Wanted her daughters — Hazel, Olive & May — to have experience like her at the Inya Hall.
Hazel & May spent a year at Inya Hall as room mates. Olive had to stay at the Hall for medical students.
Fund raiser
Danced three roles in the fund raiser for the Tekkatho Dhammayone. Her cousin Saya U Lu Pe Win (Pali and Kyauksar Scholar) directed the play. The rehearsal was assisted by U Nyi Pu (First male actor in a Burmese movie).
Play
Was honored at the Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe (Paying homage to the elders) held at the Tekkatho Dhammayone.
Her account was published in the Golden Jubilee Sar Saung of Inya Hall.
A1 Film
Myanmar Ah Swe Film evolved into A1 Film.
A1 U Tin Nwe & his family are known as Producers, Directors & Actors.
U Nyi Pu founded Maha Weikzardo Film.
U Tin Pe (Maung Maung Soe) founded Maung Maung Soe Film.
A1 U Tin Maung acted alongside May Shin and other lead female actors before becoming a Director/Actor.
Daw Khin Myint’s son U Tin Yu & son-in-law U Mya Maung are Director & Producer.
Feedback
Thit Yine (alumnus of Yegyaw Methodist) wrote : Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong) stood First in the Matriculation examination of 1953 from Yegyaw Methodist, and that his class mate Ohn Khin stood Second. Yegyaw Methodist was well known before the Nationalization of schools.
Thit Yine and Ko Ko shared the names of sayas (e.g. U Aung Myint, U Khin Zaw, U Ko Lay) who taught in the late 50s and early 60s.
Po Shwe Kyu wrote : Credit to Saya Hla Min as being the most prolific writer in this group, and his archives and chronicles will be of greatest help to coming generations. Drs. Hla Shwe & Tin Maung returned to Burma around 1962-63. I don’t know Dr Hla Shwe but Dr. Tin Maung also resided at the Chummery during my short stay there. Chummery is a “Saya Lu Pyo Saung”.
Myo Thaik wrote : Sayama Daw Khin Aye passed away last year. His cousin uncle Dr. Myint Thein won a Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in Chemistry in the I.Sc. examination, and later became the first Myanmar to received Ph.D in Nuclear Chemistry in the USA. He is currently staying with his son in Texas. He also wrote about “A Che A Nay Kaung” and “Ma Khan Chin Seik” that led him and his uncle cousin Dr. Win Naing to pursue their dreams to have doctorates.
Myo Thaik wrote : Dr. Hla Shwe is Emeritus Professor, East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvannia, and then moved to California.
First in Burma
I knew that several SPHS students stood First in Burma in the Matric exam. They include
U Ba Khin (Vipassana teacher, first native Auditor General)
George Chapman (SPHS51)
Dr. Nyunt Tin (SPHS52)
Koon Yin Chu (Phillip, SPHS54)
Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58)
Dr. Frankie Ohn (SPHS59
Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63)
Bernard Khaw (SPHS65)
I was aware that students from other schools also scored Top in the some years.
St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay
Methodist English High School (MEHS)
St. John’s Convent
Yegyaw Mthodist
Sacred Heart
Thanks to those who provided additional info and/or corrections
GBNF & Tone Kyaw
I have to be very careful in specifying persons as GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
There are at least three Tone Kyaw (person believed to have died) including me.
When my name sake CO U Hla Min (Chief Operator at UCC, who appeared healthier than me) passed away in his mid-30s, two Training Departments (from Co-op and Trade) inquired UCC where they could send a “Lwan Thu Pann Kway” (wreath) for me. My former class mate Moe Hein (Ajala with an extremely loud voice) was surprised when he saw me at the Kyandaw Cemetery. He said, “I have taken a day off to come here. I wondered why your brother did not tell that you had passed away.” I became a Tone Kyaw.
U Han Sein (C69, Ah Pho Gyi) was sentenced to 20 years for his alleged involvement in 8-8-88. His classmates, who were organizing the 30th Reunion of Graduation, inadvertently listed him as GBNF. He became a Tone Kyaw. He was released after 16 years (with the Amnesty Proclamation), but sadly, his family had been broken. He recently celebrated his 10 years of regained freedom.
When Dr. Tin Hlaing (Marine Technology) passed away in Singapore, some RIT inadvertently sent condolences to Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63), who became a Tone Kyaw.
Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo Kun Yeik Kho
The song was first recorded as a “Dat Pya” at Myanmar Ah Than (Burma Broadcasting Service). It was first sung by U Mya Thein and group. U Thet Lwin received 100 Kyats for his composition, and he treated his fellow Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins.
In a TV interview, Saya played the song.
The song has been sung in many events including the SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) of RIT Alumni.
The Singapore “Pon Chan Chan Group” led by Don Min U Yu Swan recorded the song.
The song was also sung at the Ceremony on December 1, 2019 to kick off the RU Centennial.
The various versions can be listened from the Facebook Posts and You Tube.
Land marks
Thit Pope Pinn is recognized by the Yangon Heritage Society.
The tree was there even before the founding of the University of Rangoon, and it survived Cyclone Nargis.
A few readers expressed displeasure to see the wired fences and the inexplicable disappearance of landmarks.
The Convocation Hall is another land mark.
Eons ago, the Prime Minister of the Union of Burma served as Chancellor of the University of Rangoon, and also delivered “Commencement Speech” at the graduation.
I posted the program of the 1958 Convocation which listed about 30 prize winners (Gold Medals, Silver Medals and Books).
U Soe Paing, my mentor at RIT and UCC, received two Gold medals (after paying 150 Kyats for each Gold Medal, because the original endowments no longer covered the “rising cost” of Gold for the Medals). He had the highest score for I.Sc. (A) and (B) combined. He had the joint highest Maths score for I.Sc. exams — with two other students.
In 1962, Dr. Myint Tun (Henry Cho Tun) won the Gold Medal for the highest score for I.Sc.(A) and (B) combined. U Myat Thwin (ChE66) beat him by one point for the highest score in Mathematics for I.Sc.(A) and (B) combined.
Autograph
Ma Chit Swe (Hazel Kyaw Zaw’s mother) was a Junior I.A. (Intermediate of Arts) student in 1936. Hazel has posted her mother’s autograph.
Daw Hla Myint, a close friend of Hazel’s mom, wrote a lovely poem. Many were unaware of her talent. She had to leave the University before graduation to get married to U Tu Maung. Saya U Tu Myint (Winston Tu Maung) was our saya at RIT and later taught at Singapore Polytechnic until retirement. Dr. Hla Maung (Ronald Tu Maung, MEHS65) moved to the UK. Her siblings include Dr. Pe Nyun (Pediatric Surgeon, who led the operation of conjoined twins Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San), Dr. Pe Thein (Professor and Retired Minister), Daw Ivy San Pe and Daw Flora San Pe.
The Second World War started in 1939 in Europe and spread to Asia.
The University of Rangoon suspended classes for three years : 1943 – 1945.
Per Sayagyi U Ba Toke, there were some make-shift classes at the ad-hoc University in Mogul (Shwe Bon Tha) Street. He taught Mathematics there.
1946
Rangoon University was reopened in 1946.
Saya U Tin U (C), Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor, EE), Dr. Pe Nyun (Pediatric Surgeon) and Dr. Pe Thein (Professor, Minister) attended Rangoon University in 1946.
Panglong Conference
1947
Pinlon Sar Choke (Panglong Agreement) was signed on February 12, 1947. Some ethnic races did not attend the Pinlon Conference.
Nine Arzanis — Bogyoke Aung San, Thakin Mya, Deedok U Ba Cho, Mahn Ba Khaing, Sao San Htun (Mong Pawn Sawbwa), U Ba Win, U Razak, ICS U Ohn Maung and Yebaw Ko Htwe — were mercilessly gunned down at the Secretariat on July 19, 1947. All except Sao San Htun (who was hospitalized with fatal wounds and died on July 20, 1947) perished that day. Three ministers including Bagan U Ba Gyan escaped.
1948 and 1949
Burma gain Independence on January 4, 1948 at 4:20 AM. Sao Shwe Thike / Thaik became the first President of the Union of Burma. U Nu became the first Prime Minister.
Two factions — White Flag led by Thakin Than Tun and Red Flag led by Thakin Soe — of the Burma Communist Party (BCP) went underground. There was several groups in the armed rebellion.
For a short period of time, the Burmese government was called “Yangon Ah So Ya“.
Thanks in part to the arms sent by neighboring India, and the volunteer RU students, the planned conquest of Rangoon was derailed. The tide was turned, and Burma was back on the road to normalcy,
The Union of Burma had a bi-caramel parliament.
