Children : Myo Nyunt (SPHS), San San Kyaw (UCC), …
U Kyaw
Dr. U Win
Attended UCC courses
Doctorate from USA
Water Resources
GIS
Dr. U Win
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
U Kyaw – father of Daw San San Kyaw, ex-UCC.
Dr. U Win – first met him when he attended six-month class at UCC. We frequently hang out at the canteens at RASU. Rekindle our friendship here in US, talked to him on the logins several times, yet to meet him face-to-face, hopefully some day soon.
Updates
There are several posts about Geography sayas & students in the RU Centennial FB group
In the 1961 – 62 Academic Year, the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University moved to the Gyogone Campus.
It was named Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).
Sayas & Sayamas
U Yone Mo served as Dean.
U Sein Hla served as Registrar.
Newly minted sayas & sayamas include U Aung Soe (C), U Maung Maung Win (M), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T) & Daw Julie Han
Matriculation & HSF
In 1961, the last Matric & High School Final exam took place. Those who pass the exam could attend the University.
In 1962, there were separate exams for Matric & HSF. Those who pass HSF had to take the Matric exam in order to attend the University.
2nd SEAP Games
RU athletes in 2nd SEAP Games
In December 1961, Burma hosted the 2nd South East Asian Peninsular Games.
Burma placed First (according to the Tally of Medals) in the Games. Burma was dominant in Track & Field, Swimming & Diving (to name a few).
About 20 students Rangoon University represented Burma in the Games. Several won Gold Medals : Tun Mra (4 x 100 meters relay), Soe Mra (Pole Vault), Kyaw Han (Volleyball), Richard Yu Khin (Yachting).
Ko Richard (GBNF) provided the group photo. He also wrote about the swimming training with Ko Tin Maung Ni under a Japanese coach.
Met Ko Tun Mra, Ko Khin Maung Latt & Ko Tin Myint (GBNF) at the RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta in December 2019. Ko Tun Mra mentioned that he, Ko Kyaw Mra (GBNF), Ko Soe Mra & Ko Tun Naung represented Burma in the first SEAP Games held in Bangkok in 1959.
1962
Coup d’etat
On March 2, 1962, a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat. Sao Shwe Thaik’s son was killed.
Mahn Win Maung (President), U Nu (Prime Minister), U Myint Thein (Chief Justice), several high ranking officers & Sawbwas were imprisoned.
U Myint Thein was among the first to be detained and the last to be released. He was given only a part day off to attend the last journey of his spouse Daw Phwa Hmi (pioneer Burmese female barrister).
Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung had been selected to succeed Mahn Win Maung as the President, but the Coup ended the democratic parliamentary system.
Sama Duwa Sin Wa Naung
HSF Exam
The HSF exam results for Rangoon Division was annulled claiming a leakage of exam questions.
The students had to retake the HSF exam in August, 1962.
Dark Days in July
There were two Dark Days.
Student protesters faced indiscriminate shooting on July 7, 1962. The newspapers & Myanmar Ah Than said that there were 17 victims.
Ko Aung Khin who was killed by a stray bullet on his way back from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road was listed as the 17th casualty.
On July 8, 1962, the revered RU Student Union Building was demolished.
1963
Matric Exam
SPHS63 Scholarship Winners
Most exams were held in March. However, the Matric exam in 1963 was held in May.
St. Paul’s High School had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
Anniversary of 7th July
In July 1963, the first Anniversary of 7th July 1962 was celebrated with posters, pamphlets & magazines.
Some time later, the higher authorities announced the closure of most schools except the Faculty of Medicine & the Faculty of Engineering.
Rangoon University Boat Club
Dinner to celebrate the RUBC 40th Anniversary
Annual Regatta was canceled citing security reasons.
Sithu U Tin (President) decided not to cancel the Dinner commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC by Sit Arthur Eggar (Law Professor).
1964
Scholarship for USSR & East Bloc
Soviet Union and East Bloc nations offered scholarships for undergraduates & graduates.
Some classmates (who were concerned about how long the schools will close) applied & were accepted.
Maung Maung Kyi studied Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, GDR.
New Education System
Shwe YaDu
Enacted in November 1964
The reorganization saw former Faculties as independent Institutes with their own Rector and Registrar. The remaining faculties of Rangoon University became Rangoon Arts & Science University (RASU).
