During his RIT days, he was known as Hla Myint Thein.
Per advice from his paternal uncle Saya U Win Kyaing, he took Mechanical Engineering.
Graduated in 1975.
Singapore & USA
Worked in Singapore before moving to USA.
Activities
Founding member of RIT Alumni International, which organized the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP.
Wore multiple hats at SPZP-2000
Co-Chair of the Working Committee (with Benny Tan)
Financial Controller
Logistics Chief
Publisher of commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter
Past President of BAPS. During his tenure, he used his culinary skills to host lunch meetings. His ancestors ran a top rated restaurant. He learned the recipe for Dan Bauk from his father, and has improved it. He would use different meat for his Dan Bauk.
Founding member & Past VP of NorCal RIT Alumni Association
Gave a seminar (e.g. on PE) at Mechanical Engineering Department, YTU
Donated books. Helped others (Daw Mu Mu Kin & Victor Wong) to donate books to YTU
With the help of some YTU sayas, he helped find eligible recipients for the scholarship offered by Daw Mu Mu Kin.
Mg Mar Ga wrote:
တကယ်အားကိုးရတဲ့ကျောင်းတော်သားပါ
Updates
Lost his father in September 2015
Lost his mother-in-law in September 2019
Memories
SF Bay Area Alumni
Meetings & Gatherings at Benny’s house
Welcome Sayas & Alumni to the SF Bay Area
SF Bay Area AlumniGathering at Benny’s houseGathering 2Gathering 3Gathering 4
SPZP-2000
Co-Chair, Working Committee
Several Subcommittees
SPZP-2000
M75
Reunion & fundraiser in Yangon
M75
Saya U Ba Than
Paid respect to Saya at Winner Inn
With Saya U Ba Than
Reunion of SPZP Organizers
KMZ visiting from Washington State
Benny enjoying retirement after three successful careers
Sea Food Restaurant
SF Bay Area Soon Kwyay
Hayward Kyaung (picture)
Also, Half Moon Bay Kyaung (for Maurice’s retirement, Kuto dana for Maurice’s dad)
Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70) did not forget his roots.
He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs starting with SPZP-2000.
He donated US$50,0000 and established the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas” to provide services for Sayas such as Funeral expenses, Hospital expenses and Medical check up.
The implementation was supported by a committee of sayas (e.g U Tun Shwe) and selected alumni (e.g U Win Khaing).
The balance of the fund was transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
He set up Charitable Alliance of Burmese Americans (CABA). CABA helped rebuild the houses ravaged by Cyclone Nargis.
He also established the Kay Family Foundation (KFF). KFF hosted a Myanmar Education Delegation to visit prestigious Universities and Research Institutions in California. KFF provided a Matching Fund of $30000 for the RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles in 2015. The Main event was held at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.
(2) U Khin Maung Tun Health Care Fund
U Khin Maung Tun (Right)
U Khin Maung Tun (T78) & family established a Health Care Fund to provide Vision Care for eligible sayas.
The balance of the fund was transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
(3) Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
Pon Tu of Saya U Moe Aung
The idea of SDYF was discussed before, during and after SPZP-2012. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) proposed the idea. He is a Patron of SDYF.
U Khin Maung Tun donated K1500 Lakhs (or more) to SDYF and related causes. He served as President and hosted monthly lunch meetings.
SDYF has several objectives. They include helping engineering sayas and students — past, present and future, establishing “Saya Geha”, provide financial assistance for SPZPs, Shwe YaDu Celebrations and sellected Projects (e.g. YTU Library Modernization Project).
SDYF has provided financial support for eligible sayas. It had enhanced the programs that were implemented by the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund” and “U Khin Maung Tun’s family Health Care Fund”.
Eligibility rules and financial support
The rules may change over time (based on resources).
Eligible sayas who are hospitalized are provided K4 lakhs.
Eligible sayas who need to visit medical clinics frequently are considered on a case-by-case basis for financial assistance.
Eligible sayas are provided Annual Medical Checkup. The facilitators (e.g May Nge and group) provide transportation and lunch.
Eligible sayas are provided Vision Checkup and followup treatment (e.g. cataract operation).
Sayas who require medical treatment and long term care are considered on a case-by-case basis for financial assistance. Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, GBNF) and Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68, GBNF) were voted at the SDYF meetings for annual financial assistance.
Sample Recipient
Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68) required medical treatment and long term care.
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF) decided in a meeting to provide annual financial assistance of K4 Lakhs to Saya.
The facilitators include U Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Saya U Soe Myint (Min83) and U Khin Maung Htwe (who also donated K20,000).
