From the 7th standard to Matriculation I remember the following:
Saya Ba Myaing (Physics), Saya Tun Shwe and Saya Sein (Burmese), Bro Hubert (Chemistry), Bro Felix, Bro Charles, and Bro Gerald (English). Mr Machado and Saya Dawson (Math), Mr Barker and Mr Illife (Physics).
Editor’s Notes:
The Paing siblings — Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54), U Soe Paing (SPHS56), U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, SPHS64) and U Kyaw Paing — attended SPHS.
U Aung Win (Owen) wrote :
I read many articles about the old staff of SPHS but I never came across anyone mentioning Bro. Charles. During our KG days in SP, we had one Bro. Charles, if you all remember him. He was a very kind-hearted Bro. and he loved the school kids and treated us well. Whatever happened to him, I wonder, after we left SPHS.
Owen Khoo (Aung Win, M71, SPHS 1953 – 1957)
Editor’s notes :
Three siblings — U Than Win (Alan Khoo, SPHS54), U Kyi Win (Eddie Khoo, SPHS57) and U Aung Win (Owen Khoo) — attended SPHS. Owen also attended Darjeeling.
I joined SPHS in Std. IV.
I do not know the sayas and sayamas who taught KG and Stds I – III.
Boarders can add the names of the Brothers and sayas that I have missed.
Brother Benedict (who taught a younger class) was a good soccer player.
Brother Gerald was the SPHS Band Master. He often rode a horse.
There was a Brother in charge of the SPHS Book Shop, and several Brothers in charge of the Boarders.
Some Brothers went on “rotation duty” to St. Peter’s (Mandalay), St. Albert’s (Maymyo), St. Patrick’s (Moulmein), …
Brother Clementian
Brother Clementian “retired” as Brother Director, but kept on teaching Mathematics until he passed away. The funeral cortege spanned from SPHS to Tamwe Christian Cemetery. Some cars had not left SPHS when the service began at the Cemetery.
Brother Austin
In addition to having a class library, Brother Austin (our Class teacher for Std. X A, “the carrot”) would take us to the SPHS library (with books donated by Ford Foundation, Asia Foundation …). Everyone has to borrow a book and write a critique. In addition to teaching English, he also taught the “Morals and Manners” class. Anyone who can recite the selected poems is free to “skip the remainder of the class”. The top reciters were rewarded: an 8 mm movie of a soccer match from UK, or a ticket to “1960 Rome Olympics” (special show at Thamada Cinema). He abhors plagiarism and unprofessional work. “Don’t waste my time and your time”. After nationalization, he moved to Malaysia to continue teaching at a De La Salle School.
Brother Xavier
Brother Xavier (our Class Teacher for Std IX A, and English teacher for Std VIII and IX, “the stick”) would penalize students for making grammatical mistakes. For the dictation test, he would start with 100 marks and then subtract 10 marks for each mistake. A classmate ended with -230 (minus 230) marks shown “in red” in his report card. According to Ko Zaw Min, Brother Xavier would not continue his “brash style” at St. Albert’s. After nationalization, he moved to UK and supposedly “left the order”.
Brother Felix
Brother Felix moved back to Germany. He had e-mail communications with some Old Paulians (notably Richard G. Boudville, Australia, son of Sayama V. Boudville).
Two Sibling Brothers
After nationalization, the native Brothers remained in Burma.
Brother Joseph decided to become Father Joseph.
His younger brother remained Brother Anthony and was one of the “senior sayas” at SPHS Saya Pu Zaw Pwes along with Saya U San Thein and Saya Beatson.
Authors
Saya George Chapman published notes for English.
Saya U Htay Myint (Patheda) published notes for History.
Distinguished Paulians
Sayagyi U Ba Khin stood first in his Matriculation class. He is known as an outstanding Vissapana teacher. His dhamma lineage starts with Ledi Sayadaw and Saya Thet. His dhamma students include Saya S. N. Goenka.
ICS U Tin Tut, Dr. Ba Han, Dr, Ba Maw, and U Chan Tun are Old Paulians.
According to Dr. Win Aung (M62), his father Saya C. Ping Lee (EE, GBNF) was a Paulian and a student of Saya U Than Aung (father of Saya Alphonso [Mg Nge, Mg Aung] and Charlie [Ko Cho]). When U Than Aung became Minister of Education in the AFPFL Government, he recruited his former student Saya C. Ping Lee to head the Technical & Vocational Department.
Saya Pu Zaw Pwes
After nationalization, SPHS became No. (6) SHS Botathaung.
There are two SPZPs: one for the “Paulians” and another for SHS(6).
Some (e.g. Eddie Ba Oo [Tin Aung Moe]) who were in the lower classes when SPHS was nationalized would attend both gatherings.
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
Siblings : Dr. Myo Paing, U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, GBNF), U Kyaw Paing
Spouse : Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69)
Children : Two sons & One daughter
Grandchildren : 3
Education & Work
Mmatriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship.
At the Convocation of 1958, he won two Gold Medals — one for Highest Total Marks in I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B); and another for Joint Highest Marks in Maths for I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
Received a States Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
Joined the RIT Electrical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
Helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe found Universities’ Computer Center.
