Category: RIT

Engineering Schools in Burma

SPZP-2002 (Singapore)
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2925
- The Second RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was hosted by the says and alums in Singapore.
- The event took place on December 7, 2002 (Saturday).
- Dr. Soe Thein and team maintained two web sites :
  one for ex-rit singapore (for the SPZP events)
  another for the Civil Engineering Alumni in Singapore (for the Civil Sayas’ residence in Singapore and their contact numbers).
- Saya U Moe Aung, Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing, Sayama Daw “Emma” Tin Tin Myint, Saya U Aung, Saya U Tin Lin, and Saya Dr. Dr. Soe Thein are some of the core organizers of SPZP-2002.
- The RIT gathering at the Thingyan festival and musical gala at NTU helped with the planning and implementation of SPZP-2002.
- Saya U Moe Aung and team published the commemorative “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung”.
- “Don Min” U Yu Swan, U Moe Myint, Daw Moh Moh Han, U Myint San (“Tet Lu”), U Aung Kyaw Myint (“Ko Ba Kyaw”), and many other talented Geeta Ah Nu Pyinnar Shins helped with the entertainment for SPZP-2002
Three SPZPs in Singapore
- December 2002 (Second world wide SPZP)
  Chair : Saya U Moe Aung
- April 2007 (Fourth world wide SPZP)
  Chair : U Nyan Win Shwe
- December 2010 (Fifth world wide SPZP)
  Chair : Saya U Moe Aung
From the Archives

From Ko Zaw Tun Naing and Ko Nyan Win Shwe
ex-rit singapore

Please be informed that there will be Ex-RIT, Singapore 7th meeting on

Date: 30.04.2006 (April 30, SUNDAY)
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (2:00pm to 4pm )
after Appreciation Lunch 12pm to 2pm.
Venue: Yunnan Corner
Nanyang Terrace
NTU

Agenda

1. Review 2006 Thingyan
2. Update 2006 Thingyan Account
3. 2006 Thingyan Video Production
4. Define Price for 2006 Thingyan Video
5. Distribution Plan for 2006 Thingyan Video
6. 2007 Sayapuzawpwe discussion
We will discuss how should we celebrate the coming “Ex-RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” in April 2007”.
We’ll also form sub committees for actions.
7. Any other matters