The total K420,000 was given to Sayagadaw Daw Wai Mon Ohn Maung on 16th October, 2018.
U Ohn Maung 1U Ohn Maung 2U Ohn Maung 3
(4) Other Health Care Funds
U Aung Min, Daw Myint Myint …
69er HCF (Maintained by U Aung Min and team) Donors : Daw Myint Myint, Ivan Lee, U Sein Myint …
EE69er HCF (Maintained by U Shwe and team) Donors : U Sein Myint …
Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 HCF Donors : Steeve Kay …
Saya U Yone Moe was the Dean (since BIT was then Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University).
U Sein Hla (MIT alumnus) was the Registrar.
Dr. Aung Soe (C61), Dr. San Tint (EE61) and U Maung Maung Win (M61) joined BIT as Assistant Lecturers.
Mao Toon Siong (M62), S Arya (M62), Dr. Tin Win (M62), U Aye (M62), U Tin Win (M62), U Hla Myint (M62), U Than Se (Richard, ChE62), U Aung Gyi (Simon, ChE62), Chow Seik Lim (EE62), and Daw Khin Than Nwe (T62) are some of the students who attended the Final Year classes at BIT.
U Aye (M62) and U Shwe Kyaw (M63, GBNF) represented RU and BIT in Volleyball.
BIT Volleyball
Coup d’etat occurred on March 2, 1962. The final exam for the Class of 62 was delayed for an hour or so.
Hall Tutors & Warden
U San Tun (M59) was a Gold Medalist in his class and joined the Faculty. He studied for his Masters at MIT. Upon his return, he taught at BIT and also served as a Hall Tutor.
U Kyaw Tun (EE, saya of our sayas) was the Hall Warden.
U Myo Kyi (EE59), U Tun Shwe (EE60), U Maung Maung Win (M61), Dr. San Tint (EE61) and Saya U Shwe Yi (T61) were Hall Tutors.
Social and Reading Club
BIT S&R Club
BIT had “Social and Reading Club” (သဟာယနဲ့စာဖတ်အသင်း Tha ha ya and Sar Phut Ah Thinn).
Most halls in Rangoon University have Social and Reading Clubs. For example, Shwe Ku May Hnin described S&RC and the notable members (who became known in the Literary Circle in Burma and beyond) in her book, “Nga Doh Khit Tone Ga Tekkatho”. She gave me an autographed copy during her visit to the US.
(2) Rangoon Institute of Technology
BIT was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT).
The name change took place in 1964 with the introduction of the New Education System.
RIT became an autonomous Institute. U Yone Moe became the Rector.
The degree was renamed as B.E.
First Intakes at RIT in 1964
In November 1964, there were three Intakes.
450+ students were admitted to the 1st BE based on the ILA system.
320+ students were admitted to the 2nd BE based on the marks from the I.Sc.(A) exam.
About 200 students were admitted to the 3rd BE based on the marks from the I.Sc.(B) examination. They were joined by a few students who took sabbatical in the last First Year of Engineering (in the old system).
Engineering Departments
In 1964, there were eight engineering departments.
Architecture (Acting Head : U Tha Tun)
Chemical (Head : U Khin Aung Kyi)
Civil (Acting Head : U Min Wun)
Electrical (Head : U Sein Hlaing)
Mechanical (Acting Head : U Ba Than)
Metallurgy (Head : U Thit)
Mining (Head : U Soon Sein)
Textile (Head : U Maung Maung Than)
Supporting Departments
Several departments were placed in-house.
English (Head : Daw Yin Yin Mya)
Burmese (Head : U Tein Kyi)
Maths (Head : U Sein Shan)
Physics (Head : Daw Nyein)
Chemistry (Head : U Kyaw Tun)
There were several Visiting Lecturers (e.g. for Sociology, Industrial Management, Electrical Inspection) and Part-time Lecturers.
(3) What’s in a name?
We are not sure if “BIT Rangoon” was considered as an alternative to RIT.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has several campuses. The five oldest IIT campuses and their establishment dates are: (a) IIT Kharagpur IITKGP 1951 (b) IIT Bombay IITB 1958 (c) IIT Kanpur IITK 1959 (d) IIT Madras IITM 1959 (e) IIT Delhi IITD 1963 [founded in 1961]
Many IIT graduates continue their studies at the prestigious universities in the USA.
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) presumably was designed as a school for South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO).
Some states (e.g Massachusetts, Illinois, California) in USA are known for their Institutes of Technology.
Dr. Freddie Ba Hli received his Sc.D. in EE from MIT. He was an informal adviser to Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Wun, who were among the first three engineering undergraduates to be chosen under the “Twining Program” initiated by U Ba Hli, first native Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
(4) Further Name Changes
RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology) and later as YTU (Yangon Technological University).