Transferred to UCC as Manager for Systems Division. He later also managed Operations Division.
Received M.Sc.(Computer Science) from Southampton University in UK.
Worked for UNDP Projects in several countries.
Mentor
My mentor at RIT & UCC.
Allowed U Aung Zaw & me to co-author Texts, User Guides and Manuals for use at UCC.
HMEE
Early supporter of the HMEE project.
Prepared a draft for the HMEE book and handed it to Saya U Aung Hla Tun & team.
He and U Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 of the HMEE Book and summarized Section 2.
Posts
Post from March 2011
I went to the University Central Library and managed to get scanned photos from the Engg Student Annual Magazines 51-52, 52-53, 56-57 and 60-61. Photos include photos of Sayas, students of that year. From these when can know about the Sayas at that year. We can also identify the students at that year.
U Sein Hlaing (Prof EE) was a final year student in 1951-52 and became an A/L starting 1952-53. Saya U Tin Swe was a student in 1951-52 and 52-53. He was a member of the Eng Student Union and the victorious Prome Hall football team. Ex-Burma Selected Footballer U Chan Tha (Chief Engineer, Roads, Rangoon Municipal) was the Captain. U Khin Si (husband of RIT Finance Officer Daw Yin Yin Htway and part time lecturer Textile) and U Tin Si (U Khin Si’s brother and tennis doubles partnership that won RU as well as national championships) were members of the Prome hall team.
The 1956-57 magazine contains photos when the new Leik Khone Engineering Buildings were inaugurated in 1956 Nov by the Prime Minister at that time U Ba Swe.
In the 1952-53 magazine I found out that Mr. Robert Hole (ex-EE, Highways, PWD, PWC, CC; uncle of Percy Maung Maung and uncle Bobby to me) was the English editor. I called Uncle Bobby and requested him to write something about his engineering student days, his teachers and fellow students. He agreed and asked for about three weeks time.
I need to go back and to the UCL to get more info from the RIT handbook 1966-67 and photos from the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung.
U Ba Than has donated some of his Engineering College photos to the MES library and I need to go there to check up on the photos.
Post from May 2000
The mention of RIT, BIT, and BOC college in the first newsletter bring back memories of our good old days in Rangoon University. Although we did not graduate from Rangoon University, we had a really great two and a half years there before we went for studies aroad under government scholarship.
Our first year 1956-1957 was in Yankin College. Yankin was a campus of RU for first year science students. It is now Yankin State High School No. XX? Hteedan was for the 1st year arts students. Our second year I.Sc. was at the RU campus itself which we refer to as Main. The Arts students have classes at Judson. That time the new Social Science Building (now Institute of Economics) was completed. We had our second year ISc exams in that new building.
Then it is our 1st year B.Sc. Engineering course at the new Faculty of Engineering in Prome Road (now Institute of Medicine I). We attended for six months till December 1958. That campus was designed and built especially for the Faculty of Engineering. Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Departments were there but Chemical, Textile, etc. were in the old BOC building at the back.
The 1st year classes were from 7 to 9 a.m. for Mathematics. We then have a one hour break and we start the engineering courses at 10 a.m. We usually have a snack during the break at a small cafe between Tagaung and Prome Halls. Those halls were only for engineering students then. The mathematics (Pure & Applied) lecturers were from India hired under contract. We had three engineering courses: Building Materials taught by Mr. Tan Ba Hli (the Dean of Engineering himself). Heat Engines taught by U Aung Khin. Principles of Electrical Engineering taught by U Kyaw Tun. We had EE lab with Ko Htin Paw and Ko Ba Nyunt as lab instructors. We also had engineering drawing with Ko San Hla Aung and Allen Htay (for Chem, Tex, etc.) as instructors.
Those were the days when Rangoon University was one of the best universities in SE Asia and Asia. It also had a really nice campus.
RIT Saya Soccer Team
Reading about communications from Richard Khoo (Dr. Aung Soe, C61) and seeing the list of Sayas in the 1966-67 Handbook brings back memories of our soccer team.
As I remember it was from 1964 to 1968 or 1969. We played against (i) the senior students of different majors Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc. (ii) the sayas at GTI and Natmauk Technical Institute (iii) the Burma Air Force officers.
We also played in the annual tournament for RIT Staff. The staff teams are the Sayas, Workshop staff, Lab staff, Hostel staff and the youth team from the RIT compound.
As I remember (other Sayas & graduates may correct me) these were the people in the team.