Please come forward and give us good ideas. Your attendance is invaluable to EX-RIT, Singapore.
May 10, 2025
Volunteer for Six Decades
- Served as Volunteer for various organizations (Professional, Social, Religious, Sports, Alumni) for five decades
  ACM (SF Bay Area Chapter Volunteer)
  BAPS Newsletter (Contributing Editor)
  BARB / MARB (Guest Lecturer)
  NFLC Burmese Language Project (Language Expert)
  Computer History Museum (Docent)
  Curriculum Development (High School Mathematics)
  Dhammananda Newsletter (Contributing Editor)
  Editor (for Books by friends and sayadaws)
  NorCal RITAA (Founding member, BOD)
  RIT Alumni International (Founding member, Chief Editor)
  RIT EE Association (Secretary, Joint Secretary, Magazine Committee)
  RUBC (Vice Captain, Treasurer)
  TBSA (Vice President, BOD, Emcee for Sayadaw U Silananda’s Memorial Service)
  TMC (Interpreter for Dhamma Talks)
  Toastmasters International (Distinguished Toastmaster)
  UCC (Lecture Guides and Manuals)
  …
- Completed 22 years as Chief Editor of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter“
  Posted thousands or email newsletters and/or blogs.
- Helped organize World Wide Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP)s starting with SPZP-2000 in San Francisco, USA.
- Wrote 64 “Count down to the Reunion” and 36 “Post Reunion” for SPZP-2000.
- Wrote Poems and Articles for Commemorative Issues of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung and Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
- On behalf of the 69ers, thanked the sayas, sayamas, sponsors and attendees at the Golden Jubilee of Graduation on December 14, 2019 at the YTU Assembly Hall.
- Wrote Preludes to every section in the 90th Anniversary Issue of RUBC in half an hour.
  Wrote three articles as Contributing Editor for the Magazine.
- Wrote 30+ “Memories of UCC” in three days (during my visit to Yangon in 2018)
- Wrote / revised 2000+ posts in hlamin.com
- Broadcast 200+ Educational Videos.
  Most of them are on Facebook.
  The later ones are on my You Tube Channel.
- Have dumped my still reasonably good memory to pay back to my alma mater.
- Attended PPBRS, SPHS, Leik Khone, RIT and UCC.
- Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST.
- Admin of several FB groups :
  RIT Alumni
  Fun with Learning
  Life Long Learning
  Myanmar 2021
- Moderator
  Rangoon University Centennial FB Group
- Requested sayas, alumni and friends to help me with my journey.
- Some provided insightful comments :
  Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
  U Aye (M62)
  Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60)
  Dr. Nyunt Wai (SPHS63)
  Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63)
  U Aung Myint (SPHS64, UCC)
  U Khin Maung Zaw (SPHS70, EC76)
- Know only a fraction of sayas and alumni
  But I know them with reasonable detail
- Am a Jack of All Trades and Master of Some.
  There are many areas of knowledge that I do not know. |
  But I know a few areas with reasonable detail.
- Am grateful to my ancestors who are philanthropists.
  They led by example.
  They donated cash and kind for hospitals, schools, religious and social institutions.
  Cannot donate a fraction of what they did in cash, but I have donated my time and energy.
- Am grateful to my “Let Oo Sayas”.
  My beloved father said, “Any thing that is worth doing is worth doing well.”
  My beloved mother said, “Eyes have you and you see not. Ears have you and hear not”.
  Without their unbounded love, support and exhortation, I would not be where I am today.
- “If one can dream, others can fulfill.”
  It was true of Jules Verne.
- Had two of my dreams fulfilled :
  (a) to get the sayas and alumni get connected and re-connected electronically and physically
  (b) to pay back the metta and cetana of our mentors via SPZP.
- Latest dream is to implement “Written and Oral History”
- Hope that amateur and professional folklorists / historians can massage my Posts and Videos into Reference Material.
May 10, 2025
Unsung Heroes
- There are several sayas and alumni who helped with the RIT-related activities in general and SPZPs in particular.
Organizers
- U Win Thein (M67, GBNF) was a Trail Blazer.
- Benny Tan, Maurice Chee and team for SPZP-2000
- U Moe Aung and team for SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010
- U Nyan Win Shwe and team for SPZP-2007
- U Win Khaing and team for SPZP-2004 and SPZP-2012
- Organizers of Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016
- U Saw Linn (C71, GNBF) wore multiple hats despite his failing health.
Fund Raisers
- It is not easy to be a fund raiser.
- U Aye Tun (Anthony, M76) is a notable fund raiser in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  He volunteered for alumni, social and religious organizations.
  He sold many tickets, but he also had to buy tickets from other organizations.
- U Wynn Htain Oo and Nan Khin Nwe are super fund raisers.
  Their tasks grew exponentially when the project cost for YTU Library Modernization was underestimated, and the exchange rate for foreign currencies soared.
WHO

Unsung Heroes

The following volunteered for one or more associations and projects
- U Ohn Khine
- U Myint Pe
- U Thant Zin
- Daw Pyone Pyone Oo
- U Htay Maung
- U Thiha Latt,
- U Tin Latt
- U Tin Oo,
- U Kyaw Hlaing
- U Aung Moung (GBNF)
- U Than Po
- Daw Mar Mar Yee
- …
- Photographers and Videographers (Official and Volunteers)
  Dhatu Kyaw Lynn
  U Khin Maung Win
  U Khin Maung Aye
  U Tin Maung Win
  …
- The Pon Chan Chan Group & the famed Swel Daw Yeik Troupe members share their experience, time and energy to provide entertainment (sadly once to “empty chairs”).
- Artists and Cartoonists
Sponsors and Donors

