineering (known also as the Burma Institute of Technology) became Rangoon Institute of Technolgy with U Yone Moe (former Dean of BIT) as Rector and U Soe Thein (former Ta-Ka-Tha Leader) as Registrar.
Three Batches
In November 1964, three batches of students were admitted to RIT.
ILA (Intelligence Level Agregate) was used to admit 400+ Matriculates to the 1st BE. ILA was controversial.
300+ students who had passed the I.Sc.(A) examination were admitted to the 2nd BE.
About 200 students who had passed the I.Sc.(B) examination were admitted to the 3rd BE.
Classes
In the New Education System, the Classes are called
1st BE
2nd BE
3rd BE
4th BE
5th BE
6th & Final BE. BE stands for Bachelor of Engineering.
For Architects, the Classes are called BArch (Bachelor of Architecture).
RIT69ers
Guinea Pigs
The Group is jokingly eferred to the Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems.
Most took the Last ever 7th Standard Government exam in March 1960.
They took the First ever 9th Standard (HSF/ High School Final Only) exam in March 1962. Those from Rangoon had to take the exam with Security Forces patroling the streets after the Coup d’etat on March 2nd by the Revolutionary Council. They had to retake the HSF exam in August 1962 because the Higher Authorities said that there were question leakage.
They took the 10th Standard (Matriculation Only) exam in May 1963.
In sum, they had to take three or four Government exams before being admitted to the University. In contrast, my older brother had to take only two exams : 7th Std. exam in March 1955, and the HSF & Matriculation exam in March 1957.
They took the Last ever I.Sc.(A) exam at various schools, since most classes at Rangoon University, Mandalay University and Intermediate Colleges were suspended (for an unspecified period).
Some classmates (e.g. Maung Maung Kyi (GBNF, SPHS63, 11th in Matric) applied Scholarship to study abroad, since he was the eldest in the family and did not want to burden his parents.
After a long wait, some of my Leik Khone classmates (e.g. Aung Min (M69)) were admitted to 2nd BE in November 1964. There were 300 + students. The admission was based on the I.Sc.(A) exam marks. A few decided to study BArch.
For the 2nd BE, the students had to study English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Drawing, Surveying, Materials and Processes, Sociology & Workshop.
Starting with the 3rd BE, the students had to choose their Discipline. Civil and Mechanical were the top choices with 100+ students. Electrical had 70+ students. Chemical and Textile had 15+ students. Mining, Metallurgy and Architecture had 10 (or so) students.
For 5th BE, EE students had to chose the Option: EP (Electrical Power) and EC (Electrical Communications)
Most 69ers graduated in 1969 after passing 6th BE. Some took sabbatical, and graduated a year or two later.
The 69ers worked mainly in the Government departments and Industry. Some worked for private companies and family business. A few moved abroad.
Some 69ers (e.g. Dave Saluja and Win Maung) left before graduation.
Membership
The members include (a) those who entered 2nd BE in 1964 (b) those who graduated in 1969 (c) those who studied a year or more with the above
The Group is also known as 69ers, the RIT Class of 69 and the Class of RIT 69++ .
Gatherings
The first formal Reunion of the Group occurred in 1999. It also was instrumental for the development of the RIT Alumni Newsletter, the inaugural ex-rit website, and the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000).
30th Anniversaryin 1999
In 1999, Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel), Ko Sein Myint, Ko Sein Win (“Nar Yee”), and several 69ers organized the reunion for the “30th Anniversary of Graduation” and also a mini-SPZP. Ko Tint Lwin e-mailed me a report. Ma Saw Yu Tint (Alice) e-mailed me photos.
Saya U Soe Paing e-mailed me about several mini-gatherings in Yangon (e.g. with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi).
Ko Tint Lwin (M69) wrote :
Thank you very much for your write-up about our 1999 “30th Anniversary of Graduation”. Actually. it all started in 1996 when I visited Burma and had dinner with a few of my close friends, including, Ko Shwe, Ko Win Mg, Ko Ye Pinn, Gabar Ko Myint Thein, etc. During dinner somebody mentioned that in 3 years time it would be 30 years since we graduated. Out of the blues I suggested to have a reunion in 1999. Everybody laughed as it was so far away. When I came back to Singapore and told Ko Sein Myint and Dickie they also laughed and told me that I must be crazy to think about so far away. However, time flies and in either late 1998 or early 1999 at Ko Win Htein’s funeral wake, some of our friends remembered the reunion proposal. They quickly formed a committee and organised the very first reunion at ‘Sait Taing Kya Restaurant. After the event I wrote you a report, Alice sent you a few photos and the rest is history.
40th Anniversaryin 2009
The Class of 69 organized the “40th Anniversary of the Graduation” in 2009.
Golden Jubilee of Admissionin 2014
The “Golden Jubilee of the admission to 2nd BE” was celebrated in 2014, because the 69ers were concerned with the declining health of members and that some may not be able to make it to the True Golden Jubilee of graduation in 2019.
Golden Jubilee of Graduation in 2019
The Class of 69 celebrated the true Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary of Graduation) in December 2019.
