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
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)
1. U Kyaw Tun 1950 – 1971 (started teaching at BOC College) 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
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)
He is the younger brother of Dr. Tin U (Medical Superintendent, Rangoon Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Saw Lwin.
He was a top student at the University of Michigan. His friends jokingly called him “Khone Swa Khone Swa” referring to his brisk walking style.
He served as Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
When the EE Department was reorganized into EC (Electrical Communications, also known as EcE and Electronics Engineering) and EP (Electrical Power), he served as Professor of EP. Saya Dr. San Tint served as Professor of EC.
Grapevine says that 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 and maintenance of the Electrical Systems (including Motor Alternator, Diesel Generator, Air conditioning) at UCC.
He served as Line Judge at the RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) Regattas. He managed the RIT Swimming and Water Polo team.
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.
Received his doctorate from Japan. Also found his love life “Moe Moe”.
Due to the immigration laws in Myanmar and Japan, the family finally decided to move to Auckland, New Zealand.
Organizer for RIT events in New Zealand.
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni International Newsletter
One article is about two Forgotten Songs from RIT. One song is a favorite of Saya U Tha Tun (Head of Department). Another song is about a Belle Ma Ma Q & her fans (sayas and alumni).
Wrote a photo essay on Kyaik Hti Yo Development. Saya U Min Wun wrote a supplement article for the Project.
Wrote a letter to the Thagyar Min to second his favorable opinion on Naw Louisa Benson (Miss Burma & movie actress).
Wrote about some paintings.
Quoted Reverend F Lutvig (Ashin Ananda, Laureate Poet) in his articles.
He passed away, but “Moe Moe” kept contact with Daw Phyu Phyu Latt (Christine, A70) and other alumni in Australia.
Forgotten Songs of RIT
by Kogyi Koung
First Song
It was one afternoon in the early May of 1963. Someone was singing a prewar semi-classic song from the second floor of RIT main building. In 1963, RIT buildings were relatively new and that semi-classic song caused a little bit of discomfort for the freshmen [equivalent to 3rd BE] located on the first floor. The song continued as, (. hmain: njou. njou. sain: lou. je . njou pja ji hmaung che . to: dan: kalei: nanbei: ga swe . e:di jwa be: kwe…)
The meaning is: Dull and gloomy cloud override at the horizon; Indistinct brown and dim bluish vision of a wood jetting out from that end is my village … *Note: The title of the song is ‘Htamin: mjein mjein sa: me’ i.e., “Enjoying the meal with relish” . The duet song was first performed by prewar famous singers Ou’ O: Ba Thaung and Sein Party. Later many other singers have rendered their own versions of the song.
We saw an old man singing the song while he was painting watercolor on a huge art paper. He was painting the landscape described in the song. Amazingly the picture was full of life and the song was telling the story. Everybody stopped in front of his office on the second floor and looking with wonder and singing with him.
After a while we asked him, “Sayagyi, who are you and which department do you belong to?” He replied, “I am U Tha Tun, Head of the Department of Architecture”. Oh, my God! How stupid that we, the freshmen of Architecture, don’t even know the head of our department. As time passed, we learned more about ‘The Great U Tha Tun’.
When we became senior students, U Tha Tun’s health deteriorated so much that Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Raymond, A58) stepped up as a ‘Kagemusha’ [Japanese for “shadow-warrior”]. UMMS, as acting head, took care of everything about the department. Young and energetic Saya UMMS found that it was not easy to steer the department as Captain of Architecture’s Flag Ship. There were lots of problems for a relatively young department in RIT.
One such problem occurred during our final year. Two of the most experienced Sayas of architecture left the department and went abroad [for enhancing their careers]. They were (a) Saya U Sein Maung (with elegant moustache) has long experience in Rangoon City Development Corporation. He taught each and every detail of the development of Rangoon. (b) Saya M.B. Raschid (son of U Raschid, minister of many affairs under Prime Minister U Nu). He taught with all his professional experience and perfect pronunciation of King’s Burmese with ‘zagaboun’ proverbs. Sometimes he corrected our broken Burmese.
Saya UMMS, Head of the department, not only had lost his right and left hand men, but also there was a danger that the notorious Koung Nyunt and Kyaw Thein (both A67) might not finish their Architecture degrees.
After a long struggle, Saya UMMS stabilized the flagship of Architecture and its direction. A pioneer of the Architecture of RIT, Professor U Myo Myint Sein handed over the headship to Dr. Maung Kyaw in early 80’s. In the late 80’s Dr. Lwin Aung (A59) took over.
Second Song
For creative and original works, Architects cannot design during the office hours. It is also true [to a lesser degree] for the students of architecture. During the lectures and tutorial hours we [as students] have to follow what they have taught. After school hours [mostly after 4 or 5 pm], we start to create and test our design ideas. Note that for other students and staff of RIT, such periods are the pleasure and relaxation time.