Goalkeepers :
Richard Khoo (Civil)
Maurice Kyaw Zaw (Chemistry),
Sein Myint/Ah Sein (Petroleum)
Defenders :
Ko Maung Maung Than (Textile)
Ko Aung Soe (Math)
Ko Aung Hla Tun (Met)
Ko Sann Tint (Elect)
Christopher Maung (Civil)
U Tin Swe (Elect)
Ko Tin Win (Mech)
Midfielders :
Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri)
Desmond Rogers (English)
Ko Khine Oo (Elect)
Ko Maung Maung Win (Mech)
Ko Tin Hlaing II (Mech)
Forwards :
Ko Pike Htwe (Chemistry)
Ko Aung (Math)
Ko Tin Hlaing I (Agri)
Ko Soe Min (Elect)
Ko Kyin Soe (Auto)
myself (Elect)
We rarely practiced but we enjoyed playing the games. We split games with the GTI sayas & the Air Force officers. We beat the Natmauk sayas and we won more than we lost in the RIT staff tournament. But I am sure we lost more than we won against the final year students. Would appreciate comments on this; especially on the names I missed in the team.
Updates
Wrote articles about his experiences as a State Scholar, Saya, UCC Co-founder & UN Advisor. They can be read from SCRIB-D.
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter, SPZPs & HMEE
Memories
U Aung Khin 1U Aung Khin 2U Aung Khin 4
Dr. Tin Win (M62)
See posts : Class of 62, BASES, Mech Engg, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Memories
Dr. Tin Win 1Dr. Tin Win 2
U Tun Shwe (M60)
Patron, RIT Alumni Association
Patron, SDYF
Provided Certificates & IDs from RU
Sagar Waing (Video to celebrate 60th Anniversary of RIT)
U Tun Shwe 1U Tun Shwe
Updates
Jara, Byadi and Marana have effected Sayas and Sayamas
U Ba Than hosted the first HMEE meeting. He donated photos to HMEE and MES. He invited former colleagues and students to his Birthday Soon Kyway. He passed away after his 94th birthday.
Helped Civil Engg grads from Myanmar get internship and/or job in Japan
In 2017, Saya and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73) donated K100 Lakhs to the YTU Modernization Project.
Donation
He had a Stroke.
Praying for a speedy recovery.
Dr. Myo Khin wrote :
Dear U Hla Min, Thank you very much for your kind and favorable phrases for my donation to the RIT library. This is the token of my feeling to my home university. Up till now I have helped around 50 grads from RIT and other TUs in Myanmar with respectable engineering jobs in Japan. Moreover this is totally free of any charges or obligations. Only one request I made is “please try hard and prove yourself” and this will lead to the next recruitment for your juniors back in Myanmar.
Updates
After treatment & rehab, he recovered from the Stroke reported in the post.
Seated : U Soe Paing, U Thein Lwin (GBNF), U Tin Swe (GBNF), U Sein Hlaing (Professor, GBNF), U Kyaw Tun (GBNF), U Sein Win (GBNF), U San Tint (GBNF)
Standing : U Soe Min (GBNF), U Chin Way (GBNF), U Win Tin, U Ba Myint, U Nyi Nyi (GBNF), U Moe Aung, U Sein Maung
Studying abroad : U Myo Kyi, U Ba Lwin, U Tin Maung Thein
Absentee: U Khine Oo
U Myo KyiU Ba LwinU Tin Mg Thein
Associated Article
I wrote “A short and sad clip : EE Sayas” for the commemorative issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010. Saya U Moe Aung suggested the title of my article.
Sayagyis & senior sayas
Source : Saya U Myo Kyi (EE59)
U Moe AungSPZP
1. U Kyaw Tun 1950 – 1971 (started teaching at BOC College)
C Ping Lee
2. U C Ping Lee 1950 – 1952 3. U Sein Hlaing 1954 – 1986 4. U Tin Swe 1954 – 1998 5. Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Part time) 1959 6. U Htin Paw 1958 – 1959 7. U Ba Nyunt 1958 – 1959 8. Dr. A. E. Guile (Colombo Plan) 1959 – 1960 9. U Myo Kyi 1959 – 2002 10. Dr. Ba Lwin 1959 – 1994 11. U L. Tin Htun 1959 – 1960 12. Teoh Chin Koon 1959 – 1960 13. U Sein Win 1960 – 1994 14. Dr. San Tint 1961 – 2002 15. Mr. Zagarosky (Russian) 1962 – 1963 16. Dr. Ba Myint 1963 – 2000 17. U Sein Maung 1963 – 1994 18. U Khine Oo 1963 – 1996 19. Dr. Win Tin 1963 – 1990 20. U Moe Aung 1963 – 1990 21. U Chin Way 1963 – 1968 22. U Soe Min 1963 – 1965 23. U Nyi Nyi 1963 – 1965 24. U Thein Lwin 1964 – 1972 25. U Soe Paing 1964 – 1971 26. U Tin Maung Thein 1965 – 1990 27. U Tin Shwe (Ashin Wi thu ta) 1966 – 1996 28. Daw Mya Mya Than 1968 – 2003 29. U Than Lwin 1970 – 1994 30. U Kyaw Lwin 1970 – 1991 31. U Tin Win 1972 – 1980 32. U Thein Dan 1973 – 1997 33. U Khin Soe 1973 – 1982 34. Daw Khin Aye Win 1973 – 2009 35. Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee 1973 – 2000 36. U Kyaw Aung (U Kyin Phyuu) 1973 – 37. U Aung Than (U Ah Chun) 1973 – 2004 38. Daw Khin Swe Oo 1974 – 2002 39. U Clement Sadhana 1976 – 2010 40. Daw Than Than Win 1976 – 2012 41. Daw Khin Tint 1981 – 2008 42. U Myint Oo 1982 – 1990 43. Daw Khin Ma Ma Soe 1982 – 2008
U Sein MaungU Ba Myint U Khine OoU Soe PaingDaw Mya Mya ThanU Thein DanU Tin Win U Ko Ko KyiDaw Khin Aye Win
Editor’s Notes
U Kyaw Naing (Sin Gwan, EC70) is GBNF.
