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 …)
(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.
Saya recruited his students to join UCC. Some early students could not wait long for the UCC project to get established. A few left for overseas.
Won Collegiate Scholarship in 1956.
Won two Medals for I.Sc. (A) and (B) exams. Highest total score for both exams combined. Highest marks in Mathematics in I.Sc. examination. Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) and another student were co-winners.
Received a scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University. Saya U Ko Ko Lay (UCC) received a scholarship to study BSCE and MSCE at Stanford University.
On their return journey to Burma by an ocean liner, Saya U Soe Paing and Saya U Ko Ko Lay were joined by Saya Allen Htay (C58) and Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) who had finished their graduate studies in the US. They spent the evenings playing Bridge. They became close friends.
Joined the EE Department as Assistant Lecturer. Helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe found UCC along with Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay.
Transferred to UCC as Systems Manager.
Did his M.Sc. (Computer Science) at the University of Southampton in the UK.
Retired after working as UN Consultant in several countries.
Wrote a brief bio for the SPZPs.
Described more details in his articles about his studies and work at UCC and beyond.
Saya U Soe Paing in Yangon
Saya’s writings and contributions
Student days at Rangoon University
RIT Saya Soccer Team
RIT-UCC Connection
Three sayas attending SPZP
“Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and articles can be read from SCRIB-D
With the help of Sayagyi U Ba Than and Saya U Thaw Kaung, Saya compiled artifacts at the Universities Central Library. Saya prepared a draft version for of HMEE-2012.
Saya revised the translation by U Ohn Khine (Section One in full, Section Two in Summary).
Saya hosted several gatherings for RIT-UCC alumni visiting Myanmar.
His younger siblings are Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby), Daw Myint Thwe (Betty), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htoon (A60), Saya U Myo Min (UCC),U Thaung Lwin (EC66) and Daw Cho Cho Hlaing.
Wedding ReceptionU Ba Than, Daw Mya Mya and Ye ThanU Ba Than, Lwin Mar Oo, Ye Than, Aung Myo Myint, Ei Khine
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya (GBNF)
Son : U Ye Than (Winner Inn)
Daughter-in-law : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grand children : Ko Aung Myo Myint and Ma Ei Khine
U Ba Than, Dr. Myo Tint, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, U Tin Htoon, U Tin UWith son’s family
Brief Bio
Matriculated from St. John’s Diocesan Boys High School and won Collegiate Scholarship in 1947.
Gold Medal for placing first among the I.Sc. and all Intermediate students in 1948 and 1949.
Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, University of London.
Upon return to Burma, he joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer.
As a requirement for promotion, he studied Masters at Imperial College, University of London.
Upon his return, he became Lecturer.
Succeeded Saya U Aung Khin as Professor and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Taught at RIT until retirement.
Per request from Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha (then Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering), he served as Advisor for the Engineering Library.
Taught “Strength of Materials” and “Mechanical Drawing” for most years, and “Engineering Mechanics” for a few years.
Early supporter of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project
Hosted several HMEE meetings at Winner Inn (run by his son, daughter-in-law and grand children).
Provided precious photos from his albums for display at MES and for inclusion in the HMEE book.
Arranged with Saya U Thaw Kaung (former Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library) to give access of the Library Archives to Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and his team. Saya U Soe Paing and team scanned old magazines and documents. Saya U Soe Paing also prepared an initial summary of his findings and handed over to Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team.
Celebrated his birthdays by offering soon to the sayadaws at monasteries (e.g. Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung) and inviting his former colleagues and students to the soon kyway.
On October 2, 2008, the former students of Sayagyi U Ba Than (Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering) was honored with a special Birthday and Garawa ceremony. It was special because it was a Thursday. Sayagyi was born on Thursday, October 2, 1930.
Per request from his grand children, he wrote memoirs and shared them with the attendees of birthday gathering.
Cousin Brother
My saya at RIT. Gave me rides to RIT in his white Zephyr. Many thought that he was my uncle.
He is my cousin. In fact, he is my Double First Cousin. His father is my mom’s older brother. Hid mother is my dad’s older sister.
Strict teacher. Never received hints or clues from him. Would not even know whether I did well in his subject until I received the official transcript.
Dio Classmates from 1941
Dr. Kyaw Aung and Bohmu Lynn Thein Maung were his classmates in 2nd Standard at Diocesan Boys High School.
U Ba Than, U Tin U (elder brother), Dr. Kyaw Aung and Bohmu Lynn Thein Maung would meet over a monthly lunch (usually at Winner Inn). They would take turns to host the event.
Classmates from 1941
Visit by Dr. San Hla Aung
Saya Dr. San Hla Aung, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Mao Toon Siong and several other sayas would pay respect to Saya U Ba Than during their visits to Myanmar.
With Dr. San Hla Aung
Memoirs (excerpt)
Saya wrote his memoirs at the request of his grand son. The booklet was given to the attendees at Saya’s birthday in October 2008. Excerpts of Pages 3 – 5 (which described his school days) are shown below.
Excerpts from U Ba Than’s Memoirs
Soon Kyways
Ye Than (son) booked “Yar Thet Pan Annual Soon Kwyay” for his father Saya U Ba Than at Yaw Sayadaw Kyaung.
Saya would invite relatives, former colleagues and students to the Soon Kwyay.
Mementos
For the special Soon Kyway in October 2008, Maung Sein Win (Padeegone) wrote a “Garawa” poem.
Saya provided mementos to the attendees.
Memento from U Ba Than’s 78th birthdayMessage from U Ba Than
Gold Medal for Highest Score for Combined I.Sc. in 1949
Alumnus of Imperial College, London University
Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Siblings : U Tin U, Dr. Daw “Ruby” Win Hlaing, Daw Myint Myint Thwe, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya (GBNF)
Son and Daughter-in-law : U Ye Than, Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grandchildren : Ko Aung Myo Myint, Ma Ei Khine
Celebrated 90th Birthday on October 2, 2020
U Tin Htoon and Henry Kao compiled a Special “Photo Album Book”
Give back “Garawa Money” from Saya Pu Zaw Pwes to Charity
For many years, offered “Birthday Soon Dana” at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery and invited former colleagues and students to the Soon Kyway
Early supporter of HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) Project Held co-ordination meeting to kick off the Project Donated Class Photos (and more) for use in the HMEE-2012 Book