Acariya Pu Zwe Pwe was held at the Assembly Hall on Gyogone Campus.
The Reunion Dinner and Entertainment was held at the former Office Compound of Ko Aung Min.
Ma Tin Tin (Anne, EC69) had a “Home Coming” after her graduation.
Many were unaware that the gathering would be a final one for some (especaially those who would succumb to Covid).
My Contributions
RIT Alumni Newsletter
I started “RIT Alumni (Abroad) Newsletter” to share RIT-related news (such as the mini-gatherings) and solicited contact information (in the form a spread sheet) from interested sayas and alumni.
“RIT” stands not only for Rangoon Institute of Technology, but all the engineering schools that precede or succeed it. RIT is a place holder for the RU Faculty of Engineering, Burma Institute of Technology, Yangon Institute of Technology, Yangon Technological University and various Technological Universities in Myanmar.
The name was changed to “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” to include alumni in Burma and the rest of the world.
A commemorative issue was published for SPZP-2000.
RIT Web Site
Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) designed and implemented the first RIT web site.
I served as Content Provider and Editor of the web site. I composed the “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” poem. I posted 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post Reunion”.
Ko Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69), Ko Aung Myint (M69, Singapore) and the San Francisco Bay Area Group led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) provided some financial help to operate the web site.
“RIT Alumni International” hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) in October 2000.
SPZP
The term “Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” was chosen over “Saya Ga Daw Pwe” (which has religious connotation) so that alumni professing various faiths can pay respect to their former sayas / mentors.
There has been seven world wide SPZPs: SPZP-2000 in USA, SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 in Singapore, SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 in Yangon.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, SPZP-2020 was cancelled.
I have been an Organizer and/or Facilitator for the SPZPs.
My “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” poem was published in the Commemorative Newsletter for SPZP-2000.
Saya U Moe Aung reprinted the poem as the Back Cover of Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002.
My poem “SWE DAW YEIK” was published in the Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2007.
My article “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” was published in the Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010.
Zau Lai (EP69) wrote :
Thank you, Ko Hla Min, for your writings. If it’s not for you there will be no records and history of RIT. I am reading interestingly all your writings all the time. When we all are gone your writing will live on.
Aung Min (M69) wrote :
So thanks for your recordings. Appreciations.
Food For Thought
Aging, Health and GBNF
At one moment, the Class of 69 had a median age of 69, and the list of GBNF has 69 members.
That symmetry no longer holds. The Class of 69 has a median age of 79, and the list of GBNF has 128!(or so) members. Over 40% have passed away.
In the latter half of 2021, twenty 69ers passed away. 18 were victims of Covid.
Declining Health
The attendees at the mini-gatherings have decreased. Some could not drive, and had to ask their family members to take them to the gatherings. Some had major or minor operations, and need time to recover fully. Some had medical problems for some time (e.g. a year or two).
Retirement
Most are retired or semi-retired. A few did not retire or did not have the chance to retire.
Ko Tin Maung Lay (M69) worked in Europe and Middle East. So he came back to California only on home leave.
His spouse wanted him to retire.
He agreed but his boss requested him to perform a meticulous “hand-over” before retiring.
He had daily work outs and supposedly had no known major health problems.
He passed away in Dubai on a Friday (holiday in the country). His company and colleagues tried extra hard to make sure that his body could be flown back to Southern California, USA.
69er HCF (Health Care Fund)
U Aung Min (M69, Chair), U Shwe (EP69, Secretary) and team are the core volunteers for the 69er HCF. The team sends out monthly, quarterly and annual reports (including Donations, Income, Expenditure, GBNF)
Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69), Daw Myint Myint (C69) and U Sein Myint (K K Wong, EP69) are some of the major donors to HCF.
Most 69ers donate at the 69er Gatherings (e.g. Monthly Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si / Royal Rose Restaurant).
Ko Ivan Lee (M69) wrote :
Dear Classmates,
Recently rather than optimistic good news, we heard spreading pessimistic health concern news mostly. It clearly indicates that we are aging higher and health is going down lower and lower. I can imagine 5 years from now how many will be terribly survived. I am kind of depressed that sooner or later we will be meeting THERE. At this moment all I can express is to wish our classmates who are in sickness to recover ASAP.
Ivan Lee (M69)
Paying Homage to Saya U Ba Than (GBNF)
Saya U Ba Than and U Aung Min
U Tin Maung Soe (Tommy, EP69, GBNF)
Khin Maung Win (EP69, GBNF)
Known fondly as “Sargalay” and “Nutty”
Usually finished Mechanical drawings in about an hour and still get Grade 5.
Later changed his name to “Lada” and “Galon”
Training partner for Sai Kham Pan (EP69, Burma Selected in Badminton)
Badminton selection at the Township level
U Khin Maung Win (RIP)
A69
Aung Khin After working in Botswana, he and Tin Tin Hla (A70) moved to Seattle, Washington, USA to be near their daughters and grand children. He attended the Golden Jubilee on December 14, 2019 in Yangon
Kyaw Kyaw He belonged to an elite group who married before graduation.