SPZP
- There were donors — large and small, old and young.
- They include Golden Sponsors for the Reunion and World Wide Pu Zaw Pwes.
- For example, there were five Golden Sponsors for SPZP-2000 :
  Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, Southern California), Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, Northern California), Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, New Jersey), David Ko (U Tin Myint, Northern California, GBNF) and U Maung Maung Than (Texas)
Health Care Funds
- Steeve and Helen Kay Fund for Health Care of Eligible RIT Sayas and Sayamas
- U Khin Maung Tun & Family Fund for Vision Care of Eligible RIT Sayas and Sayamas
- Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
  has taken over the activities of the first two funds (which transferred their balance to SDYF)
- 69er HCF, EE 69er HCF
- Some donated in kind (e.g. arranging Medical Check up for sayas and sayamas).
YTU Library Modernization
- Main Component
  U Khin Maung Tun,
  Daw Myint Myint (in memory of U Htein Win)
  Saya Dr. Myo Khin & Ma Mya Mya Nwe (Winsome),
  James and Annette Shwe,
  NorCal RITAA,
  Members and Friends of BASES,
  Anonymous donors,
  Donors (Large and small, One-time or Repeated)
- Training Component for Library Staff
  Sayas and Alumni from USA (Sayas U Maung Maung, U Myat Thwin, U Tin Maung Nyunt)
  From Thailand, Singapore and Myanmar (Details were provided by WHO and team)
Food donors
- Large and small — for the meetings and events are to be commended.
- They made SPZP-2016 a truly free all-day-long event.
Publications
- When I started the RIT Alumni Newsletter two decades ago, I was told that “RIT is a dying breed”, our alma mater is the birth place of Thabons and that I might have to spend Waso at Insein if I visit Yangon.
- RIT Annual Magazines
- Magazines and Sar Saungs
  Some to commemorate SPZPs
RIT Spirit
- As Henley wrote in Invictus and Bogyoke rendered in his translation, many sayas and alumni were not afraid.
- They made the RIT Spirit alive and well.
- We hope our alma mater, sayas and colleagues will formally recognize the heroes (well known as well as unsung ones) on paper, and may be some day in the not so distant future at “Once upon a time at RIT” corner (e.g. Wall of Fame)
May 10, 2025
Unsung Heroes
- Daw Pyone Pyone Oo and team interviewed selected sayas and sayamas for the “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”.
- U Htay Maung (M75) selected the Burmese fonts for use with the History project. He and his team transcribed Saya U Aung Hla Tun’s handwritten notes for word processing and type setting.
- U Thant Zin (M82, GBNF), son of Saya U Sein Shan, volunteered not only for the History Project, but for the SDYF, SPZPs and the All Mechanical Gatherings.
- U Moe Myint (M76), Daw Moh Moh Han (A77) and their ‘Pon Chan Chan” pals helped with the Entertainment Program of most SPZPs held in Singapore and Yangon.
- Saya Dr. Soe Thein (C75) served as web master for the Singapore SPZP web site and the Singapore Civil Engineering web site. His son volunteered as a photographer or videographer.
- Saya U Soe Myint (Min83) served as Joint Secretary for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. As Patron of RIT Buddhist Association, he helped compile Ovada of the sayas and sayamas.
May 10, 2025
Mementos
Kyauk Si Bagyee