1950s
Dr. Ba U served as the second President. In his book “My Burma”, he considers himself as the first President elected in accordance with the Constitution of the Union of Burma. The general public considers him as the Second President (who succeeded Sao Swe Thike).
Many States Scholars were sent to the prestigious universities in the USA and UK to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies. In 1954, there were 400 Burmese State Scholars (many from the “Twinning Program” proposed by Sayagyi U Ba Hli). Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun and U Maung Maung Than were the early recipients of the “Twinning Program” to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies at prestigious universities (e.g. MIT, Cornell). Upon their return, they supplemented and later replaced the foreign sayas. Some worked for government departments and the Industry.
The split in the AFPFL (Anti-Facist People’s Freedom League) party into Clean AFPFL [Thant Shin] and Stable AFPFL [Ti Mye] caused the handover to the “Ein Saunt Ah Soe Ya” (Caretaker Government) in 1958. Some (e.g. U Nu) consider the event as the first Coup d’etat.
The RU Act of 1920 was passed on December 1, 1920 to establish the University of Rangoon with Rangoon College and Judson College as the constituent Colleges. There were only three Faculties: Science, Arts and Law
On December 5, 1920, some RU students staged a strike to protest the 1920 RU Act for not being overreaching. The first RU Students’ Strike was later celebrated as “Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay”. The Strike gave birth to National Schools and “Ah Myotha Kaw Leik (National College)”. The Strike also caused the higher authorities to amend the “RU Act of 1920”.
In 1924, some Faculties (Engineering, Forestry, Social Science and Medicine) were added.
Celebrations
Due to the war, the RU Silver Jubilee could not be celebrated in 1945. It was celebrated in the 1950s.
In 1970, the Golden Jubilee of the founding of RU was celebrated. A magazine was published to commemorate the event.
In Deember 2019, the pre-Celebration for the RU Centennial took place. In 2020, due to Covid, the RU Centennial was celebrated with restrictions.
Positions and Pay Scales
The list is not exhaustive.
The pay scales are samples for the early days.
Gazetted Officer
Those who earn 350 (and CLA) or higher
450 (Base Pay) in the newer system
Promotion, deputation, transfer, and leave are published in the [Burma] Gazette
Selection Grade
Those who earn 800+ Kyats
Entitled to buy 10% of salary at “Staff Shop”
Administrators
Chancellor : Prime Minister or his appointee; U Nu attended Convocations and gave speeches.
Vice-Chancellor : Chief Justice U Bo Gyi served for two terms at Rangoon University. U Ko Lay (Zeyar Maung) was the Vice Chancellor of Mandalay University.
Rector : Dr. Htin Aung was the first native Rector of Rangoon University. Dr. Hla Myint, Dr. Tha Hla, U Kar and Dr. Maung Maung Kha were the early Rectors.
Pro-Rector : introduced in the 80s. U Ba Than Haq was the first Pro-Rector of RASU.
Principal : in charge of a College; U Pe Maung Tin was the first native Principal of Rangoon College.
Dean : in charge of a Faculty; U Ba Hli was the first native Dean of Engineering.
Registrar : U Htin Si and U Yu Khin were the early Registrars of Rangoon University.
Head of Department : (e.g. at RIT in the 60s)
Large departments are headed by a Professor
Sub-departments are headed by a Lecturer
Supporting departments may be headed by an Assistant Lecturer.
Professor : 1300+ Kyats
Associate Professor : introduced in the 80s (1000 – 50 – 1200 Kyats) for minimum, annual increment and maximum
Lecturer : 800 – 50 – 1200 Kyats (for Lecturers before the 80s) 800 – 50 – 1000 Kyats (for Lecturers in the 80s)
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) So, Assistant Lecturer : 450 – 25 – 700 Kyats (after the period when CLA was dropped)
Instructor : 450 – 25 – 700 Kyats (introduced for the Institutes in the 60s) The pay scale is the same as Assistant Lecturer. It takes longer to become a Lecturer.