U Ko Ko Kyi (EC72) later worked in Malaysia and Canada.
More EE Sayas (Electronics and Power)
U Win Khaing Moe
U Maung Maung Latt
Daw Lei Lei Yee
Daw Khin Sandar Tun
Daw Khin Lay Wai
Daw Zin Mar Oo
Daw Khaing Khaing Kyaw
Daw Thazin Phyu
Daw Myint Myint Lwin
Daw Lei Lei Win
Daw Thidar Than (1)
Daw Mya Mya Aye
Daw Myint Myint Than
Daw Tin Tin Naing
Daw Sint Sint Win
Daw Thandar Naing
Daw Khin Swe Lwin
Daw Myint Myint Mon
Daw Nilar Aung
U Zaw Min Naing
Daw Moe Nilar
Daw Khin Moe Yee
Daw Kaythi Khaing
Daw Ah Tar Mon
Daw Ni Ni Thein Htay Pe
Daw Thidar Than (2)
U Thein Htay
U Tun Oo
Daw Aye Aye Mar
Daw Ni Ni Win
Daw San Myint Yee
U Aung Naing
Daw Naing Naing Maw
U Ananda
Daw Lei Lei Sein
Daw Min Min Myat
Daw Thi Thi Soe
Daw Mar Mar Lwin
Daw Su Myat Htut
Daw Win Lein Aye
Daw Han Thu Lwin
Daw Yin Yin Htwe
Daw Naing Naing Win
Daw Khin Kyu Kyu Win
Daw Cho Cho Aung
Daw Tin Tin Aye
Daw Ni Mar Nwe Aung
Daw Ei Ei Khin
Daw Kyaaw Khin
U Zaw Min Aung
Daw Aye Thinn Naing
Daw Nwe Ni Aye
U Soe Naing
Daw Phyu Phyu Moe
Daw Marlar Kyaw
Daw Aye Aye Thinn
EE Association (1965 – 66)
EE Association for 1965-66
Seated : Ma Pwint Than, Ma Yi Yi Aung, U Sein Win (Vice President), U Kyaw Tun (President), Ko Shwe Win (Secretary), Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Mo Mo Yi
Middle row : Ko Thein Swe, Ko Soe Than, U Sein Maung (Auditor), U Soe Paing, U San Tint, U Moe Aung (Treasurer), U Thein Lwin, U Soe Min
Last row : Ko Nyunt Pe, Ko Ye Win, Mehm Ye Win, Ko Kyaw Swe Win, Ko Hla Min, Ko Myo Myint, Ko Hla Thaung, Ko Aung Khin, Ko Soe Win, Ko Tin Than
I served as a EC member.
Hlyat Sit Sar Saung (1965 – 66)
Seated : Ma Mo Mo Yi, Ma Than Yi (Associate Editor), U Moe Aung (Chief Editor), U Kyaw Tun (Patron), Ko Ye Win (Secretary), Ma Yi Yi Aung
Standing : Ko Sann Oo (Associate Editor), Ko Thein Tun, Ko Hla Min, Ko Myo Myint (Associate Editor), Ko Soe Tha, Ko Soe Win, Mehm Ye Win
I served as a member.
Saya U Sein Win (GBNF)
Younger brother of Dr. Tin U (Medical Superintendent, Rangoon Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Saw Lwin.
Top student at the University of Michigan.
His friends called him “Khone Swa Khone Swa” referring to his brisk walking style.
Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
When EE Department was reorganized, he served as Professor of EP.
Saya is an absent minded Professor. He married late. One day, he drove Sayagadaw to Bogyoke Market. He taught (or discussed with) his students for quite some time and almost forgot to pick up Sayagadaw. There are variations on this anecdote regarding the place (e.g. Hledan Zay).
He served as Technical Advisor for UCC. He worked closely with U Win Htein (Purdue University, EE at PWD, GBNF) for the design & maintenance of the Electrical Systems (including Motor Alternator, Diesel Generator, Air conditioning) at UCC.
Line Judge at the RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) Regattas.
President, RIT Swimming Association; He stays fit by swimming regularly (even when he was visiting Singapore on a business trip).
He has a vast knowledge. Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) remembers Saya U Sein Win discussing about Civil Engineering and other subjects.
Updates
Several senior sayas — U Kyaw Tun, C Ping Lee, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way, U Nyi Nyi, U Tin Shwe, Daw Mya Mya Than, U Kyaw Naing, U Kyaw Lwin, Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee, U Khin Soe — are GBNF.
Some — U Moe Aung, U Tin Win, U Thein Dan — have medical problems.