Myo Tun (Bobby) Won essay contests as Errol Than Tun. After retirement from PWD, he became Ashin Pannagavesaka. He is an editor of Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books and a dhamma librarian at the Mawlamyine Pa Auk Taw Ya. He went on dhamma dhuta missions (e.g. to Vietnam).
Tobias K. Ku, Saw (Tobi, GBNF) He attends 69er monthly breakfast gatherings. Passed away in 2021.
Thet Htun He moved to Taiwan.
Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi, Daw (Olive) Used to play chinlon with her classmates. Spouse : U Han Zaw. Met both last at the lunch gathering at Crystal Jade in 2012 (preceding SPZP-2012).
Tin Maung Hla (GBNF) Had some medical problems (which hopefully had gone away).
ChE69
Aung Min Oo
Aung San
Aye Aye Kyu, Daw
Ceril Shair (USA) ?
Khan Za Lan
Khin Maung Win
Kyaw Minn (Ei Kun, Singapore)
Kyaw Min (Albert)
Moe Hein (Ajala, Swimming and Water Polo)
Myat Tun
Myint Ko
Myint Myint Aye, Daw
Myo Khin, Dr. (Japan)
Mehm Myo Min
Soe Win
Swe Swe Oo, Daw
Taing Oke, Dr. (Japan)
Yi Yi Khaing, Daw (Vilma, Singapore)
C69
Aung Chaw (Victor, Ashin Okkantha)
Aung Kyaw Nyein (USA)
Aung Myint
Aung Than
Aung Win
Ba Than Chit (Saw Myint Naing)
Han Sein (“Tone Kyaw”, Swimming and Water Polo, GBNF)
Hla Myint
Hla Myint Thein (Patrick Aye)
Htay Aung (Canada)
Htay Myint
Htin Aung, Dr. (Chinlone)
Khin Aung (Taiwan)
Khin Maung
Khin Maung Aye
Khin Maung Myint (Mandalay)
Khin Maung Tint
Khin Maung Win, Dr. (Donald Ba Pe)
Kyaw Min Thein (Kenneth)
Kyaw Naing (Kyaw Thwin)
Kyaw Thein
Kyaw Tint
Li Li Wai, Daw
Maung Kyaw
Myint Aung
Myo Khin, Dr. (Japan)
Myo Nyunt
Myo Win
Myo Chit
Myint Myint, Daw
Nyi Hla Nge
Ngwe Tun (Tun Tun)
Phone Kyaw (Mandalay)
Phor Daw Khan
Sam Nithang (Samuel, USA)
Saw Lwin
San Linn
Saw Yan Naing (GBNF)
Sein Tun
Soe Myint
Soe Tint
Than Htwe
Than Oo
Thaung Htay
Thaung Htwe, Daw
EE l69
Abdul Rauf (GBNF)
Aung Gyi Shwe (Track and Field, Soccer, GBNF)
Aung Kyaw Pe (Singapore, Myanmar)
Aung Than
Aung Thu Yein (GBNF)
Aye Thein (Volleyball)
Ba Oak
Bishnu Shahi (Badminton, Nepal, GBNF)
Chit Tin (GBNF)
Dave Singh Saluja (Thailand)
Hla Min (Rowing, USA)
Hla Paik
Hla Tun
Khin Maung Hassan (Saudi Arabia. USA)
Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung, GBNF)
Khin Maung Soe
Khin Maung Tint
Khin Maung Nyo (GBNF)
Khin Maung Win Sargalay, GBNF)
Khin Maung Win (Roland)
Krishnan Lal (Australia)
Kyaw Sein (Ashley Woo, Kyaukme)
Kyaw Sein (Singapore)
Kyaw Soe (GBNF)
Kyaw Win
Kyaw Zin (visiting Australia)
Kyi Shwin
Kyi Win (Kyaw Gyi)
Kyin Hwet
Maung Toung (Tom, USA)
Maung Kaung
Maung Ko
Maung Maung (Volleyball, EE69er HCF)
Maung Shwe (69er HCF, EE69er HCF)
Mehm Paw Oo (GBNF)
Mehm Aung Tin
Min Aung (Hla Thaung)
Min Lwin
Min Thaw (Gilbert, GBNF)
Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet)
Myint Maung (Bu, Volleyball)
Myo Aung (GBNF)
Myo Hein (GBNF)
Oo Kyaw Hla (Canada, GBNF)
Sai Aik Yee (GBNF)
Sai Kham Pan
Sai Kyaw Aye
Saw Aung
Saw Edison
Saw Lwoi Lwin Thaw (?)
