Category: RU

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

ဘွဲ့နင်းသဘင် Convocation

Early Days

• Held at Convocation Hall ဘွဲ့နှင်းသဘင်ခန်းမ

• Chancellor အဓိပတိ — ဝန်ကြီးချုပ် Prime Minister of the Union of Burma
• Pro-Chancellor — ဝန်ကြီး Minister
• Vice-Chancellor
• RU Council Members တချို့
• ပါမောက္ခချုပ်Rector
• ပါမောက္ခ / ဌာနမှူး များ Professor / Head
• မော်ကွန်းထိန်း Registrar
• ဘွဲ့ ရ ကျောင်းသူကျောင်းသားများ Graduates
• ဆုတံဆိပ် ရ ကျောင်းသူကျောင်းသားများ Prize Winners

Rectors

• Dr. Htin Aung — later Vice Chancellor

• Dr. Hla Myint

• Dr. Tha Hla

ဆက်နွယ် Related

• အောင်ဆန်းကွင်း (1962 Graduates …) Aung San Stadium
• ကျိုက္ကဆံ ကွင်း (တချို့ နှစ်) Kyaikkasan Ground (for some years citing Security concerns)
• RIT ဩဘာလမ်း Aw Barr Lann (for applauding the graduates)
• Commencement Ceremony (တချို့ တက္ကသိုလ်) at some Universitiies

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

(1) Relations

U Kyaw Myint & Siblings

• Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote a series of articles about his father U Kyaw Myint and his siblings.

• U Kyaw Myint matriculated from “Government High School”. His elder brother U Tin Tut attended St. Paul’s.
• U Kyaw Myint also helped with the education of his siblings : U Myint Thein, Daw Khin Myint Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu.

Ms. Hong Kong & Family

• Ms. Amelia Kyi was known as “Miss Hong Kong” not because she was a Beauty Queen.
• She was from Hong Kong. She married the maternal uncle of Dr. Tin Wa and came to Burma.
• She taught English at St. Paul’s High School. She also gave private tuition to her relatives (e.g. Diana Tseng) and neighbors.
• She was our English teacher in Standards VI (D) and VII(D) at St. Paul’s High School. She used “the Carrot and the Stick”.
• She would give weekly tests and fine 50 pyas if one failed, but reward 50 pyas if one excelled in the tests. My daily pocket money was 25 pyas, so I had no choice but to study hard.
• She had three sons. The eldest became a monk. U Win Kyi was RUBC Gold. He worked for Sports and Physical Education Department. U Min Kyi was RUBC Green. He was a pilot for UBA/BAC. I saw U Win Kyi & U Min Kyi at RUBC. They were contemporaries of my brother and cousins.
• At the 2019 RUBC Annual Regatta, I met Naymyo Thura.
  He is RUBC Gold. He is the son of U Win Kyi and grandson of Ms Hong Kong. His mother taught at SPHS. He said that he would like to save the SPHS photos.

(2) Calendar

• A solar calendar is based on the orbit of the earth around the sun. Typically, it takes 365.2422 solar days to complete the orbit.
• A leap year attempts to adjust the calendar by adding an extra day every four years.
• A lunar calendar is based on the orbit of the moon around the earth. Typically, it takes 29.6 days to complete a cycle.
• A luni-solar calendar is a hybrid calendar that uses lunar month and solar year.

• The Burmese use a Luni-Solar-Socio-Religious Calendar. It is used for social and religious events.
• There are 12 lunar months with a total of 355 days in a Common Burmese Year.
• There is a difference of 10 days with a Common Year in the Gregorian Calendar.
• An inter-calary month named “Second Waso ဒုတိယဝါဆို” is usually added every three years to sync again with the Solar Calendar. It is known as “Wah Htutt ဝါထပ်”.
  If needed, an additional day is added to Nayon in “Wah Gyi Htutt ဝါကြီးထပ်”.
• Some other Luni-Solar Calendars (e.g. used by the Chinese) also have 12 months in a year. They add an extra month in the year in which the Lunar and Solar Calendars are synchronized.
• The Chinese New Year may therefore occur in late January or early February.

