Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (SPHS61, ChE67) submitted several ChE Group photos. He taught at RIT before moving to Thailand and the USA.
U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67)
U Htun Aung Kyaw (EC73) was a top student of his class. He added M.Sc. (Computer Science) offered by UCC in conjunction with the Department of Mathematics, Rangoon University. He migrated to Australia. He was known as HAK at UCC.
Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) is a member of “Generation Zero” of UCC. Details can be found in my posts reminiscing the days at UCC, DCS and ICST. He is active with multiple projects. He was known as TAG at UCC.
Completed his doctorate in Meteorological Physics from the UK.
Worked briefly at the Directorate of Meteorology
Transferred to the Department of Physics at the University of Rangoon.
Early native Professor of Physics at the University of Rangoon
Served as Interim Dean at the Faculty of Engineering.
Rector of the University of Rangoon.
Established the University Distance Learning (Correspondence Course) and served as Rector
Longest tenure Rectors
Spouse : Daw Khin Soe Tin (Ruby Kha, Sayama and Tennis Champion)
Children : Dr. Oak Soe Ka (UK), Mamie Kha, Maythi Kha (USA) Dr. Myat Mon Kha (USA)
Excellent violinist Accompanied U Ba Kyi singing “Only Two” (Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin De)
Former colleagues and students celebrated the Centennial of Saya Kha.
Related posts Rangoon University Rectors Physics Saya Kha Hall
Saya Kha and FamilyObituary
Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha, Saya Dr. Tha Hla and Saya Dr. Hla Myint were some of the early Burmese State Scholars sent to the UK for their Doctorates in Meteorological Physics, Geology and Economics. The sayas served as Professors and as Rector of the University of Rangoon.
Saya Kha attended the Regattas at Rangoon University Boat Club and presented the trophies to the winning teams. I was a Master of Ceremonies at several regattas. I am a Life Member of RUBC, and the last Executive Committee member to be democratically elected at the General Meeting. I served as Honorary Treasurer and Vice Captain, but the higher authorities changed the rules and prevented me from becoming Captain.
Dr. Oak Soe Kha
Also known as Dr. Alvin Oak Soe Kha
Eldest child and only son of Saya Kha
Selected Luyechun for the inaugural Camp at Ngapali in the summer of 1964.
Matriculated from MEHS in 1964.
Represented the Institute of Medicine (1) in Swimming and Water Polo. Their team led by Lyn Aung Thet won Inter-Institute Water Polo competition.
After retirement, spend time in Yangon and UK
Honorary Paulian (present at the Paulian gatherings)
Had mixed emotions after reading the posts from Yar Pyay Group. He was sad to know that his former classmate and neighbor Maureen Aung Khin (daughter of Saya U Aung Khin (former Professor of Chemistry) left this world at an early age. He was glad to hear that his best friend Robert Aung Khin is alive and well.
Shared sweet memories. Experienced first hand Saya U Ba Kyi (renowned artist) sing his beautiful translation of “Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin Dei” (Only Two, Darling) to the accompaniment of the violin by his father Saya Kha. The sayas were Patrons of the “Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thinn”.
Saya Kha was the longest tenured Rector (Rangoon University, RASU and University Distance Learning)
His mother Sayama Daw Khin Soe Tin (Ruby Kha) was National Tennis Champion of Mixed Doubles with Joe Ba Maung. Saya Joe was also Singles Champion, and Men’s Doubles Champion with U Than Lwin. Saya taught English at RIT before transferring as Manager to Burma Railways. Saya was in charge of the Sports Program of Burma Railways. He was one of the early casualties of 8-8-88 movement.
Related posts Sports Swimming Tennis
Dr. Oak Soe Kha (Alvin) is the son of Sayagyi Dr. Maung Maung Kha. He was selected for the first Lu Ye Chun Camp in the summer of 1964.
In the following year, the Lu Ye Chun Program was extended to the students of Universities and Institutes. The Program ended in 1988. A few years back, an association was formed for the Lu Ye Chuns from 1964 to 1988. There have been formal and informal Reunions of the Lu Ye Chuns.
Some Luyechuns are GBNF. They include Dr. Kyaw Sein Koe, Dr. Than Sit, Dr. Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Daw Khin Aye Than, Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (EE), U Tin Myint and H.E. U Myint Thaung.
