“So Ka Yay Tee” is synonymous with “Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin”.
Rangoon University has a “Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin”.
Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha and Saya U Ba Kyi are senior members. Saya Kha would play the violin and accompany U Ba Kyi singing “Only Two” (Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin De).
Under the then New Education System, Institutes (such as IM, RIT, Eco, Edu) were established. Most of them have “Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin”.
RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin held musical evening extravaganza (“Geeta See Sar”).
RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin had a powerful presence at the 1970 RU Golden Jubilee Celebrations. It featured Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint, Htee Yein, …
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War), Saya U Saw Tun (Saw Lu), Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65), Saya U Taing Oke (ChE69), and Saya U Khin Maung Tint (C69) are some of the driving forces for the outstanding performances by the Zat Sayas, Minthas, Minthamees, Lushwindaws, and the talented cast members.
The Pon Chan Chan also helped find soul mates.
Don Min U Yu Swan and Sayama Emma Tin Tin Myint
U Tin Tun and Daw Mar Mar Yee
Saya U Khin Maung Tint and Sayama Daw Khin Sandar Tun
According to Saya U Moe Aung (EE 63, Tekkatho Moe War), the term “Swel Daw Yeik” was first accepted as a synonym for RIT in 1970 (Golden Jubilee of the establishment of Rangoon University).
Saya is an outstanding writer/poet, editor/publisher, “Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shin”, …
“Swel Daw Yeik Bulletin” was published by Saya U Moe Aung and his team of editors.
“Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint” is a premier feature of the RIT-related gatherings (e.g. Singapore Thingyan, World wide SPZPs).
“Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” was published for SPZP-2000, SPZP-2007, and SPZP-2010 held in Singapore.
“Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” was published for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2014 and SPZP-2016.
“Swel Daw Yeik Foundation” evolved from brain storming sessions for helping past, present, and future Burmese/Myanmar engineers. The initial scope is to provide (some) health care to all sayas and sayamas (60+ years, 7+ years of service) using the interest money (only) of the Health Care Fund.
For several years, Ma Khine Khine Win and friends) have provided funds to supplement (e.g. K50,000 per saya/sayama) the dana offering by SDYF.
Later, Ko Aung Khine and friends (Swel Daw Thway Ah Phwe) supplemented K100000 for eligible saya/sayama.
In the early days, students who passed the two-year Intermediate of Science classes and satisfied the eligibility requirements (e.g 50+ marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry) were admitted to the four-year Engineering course.
The engineering students had to attend Mathematics classes (e.g taught by Sayagyi U Ba Toke) in the RU Main Campus. Civil engineering students had to take Geology classes in the RU Main. It was common for the students to use bicycles to save time and energy.
New Education System
In November 1964, under the new Education System, matriculates were admitted to 1st BE using the controversial ILA system. Those who passed the last ever I.Sc(A) with Science option were admitted to 2nd BE based on total marks. Those who passed the last ever I.Sc(B) with Science option were admitted to 3rd BE.
Supporting departments (with Head) were established at RIT. They include
Burmese (U Tein Kyi …)
Chemistry (U Kyaw Tun, Daw Thaung Khin …)
English (Daw Yin Yin Mya, Daw Sheila Saing …)
Mathematics (U Sein Shan, U Shwe Hlaing …)
Physics (Daw Nyein, Daw May Than Nwe …)
Not sure if Geology (U Ngwe Thein, U Maung San …) was established as a supporting department or as a sub-department of an engineering department.
Daw Myint Myint Khin was RIT Librarian.
For some time (during the BSPP era) Political Science department (U Nyein Aung, U Tha Din …) existed.
There were Visiting Lecturers and/or part-time sayas
Saya Des and Saya U Khin were Scrabble Champions at the tournaments held at Guardian premises, YMCA and RIT.
Many sayas from the English Department and Civil Department are Scrabble enthusiasts
Chambers Dictionary and Jones Pronouncing Dictionary were used to confirm/deny the word challenges. They were always present on Saya U Khin’s desk.
Champions
Saya U Win Mra was Burma’s Pole Vault Champion before he was asked to “retire” by the doctors. Saya U Win Mra and Saya Des are excellent guitarists and singers. Saya joined the Foregin Service. He was Myanmar’s Ambassador to the United Nations. He is Chair of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission.
Saya Joe Ba Maung was Burma’s Tennis Champion in Singles and Doubles (with U Than Lwin). Saya joined Burma Railways and managed the Burma Railways Sports program. He was a casualy of the 8-8-88 movement.
Other Sayas
Saya Sao Kangyi (Tony) wrote articles with the pen name Khemarat. He is GBNF.
Saya U Kyaw Lwin Hla transferred to UNDP.
Other Sayamas
Sayama Terry migrated to Australia. She was a Beauty Queen in her college days.
Sayama Charity retired as Professor and Head of the RIT English Department. Met her briefly at SPZP-2012.
Sayama Muriel and Saya U Aung (Alphoso, son of H.E. U Than Aung) worked in Thailand. They visited Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt in Milpitas, California a few years back. We had lunch gatherings.
Sayama Toni is a cousin of Ko Thet Tun (Henry, M 75). Their aunt Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt is the spouse of my cousin Saya U Tin U. Sayama is a Khamee Khamet of Saya U Win Mra. Met her at SPZP-2012 and at the Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe hosted by Steeve Kay. Last met her in December 2019 at the funeral service of Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt.
Sayama Daw Khin Saw Tint Bilingual author Published several books/booklets Donated some of the earnings from the books to YTU. Parents : ICS U Ba Tint, Daw Khin Saw Mu (Burmese Poetry) Wrote an article about her mother and two aunts : Daw Khin Mya Mu (Kyauk sar, spouse of Professor U E Maung) and Daw Tin Saw Mu (English)
U Yu Khin (father of Dr. Marie Yu Khin and Dr. Richard Yu Khin) : founded IFL (Institute of Foreign Languages), which later became YUFL (Yangon University of Foreign Languages)
Daw Sein Sein (spouse of Pali Professor U Tin Lwin) : transferred to Department of Higher Education
Engineering Institutes
U Sein Hla (BIT) : graduated from MIT
U Soe Thein (RIT) : former Ba Ka Tha Leader; transferred to DHE
U Hla (RIT)
U Thet Lwin (RIT) : author, composer and pianist
Others
U Kyaw Khin (IM 1) : became Deputy Minister
Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win (RASU) : taught at Physics; spouse of U Ko Lay (RUBC Gold, Chief Editor of WPD)
U Khin Nyo (Moulmein) : taught at the Institute of Economics; managed the Rowing team
HlaMin 