Tee Shirt

Mug

Mug

SPZP-2000

Hosts
- RIT Alumni International
- Led by Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
- Benny Tan (M70, Co-Chair, Working Committee)
- Maurice Chee (M75, Co-Chair, Working Committee)
- Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, Webmaster, RIT web site)
- Hla Min (EC69, Content Provider of web site, Chief Editor of RIT Alumni Newsletter)
- …
Golden Sponsors
- Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California)
- Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70, Northern California)
- Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey)
- David Ko (Tin Myint, M67, Northern California, GBNF)
- Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
- Thanks to many other Donors — Large or Small, Young or Old, Far or Near, Cash or Kind
Memorabilia
- SPZP Banner : Designed by Benny Tan
  Handed over to Daniel Tint Lwin (M69, on behalf of Singapore Alumni)
- Kyauk Si Bagyee : Ordered by Maurice Chee
  Present for senior sayas and sayamas
  The rest put up for Fundraising Sale
- Mug : Designed by Benny Tan
  Present for most (if not all) attendees
- Tee Shirt : Designed by Benny Tan
  Present for all sayas and sayamas
  Present for SPZP-2000 Volunteers
  The rest put up for Fundraising Sale
- Calculator/Clock : Designed by Benny Tan
  Present for senior sayas and sayamas
- Bio of Sayas :
  Compiled by Thein Aung (James, Met72)
- RIT Alumni International Newsletter :
  Chief Editor : Hla Min
  Associate Editors : Thein Aung, Henry Lim
SPZP and Reunion Dinner
- Embassy Suites Hotel
- San Francisco
- October 28, 2000
- Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (Keynote)
- Saya U Ba Toke (Speech & Blessings)
- Saya U Aung Khin (Speech)
- Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Speech)
- Saya U Min Wun (Speech)
- Entertainment
  Band
  Sayas and Alumni
Pre and Post Gatherings
- October 27, 2000
  Welcoming Sayas and Alumni at Seafood Restaurant in San Mateo
- October 29, 2000
  Farewell Brunch at a High School in Daly City
Comments
- Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) was a Core Organizer of SPZP-2000.
  He designed and implemented the inaugural RIT web site and set up special web pages for SPZP-2000.
  He posted two memorabilia from SPZP-2000.
- Ko Benny used part of Steeve Kay’s donation to order his designs for RIT mug, RIT tee shirt, RIT calculator/clock and SPZP banner.
  I still wear the RIT tee shirt posted by KMZ.
- Ko Maurice ordered RIT Kyauk Si Bagyee.
  Several were given to sayas.
  The rest were sold for fund raising.
  I bought one.
  KMZ posted a photo of his.
- Ko Thein Ngwe posted a photo taken in from of the RU Burmese Department Library.
  Myanmar Sar Mi Thar Su erected a bust of Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Founder of the Department and mentor of Theikpan Maung Wa, Zawgyi and Minthuwun).
- I love history.
- I was a Docent of the Computer History Museum.
- I was a member of HMEE-2012 project.
  Ko Ohn Khine and I compiled the CD supplement of the HMEE book.
- I have served for 22+ years as Founder / Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
- I posted 64 Countdown to the Reunion and 36 Post Reunion for SPZP-2000.
- I have archived and updated many posts about my alma mater, mentors, colleagues and friends.
- Time is running out.
- Please help compile both informal and formal history of our alma mater via photos, essays, and videos.
- Together we can preserve the glory of the Good Old Days and the Sad Dark Days.
- Wishing all of you a prosperous and Happy New Year.
Gathering hosted by Steeve Kay

Newsletter

Organizers
May 10, 2025
A69

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2025

B.Arch grads class of ‘69

Convocation on 10th January 1970.

Rangoon Institute of Technology.

Saw Tobias Kittim Ku (GBNF), Kyaw Kyaw, Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi, Myo Tun, Aung Khin, Thet Tun.

LtoR – Saya U Sai Yee Leik (GBNF), Saw Tobias Kittim Ku (GBNF), Thet Tun, Saya U Maung Maung Hpone Myint, Myo Tun.

May 8, 2025
Talented Engg and CS Students

Photo from August 2017

In August 2017, RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association and several donors — including U Khin Maung Tun (President, SDYF), U Tin Oo (EC92), U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72) — honored not only the YTU students but also Computer Science & Technology students for their success in an International Competition.

May 7, 2025
Dr. Chit Swe
Highlights

Dr. Chit Swe, Daw Khin Khin Latt and two youngest sons

Dr. Chit Swe & Daw Khin Khin Latt

Dr. Chit Swe

Dr. Chit Swe at Pu Zaw Pwe

Dr. Chit Swe with UCC alumni in Sydney

Dr. Chit Swe with UCC Donlaba
- Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe is a Pioneer of Computer Systems, Education and Applications in Burma.
- He founded Universities’ Computer Center (UCC).
- He retired as Rector of Rangoon Arts and Science University (RASU).
- He continued teaching and supervising graduate students in Thailand and Australia.
- He passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia in November 2019.
Sayagyi’s Family
- Sayagadaw Daw Khin Khin Latt,
- Five children (Dr. Daw Moe Thu, U Thu Ta, Dr. Kyaw Thu, Dr. Swe Latt, U Chit Khin)
- Seven grandchildren and
- Three great grand children
Dr. Chit Swe and Daw Khin Khin Latt fondly named their younger sons as Swe Latt and Chit Khin.

Obituary

Soon Kwyay

In memory of Saya, soon kwyay was offered in Sydney, Australia and Pyinmana, Myanmar

Soon Kwyay in Sydney

Soon Kyway in Ela

Thanks from the family

Condolences

Hundreds (and may be Thousands) have expressed their sadness for the loss of Sayagyi in the newspapers and in the Facebook pages.