In the early and mid 50s, 400+ Burmese State Scholars studied in the USA.
There were programs to cover several disciplines : Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, …, Sports and Physical Education, Movie Technology.
Under the “Twinning Program between the Faculty of Engineering and the prestigious universities in the USA” proposed by Sayagyi U Ba Hli, first native Dean of Engineering and Professor of Civil Engineering, engineering students (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Khin Aung Kyi) and engineering sayas (e.g. U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe) were selected as State Scholars to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies at US Universities.
Two prestigious universities (MIT and Harvard) are quite close.
Several sayas attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF) received Sc.D (Doctor of Science) in EE (Electrical Engineering). He mentored Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Wun. He served as DG of UBARI, Advisor at the Ministry of National Planning, and Board Member and External Examiner at UCC. He passed away in Sydney, Australia.
U Sein Hlaing (GBNF) received MSEE from MIT. He retired as Professor and Head of the Electrical Engineering Department at RIT. He passed away a couple of years after retirement.
Dr. Aung Gyi received BSCE and MSCE from MIT. He retired as Rector of RIT. He moved to Canada.
U Min Wun received BSCE from MIT and MSCE from Cornell University. He retired as Professor and Head of the Civil Engineering Department at RIT. He moved to California, USA.
U Khin Aung Kyi (GBNF) received BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from MIT. He retired as Rector of RIT. He passed away at the tender age of 89.
Later MIT alumni include Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) and U San Tun (M59).
Several sayas attended Harvard University.
U Ba Toke received AM in Mathematics from Harvard University. He served as Professor of Mathematics at RASU and Rector of MASU. He voluntarily transferred to RIT as Professor of (Engineering) Mathematics. He will celebrate his 100th birthday on December 26, 2020. His life journey and achievements have been recorded in a book by his former student and colleague Tekkatho Maung Thin Char (Dr. Khin Maung Swe, GBNF).
U San Tha Aung (GBNF) received AM in Physics from Harvard University. He passed away while serving as Director General of Higher Education.
Later Harvard alumni include U Allen Htay (C58, GBNF).
Group Photo
The group photo of the sayas attending the two universities was taken at Harvard.
An Education Delegation was visiting Harvard at the time.
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Emeritus Professor of Physics, Western Illinois University) wrote :
When we arrived the US first time in 1955 we had a few days in Boston before leaving for New York. We met all the Sayas you mentioned except Dr. Freddie Ba Hli who had returned to Burma. There were about 140 Burmese State Scholars in 1955 when I arrived.
The summer of 1955 in August we visited Harvard & MIT again. We met Saya U Ba Toke at Harvard. Also, Daw Thein Nyunt & Daw Tin Saw Mu who were visiting the States.-
Before the pandemic, 69ers used to have Monthly Breakfast Gatherings usually at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose)
Some 69ers offered to host the Gathering to celebrate their Anniversaries and Birthdays.
U Aung Min (M69, Chair of 69er HCF) is a core organizer of the 69er activities including the Annual Dinner Gatherings and the special Golden Jubilee Celebrations
During our younger days, three sayas — Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, First in Burma in 1953 from Yegyaw Methodist), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung — came back after completing their doctorate in Physics from the USA. Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung founnd their way back to the USA. Dr. Tin Aung stayed.
He served as Professor and Head of the Physics Department at RU.
During the 8-8-88 movement, Saya was in the USA as a member of the Education Delegation (with U Tun Aung Chein, Professor of History). Saya might not be aware that he was made a Patron (in absentia) by the “Boycott / Strike Committee” of Sayas and Sayamas of the various Universities and Institutions.
Upon his return, Saya attended the meeting of the Department Heads of RU. I was present at the meeting as a Proxy for my Head of Department.
Sometime later, we had the sad news. Saya was asked to resign effectively immediately.
Saya’s health was reasonably good except for his need of a Pace Maker. A couple of years back, he had to replace the Pace Maker. His former students worldwide donated for his medical expenses.
One photo is from the RU Centennial Facebook Group.
Two photos are from Sayama Daw Thida (who helped publish the RU Physics Centennial Book).
Shwe Than Thida wrote : Dear Saya U Hla Min,Thank you very much for your valuable compilations.
HlaMin 