I was fortunate to be an organizer for the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes.
The first SPZP was held in San Francisco, California, USA in 2000.
The Singapore alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2002, 2007 and 2010.
The Myanmar alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2004, 2012 and 2016. The next SPZP scheduled for December 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic.
The precious memories are shared by alumni — young and old, far and near, weak and strong — via pictures, anecdotes, poems (in both Burmese and English).
SPZP Organizers
Sharing is Caring
There are many Subject Matter Experts (SME) in the group. They can share their knowledge, experience and wisdom.
Sayas and Sayamas Retired, Semi-retired, Active
Family members of Sayas and Sayamas Children, Grand children and Great grandchildren
Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins Cartoonists Composers Dancers (Minthas, Minthamees) Journalists Lu Shwin Daws Musicians Vocalists Zat Sayas
Athletes Burma Selected University Selected Selection for Halls, Disciplines and Classes
Authors
Bloggers
Organizers and/or Executive Committee Members Annual Dinner Associations Magazine Social and Reading Club Student Union
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.
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.
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)
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.
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 otherDonors — 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 KayNewsletterOrganizers
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.
Dr. Chit Swe, Daw Khin Khin Latt and two youngest sons Dr. Chit Swe & Daw Khin Khin Latt Dr. Chit SweDr. Chit Swe at Pu Zaw PweDr. Chit Swe with UCC alumni in SydneyDr. 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 SydneySoon Kyway in ElaThanks 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.
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).
HlaMin 