Category: RIT Saya

Saya U Myo Min

• Saya served as Professor of English at Rangoon University and at the Institute of Education.
• Pen name : Nwe Soe
• Supporter of the “Khit San Sar Pay” co-founded by Theikpan Maung Wa, Zawgyi and Minthuwun.
• Authored the “Archway Reader” series
• Children : Patricia, Pamela, Uno, Beauty

Early English Sayas at RU

• Dr. Ba Maw
• [Mr.] Kan Gyi
• [Ms.] E. Kan Gyi
• Daw Thein Nyunt
• Maggie Chin Cheng
• Daw Tin Saw Mu
• Daw Tinsa Maw-Naing
• Daw Khin Kyi Kyi
• U Ohn Khin
• Daw Hla May

Early Honors Students

• U Win Pe (“Mya Zin”)
• Sao Hso Holm (“Sawbwalay”)
• Majorie Law Yone
• U Thaw Kaung
  are some of the early First Class Honors in English.

Language of Instruction in Burma

• E. H. S. (English High School), taught subjects in English.
• Vernacular schools taught subjects in Burmese.
• Anglo-Venacular schools taught subjects in English and Burmese.

After Independence, some schools teach English from KG while others teach English from the 5th standard.

High Expectation

The expectations of some examiners of English in the Matriculation examination in the 50’s might have been unreasonably high.
It came as a surprise when top students from SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) failed in English in the Matriculation of 1955. There was no moderation. The Brothers had to coax them to redo the Matriculation. Most later completed Masters from prestigious US universities.
There was another surprise in 1959. One student gained three distinctions but failed in English. Instead of taking only English the following year, he repeated all the subjects and again gained three distinctions. He became a doctor and an outstanding professor.

1963 – 1965

The situation improved over the years.

In 1963, Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS), Dr. Min Oo (Maths, SPHS), Dr. Myo San (Freddie, SPHS, GBNF), and Kenny Wong (M69, MEHS) gained four distinctions (including English). They placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th in Burma. In those days, only a few gained distinction in Burmese.

In 1964, Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) gained four distinctions (including English) and tied for raw total score with Dr. Cherry Hlaing (SJC) for first place. Due to a perfect ILA, Dr. Cherry Hlaing was admitted as Roll No. (1) to Institute of Medicine (1).

In 1965, Bernard Khaw (SPHS) placed first in Burma. He scored very high marks (80+) in English. Due to the 3 NRC rule, he could not apply for professional institutes. He took Chemistry at RASU before moving to USA to study Chemical Engineering. After retirement, he became a Pastor.

My English Teachers at SPHS

• Brother Austin (Std X A) mainly used the Carrot
• Brother Xavier (Std IX A and Std VIII A) mainly used the Stick
• Ms Amelia Kyi / Miss Hong Kong (Std VII D and Std VI D) used the Carrot and the Stick
• Mrs. V Boudville (Class teacher for Std. V D)
• Ms. A Benjamin (Class teacher for Std. IV D)
• Relieving Sayas include Mr. Lewis, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Tims

My English Teachers at Rangoon University

• Daw Tinsar Maw-Naing — I.Sc. (A)
• Daw Khin Kyi Kyi — I.Sc. (A)

