EDUCATION B.S., Mining Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, U.S.A. 1950
Honors: Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. M.S., Mining
Engineering, Missouri School of Mines, University of Missouri, Rolla,
Missouri 1952.
EXPERIENCE 1953 – 1964 Service with the
Ministry of Mines, Govt of Burma. Entry as Asst. Inspector of Mines,
then promoted to Inspector, Chief Inspector, Director of Mines, and
Deputy Dir. General PMDC 1954 – 1955 As Visiting Lecturer taught Mining Courses at the BOC Engineering College, Rangoon University **
1971 – 1984 Service with United Nations ESCAP in Bangkok as Economic
Affairs Officer (P-4) and rising to Chief of Mineral Resources Section
(p-5).
Note: (**) In 1954, BOC Engineering College campus
was located south of the Rangoon University estate between Prome Hall
and the Teachers Training College on Prome Road. It consisted of modest
single storied buildings. In addition to degree courses in Civil,
Electrical and Mechanical engineering, Mining courses were offered for
the first time during that year. At Dean Sayagyi Tan Ba Hli’s
request, Ministry of Mines assigned me as part time Lecturer to teach
Mining Engineering courses. U Soon Sein was later transferred from the
Mines Department to the University and taught mining courses full time.
Warm regards, U Soe Khaw
Editor’s Note:
Saya U Soe Khaw passed away about two years ago at the tender age of 90+ He is a cousin of Sayama Sheila Saing (RIT English) and Dr. Harry Saing (ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960).
The early Engineering departments have (a) Professor (b) Lecturers (c) Assistant Lecturers
The then new Education System created (d) Instructor(s)
The newer Education System created (e) Associate Professor (s)
Typical pay scales in the early days are
Professor : 1300+ Kyats
Lecturer : 800 – 50 – 1200 Kyats for minimum, annual increment and maximum
Assistant Lecturer : 350 (and CLA) – 25 -700 Kyats and CLA (Cost of Living Allowance) was 89 Kyats (or so) The “adjusted” pay was 439 Kyats (or so) The CLA was later dropped. So, AL : 450 – 25 – 700 Kyats
Instructor : 450 – 25 – 700 Kyats The pay scale is the same as AL It takes longer to become a Lecturer
Some terminology
Selection Grade : Those who earn 800+ Kyats Entitled to buy 10% of salary at “Staff Shop”
Gazetted Officer : Those who earn 350 (and CLA) or higher 450 (Base Pay) in the newer system Promotion, deputation, transfer, leave … are published in the [Burma] Gazette
Head of Department : Large departments are headed by a Professor Sub-departments are headed by a Lecturer Supporting departments may be headed by an AL
Demonstrator / Tutor : Early days : 200 (and CLA) => 297 Kyats (or so) Later : 320 Scale Supervises lab and/or tutorials
After reading Saya U Myo Myint Sein’s lively article in Swel Daw Yeik magazine, my mind raced back to the good and happy RIT student days.
I still remember the tall and stout Saya with his famous mustache and boisterous voice. If I can rely on my memory, he taught us (70 batch) Industrial Management in the Fourth year.
He taught us from the Book titled “Parkinson’s Law” written by C. Northcote Parkinson.
Going back again to Saya U Myo Myin Sein’s article on the trip to USSR, I can imagine Saya U Win Kyaing in a very uncomfortable and awkward situation, but still can laugh out loud over the situation.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask belated forgiveness from Saya U Win Kyaing for lovingly calling him “Koung Kee” behind his back. Saya looked somewhat like Nguyễn Cao Kỳ (a Vietnamese leader) .
May his soul rest in peace.
Editor’s Notes :
Saya is the younger brother of U Wah Kyu (Ko Maurice’s father)
He advised Ko Maurice to study Mechanical Engineering.
On behalf of Saya, his spouse Sayama Daw Muriel Tun Gyaw attended SPZP-2000.
Some sayas and alumni used to pay respect annually to Saya U Min Wun in Southern California.
Organizers include Cecil Teoh (C63, SoCal), U Tin Htoon (A60, SoCal) and Dr. San Lin (C62, NorCal)
Dr. San Lin invited us to join him in June 2019.
June 2019
Co-organizers : U Tin Htoon and Dr. San Lin
Attendees :
Saya U Min Wun (C, GBNF)
Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
U Tin Htoon (A60, co-organizer)
Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62)
Dr. San Lin (C62, co-organizer)
Cecil Teoh (C63)
Saya Dr. K Chiu (ChE63)
Saya U Tauk Lin / Henry Lam (C63)
U Aung Khin (EP68)
U Tin Nwe (C68)
Tom Chan
U Hla Min (EC69) and spouse
U Min Wun 1U Min Wun 2U Min Wun 3U Min Wun 4U Min Wun 5
Saya is physically and mentally fit.
We had to wait for a while before Saya finished his morning meditation session.
Civil graduates (mostly from Southern California) used to meet at least once a year and pay respect to their saya.
Dr. San Lin (co-organizer from Northern California) invited us to join the gathering. He also offered us transportation to Southern California. We stayed at U Aung Khin (EP68)’s house. He drove us to the gathering.
Tom is the elder brother of Reggie, who was active in BAPS.
One attendee had a medical problem, but he did not want to miss the gathering.
Sayagadaw greeted us, but gently declined to join the lunch gathering.
Bilingual author Wrote numerous books in Burmese and English.
Sayama is a happy mother, grand mother and great grand mother.
Mother : Daw Khin Saw Mu wrote poems and articles in Burmese. Her work was featured in a TEDx talk by U Nay Oke Tint (St. Paul’s), younger brother of Sayama.
TEDx Inya Lake
Sayama comes from a lineage of scholars and statesmen.
Her uncles
U Tin Tut First Burmese ICS by invitation, …
U Tin Tut
U Kyaw Myint Head of the Tribunal to try Galon U Saw, former Dean of Law at the University of Rangoon, …
U Kyaw Myint
U Myint Thein “MMT”, author, translator, former Chief Justice and Ambassador, Victim of the Revolutionary Council
Dr. Htin Aung Former Rector and Vice Chancellor of RU, Distinguished writer, Historian, Folklorist
Dr. Htin Aung
Her aunts
Daw Khin Mya Mu Translator of Kyauk Sar, Thamadi Myowun, …
Daw Tin Saw Mu Lecturer in English
Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71) added :
Congratulations Mama
Ah Ko Hla Min,
I always have been in touch with Sayama as I take responsibility regarding 64-65 Intake RIT Students activity. Due to her Dhamma and kind heart, though she had some operations she is in good health.
