HlaMin

Category: Sports

  • Olympics

    Olympics

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Nov 2025

    Origins

    Modern Olympics was a revival of the ancient games held every four years at Olympia.

    The four year interval is called an Olympiad. The ancient Greeks use Olympiad instead of years when describing dates.

    Pierre de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.

    IOC selects a city or cities to hold the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The two Olympics are interlaced.

    Drama in the Olympics

    Summer Olympics has its share of drama.

    The 1936 Summer Olympics was held in Berlin and was attended by Adolf Hitler (who promoted the supremacy of the Aryan race). Jesse Owens, a black athlete from the USA, won four Gold medals : 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay, and Long Jump.

    The drama supposedly occurred in the Long Jump event. Jesse Owens was having some problems in the Long Jump when the German competitor Lang advised him to leave about six inches gap behind the broad to prevent overstepping and getting disqualified. Jesse took the advice, regained his poise and went on to win the Long Jump Gold. (One article stated that Jessie Owens later retracted his story.)

    1972 Olympics in Munich saw both good and bad.

    Mark Spitz (USA) won seven Gold medals in swimming : 100m & 200m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Butterfly, 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, 4 x 200m Freestyle relay, and 4 x 100 Medley relay. He saved energy by not competing in the trials for selected relay events.

    Olga Kolburt (USSR) was awarded a couple of Perfect Ten in Gymnastics.

    Eleven Israeli athletes were kidnapped (shown live on TV) and murdered by Black September. Mossad took several years to track down and decimate Black September.

    USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow.

    USSR retaliated with a boycott of the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles.

    Highlights from Summer Olympics

    • 1896 Athens (Inaugural Olympics)
    • 1900 Paris (first time)
    • 1904 St. Louis
    • 1908 London (first time)
    • 1912 Stockholm
    • 1916 (Cancelled due to WWI)
    • 1924 Paris (second time)
    • 1928 Amsterdam
    • 1932 Los Angeles (first time)
    • 1936 Berlin (attended by Adolph Hitler)
    • 1940 (Cancelled due to WWII)
    • 1944 (Cancelled due to WWII)
    • 1948 London (second time)
    • 1952 Helsinki (e.g. Flying Finn in Track and Field)
    • 1956 Melbourne (e.g. Dawn Fraser, female Swimmer)
    • 1960 Rome (e.g. Abibi Bikila, barefoot Marathoner)
    • 1964 Tokyo (e.g. Japanese female Volleyball)
    • 1968 Mexico City (e.g. Long Jump Leap by Bob Beamon)
    • 1972 Munich (e.g. Mark Sptiz, swimmer; Black September)
    • 1976 Montreal (e.g. Nadia Comancie, gymnast)
    • 1980 Moscow (Boycott by USA)
    • 1984 Los Angeles (second time; Boycott by USSR)
    • 1988 Seoul (e.g. Carl Lewis, sprinter and long jumper)
    • 1992 Barcelona (e.g. USA Dream Team for Basketball)
    • 1996 Atlanta (e.g. USA, most medals)
    • 2000 Sydney (e.g. held in September rather than June or July)
    • 2004 Athens (second time)
    • 2008 Beijing (e.g. Michael Phelps, swimmer)
    • 2012 London (third time)
    • 2016 Rio De Janerio (first Olympics held in South America)
    • 2020 Tokyo (Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic)

    Olympians

    Jesse Owens : Four Golds in 1936 Berlin Olympics (for Track and Field)
    Later equaled by Carl Lewis

    Mark Spitz : Seven Gold Medals in 1972 Munich Olympics (for Swimming)
    Michael Phelps later won Eight Gold Medals

    Some Olympians went on to have illustrious careers.

    Johnny Weissmuller, swimming champion, gained fame as Tarzan in the movies.

    Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, went on to become Mohammad Ali, three time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

    Media Coverage

    During my SPHS days, there was no television in Burma. I received a ticket from Brother Austin as a prize to see the “1960 Rome Olympics” documentary at Thamada (President) cinema.

    I was in the UK and was fortunate to see the 1972 Munich Olympics on a Color television.

  • Rowing — 3

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Sept 2025

    RUBC Captains

    Captains of RUBC (1925 – 1965)

    • Group photo of Past Captains was taken in the early 1960s.
    • Several had passed away at that time. They are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
    • Some have moved overseas.
    • U Tin U was the most senior among the Past Captains. He passed away on August 19, 2025 (a few weeks after his 96th birthday).
    • U Maung Maung Than Tun was the oldest among the Past Captains. He was older than U Tin U by a few months. Both are now GBNF.

    U Ba Tun (1925) was the first Captain of RUBC

    Commodore Than Pe (1927, 1928, 1930, Second President, succeeded Sir Arthur Eggar) : Defense Boat Club, Burma Rowing Federation, Vice Chief of Staff, Revolutionary Council, Minister of Health and Education, Bust)

    U Oo Toke (1931)

    U Tha Htin (1932) is an uncle of Dr. Tin Wa and Ko Frankie Ohn.