(5) Placeholder
In 1999, I started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” partly because my alma mater was called RIT during our days, but I have mentioned repeatedly that “RIT” is simply a placeholder for all the engineering schools in Burma/Myanmar that precede RIT and succeed RIT.
(6) Highlights and Lowlights
Adhamma Era
Our alma mater had its ups and downs. The classes were forced to close citing “disturbances”. There were no convocations for the years 1988 to 1991. It was branded as “Tha Bone Kyaung သူပုန်ကျောင်း” during the “Adhamma Era”. The classes were relocated to far away places, and “Swel Daw Bins” were decimated. The A to G Halls were transformed into make-shift quarters. Wall clocks stopped. Bushes sprang up. A video of that time brought tears and anger, and the notion that “we might not live to see our alma mater in its former glory for decades to come”.
Pwint Linn Era
With the dawn of the some-what “Pwint Linn Era”, our alma mater rose from the ashes. Per request from H.E. U Aye Myint (EP 72), the alumni — young and old, near and far — provided physical, monetary, and spiritual support to help the alma mater in every way possible.
Home Coming
The first true “Home Coming” took place in December 2012. There were tears of joy.
3000 copies of the Swel Daw Yeik Magazine were sold out in a couple of days.
Limited reprints of the 23 RIT Annual Magazines were also sold out.
Autographed copies of “Selected RIT Cartoons” were also sold out.
Some copies of “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” were donated to RU Central Library and YTU Library.
RUESU
Six Annual Magazines published by RUESU (Rangoon University Engineering Student Union). Saya U Moe Aung learned and refined his publication skills as an editor/publisher of the magazine.
Ban by BSPP
The student unions and all professional organizations were banned following the coup d’eat in March 1962. Censorship increased with subsequent regimes.
Alumni Association
We now have an official alumni association. It sponsored the Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in 2016.
Shwe YaDu
Shwe YaDu Celebrations were held in 2014. Fifty Swel Daw Bins were planted and maintained. The sayas and alumni donated for the Shwe YaDu Lann, Shwe YaDu benches and much more.
SPZP
The world wide SPZP scheduled for December 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Library
YTU Library Modernization Project was launched to satisfy a requirement for the accreditation of YTU. There were hiccups in the design and implementation, but thanks to the generous supporters — young and old, far and near — the first phase of the project was completed recently. Students will be provided access to the new YTU Library.
Acknowledgement
Thanks to the Ko Htu’s and Ko Hta’s ကိုယ်ထူ ကိုယ်ထ our alma mater မိခင်ကျောင်းတော်ကြီး is on track to achieving its former glory.
Kudos to the sayas and alums for keeping the RIT (Swel Daw Yeik စွယ်တော်ရိပ်) Spirit alive and well.
U Ohn Khine (M70) took me to the meeting of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Relayed Steeve’s request for a special Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe.
Asked help to prepare material for the Gift package to be given at the PZP.
SPZP-2000 was recorded on a 3-hour tape. I had it converted to a set of two DVDs. U Win Htay & team copied the DVDs to be given to the sayas.
I was Chief Editor for the Commemorative Issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter for SPZP-2000. Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) & Henry Lim (Alumnus, Editor of BAPS Newsletter) were Associate Editors. Maurice Chee (M75) was Publisher. U Win Htay & team printed copies of the Newsletter to be given to the sayas.
Female members of the Combined Intake (e.g. Mai Khin Nyunt) agreed to take care of preparing monetary gifts. Every saya and sayama will receive One Lakh Kyats. Selected sayagyis will receive Two Lakh Kyats.
Event
Speakers
U Hla Min & Benny spoke at the Special Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe hosted by Steeve
I was the key note speaker.
Benny spoke on behalf of the alumni.
U Win Mra spoke on behalf of the sayas and sayamas.
Attendees
Reserve tables had to be used to accommodate the large number of attendees
In addition to those from the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65, those who had volunteered for the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas” were also invited
Key Note Address
Welcome to this gathering!
Today is a special gathering organized by the 64/65 intakes and sponsored by the “Steeve and Helen Kay Saya Health Fund”.
Today’s event complements last month’s 64/65 intake held an Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe and tomorrow’s seventh RIT Grad Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.
In addition to paying our respect to the sayas and sayamas, today we would also like to present to Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70) an appreciation award for his continued support.
Although Steeve migrated to the US in 1971 to pursue his dreams, he never forgot his roots, his alma mater and his friends.
Over the past 17 years, Steeve has made various contributions totaling $200,000.
