On May 20, 2018, the BOD (Board of Directors) and EC (Executive Committee) members of NorCal RITAA (Northern California Rangoon Institute of Technology Alumni Association) threw a surprise party to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair of BOD) and Daw Hnin Maung Maung (Ma Ku, “Nyima Lay”).
According to Saya U Myat Htoo, he was the youngest in his family and wanted a younger sibling (preferably a sister).
Saya found an innocent 9 year old neighbor (and family friend).
Sayagyi U Ba Toke is a Phwa Bet Taw of (a) Rangoon University (established by the 1920 Rangoon University Act (b) First Strike of Rangoon University students (later celebrated as Ah Myo Thar Aung Pwe Nay). All three events occurred in December 1920.
Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char) interviewed Sayagyi.
The interview covered six audio tapes. They were transcribed by Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing (daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khaing).
With the support of the Rangoon University Mathematics Association, they compiled and published the book as an 80+ Birthday present for Sayagyi.
During my visits to Yangon, I visited and paid respect to Sayagyi.
Sayagyi gave Ko Ohn Khine (M70) and me autographed copies of the book.
Sadly both Sayas are GBNF.
Sayagyi passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day after the Rangoon University Centennial Celebrations). It was a few days ahead of his 100th Birthday.
During my visits to Yangon, I paid homage to Sayagyi U Ba Toke with (a) Ko Ohn Khine (provided the ride) (b) Sayagyi U Ba Than (would pay respect to his Saya at least once every year) (c) Saya U Tin Htut (d) “Oo Lay” U Aung Soe (GBNF, was Sayagyi’s dhamma friend and a member of the group who would walk every weekend from Yankin to Shwe Dagon Pagoda)
Book
Sayagyi gave an autographed copy of the book about him.
Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char) interviewed Sayagyi resulting in six audo cassettes.
Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing (Saya KMS’s spouse, daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khaing) helped with the transcription.
The book not only covers Sayagyi’s life journey, but also describes some events at the University of Rangoon, and a list of the early Thin Char Sayas (e.g. U Aung Hla, U Kar, U Net)
Book about Sayagyi U Ba Toke
Phwa Bet Taw
Sayagyi was born in December 1920.
His Phwa Bet Taws include the University of Rangoon and the first RU Students’ Strike.
The main events of the RU Centennial will be held in November and December 2020.
The kick off for the RU Centennial took place on December 1, 2019.
From the third batch of Architects produced by the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
Graduated in 1960 with U Aung Kyee Myint and U Khin Maung Yin.
Architect / Work Experience / Volunteer Work
U Bo Gyi (A59), U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Aung Kyee Myint (A60) founded “Architects Incorporated”.
They later joined PWD. U Bo Gyi designed the Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi. After retirement, U Bo Gyi became a monk. U Tin Htoon was architect for the Bagan Thiripyitsaya Project. U Aung Kyee Myint retired as Chief Architect.
Moved to Singapore. Helped with the Burmese Buddhist Temple Project.
Settled in Southern California. Co-founder, Goenka Vipassana Center Board member, Pariyatti Society Co-founder, Triple Gems Publication
Rowing and Sailing
Some photos were provided by U Myo Myint (EC67, RUBC Gold) and U Linn Tun (Houston, son of U Tun Shein (RUBC Gold)).
RUBC Captains
Captain of RUBC for the 1959-60 term.
RUBC Gold
Represented RUBC in Burma, India, Ceylon, and Hong Kong.
In the early days, he often rowed as No. (2) in the Coxed Fours and No. (4) in the Coxed Eights with U Tun Shein (Willie Saing) or James/Jimmy Saw Lwin as Timing Stroke.
Later, he rowed mostly as Timing Stroke.
Won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs with Dr. Harry Saing (Bow, GBNF) at the ARAE Regatta in Calcutta in 1958.