Sein Myint (K K Wong)
Soe Myint
Soe Myint Thein (GBNF)
Soe Thein (Peter)
Tan Chaung Yin (USA)
Thar Kyaw
Than Hla (Cyril)
Than Htay
Than Lwin (Henry)
Than Myint
Thein Swe (GBNF)
Thein Tun (Michael)
Thet Lwin
Tin Maung Soe (Tommy, GBNF)
Tin Oo
Tin Shwe
Tin Tin, Daw (Anne, USA)
Tun Aung Gyaw, Dr. (USA)
Victor Lwin
Win Boh (Robert, Australia)
Win Maung (Lake)
Ye Win, Mehm
Yi Tun
Zau Lai, Duwa
M69
Aye Lwin (GBNF) Secretary of RIT Mechanical Engineering Association Editor of RIT Annual Magazine Attended RIT Alumni Gathering in Los Angeles in 2015
Aung Myint Joined Faculty after graduation Taught at Singapore Poly Lives in New Zealand and Singapore Hobbies : Painting, Motivational Messages
Mehm Aye Chan (Ohn Maung) Joined Faculty after graduation Worked at sea before founding his own company
Htay Aung Outstanding swimmer. Won 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and Cross-lake. Burma selected in water polo for 1969 SEAP Games Spouse : Than Than (Burma Champion sprinter)
Khin Maung Aye Joined Defense Industries Pen name : Maung Hmut
Khin Maung Tin Joined Faculty after graduation Taught at RIT and Marine Engineering Institute
Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee) Post graduate studies in USA Professional Engineer for New York and New Jersey Golden Sponsor of SPZP-2000 Major donor to 69er Health Care Fun Host for RIT-UCC Gathering in New Jersey for more than a decade
Tint Lwin (Daniel) Grad studies in Canada Retired Associate Professor from NTU Guitarist / Vocalist
Aung Naing (Bahadhur, GBNF)
Chit Pe (GBNF)
Chit Po Po (GBNF)
Dicky (Win Naing, GBNF)
Khin Maung Gyi (GBNF)
Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF)
Myint Sein (Badminton, HCF, GBNF)
Myint Thein (David)
Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF)
Ngwe Soe (Walter)
Sein Win (GBNF)
Soe Win (GBNF)
Than Myaing
Than Win
Tin Aung (GBNF)
Tin Aung Win (Oscar)
Tin Htut (Seafarer)
Tin Htut (Harry)
Tin Maung Aye (Accordion)
Tin Myint (John Lee, GBNF)
Yin Kyu (GBNF)
Met69
Myint Kyi
Maung Tun (GBNF)
Ohn Kyaw
Sai Aung Win (Mandalay)
Sai Kyaw Myint
Tin Aung
Min69
Aung Win
Chit Htun (GBNF)
Khin Kyaw Nyein (GBNF)
Kyaw Tint (GBNF)
Khin Maung Gyi
Mya Win
Tin Maung (oldest)
Tin Win (Hosted the lunch gathering at Crystal Jade in 2012)
Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu)
Pet69
Aung Myint (Kyant Ba Hone, GBNF)
Kyaw Din
Kyaw Than (Magwe)
Kyaw Myint
Myint Maung
Myint Swe
Paw Mya
T69
Aung Thein (USA)
Aye Aye Kyi, Daw
Cho Cho, Daw
Hla Shwe (GBNF)
Hla Thaung
Hla Tun (Japangyi, GBNF)
Jimmy Kyin (GBNF)
Kyaw Min (Mandalay)
Kyi San (Win Maung, Mandalay)
Lyo Kyin Sein, Daw (Mabel Lee, USA)
Lin Lin Aung, Daw (Singapore)
Myo Myint Thein
Nan Su Su, Daw (GBNF)
Naw Mu Mu Aye, Daw
Nyunt Nyunt Wai, Daw (Millie Hoe, Germany)
San Kyi, Daw (USA?)
San San Myint, Daw (Helen Wu, USA)
Saw Yu Tint, Daw (Alice)
Sein Sein Maw
Than Win
Thet Myint
Tin Tun Aung
Tint Swe (Zeegone)
Recollections of a 69er
I wrote an article for the Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine in 2014 for RIT Shwe YaDu (Golden Jubilee of the then New Education System).
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as the Chief Editor.
Article 1Article 2Article 3
1969 Calendar
Published for the Universities and Institutes
1969 Calendar
Some Memories
Alice visiting the San Francisco Bay Area
Alice visited her son and family in the San Francisco Bay Area
She took time off to attend the Literary Talks by Min Ko Naing and Aw Pe Kye
With Alice
69ers at a gathering hosted by Ivan Lee (New Jersey)
Ivan has hosted annual gatherings at his house for RIT and UCC Alumni.
The timing is chosen to conincide with the visits of Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Soe Paing to the area.
Fred (Pennsylvannia), TAG (Massachussetts), HM (California), Alice (Myanmar), Tom (Connecticut) and Ivan (New Jersey) had a mini-gathering.
Ivan is co-founder and Patron of MASTAA (based in New York). MASTAA has broadcast interviews with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi, Saya U Soe Paing and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung. MASTSAA members and friends donated for COVID-19 relief (prevention and treatment) in USA and Myanmar.
Ivan is a major donor to the 69er HCF (Health Care Fund) along with Daw Myint Myint and U Sein Myint.
In New Jersey
Monthly Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si
Before the pandemic, 69ers had monthly breakfast gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose Restaurant).
At Taw Win Hnin SiMyo Nyunt, Ngwe Soe (Walter), Tin Aung Win (Oscar), Uzin Myo Tun (Bobby), Mehm Aye Chan (Ohn Maung), Soe Thein (Peter), Albert Kyaw Min
Annual Dinner at M3
For several years, the Annual Dinner and Entertainment was held at M3.