Highlights of those contributions are as follows:
SPZP-2000
As you recall, the first ever RIT Grad Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in the year 2000.
It was started by a group of RIT students in San Francisco, among them Ko Benny Tan and me.
I remember when I sent out the invitation flyers, we received a $1,000 check from Ko Thaung Sein.
Later, he donated $3,000 as seed money to assist with fundraising efforts.
Throughout the years, Steeve has supported multiple world-wide reunions and SPZP as a Golden Sponsor.
Health Care Fund
In June 2005, Steeve set-up a $50,000 Saya Health Care Fund administered by U Win Khaing of MES and his administrative committee.
Many saya/sayamas attending today have benefited from that fund.
Steeve also helped to set-up a second fund, administered by the 64/65 intakes, as a supplemental retirement fund for the sayas and sayamas.
MoST Delegation to the US
In May 2013, Kay Family Foundation, a philanthropic foundation set-up by Steeve Kay, sponsored the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) delegation to visit Centers of Excellence in California.
The delegation was headed by the late Dr. Ko Ko Oo and Professor Nyi Hla Nge.
Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles in 2015
Last year, in October 2015, Steeve Kay donated $30,000 in matched funds to hold the RIT in Southern California, Los Angeles.
During the gathering, he sang a Burmese folk song ‘Shwe Me’ to express his feeling towards Myanmar, the land where he spent his youth growing up.
Health Concerns
This year, Steeve Kay’s own health fell ill.
We wish him good health. Instead of attending the RIT Grad Reunion himself, he asked Ko Benny to hold a gathering and Pu Zwe Pwe this year.
Ko Benny consulted with his classmates and decided that December 28, 2016 – the day preceding the Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe – seemed to be the right time.
The classmates, in turn, would like to honor their life-long friend and sponsor of numerous RIT-related activities.
The history of Steeve and his philanthropic work should be recorded and preserved for posterity.
Every saya and sayama will be presented with a gift package from Steeve.
Gift Package
Short biography of Steeve
Commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000
Two-set DVD of SPZP-2000
CD of photos and articles from SPZP and RIT-related activities
Monetary gift for each saya and sayama
Event in Three Parts
Today’s event covers three parts:
Paying respect to the sayas and sayamas who taught the Combined Intake of 64 and 65 students
Mini-gathering of the Combined Intake of 64 and 65 students
Appreciation award to be presented to Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve)
Ko Khin Maung Lay will be the emcee.
Selected sayas and alumni will recall Steeve’s work and their importance and impact to the RIT community.
2015 Reunion in Los AngelesHla Min and Benny
Updates
Steeve had remission for some time.
He finally passed away.
He did not complete writing his experiences and thoughts.
Matriculated with Distinctions in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
In November 1964, he was admitted as a top Student to RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) along with Zaw Min, Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) and Cho Aye (GBNF).
Graduated in 1970 with BE (Bachelor of Engineering) with specialization in EC (Electrical Communications).
Moved to California, USA.
MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) from Stanford University
MBA (Master in Business Administration) from Pepperdine University
Steeve 2
Experience
Worked in the Electronics Industry as IC (Integrated Circuit) Designer.
Per request from his younger sister Dr. Kay, he co-founded QTC and served as CEO (Chief Executive Officer). See Souvenir book for the Silver Jubilee of QTC.
QTC was acquired for a sizable sum. Became a Serial Entrepreneur & Philanthropist. Founded Eleok, Teehub & Kay Family Foundation.
Traveled to the Holy Places of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism & Islam to study Comparative Religion.
Visited prominent historic sites. Tried to trace his roots dating back ten or more generations.
Philanthropist
Founded CABA (Charitable Alliance of Burmese Associations). A notable CABA donation was to Disaster Relief Fund help the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. Details can be found in the reports prepared by Benny Tan (M70) who served as a CABA administrator.
Established KFF (Kay Family Foundation) to support a wide range of support. KFF donated to Universities (Stanford, Harvard, UC Irvine …), Research Institutes and Libraries. KFF sponsored the visit of Myanmar Education Delegation to California. KFF provided a Matching Donation of $30000 for the 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
He never forgot his roots. He wanted to show his appreciation for his schools, mentors, classmates and schoolmates.
KFF sponsored the publication of the “Centennial of Hwa Kyone School” and its Sequel.
He has donated $200000+ (via CABA and KFF) to RIT-related activities.
In October 2000, he donated $3000 to the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and became the first Golden Sponsor. He also sponsored the subsequent SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwes) at Singapore in December 2002, April 2007 and December 2010; at Yangon in December 2004, December 2012 and 2016.