I believe in that to be a good teacher one needs to equip oneself to the utmost and to keep ahead of the profession that he loves and adores. Conversation with a number of people outside the teaching profession adheres to the uncommon knowledge that a teacher only needs to prepare his teaching script once only and repeat that throughout his life time! That is a ‘fallacy’, and I have seen many that came into the teaching profession with that kind of an attitude!
Incidentally, I did not join the teaching profession by accident. My freshman year at the Mandalay University, being let loose after a sojourn with the ‘brothers’, at the Catholic School, my freshman class at college appears paradise with beautifully, posh dressed up girls always in the front rows, enticed us to became a little boisterous, whistling and throwing paper ‘rockets’. It was in the chemistry lecture theater that got Dr. Mitra’s attention. He looked up at our group and mumbled a few words and stopped staring at the class. The hall went silent! He then started, “I think a group of boys are not paying attention, I’m sorry to say that I have ‘failed’, please tell me, is it boring?, is it not understandable of what I’m trying say or do you all think that it is just non-sense? Every night I work very hard, to know each of you and think of how I’m going to perform my lecture with the help of the apparatus right here in front of me so that you should not forget what I’m trying to teach you and make you all happy and I repeated to myself that this will be my best lecture!” His last words became very emotional, Head down he began to sob, silently and then he let out “I’m sorry please forgive me, this should not have happened and this will not happen again!”. And he continued with a very, very silent class. Immediately after the class we went to his office and apologized to him of our behavior, of not out of disrespect, just hoping to accrue some pleasure and that we respected him very much and we will never ever do this sort of a thing anymore anywhere. He was happy that we came to see him. In my thoughts ‘I think I want to be a teacher like him’. In the next chemistry class we wrote an apology note to the class, Dr. Mitra glanced at it, cleaned the board, smiled and said thank you.
In ‘Teaching Architecture’, I believe in two things, first equip yourself, next plan a creative highway path for the students to proceed and guide them along to their destinations.
UNDER MY WATCH 1963-1980:
I took over the Department of Architecture in September of 1963. I was shown to my office on the second floor of the main RIT building on the west wing. My office is facing east, located in the center of the west wing, along the corridor. I was introduced to my Department of Architecture by the registrar U Sein Hla, “that’s your Department…!” absent with students at that time and no sign of visible teaching staff per se! Is the Department of Architecture in ‘shambles’? Where is everyone? Almost in the state of disintegration! Disheartened? Not at all, I took it as a great challenge!
It appears that most of the RIT faculty and the registrar himself was aware that I would be joining the RIT Faculty. The TIME magazine’s cover story about my boss MINORU YAMASAKI mentioned that a Burmese architect working on high profile buildings with him. Also in September a write up and a photo of us my boss Yamasaki and I appeared on the front pages of the Yangon news papers. It also mentioned that I will be joining the RIT faculty. I believe they were also very curious of why I came back!
I started to get busy, very busy with the lectures, curriculum, and trying to organize the ‘department!’. Yes there were students, 1st. yr., 2nd.yr and 3rd.yr. Architectural staff?, one Russian lecturer who appears to be conducting the studio courses. Other cognate courses were taught by the Civil, Electrical and Mechanical engineering departments. The other Russian lecturer had left after completing his assignment and we await his replacement while the students are left unattended. I was young and very enthusiastic and accepted the challenge with pride.
As I took on the challenge, ignorant of the political situation of the country and also the administrative challenges, I started to work on refining the curriculum and looking out for recruiting the most important architectural faculty. No one was interested or available locally. Soviet faculty was available on a two year contract, therefore I requested three more to fill the gap. I contacted my good friend Bilal Raschid and he was very willing to help me out as a Part time lecturer. Incidentally after a year I received a letter from my friend in Israel, Hubert Law Yone, a graduate in electrical engineering from Stanford and went to Israel and completed the graduate studies in architecture and working in Tel a Aviv. He wants to join my faculty. I got so excited of having a faculty with diverse knowledge and experience that I straight away requested the ministry to recruit my friend. Nothing happenned for a while and when I put in my queries I was politely told about the “situation’. So I got the message! Don’t rush, study the situation first!.
REFINING & UPGRADING THE CURRICULUM: The Concept of Architectural Education.
The Architecture encompasses many factors. Including: A very creative patronized Art Form combined with Science, Technology, Engineering and the Environment! Therefore in order to meet these basic requirements, a curriculum must be designed to fulfill the demands.
The basic thought on the Architectural studies is to teach and guide the students the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and the Environment, and in the Patronized Art Form, mostly guide the students to think and themselves be in control of what their thoughts are on Spaces and Forms, based on the patrons’/clients’ requirements.
Therefore the Curriculum is grouped into courses: a) Sciences, Engineering and Technology. These courses to be catered by our allied Science and Engineering Departments. b) Environment, Creative Art Form. These courses will be conducted by the Architectural Department plus specialized experts from numerous government/private departments, in the form of lectures, seminars, workshops, studios/lab work and field work.