Demonstrator : Early days : 200 (and CLA) => 297 Kyats (or so) Later : 320 Scale Supervises lab
Tutor : Early days : 200 (and CLA) => 297 Kyats (or so) Later : 320 Scale Supervises lab and/or tutorials
Lecturing Tutor : 100 Kyats additional
Ad hoc Tutor : Early days : 100+ Kyats
Editor’s Notes :
For better or for worse, there have been several changes to the Education System. Pro-Rector and Associate Professor were introduced in the 80s. Some departments now have several Professors. There are Universities with a single Institute of College. There are 30+ Technological Universities.
Due to the decline in the buying power of the money, it is difficult for most teaching staff to survive with the salaries (and occasional pay raises). In 2018, a Professor told me that she earned about K5 Lakhs, of which a sizable amount is spent on transportation.
Was offered as an Option by the Economics Department, Rangoon University.
Became a separate Department under the Faculty of Social Science
Later became a Department of the Institute of Economics.
Saw William Paw
Professor William Paw
During our University days, Professor William Paw was President of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). As Treasurer, I had to go to his office several times .
The earlier RUBC Presidents were Sir Arthur Eggar (founder), Commodore Than Pe, U Tun Thaung and Sithu U Tin.
He was also President of the RU Sports Council.
Dr. Khin Maung Kyi
He attended Rangoon University as a monk.
He is known for his debates and writings.
He taught at Commerce Department and later headed the Research Department.
He later taught in Malaysia and Singapore. I visited Saya in Singapore to hand over a parcel/present by Saya U Myo Min (UCC).
Dr. Khin Maung Kyawe (Jimmy)
It is his preferred spelling over “Kywe”.
I first met him when my cousin uncle Saya U Than Lwin (Eric, GBNF) took me to the Social Science Library. My uncle taught Economics and also served as Librarian. He would give rides to the sayas including Sayas Jimmy and Dr. Maung Shein.
I met him again in the mid 80’s as Head of BERB (Burma Education Research Bureau). I attended several meetings at BERB.
Dr. Mya Than
Dr. Mya Than & Daw Yee May Kaung
He taught at PBRS before going for postgrad overseas.
His spouse Daw Yee May Kaung is the younger daughter of Sithu U Kaung. She was the last Treasurer of Burma Research Society.
They moved to Singapore and later Thailand.
U Myo Min (UCC)
U Myo Min
He won medals for standing first in I.Com and also in B.Com. (Accounting).
He became a Chartered Account and worked for IBM UK.
Per request from his mother and Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe, he came back to Burma to help with the UCC Project. He co-founded UCC with Sayas Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing and U Ko Ko Lay. He taught classes at the Institute of Economics.
He later taught at Nangyang Technical Institute in Singapore and worked for Seagate Technologies & Connors in California, USA.
U Mya Thein & U Thein Oo
They transferred to UCC as Business Application Programmer/Analyst.
U Mya Thein (GBNF) retired as Manager of Business Applications. He also taught ITBMU.
U Thein is Founder & CEO of Ace Computers.
Commerce Graduate Association
Per request of Ko Kyi Soe and Ko Aung Myin, I helped with a course (Mathematics of Finance & related topics) conducted by Commerce Graduate Association (CGA).
U Chan Min
Uzin Chan Min
He represented Institute of Economics in Rowing and Chinlon.
He was the de facto leader for the Institute of Economics Rowing teams (including former President U Htin Kyaw).
He attended courses at UCC. He worked at EPC and later moved to USA.
After retirement, U Chan Min decided to become a monk. For the transition, he asked me to be a temporary monk with him for a week (or so).
He stays mostly at Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California. Per request from his brother Dr. Patheda Tin (NASA), Uzin spent vassa (waso retreat) at the Chan Myei Yeiktha in Springfield, Illinois.
Some of his former B.Com classmates include U Kun Pe (brother of Dr. Nyi Nyi), U Ohn Myint, U Kyi Khin, U Soe Myint (GBNF) and U Ye Myint (father of Zayanda).
Pre-Celebrations kicked off on December 1, 2019. The celebrations continued to the end of 2020.
Former Executive Committee members of the 1958 – 1962 Tekkatho Kalaung Ah Thinn published (a) Collection of Kabyars mainly from the old University magazines (b) Magazine with hitherto unpublished articles, essays, short stories, kabyars, etc.
Several books have been published to commemorate the RU Centennial.
A book and magazine by Tekkatho Kalaung Ah Thinn
SMART Sarpay reprinted the book by Maung Aung Mon (Win Aung).
Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin was the first native Principal of Rangoon College and the founder of the Burmese Department. Sayagyi will be honored by the Myanmar Sar Mi Thar Su in December 2109 with a bust.
The bust of Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin was unveiled. Daw Tin Tin Myaing (Brenda, daughter of Sayagyi) attended the ceremony.
Sayagyi U Ba Toke (GBNF) who is a Phwa Bet Taw of the University of Rangoon was interviewed by a TV program. Sayagyi passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day after RU Centennial). It was several days short of Sayagyi’s centennial birthday on December 26.
Kyemon published an article about the Land marks of the University of Rangoon.
Myanmar Ah Lin published a series of articles for RU Centennial.
The RU Golden Jubilee in 1970 and the RU Diamond Jubilee in 1995 were celebrated for 2 – 3 weeks.
Albums
The following is a sampling:
Botany Dr. Daw Yi Yi (Mother of Okka)
Burmese (Myanmar Sar) “Khit San Kabyar” Saya U Wun (Minthuwun) See Aung Pyie (Farewell to Mya Thilar)
Chemistry Saya U Aung Khin Dr Soe Win & Daw May Saw Lwin U Nyunt Win Dr. Aung Myint Dr. Tin Win (Alan) Dr. Myint Tun (Henry Cho Tun) U Kyaw Tun U Maung Maung Gyi U Nwe Aung
Ma Chit Swe’s Autograph Mom of Hazel Kyaw Zaw (Kyi Kyi May) Friends of Ma Chit Swe
Graduation Photo taken at Bayin Ma Studio Photos taken inside Convocation Hall Photos taken outside Convocation Hall
Law U May Aung Sir Arthur Eggar (RUBC founder) Dr. Ba Han U Kyaw Myint Sayas and sayamas LLB first batch
Mathematics Sayagyi U Ba Toke Dr. Chit Swe Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char)
Physics Sayagyi Dr Maung Maung Kha Dr. Tin Aung Dr. Soe Myint Win Dr. Aye Thein Kyaw Daw May Su Dr. Zin Aung Dr. Saw Wai Hla Dr. Win Naing Dr. Myo Thaik
Rectors and Registrars Dr. Htin Aung U Thet Lwin
UCC Alumni UCC Gathering
Some History
Second World War
The Second World War started in 1939 in Europe and spread to Asia.
The University of Rangoon suspended classes for three years : 1943 – 1945.
Per Sayagyi U Ba Toke : There were some make-shift classes at the ad-hoc University in Mogul (Shwe Bon Tha) Street. Sayagyi taught Mathematics there.
1946
Rangoon University was reopened in 1946.
Saya U Tin U (C), Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor, EE), Dr. Pe Nyun (Pediatric Surgeon) and Dr. Pe Thein (Professor, Minister) attended Rangoon University in 1946.
1947
Pinlon Sar Choke (Panglon Agreement) was signed on February 12, 1947. Some ethnic races did not attend the Pinlon Conference.
Nine Arzanis — Bogyoke Aung San, Thakin Mya, Deedok U Ba Cho, Mahn Ba Khaing, Sao San Htun (Mong Pawn Sawbwa), U Ba Win, U Razak, ICS U Ohn Maung and Yebaw Ko Htwe — were mercilessly gunned down at the Secretariat on July 19, 1947. All except Sao San Htun (who was hospitalized with fatal wounds and died on July 20, 1947) perished that day. Three ministers including Bagan U Ba Gyan escaped.
1948 and 1949
Burma gain Independence on January 4, 1948 at 4:20 AM. Sao Shwe Thike / Thaik became the first President of the Union of Burma. U Nu became the first Prime Minister.
Two factions — White Flag led by Thakin Than Tun and Red Flag led by Thakin Soe — of the Burma Communist Party (BCP) went underground. There was several groups in the armed rebellion.
For a short period of time, the Burmese government was called “Yangon Ah So Ya“.
Thanks in part to the arms sent by neighboring India, and the volunteer RU students, the planned conquest of Rangoon was derailed. The tide was turned, and Burma was back on the road to normalcy,
The Union of Burma had a bi-caramel parliament.
1950s
Dr. Ba U served as the second President. In his book “My Burma”, he considers himself as the first President elected in accordance with the Constitution of the Union of Burma. The general public considers him as the Second President (who succeeded Sao Swe Thike).