My English Teachers at RIT

• Des Rodgers was the “main” English saya in 2nd B.E. Saya prides himself as a Scrabble Champion, a “Local Talent” star at BBS, an expert on ESL (English as a Specialty Language), and author of two (or more) books. Saya studied in UK and taught in Canada and on-line (for some time).
• Sao Kan Gyi (GBNF) wrote with the pen name “Khemarat”.
• U Khin (Lucien, now in Taiwan) had dictionaries (Chambers, Jones pronouncing, …) for use in officiating Scrabble games. He also won Scrabble trophies.
• U Win Mra was Burma Pole Vault Champion. He won the “Elvis Presley” contest. He joined the Foreign Service and retired as Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations. He was Chair of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission.
• Joe Ba Maung (GBNF) was Burma Tennis Champion in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. He transferred to Burma Railways. He managed the Sports program of Burma Railways. He was a victim of 8-8–88.
• U Kyaw Lwin Hla transferred to UNDP.
• Daw Yin Yin Mya (Terry) was Head of the Department. She moved to Australia.
• Daw Sheila Saing was the Deputy Head. She moved to Thailand.
• Daw Khin Saw Tint (Ann) is a bilingual author. wrote several books in Burmese. Her mother, aunts, uncles and brother are scholars and prominent figures in civil administration.
• Naw Charity Sein U retired as Professor and Head of RIT English.
• Daw Muriel — spouse: U Aung (Alphonso)
• Daw Toni joined her spouse (who retired as Ambassador) overseas.

Saya’s Posts

• Brief Bio
• Memories of the days at the Faculty of Engineering, RU
• Remembering U Sein Win

Sports

• President of RIT Swimming
• President of RIT Rowing
• Line Judge at RUBC Regattas with Sayagyi U Num Kok and Saya U Sein Win

Experience

• Joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer in 1958
• Received MS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Promoted to Lecturer
• Later moved to USA.
• Received Ph.D from University of New Orleans
• Professor of Practice at the University of New Orleans

• Retired after teaching nearly six decades

Gatherings & Donation

• SPZP-2000
• Selected Reunion & Pu Zaw Pwes in Yangon, Singapore and USA

• Donated K10 Lakhs to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF).

Saya’s Posts

• Brief Bio
• History of RIT Civil Engineering Department
• Bagan Restoration
• Supplement to the Kyaik Hti Yo Project

Experience

• Matriculated from Taungdwingyi in 1949.
• While studying at Rangoon University, he received scholarship to attend US universities.
• Received BSCE from MIT and MSCE from Cornell University.
• Joined Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer. Promoted to Lecturer. Retired as Professor and Head of Department.
• Founding member and Vice President of BARB

• Advisor, Myanmar Pyeikkadein Ah Kyan Pay Ah Phwe
• Moved to USA
• Worked as Advisor until retirement at CalTrans.
• Attended SPZPs in USA, Singapore and Yangon

• Interview with Aung Zay Internet TV

Saya’s Posts

• Brief Bio
• History of RIT Mechanical Engineering Department
• Memories of Engineering studies in RU
• On the road to the Millennium
• Remembering Saya U Tin Hlaing
• Introduction to the article on Saya U Ba Hli

Experience

• Matriculated in 1948
• While attending Rangoon University, he received scholarship to attend Lehigh University, USA
• Received BSME and MSME from Lehigh University
• Joined the Mechanical Engineering. Department as Assistant Lecturer. Promoted to Lecturer and later Professor & Head of Department.
• Received another Masters from Canada.
• Moved to Canada. Worked as Advisor until retirement.

Memories

• SF Bay Area Alumni hosted Saya upon his return from China

• Gatherings in Windsor, Canada

• Visit to Mexico

Saya’s Contributions

• Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area RIT Alumni (which formed RIT Alumni International and hosted the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.

• President, RIT Alumni International
  

• Saya wrote the article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” for SPZP-2000. It resulted in five Golden Sponsors and many donors.

• He provided the Class photo of C58 with help from Saya Dr. San Hla Aung and U Khin Maung Win (Sid Chen) for the caption.

• He took photos for the 10th Anniversary of RIT Alumni International. Saya was President of RIT Photography Association.

Experience

• Matriculated in 1952 and attended RU.
• Per his mother’s advice, he did not apply for Scholarship before graduating in 1958 with Civil Engineering.

• Joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
• Received Masters from Harvard University.
• Promoted to Lecturer.
• Moved to USA.
• Worked as Advisor for a UNDP project in Bangladesh.
• Retired twice in the USA.
• After first retirement, Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) invited him to Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley.
• After second retirement, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) invited him to Caltrans.