In our Department of Architecture like in most schools of architecture, final year students must prepare a Thesis and defend his work to the Thesis Jury at the end of the term. This is good and preferred by all students of Architecture and planning all over the world. We all have no doubts that this method for us was very good.
The concept of ‘motivational teaching’, comes into play of how to get students involved in their own learning and making things happen. I revised and changed the curriculum on Theoretical and Planning courses with terminal examination into eliminating the examination system and introduced the seminar/workshop system with a ‘Term Paper’ to be submitted at the mid/end of the course. The whole idea behind this is for the students to understand and perceive the reality of ‘learning’, searching, ‘thinking’, analyzing, ‘using’, and ‘making it happen’. After a few lectures/seminars when the students become acquainted with the course work he/she will submit his/her choice of three topics (in consultation with outside departments) and brief the outline to his/her lecturer. After the approval of the selected topic the student will research/study/analyzed and present the term paper outline, chapter by chapter for interaction with the lecturer and the class. At the end of the term it will be finalized and presented as a final Term Paper. This was a big change and a very successful change! It also keeps the faculty to be updating on all aspects.
THE SIX YEAR CURRICULUM:
The first two years were grouped into two categories. 1. Refinement of language Burmese/English, Basic Science and Elementary Engineering, Lab and Workshop. 2. Tools to be used in the development of Spaces and Forms. That is Sketches, Drawing and Drafting, and Delineation etc.
The mid two years are very crucial years where the student is introduced to be creative and encouraged to develop basic Spaces and Forms based on the two years of their learning. Emphasis is put on applied engineering and technological aspects on simple Forms and Spaces.
The final two years are very important. Basically this will be the final assault to proceed on to the real world of architecture. Forty percent of the fifth year is devoted to completion of all engineering requirements and sixty percent of the time is devoted to studio projects and seminars which are mostly related to each other. In the final year the first term forty percent is devoted Planning and Specifications and sixty percent is devoted to studio projects.
Studio courses: The studios are opened twenty four hours, seven days a week and the students are encouraged to work in the studio as much as possible. This is where the interaction between the faculty and students and students to students plus visiting mentors interact. This inter action is driven by virtue of immense ‘desire’ into acquiring and sharing ideas, thoughts, knowledge and experiences which is most beneficial to all students and the staff.
This is the concept for the six year Architectural curriculum. The details are flexible and are geared towards achieving the best goals.
THE FACULTY:
Under my watch there were five Soviet senior lecturers: Mr. Orzegov, Mr. Dorofeiev, Mr. Rodionov, Mr. Ushakov and Mr. Karakovtsky. All of them were able to communicate in English. They all conducted the studio work, drawing, drafting, delineation and project design. Later on Mr. Bilal Raschid joined our faculty and took over senior students’ studio projects. In the mid sixties I recruited U Kyaw, U Lwin Aung and U Hla Myint, followed by U Kyaw Thein, U Koung Nyunt and U Sai Yee Leik. U San Tun Aung took care of the planning courses & the Artist U Aung Soe took care of the life drawing and the allied art courses as part time lecturers. Later in the early seventies we recruited U Hla Than and Daw Min Thet Mun, followed by U Kyaw Win. This took care of our six year courses for the time being. However there was an urgent need to upgrade the qualifications and knowledge of our local faculty to re place the Soviet staff. Due to financial problems State Scholarships was unavailable and foreign scholarship was hard to come by. However we were able to send U Kyaw to Poland, & U Lwin Aung to Russia for Doctoral programs in planning. U Hla Myint to Australia for Architectural Engineering, U Kyaw Thein design & U Koung Nyunt Landscape to Japan. We were offered a nine months training program from England and Japan in lieu of our requested scholarship for an advanced degree program. We had no choice at that time, so we sent Daw Min Thet Mun for interior design to England and U Kyaw Win woodworking technology to Japan. In the mean time I had recruited U Thein Myint a physics graduate as a Lab Assistant with an inclination to coach him to become an acoustics lecturer. He was sent to England to be trained in acoustical studies and on his return he assisted in teaching acoustical courses.
Later in the mid seventies we recruited U Shwe, U Than Tin Aung followed by U Tin Kyi Hlaing. By the mid seventies all the Soviet Staff have return to their Institutions and our faculty members were back with their Ph. D.s and Masters degrees and we were full ahead with our programs manned by our own scholars.
LIBRARY:
Another basic tool are the books and examples of works by other great architects. It should be readily available in need of time when working in the studio. We organized an architectural library with our volunteer staff and students and set up a library next to the studios. In co-operation with our librarian Daw Myint Myint Khin I signed out all the architectural books for our Arch. library. The honor, respect and credit go to our student librarian Ko Win Myint, he ran the library like a professional gaining great respect from our RIT librarian, staff and students alike. We also had a good collection of color slides of American, European and Soviet modern architectural works. The slides were so good that the Soviet lecturers when returning back on home leave, would borrow the slides to present it in their lectures at their Institutes. I donated many slides and two slide projectors to the library.