The following is a sampling.

U Ba Than (M.A., Retired Director General, Thuwanna), Saya Chit’s classmate in 1947 at the first I.Sc.(A) class offered at Mandalay University and was a fellow teacher, is saddened by the loss of “Ko Chit Swe”.

Thin Char Mi Thar Su of the University of Yangon is indebted to Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe for his dedication to the dissemination of Mathematics

Myanmar Naing Gan Thin Char Ah Thinn offers condolences to the family members of Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Retired Rector) and Sayagyi U Aung Sein (Retired Associate Professor)

ex-UCC Mi Tha Su (UCC Alumni) expresses their sorrow to the Founder of Computers and Computer Education in Burma. Members from Myanmar and beyond (e.g. Singapore, USA, Australia) can never forget Sayagyi and his passion for transforming his students from good to better and great professionals, educators, researchers, and socially responsible citizens of the world.

U Win Thein (Padamyar Winhtein) has updated Wikipedia to include Saya’s pioneering work.

Saya U Aung Zaw (AZ) spent five decades or so under the tutelage of Saya Chit. He organized mini-PZPs for Saya Chit. I attended one gathering in 2006.

UCSY Facebook page remembers Saya as the pioneer Saya for Computer Education in Burma / Myanmar.

I have honored my mentor Saya Chit in my newsletter, Facebook pages and my personal websites hlamin.com and lifelonglearning140.wordpress.com

Saya Dr. Khin Maung Win wrote about Sayagyi in moemaka

Sayama Daw Si Si also wrote about Sayagyi.

Thanks from the Family

The Family could not reply individually to the condolence messages.

Interviews

Sayagyi’s son Dr. Swe Latt has posted videos / links of Sayagyi’s interviews in
- Sydney, Australia
- Yangon, Myanmar
  Broadcast as part of the RU Centennial Celebrations
May 7, 2025
2019 Gatherings
- Before the pandemic, 69ers used to have Monthly Breakfast Gatherings usually at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose Restaurant).
- Some 69ers offered to host the Gathering to celebrate their Anniversaries, Birthdays …
- U Aung Min (M69, Chair of 69er HCF) is a Core Organizer of the 69er activities including the Annual Dinner Gatherings and the Golden Jubilee Celebrations
- Over 40% of the class are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
May 7, 2025
RITAA
Overview

During the Adhamma Era, many associations (especially student and alumni organizations) were not allowed.

With the dawning of the Pwint Linn Era, RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association was allowed to register, but many alumni were not aware of the association and its objectives. Only a few actively participated in the formative events. There was virtually no fund to operate.

Then, things started to click.

The office space for the Alumni Association was provided by YTU

Donations — large and small — were received (mostly for the YTU Library Modernization Project which is a requirement for the Accreditation)

Membership (Life membership for K60000) grew.

Saya’s Corner was established.

Staff and Volunteers helped with the regular and ad hoc projects

Young alumni came forward to help with the leadership

U Wynn Htain Oo’s post

His post is based on RITAA Report. I provided annotations.
- Alumni Association is a requirement to get YTU accredited.
- First step to establish RITAA started in March 2016 with the help of YTU Management and the Organizers of Shwe YaDu Celebration
- Drafting and approval of Bye Law
- Implementation Committee
- Interaction with MEC
- Visit by evaluators from Asian Pacific Engineering Association
- Role in SPZP-2016 Planning and Implementation
- Registration
- Criteria for the accreditation of Post graduate courses
- 2018 Graduates to be assessed by Asia Pacific Engineering Association
- Fund raising for YTU Library Modernization
- Travel grant for staff to undergo Library Training in Singapore
- Trying to fulfill requirements for Accreditation
- Financial aid for eligible needy YTU students
- Teacher’s Corner (for recreation)
- Finding donors to support RIT athletic associations
- Finding donors to support Maker Space (of YTU Student Union)
Commitment

U Myo Aye (President, RITAA) donated K5 Lakhs for the Fund to pay salary to RITAA employees.

U San Kyu (Vice President), U Aung Khaing (General Secretary), U Kaung Myat Soe (Joint Secretary), and U Maung Maung Than (Joint Auditor) donated K2 Lakhs each.

Fund
May 5, 2025