Final Years

• Saya accompanied his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. Saya had a stroke and was admitted to a hospital.
• Saya continued medical treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area, but he finally passed away.

Family

• Saya left behind his spouse, son and daughter.
• After saya’s demise, four grandchildren were born.

• In Saya’s memory, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated saya’s books to YTU Library.
  She also provided financial aid to eligible YTU students.

He is the elder brother of U Myo Myint (ChE, USA), Nelly Kyin, U Kyi Lwin (George, C67), U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69), Peggy Kyin and U Thet Lwin (Henry, EC72).

He is an alumnus of Lehigh University in the USA. Sayagyi U Aung Khin and Saya U Thit are alumni of Lehigh.

He served as President of RIT Badminton Association, which won the Inter-Institute tournaments thanks to Sai Kham Pan (EP69, Burma Selected) and his team mates (Bishnu, Myint Sein, .Tommy Sein, ..)

He taught at RIT and Singapore Polytechnic.

He and Sayama Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, Physics) passed away within a month (or two) of each other.

May they rest in peace.

Feedback

Zau Lai wrote :
May Saya rests in peace.

Daniel wrote :
May our beloved brother and sister-in-law rest in peace.
We miss them dearly.

• Retired as Chief Engineer from Burma Railways.
  
• In 1961, the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University moved to Gyogone and had a new name Burma Institute of Technology (BIT). U Yone Mo was named Dean.
  
• Under the new Education System, BIT became an autonomous Institute with a new name Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). Sayagyi became the Rector.
  
• U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) remembers how his friends were having fun with the “Ye Punn”.
  Saya U Yone Mo saw them, but did not scold them. He said with a smile, “Young men, you can go to the University Swimming Pool or to the Inya Kan (Lake)”.
  
• Per Saya Allen Htay (C58), Sayagyi established the weekly “Yoke Shin” at the Assembly Hall.

• Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (then Professor of Civil Engineering) remembered seeing a letter from U Yone Mo (Rector) sent to U Yone Mo (Parent of a son who happened to visit his gambling friends at the hostel).
  Saya told the Admin to stow away the letter.
  
• Ko Zaw Min Nawaday knows Sayagyi and his spouse (Daw Elizabeth Yone Mo, High Ranking Nurse at RGH and a close friend of Daw Khin May Than) very well.
  Sayagyi and Dr. Aung Gyi were in May Myo during one summer.
  Sayagyi asked Dr. Aung Gyi and Ko Zaw Min to accompany him.
  They ate Khauk Swe.
  Sayagyi reminded them gently not to tell about his “Khauk Swe” appetite to Sayagadaw.

• Born of parents U San Shwe and Daw Than Tin in 1933,
• Attended the East Rangoon Methodist School in Rangoon.
• Matriculated in 1949 from East Rangoon Methodist achieving a seventh position in the first division and received the Collegiate Scholarship awarded by the Government.

• Attended I.Sc (A) and I.Sc(B) in (49-50).
• Continued to study in BOC College of Engineering and took Mechanical Engineering.
• Upon completion of second year Mechanical Engineering, he was selected as a Government sponsored Scholar in the Spring of 1954 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

• Completed the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1956
• Got Masters of Science Degree also in Chemical Engineering in 1957.
  In his Masters course he was enrolled in the coveted Chemical Engineering Practice School.

• Went back to Burma in 1957 and was appointed Lecturer and Head of Department in Chemical Engineering.
• In 1959 he married Daw Mya Mya Than daughter of U Sein Nyo and Daw Than Yin.

• Appointed full Professorship in 1966
• Promoted to Rectorship in 1977.
• He was also very active as a consultant from the academia in the design and construction of the two fertilizer plants (Sale and Kyun Chaung); the Sittang Paper Mill and other various state owned chemical plants.

• Retired from the Rector’s position in 1988.
• Because of his passion for teaching he could not stay retired for long and worked in Thailand at the Rangsit University as a Professor.
  He was the only foreigner accepted in the Thai Institute of Chemical Engineering.