(3) October & Thadinkyut

• “Oct” stands for 8. October was the 8th month in the old Roman Calendar.
• In the Gregorian Calendar, October is the 10th month.
• In the old Roman Calendar, September, October, November and December were the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th months as indicated by the prefixes. In the Gregorian Calendar, they are 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th months of the year.
• The Thadinkyut Festival often falls in October.
• The Phaungdaw-u festival in Inlay Lake is held around the Full Moon of Thadinkyut. I wrote a poem “Phaungdaw-u Festival” for the Thadinkyut Supplement.
  

• Four events related to Thadinkyut : Thadinkyut Lightning Festival, Abhidhamma Day, Pa Wa Ya Na (Monks ask for forgiveness of unintentional wrong doing), Soon San Sein Laung Pway (Mass offering of requisites to the monks)

(4) History

Dr. Kyaw Thet (GBNF)

• Studied in UK
• Taught in Burma and as Visiting Professor in the USA
• Spouse : Daw Khin Khin Gyi (GBNF) taught History at Rangoon University and a US College
• Children : Lyn Maung Thet (GBNF), Dr. Khin Nyo Thet (MEHS63, GBNF), Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS64), Khin Aye Thet (GBNF)
• Dr. Khin Nyo Thet & spouse Dr. Lyn Swe Aye established the “Aye-Thet Scholarship” in Khin Aye Thet’e memory. Prizes are awarded to successful participants at the Summer Dhamma Camp at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay. Sponsors from Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) and donors helped run the Camp.
• Lyn Aung Thet and Cherry Hlaing were tied for the highest marks in the Matric exam of 1964. Cherry won the tie breaker with a perfect ILA score. Both were selected Tekkatho Luyechun from IM(1).
• Lyn Aung Thet led the IM (1) Swimming & Water Polo team (which won Inter-Institute Trophy). He is also good at Tennis and Chess.

U Ba Nyunt (GBNF)

• Known for his song “Chit Dukkha” ချစ်ဒုက္ခ
• History Professor
• Children : Win Nyunt, Tin Tin Oo, Win Oo, Aung Moe, Kyi Shwin

Ba Shin (GBNF)

• Bohmu & later Colonel
• Head of the Burma Historical Commission
• Spouse : Sayama
• Children : Dr. Nyan Htain (Texas), Daughter (Australia)

Dr. Than Tun

• Professor at Mandalay & Rangoon University
• Visiting Professor in Japan and Northern Illinois University (NIU)
• Was a vocal critic of sayas being asked to do extra work not related to sudies and research
• First met Saya as a Char Taik.
  My uncle Saya U Than Lwin (GBNF) introduced him at the Recreation Center.
• His son-in-law attended classes at UCC.

Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt

• He wanted to be a diplomat. While waiting to sit for the examinations, he joined the History Department. The Professor asked him — with full confidence — to be a relieving saya for him. The rest is history.
• Even after retirement as Director General, he continued teaching.

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

The Estate included the following (with name changes and/or structural changes over the years).

• Rangoon College
• Judson College
• BOC College
• Convocation Hall
• Administrative Offices
• Housing for sayas
• Hostels for male and female students
• RUSU (Rangoon University Students’ Union)
• Sanatorium (Tekkatho Hospital)
• RU Gymnasium
• Tekkatho Dhammayone
• RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
• RU Swimming Pool
• Soccer fields
• Tennis courts
• Recreation Center (Chess, Basketball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Fine Arts …)
• Libraries
• Canteens

Selected Buildings

• The Estate was managed by the Estate Engineer and his team.
• U Nyo, a philanthropist, was a major donor for RU Estate (including RUSU and RUBC). He was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by RU.
• Chan Chor Khine, second son of Chan Mah Phee and Daw Aye Mya, donated to build the RU Gymnasium.
• The RU Library was funded by Reddiar.
• RUSU has an important role in the History of Burma. It was the training ground for students, who later shone as regional and national leaders. Sadly, the building was demolished on 8th July 1962.
• Sir Arthur Eggar, Law Professor, pledged/donated a third of his salary for RUBC. Monetary support from Dr. U Nyo and other patrons accelerated the growth of RUBC into a reputable rowing club in Burma (and beyond).