PRINTING/PHOTOGRAPHIC/LAB/WOODWORK SHOP:
Printing Lab: We inherited a very old blue printing machine, probably seen the BOC Engineering years. However it is in working order and Mr. Darwood the estate draftsman taught U Kyaw Thoung to operate the machine! Later on we bought a new ozalid printing machine and U Kyaw Thoung became an expert on printing.
Photographic Lab: Mr. Orzegov started the dark room in his house for his personal research work and later on with the Soviet Embassy’s donation a photo lab was created in our department together with printers, enlargers and chemicals all set up with a dark room. This lab became very useful to our students for their term paper and thesis report work. Credit goes to U Koung Nyunt for organizing and running the Lab. Again U Kyaw Thoung became an expert in helping the students in preparation for their term paper and thesis reports.
Woodwork shop: Related to the community college program under the ministry of education, our department was responsible for Arts & Crafts and Woodworking Technology courses to be set up in some of the community colleges where teak wood is abundant. The Japanese Government provided the equipment which was set up at the original canteen building opposite our Department building. It would have been an ideal shop for staff and students to make architectural models. However, service staff was not provided by our ministry therefore we were not able to allow students or staff to operate the machines as it can be very hazardous if not handled appropriately. This project was not successful.
Our Lab Staff: We had a good Lab staff that benefited the students and the staff. They assisted the students in the studio work, in preparation of their term papers, reports and theses, including formatting, typing, printing and binding etc. Without our Lab staff field work would not have been as successful as it was. It became a mobile academic entity planned and organized the transportation including lodging, messing and the learning center on site at the field. Credit goes to our lab staff, led by U Thein Myint, U Kyaw Thoung, Naw Ar Mu Cho, Saw Donald, U Nyi Bu and Saw Yaw Tha.
FIELD WORK:
,Field work is very important for the benefit of the profession. Architecture is dynamic entity, always in motion! As sciences and technology advances architectural design concepts virtually becomes more flexible, adaptable and convertible. Therefore field work and surveys of buildings are the essential part of the profession. The Department of Architecture emphasizes on the importance of field work in the three most crucial areas. (1) The Architectural culture, traditional Spaces and Forms, lifestyles and the arts. (2) Survey and measured drawings of classical buildings. Study/research of their architectural values, needs and usages. Analysis of their work and summary of findings. (3) Exploratory mission, prior to working on a term paper or a thesis project a student embarks on this mission to gather all the crucial aspects of his or her interest in the project. Almost all the studies/research, reports and projects performed by the department of architecture are linked to the work performed in the field.
FACULTY PRACTICE:
Internationally most architectural faculty members are encouraged to practice professionally in their profession. This is to acquaint the students linked to the real world of the profession! In the USA I would estimate 50% of the faculty would obtain a license to practice the profession and would have a limited practice. The others who are not interested in the architectural practice would perform studies/research analysis and publication. The faculty is encouraged to at least engage oneself on an allied work. At one time it was publish or perish! I was on the verge of discussing/encouraging our staff, on the topic of engaging oneself on an allied work or private practice when one day I had a knock on my door. It was the Counselor from the Indonesian Embassy. I was surprised to see a foreigner, an Embassy staff at my door! I was trying to explain to him that we were not permitted to see. Suddenly he smiled and said ‘I have been introduced to you by your Ministry and with their blessing I’m here to request your help!’. I verified. The ministry permitted me to help the Embassy for their projects and allows me to personally accept any remuneration according to international standards. That was my first project, followed by the Australian Embassy and the US AID projects. Since I was permitted to practice, I told my staff that they are welcome to practice as long as they do not neglect their responsibilities. It was a good thing for the students and staff.
ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS AND PROJECTS:
After a few months at the department I was requested by the education ministry, to submit a conceptual proposal for the Rangoon University Student’ Union at its original site. I submitted a model of the building. The discussion was not what I had expected. Security reasons were given not to go ahead. Architecturally, too western! I was too embedded with American thinking that I had forgotten all about ‘Tradition & Architecture’ that I had been working on. That was a good lesson learned! Immediately I embarked on the study/research program on the cultural and architectural background of the country. The study/research by the department was performed by the faculty and most of the times the students were involved. Field work includes, Pyu, Bagan, Mandalay, Mrauk-U. Inlay etc., assisted by the Archeology Department. Measured drawings on Bagan was printed and published. Research papers were read at the Burma Research Conference. ‘The Monastic Institutions of Later Kon-Boung Period’ and The Classical Houses of Myanmar’ were published in the seventies. The Archeology Department provided funds and two monasteries were repaired. Many projects were performed by the Department of Architecture and is listed in the appendix section of this story. However, I should mention three most important projects. 1. The conceptual proposal for The Master Plan of The Legislative Center & The Peoples Park, Yangon. This was a very important project as the Prime Minister U Sein Win, requested that I personally present this project to U Ne Win, Chairman of the Government. It was a very enriching discussion lasted many hours. The next day I was informed that it was approved for construction. 2. The conceptual proposal for the Ministry of Health, Sports Center for Yangon. 3. The Ministry of Education, Extension Education Center Head Office, Yangon. This projects includes: design, construction and turn over to the Rector.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