There were only a few girls in Architecture, but the one in our studio is especially alluring beauty and glamorous face. She was so popular that she became known as the queen of the student-architects. We called her Ma Ma Q.
Most of the evenings many senior students and young eligible bachelors and/or sayas visit our studio. Some stay late into the evenings. At that time we sang a song named ‘Saga: ta’ kathou’ i.e., Language University, by Khin Yu May.
Because in the song, one part said ‘dage lar te. Ko Ko. kwe ja hmar ba lou lou’ i.e., really coming Ko Ko, out of sight he is sth in the air.
Ma Ma Q didn’t know the meaning, but the visiting Ko Kos were annoyed by our song. They politely requested us to stop singing. At that time the notorious KN and KT asked ‘hse’ kjei:’ i.e., extortion money about 2-3 kyats from the Ko Kos and went to U Chit tea shop. This continued for days and weeks.
When the Ko Kos are not visiting our studio, we sang the following song, instead of Ma Ma Q. i.e., Third Song. (Note. Extract from Shwe Kyi: nyo song by Daw Ngwe Myaing) ‘Diga nei. nya hpjin. lar ma te. so: joun ya hmar lar: akou Kja.ma ne. ne: te. Shwe kyi: nyo Shwe kyi: nyo Shwe kyi: nyo’ “To-night coming you said so, may I believe Ako.. Near the blessed golden crow, golden crow, golden crow…”
Article (Sept/Nov 2000)
With all of those excellent works and flying colours for Saya Pu Zaw Pwe, your organizing committee is a living history of RIT. Our Sayas, Sayamas and Saya-Gyis have contributed their unlimited knowledge to affect and benefit our lives. Many of our Sayas and colleagues have sent their thanksgiving letters to your web site.
I feel guilty in staying quietly at a corner of the Southern Hemisphere. Actually I am busy, because of my article ‘Wanna Migrate to New Zealand, 3/15/00’ that you published on the ex-rit web site. After that article, I got many inquires/contacts by e-mail and direct phone calls, especially from SE Asia. In July there are 133 migrants and in September 28 migrants are now in Auckland, and expecting another over 50 in November 2000. All speak the common language “Burmese” with their own native accents. Now I know our Sayas and colleagues speak “King’s Burmese” in RIT.
I would like to honor my Sayas with a poem from our forefathers-cum-engineers how they had built a city.
Title: ‘SHWE PYI GYI’ (Golden Capital City)
Sweet sound of drums and silver bells Coming from the Palace Can be heard reverberating in the air And I can see the palace roofs, The graduated turrets and buildings Encompassed by haze. And, my dear girl, I can still faintly see The silhouettes of a high pagoda Reaching nearly to the clouds And of super-imposed roofs (i.e., pyathat) Oh my dear, don’t you hear A melodious sound of small bells Coming from the golden monastery? Our golden capital city must be near. (By U Ku: 1827-1895 Translated by Rev. Friedrich V. Lustig)
Dear Sayas and colleagues,
We see not only the Panoramic Photo of golden capital city of our ancient time, but can hear the sound-scape with audio-visual scene. Silhouettes effect of high pagoda in the haze has shown the air perspective of city skyline. We try to sketch the imaginary scene of ancient city in the architectural studios of RIT in the middle of 60’s. The discussion topic of ‘Ancient City Skyline’ is not only interested by the architectural students, but also from various students of other departments from RIT.
This is the starting point to form the ‘RIT Photographic Club’. According to my diary, first general meeting was chaired by Saya U Myo Myint Sein on Saturday, 1 May 1965 at the Department of Architecture. The general meeting selected Professor U Myo Myint Sein as President of RIT Photographic Club and the author as the secretary.
After forming the executive committee, the club took part in various activities and many outstanding photographers from the club took major prizes from Burma Photographic Society and Myawadi Magazine. e.g., Ko San Aung, M74 is the owner of the famous ‘Photo Lab USA’, (i.e., initials for U San Aung) in Yangon is originally from this club. Kjei: zu: tin: bar-de, many thanks for my Sayas and colleagues
Koung Nyunt (Auckland, New Zealand).
Letter to Tha-gyar-min
by Kogyi Koung
Date: Thursday, 14 April 2011 (3:40pm. Thin-gyan Akya-ne.) P.O. Box; Top of the never used RIT water tower Ashe. Jo. Koun (East Gyogone): RIT Compound, Insein, Rangoon, Burma
Dear Your Majesty the Sovereign of Tawadein dha တာဝတိံသာ
As from the beginning of 1960’s our RIT is like the last paradise on earth, with all enjoyments, teachings, preaching, learning, playing sports and friendship never sails away. Kogyi Koung recollects the stories at the time of 60’s RIT and retold the fairy-tales to our Bushido-Burmans at gatherings in Auckland, NZ. However, the young generations of Maha Bandoola do not believe the stories, and they whispered by themselves that Kogyi Koung is now ‘Yin yin galay Yuu-nay-pyi-de’ ယဉ်ယဉ်ကလေး ရူးနေ ပြီတဲ့
Your Majesty the Tha-gyar-min-gyi please take this message to Tawadein dha and explain to my late Sayas and colleagues there, that my stories are not fabricated.