Many States Scholars were sent to the prestigious universities in the USA and UK to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies. In 1954, there were 400 Burmese State Scholars (many from the “Twinning Program” proposed by Sayagyi U Ba Hli). Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun and U Maung Maung Than were the early recipients of the “Twinning Program” to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies at prestigious universities (e.g. MIT, Cornell). Upon their return, they supplemented and later replaced the foreign sayas. Some worked for government departments and the Industry.
The split in the AFPFL (Anti-Facist People’s Freedom League) party into Clean AFPFL [Thant Shin] and Stable AFPFL [Ti Mye] caused the handover to the Caretaker Government in the late 50s. Some consider the event as the first Coup d’etat.
1960s
Mahn Win Maung, the third President, was detained on March 2, 1962 when a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat.
Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung (President-elect) did not become President.
Per Kyemon U Thaung, seven Council members were not aware of the major decisions.
Brigadier General T. Clift (Air Force) resigned. He was succeeded by Brigadier General Thaung Dan. Several senior officers were sent as Military Attaches.
Commodore Than Pe (Navy) passed away. He was Ta Wun Gan (Minister) for Health and Education. He is Past Captain and President of RUBC. RUBC has bronze statues of Sir Arthur Eggar (Founder, Life President) and Commodore Than Pe on the promontory. Commodore Thaung Tin (who had jump promotions) succeeded him as Chief of Navy. Colonel Hla Han succeeded him as Minister for Health and Education.
Colonel Chit Myaing was the last of the original Revolutionary Council members to pass away. He served as Ambassador to Yugoslavia and UK before moving to USA. He was a supporter of U Kelasa (one of the two sayadaws left behind by Mahasi Sayadaw during his visit to US in 1979).
Ko Tin Maung Thant (son of UNSG U Thant) passed away unexpectedly during his visit to Burma. The motorcade at his last journey was longer than that of Commodore Than Pe.
Khit San Kabyar
The first volume has poems by U E Maung (later Burmese Professor) and Daw Khin Saw Mu (mother of Daw Khin Saw Tint and U Nay Oke Tint).
The following illustrates “Six degrees of Separation” & “Associative Memory”.
U Sein
Saya Sein taught Burmese at St. Paul’s High School. His students include U Thet Lwin (Ngwe Hlinne, composer of “Mya Kyun Nyo” song that was sung at the Opening Ceremony of Yar Pyay Ah Kyo)”. The song was first recorded as a “Dat Pya” at Myanmar Ah Than (Burma Broadcasting Service). It was first sung by U Mya Thein and group. It was also sung by the RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins in Singapore (fondly known as the “Pon Chan Chan Group” led by Don Min U Yu Swan).
U Thet Lwin
U Thet Lwin is the maternal uncle of Ko Sein Tin (SPHS68, EC74) who volunteered at UCC while waiting for permission to move to Australia.
U Kyaw Sein (4th in Bottom row)
Saya Sein’s brother-in-law Saya Kyaw Sein was Class teacher for a different section. He taught us as a relieving saya.
Dr. Soe Win
Saya Sein’s son Saya Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58) stood first in Burma in the Matric exam of 1958. He studied Chemistry Honors at RU and received his doctorate from Imperial College, University of London. He retired as Rector of YUFL.
U Yu Khin & Richard Yu Khin
IFL (Institute of Foreign Languages) was co-founded by Saya U Yu Khin. He and Dr. Daw Phay are parents of Dr. Marie Yu Khin and Dr. Richard Yu Khin. IFL evolved into YUFL.
Dr. Daw Phay was personal physician of my paternal aunt (mother of U Tin U, U Ba Than, Dr. Ruby Win Hlaing, Daw Betty Myint Thwe, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin & Cho Cho Hlaing).
Ko Richard’s aunt was a close friend of Dr. Ruby.
Ko Richard won a Gold for Yatching at the 2nd SEAP Games with U Maung Maung Lwin (former Burma weight lifting champion, Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club).
Ko Richard trained along side Ko Tin Maung Ni and swimming stars under the Japanese Swimming Coach Mr. Matsuda.
U Myo Min
At SPHS, Dr. Soe Win was a classmate of my cousin Saya U Myo Min (UCC) and my brother-in-law U Khin Maung Htun (Patron of OPA). During his studies in the UK, Saya received help from U Mya Maung (Amyotha Yoke Shin) and U Myo Min.