Under the new Education system, BIT became Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). It had autonomy. U Yone Mo served as Rector. U Soe Thein (former student leader) served as Registrar.
Matriculates were admitted to the fresher classes at the Universities & Institutes using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA).
The marks for each subject were converted to an ILA score (1 – 20). Those who have a balanced score can have a higher ILA than someone who has high marks in most subjects but a low score in one subject.
There were name changes to the degrees offered, e.g B.E instead of B.Sc.(Engg)
Majors were introduced.
LL.B was offered.
Luyechun
The program was initiated in the Summer of 1964.
Outstanding students from middle school and high school was chosen as Luyechun. They were sent to the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Win Aung (TTC) and Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw) were some High School Luyechuns.
1965
Nationalization
On April 1, 1965 private schools were nationalized.
St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) became No. 6 Botathaung State High School.
Methodist English High School (MEHS) became No. 1 Dagon State High School.
Luyechun Camps
Inlay Luyechun
The Luyechun program was extended to students of Universities & Institutes in the summer of 1965.
I was selected as RIT Luyechun along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ma Khin Than Myint Tin, and Ko Zaw Min. We were sent to the newly opened Inlay Khaung Daing Camp was added.
The Rangoon Combined Camp was the meeting point for those from Ngapali Camp and Inlay Camp.
Registrar, Rangoon University Helped the establishment of RC (Recreation Center)
Former Warden, Prome Hall known for excellent Soccer teams
Later moved to Bagan Road Residence
After retirement from RU, he was offered lucrative job as Consultant in several countries. He opted to stay in Burma and found IFL (Institute of Foreign Languages).
Spouse : Dr. Daw Phay who was close to Dr. Daw Yin May and helped deliver Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (Johnny Kyaw Myint), U Htin Kyaw (Peter Wun) and several others.
Children : Dr. Marie Yu Khin (Medical doctor in Australia, GBNF) Dr. Richard Yu Khin (Economist in USA, GBNF) …
Richard Yu Khin
Highlights
Matriculated from MEHS in 1961
Also passed GCE
Represented Rangoon University & Burma in 1961 SEAP Games held in Rangoon. Teamed up with U Maung Maung Lwin (Jamie, Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club, Olympian weightlifter, Publisher) to win a Gold Medal in Yachting.
Left RU before graduation to pursue studies in the USA.
Doctorate in Economics from Yale University.
Lived in Dallas, Texas.
Had two Facebook pages : one for Personal, another for Sailing
Now GBNF
Contributions
Shared a photo of the Rangoon University Athletes who represented Burma in the Second SEAP Games held in Rangoon in December 1961.
Commented on my post on Swimming. A Japanese coach trained selected swimmers led by Tin Maung Ni and including Richard Yu Khin.
Commented on my post on Matriculates. Provided information about top MEHS matriculates.
Posted about former sayas and students of MEHS.
Posted a photo of Pagan and Sagaing Road residents. Children of U Yu Khin, U Wun (Minthuwun), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Myo Min (English Professor) became Ph.Ds, medical doctors and professors.
Richard Yu Khin’s Post (in 2018)
If you have spare time visit “Hla Min” Facebook page which provides excellent & amazing historical information of my generation. I have for years been trying to find information about Ko Ba Min who kindly met me at the helicopter landing site when I arrived at Berkeley, California in August 1963. I was trying to decide whether to attend UC-Berkeley or Yale. I stayed a week in Berkeley, 4 days at the International House and 3 days at Ko Ba Min’s apartment because I became home-sick. Every one there told me to choose Yale. Ko Ba Min then was studying for a Master’s degree in Mathematics at UC-Berkeley. I have often wondered what happened to Ko Ba Min. On “Hla Min” website I found out Ko Ba Min returned to Burma to teach Mathematics and Astronomy and then resigned for medical reasons. Thank you for that information. During my teenage years Ko Ba Min and Peter Kyaw Sein would frequently visit Pagan Road to view the belles of our neighborhood.
____
At Berkeley I met Dr. U Myint (later Economic Advisor to President Thein Sein) who was preparing to defend his PhD dissertation and a Burma state scholar studying for PhD in physics or chemistry. Miss Cobb who is a friend of my aunt when she attended UC-Berkeley in 1950 took me on a tour of San Francisco. She told me to visit her cousin who was the Chaplain at Yale University. Reverend Coffin later became leader of the anti-Vietnam War movement in USA.