Won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours with Dr. Harry Saing (Bow, GBNF), Victor Htun Shein (No.(2), GBNF), Sunny Teng (No.(3)) and U Sein Htoon (Cox, M63) at the ARAE Regatta in Colombo in 1960.
Won the Silver Medal in Yachting at a SEAP Games with U Hla Khin (Navy).
In 1963, Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon and U Tin Htoon compiled the souvenir magazine for the 40th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC.
In 2013, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Myint, U Htaik San (Henry Kao), U Hla Min and team compiled the souvenir magazine for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC.
Sasana work
Co-founded Triple Gem Publications with U Harry Than Htut (Canada), Dr. Maung Maung Lwin (UK), Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70, Singapore) and U Htay Aung (Victor, EC80, Australia).
Volunteered for several Saya S N Goenka’s projects (in India and USA)
Helped several monasteries with the publications (e.g. Centennial)
Dr. Richard Yu Khin (Economist, SEAP Gold Medalist in Yachting) wrote
Background information on Ko Tin Htoon. His elder sister Ruby [Dr. Daw Win Hlaing] was a close friend of my aunt. My mother [Dr. Daw Phay] was personal physician to his mother. Their family mansion was located on 17 acres in prestigious Windermere Road. Former RUBC Captains Ko Tin Htoon, Ko Tin Htut & Ko Tin Wa later joined Rangoon Sailing Club. All three of them presently reside in California.
Compiler of Magazines and Photo books
Magazines
Anniversary Magazines for selected organizations and monasteries
RUBC 40th Anniversary Issue with Sithu U Tin (GBNF) and U Po Zon (GBNF)
Chair, RUBC 90th Anniversary Issue U Myo Myint Vice-Chair Henry Kao (Htaik San) Secretary
Photo Books
One for his parents
One for his eldest brother (U Tin U’s 90th Birthday on August 3, 2019)
In Preparation : One for his second eldest brother (U Ba Than’s 90th Birthday on October 2, 2020)
Some for his immediate family Photos from Burma, Singapore, US and Trips
Major helper : Henry Kao (U Htaik San, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) for the design and layout
The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by RIT Alumni International in October 2000. It was a formal two day event. On October 29, the Reunion Dinner and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held at Embassy Suites Hotel. On October 30, a lunch gathering was held for the sayas, alumni, volunteers and family members.
Archives
Set of DVDs Converted from the VHS Tape (recorded at SPZP-2000)
Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” Chief Editor : U Hla Min Associate Editors : U Thein Aung and Henry Lim
RIT website : Special web pages for SPZP-2000 Webmaster : U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) Content Provider and Editor : U Hla Min
Countdown to the Reunion 64 posts by U Hla Min
Post-Reunion 36 posts by U Hla Min
Photos by official photographers and volunteer alumni
Organizers
RIT Alumni International President : Saya Allen Htay
Working Committee Co-chairs : Benny Tan and Maurice Chee
It was founded by San Francisco Bay Area Alumni led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) and several interested alumni (notably U Khin Maung Zaw, EC76, webmaster based in Seattle Washington).
The founding members include Saya K C Chiu (ChE63), Saya U Nyo Win (M65), Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66), U Hla Min (EC69), Benny Tan (M70), Saya U Thein Aung (Met72), Maurice Chee (M75), U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) and Gordon Kaung (M83).
The primary objective was to host the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP).
In the early days, we had volunteers to collect data and activities for selected Classes and Areas. The Class representatives include Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) and U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69). The Area representatives include U Thet Tun (Henry, M75) for Australia, and Dr. Myo Khin (C70) for Japan.
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) worked four-hour days, spent weekends and nights on the RIT website project. It was a reason for the success of SPZP-2000. KMZ moved to Microsoft and later founded a loving family. Version 2.0 of the promised web remained a vaporware.