Albert and Danny are two regular performers (guitar and vocal).
Best Friends Forever 1Best Friends Forever 2
Danny’s visit to San Francisco
Ko Tin Myint (John Lee) showed Danny around the SF Bay Area.
Saya Allen Htay and Daw Mu Mu Kin hosted a dinner for Danny at a restaurant in Castro.
Ko Tin Myint (John Lee) and Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel)
Speaking at John Lee’s Memorial Service
Ko Tin Myint (John Lee) passed away.
His daughter (a medical doctor) requested me to share my memories.
Ko Tin Myint’s Service
Maung Maung Kaung (Yi Pinn) in Dawei
Yi Pinn is busy with his projects in Dawei.
Some time back, his spouse passed away in Yangon. He rushed to Yangon, but had to self-Q. He could not be present at his spouse’s last journey.
He later succumbed to Covid.
Yi Pinn
Donation by Daw Myint Myint
Daw Myint Myint is a major donor to the 69er HCF.
She also hosted or sponsored lunch and dinner gatherings. e.g. Welcome Daw Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie) at Westin Park Hotel
She donated twice for YTU Library Modernization Project. e.g. K100 Lakhs once
Daw Myint Myint’s donation receiptDaw Myint Myint and Nan Khin Nwe
Rowed for the Institute of Economics. His crew members include U Htin Kyaw (Peter) and U Soe Thinn.
Attended the computer classes at UCC in Rangoon.
Became a monk at Dhammananda Vihara (Half Moon Bay) after his retirement.
U Tha Aung (M79) and Daw Kinsa Maw-Naing (ChE79)
Hosted mini reunions in Canada
Volunteer as SPZP2016 representatives.
Sayamagyi Daw Tinsa Maw-Naing was my English teacher in I Sc(A).
Dear Ko Hla Min,
Happy Birthday and to say thank you for all your efforts in keeping RIT alumni connected globally. Even though we don’t have much to say, we always follow your updates.
May you have a happy healthy long life and lots of ku-tho.
with metta from Tha Aung & Kinsa
Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67, SPHS61)
Happy Birthday Ko Hla Min and cutie pie! I appreciate all you hard work and dedication to RIT Alumni newsletter. Sorry I cannot attend the event.
Thanks for your appreciation
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
It is truly amazing to be appreciated by sayas and alumni. he following are some examples.
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Daw Emma called from Canada to wish my Cutie Pie and me. They also sponsored “Tohu Thoke” for the attendees. Sayagyi sent Ko Maurice his congratulatory message for me to be read at the soon kyway gathering. See the following section for details.
Saya U Tin Htut flew in from Southern California.
Ko San Lin (M87, “Maung Lu Pay”) took “time off” from work to attend the soon kyway.
Ko Kyaw Myint (M83) delegated his “Flower shop” to his assistant to attend the soon kyway.
Ko Myint Soe (M79), who recently had knee surgery, requested Ko Aung Myint Oo (EC84) to give him and his spouse a ride to the soon kyway.
Due to tight multiple schedules, Angelina and Ko Benny Tan (M70) came in separate cars so that Ko Benny can have more time with his sayas and colleagues
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) will celebrate his 80th birthday in December, 2016. Saya only drive local short distance, so he asked Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) to give him a ride.
Daw Mu Mu Kin, spouse of Saya Allen Htay, had tears in her eyes. She said that Saya would wish to be at the RIT mini-gatherings. She gave me silk neck ties that were bought (but never worn) by Saya Allen. She shares the birthday on August 18 with my grand daughter.
Ko Maurice ordered a cake to celebrate August Born including Daw Mu Mu Kin and Ko Myint Swe (EP74).
Ko Maurice hand crafted a custom “birthday greetings” card with extracts from the birthday greetings from the RIT updates. The messages from Saya Dr. San Hla Aung, Ko Tha Aung, Ma Kinsa Maw-Naing came in too late to be incorporated into the gigantic card.
Ko Maurice spent countless days organizing the event. Following the tradition of his late father Uncle U Wah Kyu, Ko Maurice also prepared custom birayani (dan bauk).
Ko Charlie Tseng (EC70) and Ma Diana Tseng (ChE71) ordered two large birthday cakes for me.
The full list of food donors and sponsors are maintained by Ko Maurice.
Ko Johnson Lim (cousin of Ko Robert San Lin) needs a human walking “cane” (his beloved spouse). They are regular food donors at most events.
Daw Kyu Kyu Lin (T75) rarely attends gatherings. She made an exception this time. She brought “Kyee Oh See Kyet”. She also gave a ride to two Textile grads: Ko Than Htay (T75) and Ma Bibsu (T76).
Saya Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung also rarely attends gatherings. She made an exception this time. She and Saya U Myo Min fetched Saya U Tin Htut (Daw KKCM’s elder brother) at the air port and also brought him to the Half Moon Bay monastery.
Ko Gordon Kaung (M83) and Ma Lillian Kaung (EC83) drove 2+ hours from Napa. They also brought a bottle of iNapa Premium wine and also some desserts.
