Sayagyi U Ba Hli was the first Dean of Engineering at the University of Rangoon. He also served as Professor of Civil Engineering. He is credited for the “Twinning” with the prestigious universities in the USA.
The commemorative issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter for the first RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe paid respect to Sayagyi.
Sayagyi U Aung Khin (former Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and the driving force behind SPZP-2000) wrote an introduction to the special article written by Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (the only child of Sayagyi U Ba Hli).
U Ba Hli’s son
Dr. F Ba Hli 1Dr. F Ba Hli 2
Dr. F. Ba Hli received his Sc.D. in Electrical Engineering from MIT. He helped Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Sayagyi U Min Wun, who were two of the first undergraduate engineering students from the University of Rangoon to be given State Scholarship as part of the “Twinning” program.
Dr. F. Ba Hli’s spouse is the sister of Sayagyi U Tin U (C), Sayagyi U Ba Than (M), Dr. Myo Tint (father of Ma Kay (EE93)), U Tin Htoon (A60), Saya U Myo Min (UCC) and U Thaung Lwin (EC66). Note that four are Past Captain and Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club.
Dr. F. Ba Hli has a daughter and two sons.
U Ba Hli’s grand children
Dr. F Ba Hli’s birthday in 2008
Daw Tin Tin Hlaing (UCC) is the spouse of U Htay Aung (Victor, EC80, UCC, nephew of Saya U Sein Hlaing (EE)).
U Tha Hlaing (EC83, UCC) stood joint first with Ko Thaung Tin (KMD, former Deputy Minister) in their final year. He, his father and his paternal grandfather form Three Generation of Burmese engineers who are sayas or alumni.
Min Thet Tun (GBNF) did not smoke or drink, but succumbed to lung cancer in mid 30s. He lamented why some people who drink and smoke lived long.
U Tin U is the eldest of nine siblings including Saya U Ba Than (GBNF), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Tun (A60), U Myo Min (UCC) and U Thaung Lwin (EC66).
He matriculated in 1946 and attended Rangoon University. His classmates include Dr. Pe Nyun (GBNF), Dr. Pe Thein (GBNF) and Saya U Sein Hlaing (GBNF).
RUBC Captain
He is Past Captain and Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC).
He is Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club (RGC).
He received his BSEE from Oregon State University and MSEE from Yale University. Upon his return to Burma, he taught Part-time at the Civil Engineering Department at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon.
He celebrated his 95th in August 2024.
A miracle happened many years ago.
Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, son of U Tin U) wrote:
He had an experience of being kidnapped by his company driver who hired “insurgents” with criminal records, to do the job. They came to his office at Lewis street, and pretended to be from military intelligence in mufti. They asked him to come along with them for questioning. They ask the office driver to drive the company jeep up to A1 compound near 9th mile and let the driver to get off at a bus stop with a letter to give my mother.
One of them took the driver seat and continued driving out of the city passing Mingaladon airport. When their jeep went past the Mingaladon Military Intelligence Centre (Yay Kyi Ine), my father became suspicious. There was a road block near Hmawbi by luck, and the kidnappers tried and overtook the battle tanks in a convoy on the road. An off duty military police stopped the car, giving my father a chance to ask for help; my father reached the car key from the back seat and threw away. The military police asked my father to drive instead and was later freed, after being taken to the military commander and the police station.
In the mean time my mother, who was doing research at Insein Railway Hospital, received a ransom letter at 11 am to bring 60,000 Kyats in a jute bag, wearing a red longyi to a road corner, near “Ar-lain-nga-sint” pagoda in “Mingaladon”, by 3 pm the same day. The kidnappers’ plan was to torture and kill my father whether they received the ransom or not. The grudge was for sacking the driver who took sick leave, and went to work in another company to get 2 salaries.
Was it a miracle?
Or, was it a series of coincidences?
U Tin U overcame a death threat.