In any of the extracurricular activities involving architects, the topic always leads to the exchange of thoughts, be it design or culture. The major event of the year would be the annual dinner. Since our student population was not that much we had organized the dinner and entertainment on the lawn of my house. The students organized everything and the whole department, the friends of the students, mentors and friends of the department were mostly invited. In one of the events U Khin Maung Yin, the architect/artist/movie maker volunteered to show his movie ‘Hna-Ma-Let-Shaut_Nay -Lay_Dawt’, a very arty movie. However, in one of the scenes: early misty very quiet morning village scene the pae-byoke the’ with the basket on her head screaming pae-byoke…pae-byoke…pae-byoke the street with the background of huts came into focus and suddenly the background music of Beethoven’s fifth symphony came out with a bang and the music overpowered the whole audience! The audience went silent and a second later a sarcastic laughter and clapping, with a question “what is this”. It was a great lesson for the students, staff and the visitors! Conflict of cultures: scenes of images and sound, lack of coordination, harmony, rhythm and movements. It shows the sensitivities of the students. Every year the students would have a saya puzaw pwe, all together or class by class. It was an occasion that the students will never pass and surprisingly non Buddhist students also took part in the celebration. Association of Student Architects. Chaired by the Head of the Department and run by the student body. ASA was involved in all occasions. One thing that was very beneficial and useful for the senior students mostly fifth and sixth years who took part in the “bull sessions” I use to have in my house. The students and staff would get together one evening in a year and talk about architecture, design, planning and technology! I was surprised that in the late eighties one of the students reminded me of the ‘bull sessions’ we had at RIT. He says that he could never forget how valuable it was for them all along.
SUMMARY:
This is a story of the Architectural education 1963-1980 in a nutshell. I’m sure that there must have been many important episodes that went unnoticed. Also there must have been many many ‘the good & the bad’. However it must have been miniscule.
I’m glad and proud that I took up the challenge and stayed on at RIT for seventeen years!, and I’m proud of our students with numerous divergent interest: student affairs, politics, business, arts & culture, etc., Now most of them are now leaders and have contributed towards the development of the country in planning cities, neighborhoods, communities, estates, buildings, factories, bridges, dams and most important of all is being involved. Some are even in politics as advisors to the government and also to the opposition party. They have made history and we are proud of them. They are teachers, mentors a motivational entity to the next generation of RIT/YTU/MTU/? alumnus. This is the success of the Department of Architecture. Gone but not forgotten are our devoted staff, Dr. Maung Kyaw, U Hla Myint, U Kyaw Thein, U Sai Yee Leik, U Thein Myint and U Kyaw Thoung. As RIT is always in our minds so also will they be.
I was permitted to resign after paying the government K50,000 to the Union Bank Myanmar. I physically left RIT grounds on the 10th of January 1981. Sad to go but still attached to RIT.
U Soe PaingU Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint U Soe Paing, U & Mrs. Hla Min
Name: U Soe Paing
Qualification: BS (Stanford), MS (Stanford), MSc. Computer Science (Southampton)
Department: Electrical Communications Position: Assistant Lecturer, (Jan 1964 to March 1971) Reason for Leaving: Joined Universities’ Computer Center in April 1971.
Engineering Alumni: Attended First Year Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University from June to December, 1958. Reason for Leaving: Awarded State Scholarship to study in USA.
Occupation: Data Processing Adviser (Retired)
Organization: United Nations
Updates
Saya was my mentor at RIT and UCC.
He offered me and Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC, GBNF) to be his co-authors. We wrote programming texts, manuals and guides.
Saya was a prime mover to get the “RIT Alumni International Newsletters” and http://www-ex-rit.org started.
Saya would mention that I am a “Shay Hmi; Nauk Hmi. ရှေ့မှီ၊ နောက်မှီ”
Sayagadaw added: “Bay Hmi ဘေးမှီ as well’.
Saya wrote articles for the RIT Newsletter and selected journals & magazines. They can be accessed via SCRIB-D
The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017. U Aung Min organized the visit.
Sayagyi’s birthday is October 2.
U Ba Than
The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayargyi. The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.
Sayagyi U Ba Than
Sayagyi usually performs dana with the Garawa money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.
Sayagyi has supported various charitable associations for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people and “Nar Ye” . They include
Little Sisters for the Poor
U Hla Tun Foundation
Jivitadana ဇီဝိတဒါန
Hnin Si Gone Bo Bwa Yeik Tha နှင်းဆီကုန်းဘိုးဘွားရိပ်သာ
Mary Chapman
Kyaw Thu Nar Ye (နာရေး အဖွဲ့)
Medical Clinics
On his Birthday every year, Sayagyi offers “soon kwyay” ဆွမ်းကျွေး at Yaw Sayadaw’s monastery.
The Soon kwyay held on October 2, 2017 was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.
Updates
During the pandemic, physical gatherings were put on hold. Celebrations were done virtually, e.g via Zoom
U Tin Htoon compiled a Photo Album for Sayagyi’s 90th birthday in 2020.
U Ba Than
Sayagyi passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
HlaMin 