Note that “alumni” is not synonymous with “graduate”.
Most universities have an alumni organization and a department to support alumni activities.
Some organizations also have Alumni associations.
Alumni Worldwide
RIT Alumni International Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area Hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000
Singapore alumni hosted SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010
Alumni in Myanmar (mostly from Yangon) hosted SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016
NorCal RITAA is an alumni organization based in Northern California. Holds summer picnic and/or dinner every year except during the pandemic Executive Committee headed by the President and the Board of Directors (BOD) headed by the Chair. Provided support for the YTU Library Modernization project. Provided scholarship for eligible YTU students
ARITA or RITAA stands for Association of RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Based in the Gyogone Campus Annual membership costs 12,000 Kyats. Life membership costs 60,000 Kyats. Executive Committee headed by the President. Patrons. Activities : SPZP-2016, seminars and support for YTU Library Modernization project.
Ideas from Tekkatho Moe War, Maung Sein Win (Padeegone), U Nyunt Htay
You were the victim of a superstitious power monger willing to crush “Pretenders to the Throne” animate and inanimate.
Without a just and fair trial,| you were condemned to death.
When one Swel Daw Bin was axed Two magically reappeared
When two Swel Daw Bins were hacked Four appeared to baffle the tormentors
With each atrocious act Swel Daw Bins rebounded and redoubled
The ADHAMMA authorities persisted and ruthlessly rooted all Swel Daw Bins from the Land of the Bearers/Defenders of Dhamma
Why? Why? Why?
Swel Daws do not have destructive power or desire to exploit They do not have Lobha (Greed), Dosa (Anger), and Moha (Delusion) They simply display pristine, beauty and elegance
They embody the principles of trust, integrity, and unity of mentors and mentees students, teachers, and Loke Tha’s
They provide shade, calm and tranquillity to those seeking rest & peace of mind
With the dawning of the Pwint Linn Era Fifty majestic Swel Daw Bins bloom gallantly along side the famed Shwe YaDu Lann with pleasing Shwe YaDu Benches
There have been tears of sorrow when Swel Daws were banished from the Land
Now there are tears of joy with many artifacts bearing your name
Saya served as Professor of English at Rangoon University and at the Institute of Education.
Pen name : Nwe Soe
Supporter of the “Khit San Sar Pay” co-founded by Theikpan Maung Wa, Zawgyi and Minthuwun.
Authored the “Archway Reader” series
Children : Patricia, Pamela, Uno, Beauty
Early English Sayas at RU
Dr. Ba Maw
[Mr.] Kan Gyi
[Ms.] E. Kan Gyi
Daw Thein Nyunt
Maggie Chin Cheng
Daw Tin Saw Mu
Daw Tinsa Maw-Naing
Daw Khin Kyi Kyi
U Ohn Khin
Daw Hla May
Early Honors Students
U Win Pe (“Mya Zin”)
Sao Hso Holm (“Sawbwalay”)
Majorie Law Yone
U Thaw Kaung are some of the early First Class Honors in English.
Language of Instruction in Burma
E. H. S. (English High School), taught subjects in English.
Vernacular schools taught subjects in Burmese.
Anglo-Venacular schools taught subjects in English and Burmese.
After Independence, some schools teach English from KG while others teach English from the 5th standard.
High Expectation
The expectations of some examiners of English in the Matriculation examination in the 50’s might have been unreasonably high. It came as a surprise when top students from SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) failed in English in the Matriculation of 1955. There was no moderation. The Brothers had to coax them to redo the Matriculation. Most later completed Masters from prestigious US universities. There was another surprise in 1959. One student gained three distinctions but failed in English. Instead of taking only English the following year, he repeated all the subjects and again gained three distinctions. He became a doctor and an outstanding professor.
1963 – 1965
The situation improved over the years.
In 1963, Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS), Dr. Min Oo (Maths, SPHS), Dr. Myo San (Freddie, SPHS, GBNF), and Kenny Wong (M69, MEHS) gained four distinctions (including English). They placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th in Burma. In those days, only a few gained distinction in Burmese.