• Gave an interview for SPZP-2012.
• Chemical Engineering courses were initially offered with contract sayas from India.
• When he taught as a newly minted Saya taught, there was “testing of nerves” by some students. He told the class that an Indian saya would be brought in if the noisy atmosphere persisted. That solved the problem.

U Tu Myint, son of U Tu Maung and Daw Hla Myint, graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in 1966. He then obtained a Masters Degree from the same University in 1967, and joined RIT as an Instructor.

He supervised the M73 Hovercraft project.

He left RIT as an Assistant Lecturer in 1976. He joined Singapore Polytechnic as a lecturer in 1977 and later promoted to Head of Mechanical and Manufacturing Department in 1988. In 1997, he became a Director of Industry Services, a department responsible for Students Industrial Training, Continuing Education, Consultancy Services and R&D.

His hobbies are tennis and radio controlled modeling. He is married to Daw Mya Myitzu. One of her hobbies is puppet dancing and she performed the Burmese Puppet (Yoke Thay) show during the Year 2000 Singapore Polytechnic Thingyan Festival.

Their daughter, Hla Thazin, followed the father’s footsteps and has become an electronics engineer. She has graduated with a Masters degree in Communication and Information Technology and presently working for Creative Technologies in Singapore.

Update in 2020

Met Saya in Singapore in December, 2019 at the mini-gathering organized by M73 (John Rao, Ko Hla Win …)

Say retired from Singapore Polytechnic

(1) Saya Des Rodgers and Saya U Khin were Scrabble Champions at the tournaments held at Guardian premises and YMCA.

Chambers Dictionary and Jones Pronouncing Dictionary were used to confirm/deny the word challenges. They were always present on Saya U Khin’s desk.

Saya Des moved to UK and Canada. Saya U Khin moved to Taiwan.

(2) Saya U Win Mra was a Pole Vaulter before he was asked to “retire” by the doctors. Saya U Win Mra and Saya Des are excellent guitarists and singers. Saya joined the Foreign Service. He was Myanmar’s Ambassador to the United Nations. He is chair of Myanmar Human Rights Commission.

U Khin Maung Lay (“Mutu”, M70) is a member of the Commission.

(3) Saya Joe Ba Maung (GBNF) was Burma’s Tennis Champion in Singles and Doubles (with U Than Lwin). Saya joined Burma Railways. He served as Advisor for Burma Railways Sports Program.

(4) Saya Sao Kangyi (Tony, GBNF) wrote as Khemarat. He is the brother-in-law of Sao Hso Holm (“Sawbwalay”, son of Arzani Sao San Htun).

(5) Saya U Kyaw Lwin Hla transferred to UNDP.

(6) Sayama Daw Yin Yin Mya (Terry) was Head of Department. She migrated to Australia. She was a Beauty Queen in her college days.

(7) Sayama Daw Sheila Saing was Deputy Head. She moved to Thailand.

(8) Sayama Naw Charity Sein U later became Head of the RIT English Department. Met her briefly at SPZP-2012.

(9) I met Sayama Muriel when she and Saya U Aung (Alphoso) visited Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt. We had a couple of lunch gatherings.

(10) Sayama Toni is a cousin of Ko Thet Tun (Henry, M 75). Their aunt Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (GBNF) is the spouse of Saya U Tin U. Met her briefly at SPZP-2012 and again in late 2019. Sayama is a Khamee Khamet of Saya U Win Mra.

(11) Sayama Daw Khin Saw Tint (Ann, GBNF) published several books. She is the daughter of ICS U Ba Tint and Daw Khin Saw Mu (“Khit San Sar Pay”). Her mon’s siblings are ICS U Tin Tut, U Kyaw Myint (Head of Tribunal for Galon U Saw’s case), U Myint Thein (former Chief Justice and writer/translator “MMT”), Dr. Htin Aung (former Rector and author of several books about Burma and Burmans), Daw Khin Mya Mu (Inscription Expert) and Sayama Daw Tin Saw Mu.