RU was an elite University

• In the early days, it was convenient and not so costly to attend RU even for those who do not have scholarships and stipends. In addition to have a reasonably good quality of education (as shown by the high success rate of Burmese scholars), there was ample time and opportunity to participate and excel in sports, hobbies (SPARK, aero-modeling, so-ka-yay-tee, public speaking, debates, …)
• RU produced doctors, engineers, scientists, and social scientists who were outstanding for their extra-curricular activities.
• It is sad to see students forgoing their dreams because of the need to make “long” commutes and without the choice of “affordable” housing (hostel, …) . It is sad to learn that many students cannot afford the time to participate and excel in sports, hobbies, …
• A reasonably good “Estate” might help nurture “Jack of all trades and master of some”.

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

RUESU

• Rangoon University Engineering Students’ Union is separate from Rangoon University Students’ Union (RUSU).
• It published seven Annual Magazines.

Magazine for 1952 – 53

• U Aw Taik Moh (C54) was a member of the Magazine Committee for 1952-53.
• The scanned pages show some sayas.

• U Ba Hli was the first native Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University. He proposed the “Twinning Program” with the prestigious universities in the USA.

• U Aung Hla was Professor of Mathematics.
• C. Ping Lee (Old Paulian) was Lecturer in Electrical Engineering. He is the father or Dr. Win Aung (M62).

• U Sein Hlaing was Assistant Lecturer in Electrical Engineering.
• H Num Kok was Assistant Lecturer in Civil Engineering.
  He is a saya of our sayas (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi)
• U Hla Tin was Assistant Lecturer in Civil Engineering.
• B. Aung Gyaw was Workshop Superintendent.
• There were visiting Professors (e.g from MIT).
• Professor Murray Horwood recommended brilliant Burmese Engineering Students to study at MIT.
  

Photos

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Dr. Maung Maung Kha (GBNF)

• Received his doctorate in Meteorological Physics from Imperial College, London University.
• Worked briefly at the Directorate of Meteorology before transferring to the Department of Physics at the Rangoon University.
• Early native Professor of Physics at Rangoon University.
• Interim Dean at the Faculty of Engineering
• Rector of the Rangoon University, RASU & University of Distance Learning

U San Tha Aung (GBNF)

• He is an alumnus of Harvard University.
• Co-authored High School Physics texts (in Burmese and English)
• Director General of Higher Education.

Early doctorates from USA

• Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, first in Burma in 1953), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung received their doctorates from the USA.
• Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung moved to the USA.

Dr. Tin Aung

• Professor and Head of the Physics Department, RASU
• He was on an educational tour in the USA when his colleagues elected him as Patron of the All Universities’ Teachers Association for the 8-8-88 movement.
• After his return, he was forced to resign immediately.
• He recently had a replacement pace maker.

Some Sayas and Sayamas

• Daw Nyein (GBNF) : Retired as Head of the RIT Physics; Lived to 101 years
• Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, GBNF)
  First in Physics Honors in 1962
  Spouse : Saya U Thein Lwin
  Classmates : Dr. Sein Tun (GBNF), Robert Sein, Daw Khin Than Nwe, Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily)
  She and her spouse passed away within a few months of each other in Singapore.
• U Hlwan Moe (GBNF)
  Succeeded Daw Nyein as Head of RIT Physics
  Spouse : Daw Khin Swe Aye
  Son : Dr. Moe Aye (UK)
• Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily)
  Spouse : U Hlwan Moe
• U Tha Hlaing
  Taught at RIT for two decades
  Gave Ovada at SPZP-2007 in Singapore along with Sayagyi U Ba Toke.
• U Kyaw Myint (GBNF)
  Retired as Director General of Higher Education; We spent some time together as Guest Speakers for the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in 1988. Has a Foundation named after him

