In the old Education System, there were only a handful of female Engineering students
The first batch of five female students graduated in 1961. Four were from Textile : Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin), Julie Han (later Dr.), Yin Yin Kyi and Mi Mi Lay. Pauline Reynolds was the first female Chemical Engineering graduate.
Julie Han Pauline Reynolds
In 1962, Khin Than Nwe (Margaret, Tex) was the lone female engineering graduate.
Khin Than Nwe
Ma Ni Ni Thwin, Ma Khin Thein Yi, Ma Tin Myint, Ma Pyi Aye, Ma Khin Khin Kyu, Nancy Hla Aung, Maywaddy Tun Tun, Ma Yi Yi Aung, Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Nyunt Nyunt Zaw, Ma Cho are grads from 1963 – 68.
Nancy & Yi Yi Aung
The new Education System saw more female students.
There were about 45 female students in the 1st BE intake in 1964, and about 30 female students in the 2nd BE intake in 1964. G-Hall accepted most female students.
There were more in the 1st BE intake in 1965.
Archi
Ushers at RIT Graduation
Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71) Editor for “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” Organizer for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
We all served as ushers at the Graduation Dinner in late 1966.
Graduation took place at RIT as well as the Dinner, at “aw bar lan” area.
Ushers
Right to Left
Sandi Hlaing — Ch 66 intake
Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) — Ch 65 intake
Nila Mya Aung — M 64 intake
Jessie Htwe — M 66 intake
Annie Ba Htaw — Tex65 intake
Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk) Ch 66 intake (UK)
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint) — Ch 64 intake (Singapore)
Than Than Yi (GBNF) Tex 65 intake (my best friend who passed away in Sept 2013, USA)
Photo provided by Daw Tin Aye (C73). Initially took Mechanical Engineering and helped with “Set Hmu Thadin Zin” (founded by U Win Thein). Played Volley for Civil Engineering Volunteered for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016
Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71)
Right to Left
Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk, Ch 66-72, UK)
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, Ch 64-70, Singapore)
Hla Hla Aye (She was as a cover girl at one of the “Shay Tho Sar Saung”, and inside the Sar Saung had an article about RIT activities with photos. I kept that Sar Saung, but unfortunately (after so many years) now I only have a page left with a photo taken at the Chemistry lab, which included Ma Khin Myat Swe (spouse of Saya U Moe Aung), Henry Koe, my spouse Ko Khin Mg Miynt and myself).
Tin Aye (C )
Nelly Khin Myo Win (GBNF) (Ch 65-71, Mandalay)
Could be Margaret Yi (Ch 65)
All are from G -Hall at one of the Tha Din Gyut or Da Saung Taing Pwe at Shwe Dagon Pagoda, organized by G -Hall.
Reunions
Daw Pwint Than
Daw Pwint Than and Daw Cho Cho Tin
Selected High School Luyechun from Loikaw twice : Ngapali Camp in the Summer of 1964 and Inlay Camp in the Summer of 1965.
Compiled for the HMEE Book with အုန်းခိုင် (M70) Ohn Khine
CD
HMEE စာအုပ် ကို RU စာကြည့်တိုက် မှာလှူ Donated HMEE book to Universities Central Library & YTU Library
Book Donation
Highlights
1964 မှာ 2nd BE တက်ခဲ့ Admitted to 2nd BE as Top student (Roll Number One)
2nd BE
လူရည်ချွန် — 1965 Summer (အင်းလေး) Selected Luyechun (Outstanding Student) to the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the Summer of 1965
Luyechun
Organizer, SPZP-2000 First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe Received “Alumni Appreciation Award”
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Received three Alumni Appreciation Awards (a) at SPZP-2000 (b) from worldwide alumni in Aug 2016 (c) from Northern California RIT Alumni Association in Sep 2016
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.
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.
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.
Further Name Changes
RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology) and later as YTU (Yangon Technological University).
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.
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.