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) spent a decade or so as President of TBSA (Theravada Buddhist Society of America) at half Moon Bay monastery. It was a sort of “welcome back” for Saya and Ma Ku (Daw Hnin Maung Maung).
Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66) is a Past President of Northern California RIT Alumni Association and a founding member of RIT Alumni International. He and Daw Eng Eng (sister of Saya U Myat Thwin, ChE66) brought samoosa.
There were a few young and not so young alumni at the event. They include Ko Soe Thu (C98) and Ma Thandar.
Saya U Nyo Win (M65) and spouse were caught in the traffic.
Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) and Sandra (M76) brought their daughter.
Dr. Myint Thein (M73) talked about his “Htaik Htar” Daw Nyo Nyo Win (T73) and provide examples of “Applied English” (e.g. “air cut” for stroke).
U Soe Paing, U Win Paing (U Wara), Dr. Myo Paing, U Kyaw Paing
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
He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in Burma and won the Collegiate Scholarship.
At the Convocation of 1958, he won two Gold Medals — one for the Highest Total Marks in I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B); and another for Joint Highest Marks in Mathematics for I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
He received a States Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
He joined the RIT Electrical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
He helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe found Universities’ Computer Center. He transferred to UCC as Systems Manager in charge of Systems Division. He later also managed the Operations Division.
He received M.Sc.(Computer Science) from Southampton University in UK.
He worked for UNDP Projects in several countries.
Mentor
He was my mentor at RIT and UCC. He allowed U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and me to co-author Texts, User Guides and Manuals for use at UCC.
HMEE
He was an early supporter of the HMEE project. He prepared a draft for the HMEE book and handed it to Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF) & team. He and U Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 of the HMEE Book and summarized Section 2 of the book.
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 the 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.
I matriculated in 1949 and entered the University of Rangoon and stayed in Ava Hall and took the Intermediate of Science (ISc) courses. The courses were: English, Burmese, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Pure and Applied Maths). We needed to take these courses for two years in order to go to the engineering studies. I remember having a great time in the first year as we did not have to take the examination at the end of the first year for some unknown reason. But we had to take the examination at the end of the second year for all the subject matters that were taught to us for the whole two years. It was a tough examination at the end of the second year as we had to study a lot. We had physics and chemistry examination papers, two mathematics papers, English and Burmese papers, physics lab practical exam and chemistry lab practical exam within a period of 15 to 20 days in the hot month of March. Only about 60% of the students passed through the first time. The passing grade for each subject was 40%. Fortunately the University authorities in those days were understanding and kind enough to give the failed students what they called compartmental examination again in May/June for the failed subjects. Given a second chance like that, a lot of students passed the examination this time around. The Faculty of Engineering admitted the students, including the students who passed the ISc exam. under the compartmental system, with a passing grade of at least 40% for each of ISc subjects and the average passing grade for all the subjects combined of 50%.
I was quite fortunate to have good teachers in my ISc days. I remember that Saya U Than Tin gave good lectures in physics. Saya U Thein Nyunt was good as well in teaching us chemistry. Needless to say the experiments that I had to do in physics and chemistry labs were interesting as they were all new to me.The maths teachers I remember were Professor U Aung Hla, Sayagyi U Kar, Sayagyi U Ba Toke, two Indian lecturers with the same last name Chowdhury. I forgot their first names. One Chowdhury was bald headed and the other had a lot of hair.They were teaching, I think, under contract with the Rangoon University. These very good teachers, I had to say, gave me a good foundation in mathematics. The English teachers were very good too. They were Saya U Kan Gyi and Sayama E. Kan Gyi. The only Burmese teacher I remember was Saya U Hla Maung who could make a boring topic into an interesting lecture. I owe a lot of gratitude to these wonderful teachers.
I joined the first year engineering class in 1951-1952 academic year, having satisfied the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Engineering mentioned above. The academic year , I think was from June to February with about one month break in October. So far as I know there was a “new course engineering” at the Faculty of engineering right after the World War ll. I do not know what the entrance requirement for this new course was.
I stayed in Prome Hall like most of the other engineering students in those days, as it was situated close to the B.O.C. College of Engineering building where we had classrooms, laboratories, and workshop for our engineering courses. A few engineering students however stayed in Tagaung Hall which was in the same Prome road campus of the Rangoon University as Prome Hall. Both of these hostels were timber buildings and they could easily get burnt down; but I was happy to see that they are still standing there when I visited Yangon in 2010. These two Halls gave accommodations to all engineering students, even to some students from Rangoon at that time, as there were vacancies and as the total engineering student population was not that big. If my guess is correct, I think there were about 350 to 400 students for 4 years of all engineering disciplines, out of which there were about 75 1st year engineering students. The system in place at that time was in such a way that the students had to take common courses in the first 2 years and branched out into different disciplines of choice, starting from 3rd year.