Comments
Oak Soe Kha wrote : Lived at Pagan Road as well, opposite Richard’s house. We are childhood friends, hanging out in the University campus. My father (Dr. Maung Maung Kha) and uncle Yu Khin worked close together. Apart from us, U Aung Khin (Chemistry), U Ba Nyunt (Chit Doke Kha, History) were residents of Pagan Road also. Professor U Myo Min (English) lived on Sagaing Road, as did Dr. Htin Aung (Rector) and not Pagan Road.
Ko Ba Min matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He studied Maths and Astronomy at University of California at Berkeley. After returning from USA, he stayed with his brother in the Port Commissioner Quarters in Windermere Crescent (off Inya Road). Played records (such as Peter, Paul and Mary; Joan Baez) that he brought back from the USA. He taught at Rangoon University and Mandalay University. When he was transferred to Myitkyina College, he resigned citing his health. He ran a shop in Zay Cho. Japanese tourists were surprised and delighted to find out that Ko Ba Min studied with their professor at Berkeley. They took photos of Ko Ba Min to show to their professor.
U Kyaw Sein is an early graduate from Rangoon University (in 1928). He served as Chief Engineer of National Housing Board. Children : Peter Kyaw Sein (GBNF), Victor Kyaw Sein, Ruby Kyaw Sein …
Updates
Some RU Students who represented Burma at the 2nd SEAP Games are GBNF. They include Kyaw Mra and Richard Yu Khin.
Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie, spouse of Marie) passed away in Australia.
There were two Sayas named Hunter at the University of Rangoon.
Matthew Hunter taught Physics and Chemistry, and also studied Geology. He served as Principal of Rangoon College. He tried to persuade the student leaders of the 1936 RU Strike. The students explained, “We are not protesting you. We are protesting to have changes to the University Act.” He loved the students very much. Tears fell when he had to bid farewell after retiring from Rangoon University.
Some awards (given out at the early Convocations) are named after “Matthew Hunter”.
Mark Hunter (John Mark Hunter) taught and wrote on English Literature. He was a member of the Commission responsible for the implementation of the Rangoon University Act of 1920. He later served as Professor at RU.
Judson
Andoniram Judson Jr. (1788 – 1850) was the most significant American Baptist Missionary to Burma. His supervisors told him that it would be a tough task. There were a few ABMs before him, but they did not stay long.
Judson and his team (which included some former dhamma teachers) compiled the English-Burmese and Burmese-English Dictionaries (see photos of two editions).
Dictionary 1Dictionary 2
Judson published the Burmese translation of the Bible.
He helped found the association for Baptists.
He is honored by having a church and a college named after him.
In 1920, Judson Collegeand Rangoon College became constituent colleges of the newly established University of Rangoon.
Two buildings for Judson College were donated by the American Baptists.
The Willington Hall was built in memory of two families — the Vintons and the Johnsons — of the Church of Willington for their missionary work in Burma. It was later known as Dagon Hall.
The Benton Hall was donated by Ms. Benton (Treasurer of the Judson Church and/or Judson College). It was later known as Thiri Hall.
Note: Depending on the period, a Hall may house classrooms or may be used as a hostel. There was also a building named North Hall (which later became Shwebo Hall).
Examples of evolution of halls
Mandalay Hall was a Residence Hall.
After the “Dark Days” (7th July and 8th July 1962), several Residence Halls were converted into Admin Offices and/or Classrooms.
Mandalay Hall was a temporary home for the UCC project before moving to Thamaing College Campus.
Geology majors had most of their classes at Mandalay Hall.
G-Hall in the Gyogone Campus initially housed single sayas.
In November 1964, G-Hall became a resident hall for female students. Madan Chand (C70) was inadvertently listed to reside at G-Hall. Lyo Kyin Sein (T69) was inadvertently listed to attend at a men’s Hall (e.g. C-Block)
Burmese
In the early days, several languages (e.g. Pali) were taught by the Department of Oriental Studies.
Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin (Pali and Burmese Scholar) proposed to have a separate Burmese Department.