He continued working and enjoying Golf and the 19th hole celebrations. Even to this day, he keeps fit by watering plants in the garden and taking his daily dose of Scotch Whiskey.
He looks healthier than his younger brother Sayagyi U Ba Than.
Per Dr. Yan Naing Lwin, Dr. Htin Aung accompanied Prime Minister U Nu to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1954.
Vice Chancellor, RU
After retirement, Dr. Htin Aung was appointed Ambassador to Ceylon. Per U Tin Htoon, Dr. Htin Aung greeted the RUBC team and also provided transportation to visit Kandy.
Per Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his Ba Dwe was recalled back to Burma by the Foreign Office. One day, the then Number One asked Saya what he was doing in Burma and that he did not ask the Foreign Office to recall him. Saya went to UK to continue his research and writing.
Old alumni may have studied Saya’s books such as “Thirty Burmese Tales” and “Burmese Drama”.
Saya is a scholar, a prolific writer, a historian and a folklorist.
Saya’s siblings: ICS U Tin Tut, Dean of Law U Kyaw Myint, Chief Justice U Myint Thein, Kyauksar expert Daw Khin Mya Mu, Khit San poet Daw Khin Saw Mu, English lecturer Daw Tin Saw Mu
Feedback from Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
[Ba Dwe] Dr Htin Aung did not get an ambassador post. He was Called a Minister (current title is Minister Counselor) and the office in Ceylon was under the Embassy in New Dehli.
Sometime later, on one occasion, Ne Win said, “Where is Saya Htin Aung?” Thi Han immediately called Dr Htin Aung to come back.
Ba Dwe could not find out why. It took nearly six months to see Ne Win. On meeting Ne Win, Ne Win asked why he had come back. Ba Dwe explained about being called back and that he could not go back as another person had been sent. Ne Win told him he did not call back [from Ceylon]. He was thinking of his teacher and was just asking where was. Wasn’t it like Shwe Pyin Nyi Naung?
He asked Ba Dwe what he could do for him. Ba Dwe asked to leave Burma for Oxford. He left to be Fellow of St Anthony’s College.
The other dignitaries to be awarded honorary degrees were Prince Souphanouvong of Cambodia and Emperor Haile Salasie of Ethiopia together with my father in 1958.
I had a photo of my father receiving the honorary LLD which he never used from PM U Ba Swe.
Swe Swe Kyaw Zin presented Caps & Hats on behalf of her father U Kyaw Zin (EP69)CapHat
The Class of 69 usually meet for the monthly breakfast gathering at Royal Rose Restaurant.
The restaurant is owned by U Soe Nyunt (SPHS66). He recovered the SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) Honor Roll, which went missing after the Nationalization.
Sein Hlyan
The Intake of 65 (aka as the Class of 71) usually meet for their monthly gathering at Sein Hlyan.
The restaurant was owned by U Han Tun Maung, a multiple sports athlete. He
played Football for SPHS
competed in Inter-School Track & Field
served as President of OPA (Old Paulians’ Association) and Kokkine Swimming Club
His family owned a stable and his pet horse was “Sein Hlyan”.
Dr. Sann Oo (EP67) and Daw Than Yi (Maubin Ma Shwe Than, EC70) served as Associate Editors for “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung“, Journal published by RIT EE Association. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) was Chief Editor and Publisher. I was a member of the RIT EE Association and the Magazine Committee.
Ko Sann Oo & Ma Than Yi
Activities
They joined EPC.
Ma Than Yi
After retirement, they established a “East and West Parami” Poly Clinic and a Publishing House.
They published several books mostly for the love of Sar Pay and not necessarily for financial gains.
Their first publication was a reprint of “Kabar Phyu” (science fiction) by Journal Kyaw Tint Swe, father of Dr. Sann Oo.
Publishers
Another publication was by William, their grandson (then about 10 years old).
With Tekkatho Moe War
Despite aches and pains, she still enjoys dancing. She performed with her oldie pals at SPZP.
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.
HlaMin 