Some of the costs for the web site were donated by the founding members of RIT Alumni International, U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) from New Jersey, U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) and Saya U Aung Myint (M69) from Singapore
Organizers for SPZP-2000
The founding members of RIT Alumni International were the core organizers. Benny Tan and Maurice Chee were co-chairs of the Working Committee. Saya Allen Htay and Saya U Nyo Win headed the Steering Committee. Selected sayas and alumni from NorCal and SoCal served as members of the committees.
Saya U Nyo Win (M65) proposed a law saying that the core organizers would pitch in as much as $500 if there were insufficient attendees for SPZP-2000. Thanks to Saya Allen Htay’s classic article, “Brother, can you spare US $500?”, U Nyo Win’s Law was not enacted.
Five Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000 showed up. The first was U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, SoCal) f, who donated $3000. The next were Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70, NorCal), U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, NorCal, GBNF) and U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69, New Jersey), who each donated $1000. Last but not the least was U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas), who donated a round-trip ticket to sponsor a saya to attend SPZP-2000.
Three Groups sponsored Sayagyi U Ba Toke (Maths, saya of our sayas), Saya U Khin Aung Kyi (ChE, former Rector) and Saya Dr. San Tint (EE) to attend SPZP-2000. Sad to note that all three sayas are GBNF.
Sayagyi Dr. Ba Hli, Saya Allen Htay (C58), Saya U San Tun (M59), Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67), Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67) and several other sayas and alumni contributed photos to the Photo Gallery.
Sharing memories were enable in the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and ex-rit.org web pages. The features include: Letters to the Editor; Looking for; GBNF for Sayas and Sayamas; GBNF for Alumni; GBNF for Spouses
Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli, Sayagyi U Aung Khin, Sayagyi U Min Wun, Saya Allen Htay, Saya Dr. San Hla Aung, Saya U Soe Paing, Dr. Myint Thein (M73) and several other sayas and alumni wrote articles for the Newsletter and web site.
I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post-Reunion”. I incorporated the emails and correspondences from sayas and alumni.
Benny Tan designed mementos (mugs, tee-shirts, calculator/clocks, …) for SPZP-2000. He ordered them with special discount from his suppliers (of his Gift Shop at the SFO International Airport). Some were given to eligible attendees (per request of Steeve Kay, who provided the seed money for the project). Others were put on sale for fund raising.
There was a Commemorative Issue of the RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000. Hla Min served as Chief Editor. Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) and Henry Lim volunteered as Associate Editors. U Thein Aung compiled the biographies of sayagyis.
SPZP-2000 would not have been possible with the support of spouses, family members and well-wishers. Several provided the Culinary expertise for pre-SPZP and post-SPZP activities
Saya U Aung Khin is Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Saya U Win Kyaing and Saya U Tin Hlaing (M59) are GBNF.
Saya U Aung Hla Tun headed the HMEE-2012 project and is continuing with the HMEE-2018 project.
Saya U Phone Myint (Workshop Superintendent) is enjoying post-retiring by visiting his children overseas.
Saya U Tin Htut (M60, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) taught Industrial Management. The subject was earlier taught by Visiting Lecturers from the Institute of Economics. He moved to the USA where he worked most of the time except for a stint with the UN project overseas. He co-founded BASES with U Tin Htway (M59) and U Tun Tin (David, who studied in the USA as a Burmese States Scholar). During his visits to Myanmar, Saya donated K100 Lakhs for the YTU Modernization Project, K10 Lakhs for Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and to the All-Mechanical Gathering.
U Cho Aye (M70, GBNF) finished First in every year in Mechanical Engineering. He and U Win Lwin took part in climbing Mount Victoria.
Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng, M70) is a successful entrepreneur in the USA. He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for the SPZPs. He is a major donor for the Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
U Ohn Khine (M70) is a volunteer for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016, SDYF events, and HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 Projects. He is the moderator for the Google Group of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65. He translated Section One of the HMEE-2012 book and summarized Section Two of the book. During my visits to Yangon, he gave me rides to attend the meetings for SPZP and HMEE.
HlaMin 