In 2004, he set up the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas” with a pledge of $50000.
Final Years
In 2018, he was diagnosed with a medical problem. His doctors recommended to work from home and avoid long travels.
He requested Benny and me to organize a special Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe on his behalf. For details, see my post about that event.
Started writing books to share his expertise and memories.
U Shwe Kyaw (BIT Volleyball Selected)Daw Khin Toe Myint
Graduated in 1963 with Mechanical Engineering
He and U Aye (M62) played together in Ramanya Hall volleyball team during 1959-60 season.
Represented BIT and RU in Volleyball (along with U Aye M62)
Joined the Air Force and became a Pilot.
He was Air Force Captain (Officiating Major) when he perished in a plane crash.
Survived by Sayama Daw Khin Toe Myint (Zoology) and two children. Sayama is a dhamma friend. Her son U Thet Win Kyaw played the Drums at SPZP-2000.
U Shwe Zan Aung (SPHS63)
Std VIII B in SPHS
Matriculated from SPHS in 1963
Joined the Army and went to the front several times
His grandfather was afraid of losing another grandson prematurely. He requested SZA to leave the army and promised to provide financial support in exchange for peace of mind. His grandfather supported SZA’s family for a long time.
Finally joined a ship as a radio operator
Perished at sea when the ship sunk
Dr. Shwe Tun Kyaw
He and his spouse took early retirement from their medical practice in UK.
They volunteered as Assistant Teachers in several bi-lingual (Burmese and English) Goenka Center retreats.
He is a classmate of my younger sister. I met him at the house of Audrey Wong (C84), a volunteer for the Northern California Goenka Center.
The 1969 RIT Graduates Reunion was held in Rangoon/Yangon, Burma/Myanmar on Saturday, 20 February 1999 at Sait-Teng-Kya Restaurant near Kandawgyi lake.
Idea
The idea was mooted three years ago when a few of us were having dinner together and thought of having a gathering in 1999. After that most of us have forgotten about the idea until around the end of November 1998 when a group of our friends led by Ko Yee Pinn (Tavoy), Ko Myint Maung (aka “Bu”, RIT Volleyball selected), Ko Shwe, Ko Win Lwin, etc. decided to have a grand re-union in February 1999. They also decided that to be more meaningful we should invite our Sayas to pay them respect as well and, hence, it became the reunion cum Saya-ga-daw-pwe.
Attendees
On that very day the guest trickled in starting from about 4.00 p.m at the restaurant. The guests were required to fill in their names and contact numbers. The organizers promised to compile the name list and send to everybody who attended. By 6.00 p.m. about 30 Sayas and about 120 of our graduates were in the restaurant. The master-of-ceremony, Ko Win Lwin, announced the start of the ceremony.
Speeches
The programme started off with a few speeches, led by Nyi Hla Nge, representing the graduates in Rangoon, followed by Danny, representing the graduates overseas, Sai Aung Win, representing graduates outside Rangoon and last but not the least, by Saya U Kyin Soe, representing all the Sayas.
Paying respect
After that we gave respect to the Sayas. All the Sayas were seated on the stage and all of us sat on the floor. Some gifts were distributed to the Sayas followed by photo taking session and then the sumptuous dinner began.
Dinner & Entertainment
About 9 to 10 dishes were served but, most of us were too excited to notice what we were eating. Halfway through the dinner some of us went up the stage and sang some songs for entertainment. Even all the ladies, led by Alice and Naw Mu Mu Aye were on the stage as well. The crowd went wild.
Vow
The party ended at about 9.30 p.m. with some of the graduates not so sober. It was indeed a memorable gathering and we all vowed to meet again in December 2000 at place and date to be announced early next year. Three cheers to the organizers and those who have one way or the other help in making this event a great success.
1969
Updates
How time flies.
The Class of 69 celebrated the 30th anniversary reunion in 1999. The correspondence (Ko Daniel Tint Lwin, Ma Alice Saw Yu Tint, …) was partly responsible for the establishment of the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and the first ex-RIT web site.
40th Anniversary Reunion in 2009
2009
Golden Jubilee of Admission in 2014
2014
Golden Jubilee of Graduation in 2019
2019
U Aung Min (M69) is Chair of 69er Health Care Fund. He and his team maintain the GBNF list.
GBNF
Several Octogenarians — U Tin Maung, Harry Tin Htut, Uzin Bobby, Uzin Aung Chaw, U Ngwe Tun, U Win Thein Zaw, U Ngwe Soe, Albert Kyaw Min, Mehm Aye Chan, U Kyaw Zin, Robert Win Boh, U Tin Aung Win …
HlaMin 