Less than 10% passed the Matric exam in the early days.
A few (e.g U Ba Khin who stood First in Burma) chose to work instead of attending RU.
It was an honor to prefix one’s name with Tekkatho တက္ကသိုလ် or University.
Khin Nyo wrote: Absolutely right. I think in 1957 only 2% Passed and the total is 20000. Even dancer AmarSein was conferred with the title Thekkatho Amar Sein by the Rector Dr Tha Hla.
Tekaktho Moe War (U Moe Aung)
U Moe Aung
Student Days
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio.
EC, RU Kalaung Ah Thin
RU Association
Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine for 1960 – 61
RUESU Magazine
RIT Days
Electrical Engineering Saya at RIT
EE SayasU Moe Aung & U Sein Maung
Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine
Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
Co-leader, Swel Daw Yeik Troupe (Ah Nyeint, Htee Yein, Ta Bin Daing Ah Ka) at RU Golden Jubilee in 1970
Singapore Days
Worked in Singapore
Chair, SPZP-2002 & SPZP-2010 (in Singapore)
Editor / Publisher, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
Organizer, Alumni Activities (e.g Thingyan)
Post Retirement
Moved back to Myanmar
Taught refresher courses (e.g. Electrical Saftey) at Electrical Inspectorate
Kept mind alert by writing poems & articles in weekly publications
Patron, SDYF; Composed & performed SDY Song
Entertainment for SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016
Publications
Distinguished Writer, Poet, Editor & Publisher
Editor, RUESU Annual Magazine
Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazine for more than a decade
Chief Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 in Singapore
Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu in 2014 & SPZP-2016 in Yangon
Kabyars — solo; with RIT poets; with former EC members of RU Kalaung Ah Thinn
Book 1Book 2Book 3Book 4
Books — Collection of articles; Collection of poem
I felt uncomfortable to be addressed as “Ah Ba”, “Pho Pho” and to be offered assistance (e.g. wheelchair).
I now feel OK to use wheelchair at air ports and to have people assist me when I climb up & down hill slopes. I had a couple of bike rides on dirt roads.
I enjoy senior discounts for trains, buses & restaurants.
I hope that my mental faculties will remain sharp and strong.
Jara (old age) caught even the sport stars like Sayagyi U Ba Toke.
Sayagyi U Ba Toke
Phwa Bet Taw
Saya is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the first Rangoon University Students’ Strike in December 1920.
SPZP-2000
SPZP-2000
In 2000, Theingi (Saya’s youngest daughter) conveyed us Saya’s wishes to attend SPZP-2000. U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) had donated a round trip ticket. Several sayas & alumni donated expenses. Details can be found in “Count down to the Reunion” articles.
Birthdays
Saya 2
He celebrates his birthdays with his children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
Saya‘s birthday
Longevity
Saya gave a speech in SPZP-2007 about “Longevity”. He visited a house in USSR where the 80+ year old host explained about the noise up stairs. “Don’t worry. It’s my 100+ year old uncle quarelling with his fourth wife. They will make amends.”
Garawa
During my visits to Yangon, I paid respect to Saya.
U Ohn Khine (M70) gave me a ride in 2012. Saya gave us autographed book. We enjoyed Sayagyi’s accounts. He was a football star, a leader of the Burma Olympic Delegation, and an excellent teacher. Up to his early 80s, he could walk to the Shwe Dagon pagoda with his friends. In his 90s, Sayagyi lost some mobility, eye sight and hearing, but he was determined to attend SPZPs.
Book
In 2016, Saya’s son U Ye Myint and daughter Daw Thynn Thynn (Pansy) made arrangements to give us rides to and back from Saya’s house.
U Ba Toke
In 2018, I called Ma Theingi and asked about Sayagyi. She mentioned that Sayagyi is healthy but because he had lost most teeth, she has to listen carefully to grasp his message.
Saya passed away on December 2, 2020. It was the day after RI U Centennial. It was a few days short of his Centennial Birthday on December 26.