• U Kyaw Mya Thein (GBNF)
  Retired as Pro-Rector of ICST/UCSY; Coined the word “Kar Ku La Thin Char” for Calculus; Passed away in Singapore.
• U Tin Oo Hlaing (Principal)
  Interpreter for Saddhammaransi Sayadaw’s Dhamma Duta to USA
• U Kaung Nyunt (GBNF)
  Principal of RC2
  Spouse : PPBRS alumni
  Daughter : Khaing Khaing Nyunt (UCC)
• U Thein Aung (Micky, SPHS59, GBNF) : RUBC Gold in 1962; Met him during his visit to California.
• Dr. Htin Aung (Japan, GBNF)
  Sacred Heart; Sixth in Burma in the Matric of 1957; Twin brother : Dr. Htin Kyaw
• Dr. Htin Kyaw : Sacred Heart;
  First in Burma in the Matric of 1957
• U Thein Htut : Saya Micky asked him to be athletic trainer for RUBC selected
• U Saw Hlaing (Principal, Director, GBNF): First met him as organizer of Thu Ka Kari သုကကာရီ association on Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Last met him at the Ministry of Education.
• U Kin Sein (Director) : He was at the Ministry in charge of vetting state scholarships
• Mehm Than Thoung : First in Physics Honors in 1961; RUBC Gold in 1961; Retired Rector of Distance Learning; Currently spending time at a meditation center
• Dr. Soe Myint Win (Electronics / Engineering, GBNF) : Gawpaka at a monastery in Northern California; Helped found the Northern California Physics Association
• Daw May Su (GBNF) : She and her spouse Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE, MOGE) visited their daughter and grand children in Northern California.
• Dr. Maung Maung Gyi (Canada) : Taught at RIT. Worked in Singapore & Canada
• Dr. Aye Thein Kyaw (Canada, GBNF)
• Dr. Tin Maung Aye (USA)
• Dr. Soe Tint (USA)
• Dr. Myint Thein
• Dr. Myint Kyi (Pro-Rector, IMBTU) : Met him at the Final Journey of Sayadaw U Silananda
• U Kyaw Khin (USA)
• U Kyaw Win (USA, GBNF)
• U Ye Sint (USA)
• Dr. Kyaw Tint (USA)
• Dr. Win Naing (USA)
• Mr. Bharadwaja (wrote the Lab manuals)
• Daw Khin Mar Mar (daughter of Sayagyi U Net) studied Computer Science
• Dr. Khin Swe Myint hosted a Physics conference in Mandalay with the help of Dr. Khin Maung Maung (Professor and Chair of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Mississippi).

Miscellaneous

• Frankie Ohn (Dr. Hla Ngwe Tin) stood first in the Matric exam of 1959. He founded a company in Southern California & sold it.
• Harry Wang (Dr. Than Myint) stood Joint Third in the Matric exam of 1956.
• Dr. Yan Naing Lwin : Emeritus Professor & Chair of Physics at WIU, Macomb. He helped many Burmese to study at WIU
• Ko Soe Lwin (son of Dr. Maung Lwin) & Ko Myint Thein were selected Physics Luyechun in the Sunmer of 1965
• Chu Pu Thein (SPHS63) scored the highest marks for Physics in the first ever High School Final Only exam in 1962. Due to restrictions, he could not apply to the professional institutes and left to study in Italy.
• Dr. Khin Maung U received 99 marks for Physics in the first ever Matric exam in 1963. He scored a perfect 100, but the Chief Invigilator reluctantly subtracted a point.
• There was a Centennial Celebration for Saya Kha.
  Saya U Oo Khin Maung and Sayama Daw Thida were some of the volunteer organizers.

Sayama Daw Thida wrote :

Dear Sayar U Hla Min,
You have collected many facts regarding with Universities especially YU and RIT. I appreciate your nice memory.
I worked at YU Physics Department about twelve years (Early 1978 to mid 1989), at RIT Physics Department about six years (1971 to 1976) and YIT/YTU Engineering Physics Department about eight years (1993 to 2001).
I think the days of YU are very beautiful before 1963. I missed those days because I was high school student at that time.
My days at YU are very ordinary.
The posts written about early days of YU are very interesting.
That’s why I request “Nyi” (Nyi Thet Lwin) to collect those posts as a book.
I also thank you for your interesting posts.
I look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks again Sayar.