Aung Mion, Dr. Soe Win, Daw May Saw Lwin, Nyi Thet Lwin
I met Saya and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (MEHS57) during my visit to Myanmar from November 2019 to January 2020. Their elder son Ko Aung Mon attended TTC Practicing School together with my nephews and nieces.The younger son Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin is a surgeon in UK. Nyi Nyi’s daughter Ei Lwin achieved grade 9 in all of the nine subjects that she sat in the recent, 2019, GCSE exams. Following grandpa’s footsteps almost sixty years later!
Robert Sein (SPHS58) stood second in Burma in the Matric exam of 1958. He studied Physics Honors at RU. His classmates include Sayama Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, spouse of Saya U Thein Lwin), Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily, spouse of Saya U Hlwan Moe) and my sister Sayama Daw Khin Than Nwe. I met Ko Robert at the soon kwyay in memory of my brother-in-law.
Ko Robert’s sister (Wendy Sein) was our school mate at the last ever I.Sc.(A) at Leik Khone. Wendy’s spouse Dr. Thein Htut (RUBC Gold) rowed with our cousins at RUBC. Dr. Thein Htut’s sister Daw Tin Tin Aye was a close friend of my sister.
Daw Myint Myint Tin (Pearl Ba Tin, MEHS58) stood Third in the Matric exam of 1958. Her spouse Dr. Khin Mg Wint (SPHS58) was called “Sargalay” by his Paulian classmates.
Ma Pearl’s brother (Melvyn, U Myo Win, M/Ag65) taught Agricultural Engineering at RIT and at Wagga Wagga University in Australia. He managed the RIT Automobile Club. He rowed as a saya for RIT.
Ko Melvyn’s spouse Ma Noreen Aung Gyaw taught English at RU. Her brothers are H.E. U Nyi Than (spouse of Sayama Toni) and U Tin Aung Win (spouse of Dorothy Kyaw Tun).
Dorothy’s father U Kyaw Tun is a saya of our sayas. Her sister Elizabeth was my classmate at PPBRS.
Sargalay’s sister Audrey was a classmate of my sister-in-law at St. Philomena’s Convent.
Audrey’s spouse Michael Aye was a classmate of my cousins Myint Toe and Kyaw Nyunt Koe at SPHS.
Updates
Several people in the post are now GBNF. Some passed away early. A few passed away recently.
There are several GBNF posts — some by Calendar Year.
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947, and won Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1949, he won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam.
RUBC Full Green
Studied B.Sc (Special) in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
Per request from Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean of Engineering), he helped build the Engineering Library
As a requirement for promotion, he did Masters at Imperial College
Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Mech Engg Sayas
Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project. Donated his photo albums. Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.
HMEE book (2012)
He also interviewed his elder brother U Tin U for HMEE project. U Tin U taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department, and served as Treasurer of Burma Society of Civil Engineers.
Family
U Ba Than & Daw Mya Mya
He is the second son of U Chan Sein and Daw Cheng Kim.
Siblings : U Tin U, Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby), Daw Myint Thwe (Betty), Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya
Son : U Ye Than
Daughter-in-law : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grand children : Aung Myo Myint, Ei Khine
U Ba Than 2U Ba Than 1
Winner Inn
U Ye Than and Daw Lwin Mar Oo ran “Winner Inn”.
Later, their children Aung Myo Myint and Ei Khin expanded the services provided by Winner Inn (notably W Bistro)
Winner Inn
Birthdays
Celebrations
Birthday Soon Kyway
Before the pandemic, he invited colleagues and former students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
U Tin Htoon (A60, younger brother) compiled a Photo Album for Saya’s 90th Birthday
U Ba Than
Donated all of the Garawa Money to various social & religious associations.
Passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
U Ba Than & Family
90+ Club Members
Four of the nine siblings are members of the 90+ Club like their mother.
U Tin U (eldest) passed away on Aug 19, 2025 — a few weeks after his 96th birthday. He was the most senior Past Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). He was Past Captain of RGC (Rangoon Golf Club). He was also the oldest Yale University alumni from Burma.
U Ba Than (2nd oldest) passed away after his 94th birthday.
Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, 3rd) celebrated her 93rd birthday on Aug 31, 2025.
Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, 4th) passed away two months before her 91st birthday.
HlaMin 