There were four Latin terms for “old student” — based on gender (male, female) and number (single, multiple)
Currently, Alumni is used to cover all four terms
Scope
I belong to various circles: PPBRS, SPHS, RU, RIT, UCC, DCS, ICST
In this post, we will cover RIT Alumni.
Engineering Alumni
I use “RIT” to represent not only my alma mater Rangoon Institute of Technology, but all Engineering Colleges and Institutes which precede and succeed RIT.
Many alumni are active in the following:
HMEE
SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
NorCal RITAA (in the US)
MES
MEC
Paying Respect
Paying respect to Sayas is a tradition that is unique to Myanmar.
The tradition is alive and well.
The term Saya Pu Zaw Pwe is preferred to Saya Ga Daw Pwe (which has religious connotation). SPZP allows alumni who profess different beliefs to pay respect to their mentors.
There have been seven world wide SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) : SPZP-2000 (US); SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 (Singapore); SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016 (Yangon)
I was fortunate to be a Core Organizer for SPZP-2000 and a Coordinator for the remaining SPZPs.
SPZP-2000
History
“History of Myanmar Engineering Education” Book was published in 2012.
The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni. (See Acknowledgement in the Book)
Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team compiled the book.
Ko Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE-2012 book
The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
Ko Ohn Khine translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2. The translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.
Saya U Aung Hla Tun gave the copyright to RITAA.
HMEE-2018 was headed by Saya U Aung Hla Tun. His demise affected the progress of the project.
YTU Library Modernization Project
A decent Library is a requirement of the accreditation of YTU by Asean (and beyond).
Donations — large and small — came in. Thanks to U Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and team.
The donors include
U Khin Maung Tun (T78)
Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (C73)
Daw Myint Myint (C69)
Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
James Shwe (M76) and Annette Shwe (A75)
NorCal RITAA
Alumni from Singapore, Australia and New Zealand
Archive
The Library could have a section to help remember our beloved alma mater, our sayas and alumni activities.
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi endorsed Ko Benny Tan’s proposal to archive the mementos.
We requested alumni (esp. class representatives) to record gatherings / activities.
Health Care Funds
Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
Eye examination and assistance Fund provided by U Khin Maung Tun
The balance of both funds had been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Other funds include 69er HCF, EE69er HCF, and those administered by the classes and groups (e.g. Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65) mn
Saya Allen Htay (C58)
Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group
Co-founded “RIT Alumni International” which hosted SPZP-2000 and served as President.
His article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” is a classic.
Daw Mu Mu Khin hosted a lunch in memory of Saya on December 31, 2017.
In memory of Saya Allen, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to the YTU library. Also sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students.
Golden Sponsors
U Thaung Sein (Steeve, EC70, GBNF)
U Benny Tan (M70)
U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, GBNF)
U Maung Maung Than (M79)
The five Golden sponsors and other donors made sure U Nyo Win’s Act (requiring the organizers to chip in if SPZP-2000 will not have the minimum number of attendees) will not be needed.
2019
Completed two decades as Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter
Compiled posts for the Golden Jubilee of 69ers Attended both events on December 14, 2019
2020
Broadcast educational videos
2021 – Present
The pandemic caused the demise of several sayas and alumni. Eighteen 69ers succumbed to Covid.
Due to restrictions, I managed to make only short trips (to Singapore, Thailand and Laos).
I am writing and revising posts in hlamin.com
Request help to transform into digital and/or printed books for posterity
Resources
RIT related Facebook pages
RIT related Google groups
hlamin.com
Update
The majority of alumni reside in Myanmar.
USA had RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000. It was succeeded by NorCal RITAA. The alumni also served as President and EC in professional organizations such as BEA, BAPS, BASES and MASTAA.
The Alumni in Singapore helped with SPZP-2002, 2007 and 2010.
The Alumni in Australia participate in activities by the Myanmar Australian Engineering Association.