I remember that as first year engineering students, we still had to take mathematics classes from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at the main campus where we had taken the Intermediate of Science courses. I remember getting up early in the morning in Prome Hall ,and taking a walk along the road, what we called as “Padaukpin lane” or “Thaton lane”, and through Thaton Hall and Ava Hall , for the mathematics classes at the main campus. All of us then rushed back to B.O.C. College of Engineering from the main campus after 9:00 am to take theengineering classes, which included lectures, practical laboratory work, workshop practice, and drawing classes, starting from 10:00 am. We normally finished our classes around 4:00 pm. The total contact hours of learning for engineering students were about 30 hours per week. If my memory is correct, it was difficult to get an engineering degree in 6 years after matriculation. Somewhere along the way some of us failed for one reason or the other, and had to repeat a class.The passing grade for each subject, which included workshop training at the Engineering Faculty was 40% and the average passing grade for all the subjects combined was 50%. When I passed my 1st year engineering in April/May 1952 I noticed that about 15% of my classmates were left behind to repeat the 1st year engineering.
I do not remember all of my teachers at that time. I can only recall that Saya Num Kock was in charge of 1st year engineering drawing, Saya Jaidka taught us ” building materials and construction”, Saya Ketrepal gave lectures and practical laboratory training in “heat engines”, Sayagyi U Kyaw Tun / Saya C. Ping Lee taught us “electrotechnology” in the classroom and in the laboratory. In addition to the lectures, laboratory work and drawing, all of us had to take workshop training in carpentry, blacksmith, welding, and in machine shop. The medium of teaching was English. We were also encouraged to take some practical training with some engineering organization during the summer vacation. I am not quite sure , but I think Ko Chit was an assistant at the blacksmith shop, and U Ba Sein was an assistant in the electrical lab. I think Mr P. Davis was the workshop superintendent. The classrooms , laboratory facilities, the workshop facilities that I had attended were good and adequate. The library I visited some time was full of good engineering books, magazines and journals. I could imagine that with its qualified teaching staff and good teaching facilities, the Faculty of Engineering was producing the qualified engineers needed by the country at that time.
I do not know what was the total number of teachers we had at the Faculty of Engineering at that time. I could guess that the student/teaching staff ratio was about 20:1 from the number of teachers and from the number of students I had seen. I noticed that there were few Burmese nationals teaching staff at the Faculty, and most of the teachers were from India and UK. It seems that, right after the World War II, there was shortage of qualified teaching staff from Burma at higher education/University level as a whole. Sayagyi Professor U Ba Hli was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and I believe he received his post graduate degree from a British University. He was quite far-sighted and tried to broaden and improve the engineering education by having some kind of twinning arrangements with not only a British University but also with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA (M.I.T). I remember as a student that there was a visiting Professor called Professor Horwood from M.I.T at the Faculty; and I think he gave us lectures on sanitary engineering. Sayagyi U Ba Hli must have planned to increase the number of engineering disciplines that were given at the Faculty from civil, mechanical and electrical engineering to other disciplines as well, such as Mining, Chemical, Metallurgy, Textile engineering and Architecture. I understood this plan came into fruition in 1954/1955. He must have also planned to send the Burmese nationals to UK, USA and as qualified teaching staff at the Faculty at a later date. I therefore take this opportunity to put on record that a big credit is due to the late Sayagyi U Ba Hli for his contribution to the improvement of engineering education in Myanmar.
Pu Zaw Pwe is a Noble Tradition that is practiced in Burma.
Thet Kyee PZP is for paying respect to the Elders. The age requirements vary.
Saya PZP is for paying respect to the sayas and sayamas. Some use the term Acariya PZP.
Thet Kyee PZP
In some places, a Senior Day is held. Transportation, Food, Entertainment and Photo-shoot are provided for Old people of all races and creeds.
Thet Kyee PZP may be held in conjunction with a Festival, e.g Thingyan or Thadinkyut. Buddhists may also pay respect physically to the Elders.
MES organized Thet Kyee PZP for Senior Engineers and Architects.
The All-Mechanical Gathering also had a program to pay respect to Thet Kyee Mechanical Engineers.
Acariya PZP
Examples :
Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
M72 (and some other Disciplines)
ICST/UCSY
Saya PZP
RIT Alumni International hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, California in October 2000. The term SPZP was chosen over Saya Ga Dawt Pwe so that Alumni of different Faith can pay back the Metta and Cetana of their mentors. I am honored to be a Core Organizer of SPZP-2000. I wrote the poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE”. It was published in the RIT website and the Commemorative Issue of the RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000.
Singapore hosted SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) and team published Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for the SPZPs. My poem was reprinted on the Back Cover of SDYSS-2002. I wrote a poem “SWE DAW YEIK” for SDYSS-2007. I wrote an article “EE Sayas : A Sad and Short Clip” for SDYSS-2010.
Yangon hosted SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine was published for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. U Saw Lin (GBNF) was Chief Editor of SDYM-2012. Saya U Moe Aung was Chief Editor of SPZP-2016. Several Distinguished Authors (e.g Ma Sandar, Maung Sein Win — Padeegone, N Jar Thaing, Aw Pi Kye) also served as Editors.
Due to the pandemic, SPZP-2020 was canceled.
Some of the Organizers and Volunteers of the SPZPs are GBNF. They include Saya Allen Htay, Ko Saw Lin, Ko Aung Moung, Ko Than Sin Myint and Ko Robin.