In 1964, Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) gained four distinctions (including English) and tied for raw total score with Dr. Cherry Hlaing (SJC) for first place. Due to a perfect ILA, Dr. Cherry Hlaing was admitted as Roll No. (1) to Institute of Medicine (1).
In 1965, Bernard Khaw (SPHS) placed first in Burma. He scored very high marks (80+) in English. Due to the 3 NRC rule, he could not apply for professional institutes. He took Chemistry at RASU before moving to USA to study Chemical Engineering. After retirement, he became a Pastor.
My English Teachers at SPHS
Brother Austin (Std X A) mainly used the Carrot
Brother Xavier (Std IX A and Std VIII A) mainly used the Stick
Ms Amelia Kyi / Miss Hong Kong (Std VII D and Std VI D) used the Carrot and the Stick
Mrs. V Boudville (Class teacher for Std. V D)
Ms. A Benjamin (Class teacher for Std. IV D)
Relieving Sayas include Mr. Lewis, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Tims
My English Teachers at Rangoon University
Daw Tinsar Maw-Naing — I.Sc. (A)
Daw Khin Kyi Kyi — I.Sc. (A)
Sayama Toni
My English Teachers at RIT
Des Rodgers was the “main” English saya in 2nd B.E. Saya prides himself as a Scrabble Champion, a “Local Talent” star at BBS, an expert on ESL (English as a Specialty Language), and author of two (or more) books. Saya studied in UK and taught in Canada and on-line (for some time).
Sao Kan Gyi (GBNF) wrote with the pen name “Khemarat”.
U Khin (Lucien, now in Taiwan) had dictionaries (Chambers, Jones pronouncing, …) for use in officiating Scrabble games. He also won Scrabble trophies.
U Win Mra was Burma Pole Vault Champion. He won the “Elvis Presley” contest. He joined the Foreign Service and retired as Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations. He was Chair of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission.
Joe Ba Maung (GBNF) was Burma Tennis Champion in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. He transferred to Burma Railways. He managed the Sports program of Burma Railways. He was a victim of 8-8–88.
U Kyaw Lwin Hla transferred to UNDP.
Daw Yin Yin Mya (Terry) was Head of the Department. She moved to Australia.
Daw Sheila Saing was the Deputy Head. She moved to Thailand.
Daw Khin Saw Tint (Ann) is a bilingual author. wrote several books in Burmese. Her mother, aunts, uncles and brother are scholars and prominent figures in civil administration.
Naw Charity Sein U retired as Professor and Head of RIT English.
Daw Muriel — spouse: U Aung (Alphonso)
Daw Toni joined her spouse (who retired as Ambassador) overseas.
Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area RIT Alumni (which formed RIT Alumni International and hosted the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
SF Bay Area Alumni
President, RIT Alumni International
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Saya wrote the article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” for SPZP-2000. It resulted in five Golden Sponsors and many donors.
He provided the Class photo of C58 with help from Saya Dr. San Hla Aung and U Khin Maung Win (Sid Chen) for the caption.
C58
He took photos for the 10th Anniversary of RIT Alumni International. Saya was President of RIT Photography Association.
Experience
Matriculated in 1952 and attended RU.
Per his mother’s advice, he did not apply for Scholarship before graduating in 1958 with Civil Engineering.
Joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
Received Masters from Harvard University.
Promoted to Lecturer.
Moved to USA.
Worked as Advisor for a UNDP project in Bangladesh.
Retired twice in the USA.
After first retirement, Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) invited him to Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley.
After second retirement, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) invited him to Caltrans.
Final Years
Saya accompanied his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. Saya had a stroke and was admitted to a hospital.
Saya continued medical treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area, but he finally passed away.
Family
Saya left behind his spouse, son and daughter.
After saya’s demise, four grandchildren were born.
Daw Mu Mu Khin & grandkids
In Saya’s memory, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated saya’s books to YTU Library. She also provided financial aid to eligible YTU students.
69ers paid Garawa to Saya U Ba Than, who will turn 93 on October 2, 2023
Organizer
U Aung Min often disappears when Group Photos are taken.
Attendees
Daw Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret, M69) was a Track & Field athlete. She and U Chan Nyein (Kyi Win) are among the nine co-hosts of the 69er Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si
HlaMin 