I have the evidences. For example, I have sent a message to RIT alumni update (February 6, 2010) as follows,
Dear U Hla Min,
It is sad news for our elder brothers at RIT, especially those who reside at E and F block during the beginning of 60’s.
A term called “Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.” မပြောမရှိကြနဲ့ဟေ့ was coined at that time. When I visited my elder brother [U Than Soe, M63] at E block (when I was at Leik-khone I.Sc). I heard somebody shout “Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.” Then I looked outside. Everybody lined up at corridor and they were looking at a far side on top of the entrance hall that is attached to a two story house.
I could not believe my eyes. She was a beauty queen, who had Miss Burma two times excising physical training on the porch. I noted down in my diary and the rallying cry “Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.” She is Naw Louisa Benson Craig. Now she has left our brothers’ heart at age 69.
Yours etc. (“Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.”)
When I retold that story here at Auckland, everybody laughed like ‘Wa:lone kwe:aung ye kya de”. I said it is not a joke. I have evidence.
Also, Kogyi Koung explained about the following, written by Maung Maung Hla, a Karen pastor in Rangoon who was close to Naw Louisa during her youth, remembered her aloud : “She had a little mole on her cheek and she had a kind heart. She was also a very good singer.”
This statement has no evidence.
However, Tha-gyar-min-gyi if you find Naw Louisa at Tawadein dha, please ask if what I wrote is true?
Architecture Students and Staff
I have an old group photo taken about the end of 1963, and all the known information are printed. Inside the brackets are where about of the person [at the time of the post].
Top of the photo:
Department of Architecture Rangoon Institute of Technology 1963 ~ 64
Bottom of the photo:
Front row, L to R
Jim Lim (3rd. Year) [?]
Ma Khin Khin Kyu (Ann, 1st.Year) [San Francisco, California, US]
U Myo Myint Sein B.Arch (Rgn) M. Arch (Mch) [Los Angeles, California, US]
U Tha Tun B.Sc, F.R.I.B.A. (Fellowship of Royal Institute of British Architects), A.A. Dip (Lond.), A.M.T.P.I.(Associate Member of Town Planning Institute), F.I.B.A., Head of Department [Deceased on 13 September 1974]
U Yone Mo B.Sc (Hon) Rgn, B.Sc (Engg)Lond, A.C.G.I, A.M.I. Mech.E, A.M.I.Loco.E, Principal [Deceased]
Mr. S. Ozhegov, Cand. Of Arch, Master of Fine Arts, UZBEK, U.S.S.R [Moscow]
Miss Rosalind Maung (Ma Pyi Aye, 2nd Year) [Rangoon]
Htin Myaing (Ben, 2nd Year) [New York, US]
2nd. Row, L to R
Tun Thein (1st Year) [Los Angeles, California, US]
Tin Aung (2nd Year) [Melbourne, Australia]
Yaco B.E. Mayet (3rd Year) [?]
Than Tun (3rd Year) [Rangoon]
Sonny Chin (2nd Year) [?]
Hla Thein (1st Year) [New York, US]
E. I. Jeewa (3rd Year) [?]
Aung Pa Win (1st Year) [Chicago, Illinois, US]
Back Row, L to R
Aung Kyaw Min (3rd Year) [Rangoon]
M. (Ku?) hlgh (2nd Year) [?]
Than Htike (3rd Year) [Warsaw, Poland]
William Chen (2nd Year) [?]
C. E. Munnee (1st Year) [?]
Koung Nyunt (1st Year) [Auckland, New Zealand, GBNF]
Kyaw Thein (1st Year) [Deceased 22 April 2001]
Absentees:
Win Myint (1st Year) [Rangoon]
Win Naing (1st Year) [?]
Note:
1st Year B. Arch, 10 students (8 passed and 2 failed) 2nd Year B. Arch, 5 students (3 passed and 2 failed) 3rd Year B. Arch, 6 students (3 passed and 3 failed) Several Architecture students failed in of a subject from other departments. There was no moderation. If one gets 49% or less of the grade, the student has to repeat all subjects next year.No block selected.
Editor’s Note :
I cannot find the photo mentioned by Kogyi Koung.