Sayagyi translated Pali books (e.g. Visuddhi Magga) and Suttas (e.g. Dhammacakka and Anattalekkhana) into English.
ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Wun (Minthuwun) were the early Burmese (Honors) students of Sayagyi. The trio is also known as co-founders of the Khit San Sar Pay movement.
U Sein Tin was a victim of a bungled burglary or the case of mistaken identity.
U Thein Han was offered to do Masters by both the Burmese Department and the English Department, but he chose to study Library Science in the UK. He succeeded U Khin Zaw as Chief Librarian of the Rangoon University Central Library.
U Wun studied Linguistics and Literature in the UK. He headed the Translation Department at the University of Rangoon. He later served as Professor of the Burmese Department, and as Visiting Professor at the University of Osaka at the invitation of Professor Harada (pen name : Chit Mann Nwe). He is the father of U Htin Kyaw (former President).
In December 2019, the Myanmar Sar Htar Na (Burmese Department) unveiled a statue honoring Sayagyi.
Met Daw Tin Tin Myaing (Brenda Pe Maung Tin, Sayagyi’s daughter) at Winner Inn. She attended the unveiling of Sayagyi’s statue. She was also a guest at the Fund Raising Concert for RU Centennial. Two friends mentioned that his spouse (an Old Paulian) passed away in UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some Posts
Per Hlaing Bwa : According to a “Shay Hmi Nauk Hmi” Saya, U Chit was detained for “providing food to the University Student Protesters”. He was questioned repeatedly for the rationale of his work. He wrote, “The students are my benefactors. I therefore need to repay their kindness in times of need.” Finally, a relative with connections managed to secure the release of U Chit. Sadly, he passed away 8 months later. He is an “unsung hero.”
Per Myo Thaik : He witnessed the “Tha Dar Phyu” (later referred to as “Tha Dar Ni”) incident and endured a tear gas bomb. His posts are based not only on his experience (recorded as dairy entries), but also on other sources : Gabriel (Thet Tun) and a post from the on-line forum.
Poems
Yadana Thu
Novem Pink
Min Oo Idw
Memories
Saya U Khin Zaw (Workers’ College)
U Tin Aye
Thann Htutt Aung
Dr. Thwe Oo : Daughter of Saya U Khin Maung Nyunt and Sayama Daw Mya Mya Nu
Dr. Jillian Phyu Maung : Grand daughter of Saya U Aung Khin (Chemistry)
Compiled for the HMEE Book with အုန်းခိုင် (M70) Ohn Khine
CD
HMEE စာအုပ် ကို RU စာကြည့်တိုက် မှာလှူ Donated HMEE book to Universities Central Library & YTU Library
Book Donation
Highlights
1964 မှာ 2nd BE တက်ခဲ့ Admitted to 2nd BE as Top student (Roll Number One)
2nd BE
လူရည်ချွန် — 1965 Summer (အင်းလေး) Selected Luyechun (Outstanding Student) to the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the Summer of 1965
Luyechun
Organizer, SPZP-2000 First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe Received “Alumni Appreciation Award”
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Received three Alumni Appreciation Awards (a) at SPZP-2000 (b) from worldwide alumni in Aug 2016 (c) from Northern California RIT Alumni Association in Sep 2016
Saya U Po Thon (Director of Education & Author of High School Maths Texts) recommended Dr. Nyi Nyi to recruit Tin Aung Lwin as a Science Scholar.
He had published a book based on his blogs.
In a recent blog, he shared his memories about Saya U Aung Sein, Dr. Min Oo and Dr. Zaw Win.
Science Scholarship
In the old education system, there were minimal requirements to attend courses at the University.
Among those who stood First in Burma, Dr. Soe Win (Matric 58) chose to study Chemistry and Dr. Hla Tin Ngwe (Frankie Ohn, Matric 59) chose to study Physics. Sayagyi U Ba Khin chose to work and later became Head of four Departments and a renowned Vipassana Teacher.
The disruption took in several forms (a) the use of the controversial ILA system (b) competition to enter professional courses (c) discrimination of those who are not 3-NRC.
The “Science Scholarship” (SS) program was introduced to lure brilliant students to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Deputy Minister of Education, “promised” that SS holders will be sent for further studies (may be even before they graduate).
Twenty Scholarships were reserved for each discipline, but they were never filled due to lack of student interest.