Several Sayas are GBNF. They include U Ba Toke, H Num Kok, U Soe Khaw, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Thit, Dr. Mg Mg Win, S Arya, S Kyaw Aye, U Soe Lwin.
Sayas U Ba Than, U Aung Khin, Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Win are 90+ years young. Many of our sayas are 80+ years young.
We hope to see SPZPs in the not so distant future (after the Calamities have ended).
The following illustrates “Six degrees of Separation” & “Associative Memory”.
U Sein
Saya U Sein taught Burmese at St. Paul’s High School. His students include U Thet Lwin (Ngwe Hlinne, composer of “Mya Kyun Nyo” song that was sung at the Opening Ceremony of Yar Pyay Ah Kyo)”. The song was first recorded as a “Dat Pya” at Myanmar Ah Than (Burma Broadcasting Service). It was first sung by U Mya Thein and group. It was also sung by the RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins in Singapore (fondly known as the “Pon Chan Chan Group” led by Don Min U Yu Swan).
U Thet Lwin
U Thet Lwin is the maternal uncle of Ko Sein Tin (SPHS68, EC74) who volunteered at UCC while waiting for permission to move to Australia.
U Kyaw Sein (4th in Bottom row)
Saya Sein’s brother-in-law Saya U Kyaw Sein was Class teacher for a different section. He taught us as a relieving saya.
Dr. Soe Win
Saya Sein’s son Saya Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58) stood first in Burma in the Matric exam of 1958. He studied Chemistry Honors at RU and received his doctorate from Imperial College, University of London. He retired as Rector of YUFL.
U Yu Khin & Richard Yu Khin
IFL (Institute of Foreign Languages) was co-founded by Saya U Yu Khin. He and Dr. Daw Phay are parents of Dr. Marie Yu Khin and Dr. Richard Yu Khin. IFL evolved into YUFL.
Dr. Daw Phay was personal physician of my paternal aunt (mother of U Tin U, U Ba Than, Dr. Ruby Win Hlaing, Daw Betty Myint Thwe, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin & Cho Cho Hlaing).
Ko Richard’s aunt was a close friend of Dr. Ruby.
Ko Richard won a Gold for Yatching at the 2nd SEAP Games with U Maung Maung Lwin (former Burma weight lifting champion, Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club).
Ko Richard trained along side Ko Tin Maung Ni and swimming stars under the Japanese Swimming Coach Mr. Matsuda.
U Myo Min
At SPHS, Dr. Soe Win was a classmate of my cousin Saya U Myo Min (UCC) and my brother-in-law U Khin Maung Htun (Patron of OPA). During his studies in the UK, Saya received help from U Mya Maung (Amyotha Yoke Shin) and U Myo Min.
Aung Mion, Dr. Soe Win, Daw May Saw Lwin, Nyi Thet Lwin
I met Saya and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (MEHS57) during my visit to Myanmar from November 2019 to January 2020. Their elder son Ko Aung Mon attended TTC Practicing School together with my nephews and nieces.The younger son Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin is a surgeon in UK. Nyi Nyi’s daughter Ei Lwin achieved grade 9 in all of the nine subjects that she sat in the recent, 2019, GCSE exams. Following grandpa’s footsteps almost sixty years later!
Robert Sein (SPHS58) stood second in Burma in the Matric exam of 1958. He studied Physics Honors at RU. His classmates include Sayama Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, spouse of Saya U Thein Lwin), Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily, spouse of Saya U Hlwan Moe) and my sister Sayama Daw Khin Than Nwe. I met Ko Robert at the soon kwyay in memory of my brother-in-law.
Ko Robert’s sister (Wendy Sein) was our school mate at the last ever I.Sc.(A) at Leik Khone. Wendy’s spouse Dr. Thein Htut (RUBC Gold) rowed with our cousins at RUBC. Dr. Thein Htut’s sister Daw Tin Tin Aye was a close friend of my sister.
Daw Myint Myint Tin (Pearl Ba Tin, MEHS58) stood Third in the Matric exam of 1958. Her spouse Dr. Khin Mg Wint (SPHS58) was called “Sargalay” by his Paulian classmates.
Ma Pearl’s brother (Melvyn, U Myo Win, M/Ag65) taught Agricultural Engineering at RIT and at Wagga Wagga University in Australia. He managed the RIT Automobile Club. He rowed as a saya for RIT.
Ko Melvyn’s spouse Ma Noreen Aung Gyaw taught English at RU. Her brothers are H.E. U Nyi Than (spouse of Sayama Toni) and U Tin Aung Win (spouse of Dorothy Kyaw Tun).
Dorothy’s father U Kyaw Tun is a saya of our sayas. Her sister Elizabeth was my classmate at PPBRS.
Sargalay’s sister Audrey was a classmate of my sister-in-law at St. Philomena’s Convent.
Audrey’s spouse Michael Aye was a classmate of my cousins Myint Toe and Kyaw Nyunt Koe at SPHS.
Updates
Several people in the post are now GBNF. Some passed away early. A few passed away recently.
There are several GBNF posts — some by Calendar Year.
HlaMin 