The early sayas and sayamas of the Architecture Department include :
U Thar Tun (GBNF)
Pi-thu-kar Kyaw Min (GBNF)
U Myo Myint Sein (USA)
U Bilal Raschid (USA)
Dr. Maung Kyaw (GBNF)
Dr. Lwin Aung (Retired as Pro-Rector)
Artist/Bagyee Aung Soe
U Maung Maung
U Sein Maung (Stanley Ba Pe)
U Maung Maung Phone Myint
Dr. Koung Nyunt (GBNF)
U Hla Than (Retired as Rector)
Daw Min Thet Mon (Pamela Myo Min, Retired Professor)
On October 2, 2008, the former students of Sayagyi U Ba Than (Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering) was honored with a special Birthday & Garawa ceremony.
Retired from a University in Wagga Wagga, Australia.
Wrote a letter for SPZP-2000
Requested Australian agencies to help YTU.
RIT Auto Club
RIT Auto Club
He and U Maung Maung Win managed the Club.
Ko Hla Oo and fellow members of the RIT Auto Club bade farewell to Saya U Myo Win. There were 25 or so members. The group provided a receipt for the gathering.
Receipt
I reported the event in RIT Alumni Newsletter, RIT Updates group and my web site hlamin.com
Several shared the Receipts photo for nostalgia & the good old times when one Pound was traded for 13 Kyats and one US Dollar was traded for 5 – 6 Kyats. Some wanted to show the “Believe it or not” item to the younger generation.
He is a saya of our sayas (including Sayas U Aung Khin, Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun and U Khin Aung Kyi).
He started teaching at Rangoon University before the war.
After retirement, he moved to USA.
He passed away in Portland, Oregon in his late 90s.
Activities
He served as President of RIT Track and Field Association. U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68) was Secretary. U Myo Nyunt (C69) was Joint Secretary.
He served as Line Judge at RUBC Regattas along with Saya U Sein Win and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung.
He attended SPZP-2000. U Khin Aung Kyi paid respect to him and Saya U Ba Toke.
Saya and spouse
He visited Yangon in 2013. Former students hosted a Welcome party at a restaurant for him. They gave him presents including a Banner. U Myo Nyunt saw that Banner when he visited Saya in Portland.
Brothers
His younger brothers H Num Fatt (EE60, Australia) and H Num Pon (Saya U Myint Lwin, C61, USA) are Engineering alumni.
U Myint Lwin rowed for Engineering. He attended SPZP-2000. He was working in SF Bay Area at the time. He later moved to East Coast.
Saya’s visits to the Bay Area had tremendous impact.
One visit resulted in the formation of BAPS (Burmese American Professional Society) — a merger of BEA (Burmese Engineers Association) and BASTS (Burmese American Science and Technology Society).
SPZP-2000
Another visit resulted in a dinner meeting where the Bay Area Alumni Group led by Saya Allen Htay decided unanimously to hold the First Ever Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe on October 28-29 week end. For details, see the articles by Saya Allen Htay, Saya U Nyo Win and U Myat Htoo, Ko Benny Tan and Ko Maurice, and Ko Thein Aung.
Saya wrote the Introduction to the article by Dr. Freddie Ba Hli about his father Sayagyi U Ba Hli.
Saya wrote several articles for RIT Alumni Newspaper : His student days at RU; Tribute to Saya U Tin Hlaing (M59); On the Road to the Millennium; Brief history of Mechanical Engineering Department.
Newsletter
Brief Bio
He enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon in 1950. (At that time, one must pass the I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science) with good grades to pursue engineering courses.)
He left the Third Year B.Sc.(Engg) class in 1952 upon being selected as a State’s Scholar to continue the undergraduate studies at Lehigh University.
He received the B.S.M.E. and M.S.M.E. degrees and returned in 1956 to join the staff at the Faculty of Engineering as an Assistant Lecturer.
Saya was awarded the Colombo Scholarship in 1962 to pursue post-graduate studies at Toronto University. He received the M.A.Sc. degree and returned in 1967 to continue teaching at Rangoon Institute of Technology.
Saya served as Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering.
In 1976, he resigned from the Institute in 1976 and emigrated to Canada.
He retired in 1998 after working for twenty one years in Canada.
His post-retirement sojourns can be found in his excellent article written specially for the Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (Special Issue).
Health
Saya stays fit.
He regularly plays golf and tennis.
Saya & daughter
He attended several SPZPs, but now prefers not to travel far except for occasional family gatherings.
Paying respect in 2015
In 2015, Ivan Lee (M69) provided his Mercedes and gas for a whirl wind trip to Canada and the East Coast.
Frederick Thet Gyi (M69) manned the wheels for the major part of the trip.
Sayagyi U Aung Khin hosted me and my spouse for a night’s stay at his house.
Ivan and Fred stayed at a nearby hotel, but spent time chatting with Sayagyi.
We enjoyed the Mohinga and Ah Kyaw prepared by Sayagyi.
He also asked each of us to pick a souvenir from Windsor, Canada.
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).