For the first batch, there were four Science Scholars for Maths (including Ko Tin Aung Lwin & Ko Win Naing) and two for Physics (including Ko Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing).
For the second batch, Zaw Win (Second in Burma in 1970) was Science Scholar for Maths.
There were two more batches.
Silver Lining
Reality struck.
There were few scholarships for the Ministry of Education.
But, there’s a silver lining in every cloud. Some SS scholars gained wealth and fame as Tuition Sayas.
Alumnus of Rangoon University and Southampton University, UK
RASU, UCC, CSO, ABAC
Worked at RASU Maths Department. Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe asked him if he wished to join UCC.
Became Systems Programmer at UCC and did Masters in Computer Science at Southampton University, UK
At UCC, he wrote lecture guides and user manuals with me under the guidance of Saya U Soe Paing (Manager of Systems Division & later also Operations Division).
Known for his humor and satire (e.g Thingyan Sar)
Also wrote Kabyars and articles.
Taught at UCC and CSO before moving to Thailand. Ko Myint Oo took him to Assumption University where he was offered a job on the spot.
Sydney
Moved to Sydney, Australia and continued teaching Computer Science and Applications.
UCC gathering hosted by Saya Zaw
Hosted mini-gatherings to pay respect to Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe and Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli.
UCC gathering hosted by Saya Zaw
Spouse
His spouse Daw Kyawt is a culinary expert and donor of her kidney to Saya Zaw as a priceless gift.
Books
Dhamma & Bawa
He wrote two books “Dhamma and Bawa” and “Cetana Thi Thar Kan”.
Cetana Thi Thar Kan
I am honored to be a reviewer / editor for both books and a contributor of a section for the second book.
He shared his memories about his sayas (Dr. Chit Swe, U Sein Min, U Tin Hlaing, Dr. Kyaw Thein, Dr. Khin Maung Swe, …).
After graduation, he worked as Systems Engineer for IBM (International Business Machines) Burma, which rented / leased Unit Record Machines to selected Government Departments.
Children : Saya Dr. Tin Maung and Sayama Daw Thein.
U Aung Hla
(18/Apr/1896 to 13/Dec/1983)
Passed away at the age of 88.
Professor of Maths, RU
Dean of Arts, RU
Accomplished musician
Annotated 25 Burmese songs.
Spouse : Daw May Than was a nationally known singer.
Son : U Mya Than played the lead guitar & piano.
U Po Thon
(27/Jul/1899 to 23/Nov/1982)
Passed away at the age of 84.
Pyinnya Mingyi ပညာမင်းကြီး
Supervised & published Maths texts for use in schools.
U Net
(15/Jan/1918 to 26/Feb/2003)
Passed away at the age of 86.
Professor of Maths, MASU
Feather of Daw Khin Mar Mar (Physics & UCC) & grandfather of Wunna Ko Ko, webmaster of second RIT web site.
U Ba Toke
(26/Dec/1920 to 2/Dec/2020)
Book
Phwa Bet Taw ဖွားဘက်တော် of “Rangoon University” and “First RU Student Boycott” (which is celebrated as “Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay” အမျိုးသားအောင်ပွဲနေ့ )
Professor of Maths, RASU
Rector, MASU
Professor of Maths, RIT
Vice Chair of Maths, Assumption University
Mandalay University Soccer Selected
Chinlon expert
Vice chair, RU Sports Council
Led the Burmese Olympic team to Tokyo in 1964.
Gave interviews (three C-90 tapes) and documents (4 files) to Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char). The book was published in April 2010 & was distributed on Sayagyi’s 90th birthday.
Updates
Many sayas — including those mentioned in the post are GBNF.
Other GBNF sayas include Dr. Chit Swe, Dr. Tin Maung, Dr. Saw Tin, Dr. Khin Maung Win, U Tin Hlaing, U Sein Min, U Ko Lay & U Aung Sein
After graduation, he worked as Systems Engineer for IBM (International Business Machines) Burma, which rented / leased Unit Record Machines to selected Government Departments.
Later moved to USA
Retired from Montgomery County in Maryland
Posts
Demonetization of K100 Note
Do you believe in luck?
My Barber
My Life Journey
My Stories
Aunt
Uncle & Aunt
Taught at Psychology Department at Rangoon University
HlaMin 