    U Tun Thoung (1933, Third President in 1962) : sons — Maurice (Gold in 1961), Dennis (Green), Winston (Gold in 1962), Freddie (Green, basketball, swimming, track and field)

    U Zaw Win (1934)

    U Aye Maung (1935)

    U Sein Tun (1936)

    U / Ko Thaw (1937)

    G. I. Ba Tun (1938)

    U Kin Maung Bo (1939) was the first native Chief of Burmese Navy

    C H Chan (U Thet Toe, 1940) and nephews — U Tin U (1948), Dr. Myo Tint (1955), U Tin Htoon(1959), U Sein Htoon, (1962), U Thaung Lwin (1963) — are Past Captains in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The younger generation includes Phone Win and Zeyar Linn.

    U Kyaw Thant (1941)

    Club was inactive from 1942 to 1946, The Club house was ravaged in the World War. It was rebuilt with the help of Old Members.

    U Kyaw Thein (1947, Civil Aviation)

    U Tin U (1948, a Captain of RGC, most senior among the Past Captains until his demise on Aug 19, 2025)

    U Kin Maung Nwe (1949)

    Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick San Pe, 1950, Pediatric Surgeon, Canada) : older brother of H.E Dr. Pe Thein (Tom San Pe)

    William Ohn Pe (1951)

    U Chan Tha (1952, Soccer star, USA)

    Bohmu Maung Maung Than Tun (1953, RUBC, Defense Rowing, Burma Rowing Federation), He has two sons. Hla Maw Tun is Past Secretary and Gold. Aung Khine is Past Captain and Gold

    U Ko Ko Lay (1954)

    Dr. Myo Tint (1955, Third in Burma in Matriculation, younger brother of U Tin U, succumbed to Covid)

    U Tin Htut (1956, won Senior Novices as Rower and Cox, USA) : brothers U Mya Maung (elder) and Dr. Than Toe

    Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, 1957, ARAE Champion in 1959 and 1960, Multiple Sports Athlete, Pediatric Surgeon, Hong Kong, GBNF) : brother Victor Saing (Aye Kyaw)

    Dr. Than Nyun (George, 1958, President of OMA)

    U Tin Htoon (1959, ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960, USA, 40th and 90th Anniversary Issues, younger bother of U Tin U)

    U Han Tin (1960, Australia, GBNF) : father Sithu U Tin (4th President in 1963, 40th Anniversary Issue)

    Dr. Tin Wa (1961, USA) : U Tin Ohn (father, early member) and younger brother Dr. Frankie Ohn

    U Sein Htoon (1962, ARAE Champion, Burma Rowing Federation) : Zeyar Linn (son) is Past Captain and Gold

    U Thaung Lwin (1963, Singapore ) : youngest brother of U Tin U

    U Myo Tin (William Hone, 1964) : joined Air Force

    U Zaw Lin (1965) : joined Army

    Higher authorities ignored the Bye Laws from the mid 1960s.
    I was the last Democratically Elected Executive Committee Member.

    U San Maung (Gerald Sein, GBNF)

    He is Past Secretary and Gold.

    Ko Tin Myint (son of Arzani U Razak) remembered the AGM (Annual General Meeting) where they voted for Ko Gerald for Secretary.

    In the Rag Regatta, Ko Gerald rowed as Bow for the EC crew which has three ECs who usually rowed on the Stroke side.

    He was an excellent Sculler.

    He served as RUBC coach. He would emphasis on practicing with “Fixed Tub”.

    He was Shooting / Production Manager for Ah Myo Tha Yoke Shin (managed by U Sein Tin and U Mya Maung) and affiliated movie companies. We met Ko Gerald and his team in Ngapali where they were shooting a movie with War War Win Shwe. He asked if I would like to join them on the “road trip” via Taung Goke back home. The trip was tough but memorable. At Taung Goke, our host (movie theater owner) offered free admission to young people who could translate the movie titles into English. A winning entry was “Fly away bitter bird” for “Pyan Lay Dei Nghet Khar”.

    Ko Gerald is GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten). His younger brother is Ko Hardy (Yan Shin, Cox).

  • Rowing — 2

    Rowing — 2

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Sept 2025

    RUBC 90th Anniversary

    Novices

    Members join RUBC as Novices. The two top teams compete in the Senior Novices event. The losing semi-finalists compete in the Junior Novices event.

    The Senior Novices winners were awarded the Pewter Cup donated by Sir Arthur Eggar (Founder and Life President of RUBC). They also receive RUBC Brooch and are among the top contenders to receive Color Awards.

    Color Awards

    The Color Awards Committee review the the Log Books and the performance at the regattas to award colors.

    • Half Green
    • Full Green
    • Gold

    Gold is awarded to members for representing RUBC (e.g. in Inter-Club events)

    Only a few became Gold within one year.

    Two examples :

    1954 : Ko Tun Shein (Willie Saing) won the Senior Novices as Timing Stroke. He became Gold.

    1957 : Ko Tun Zan became Gold.

    Early System

    Depending on the time and resources, novices may have to wait for some time before they have access to Shell Fours.

    • Novice
      Start with Fixed Tub
      Row Tub Pairs and Tub Fours
      Row Clinker / Shell
    • Half Green
      Can cox
      Row Pairs, Fours, Eights
    • Full Green
      Can cox
      Row Sculls, Pairs, Fours, Eights
    • Gold
      RUBC Blazer Coat with Gold lining

    Rangoon University Sports Council

    For some period, the RU Sports Council also offered RUBC members

    • Varsity Half Blue
    • Varsity Blue
    • Varsity Gold
  • Rowing — 1

    Rowing — 1

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Sept 2025

    Sir Arthur Eggar

    Swimming (after Rowing)

    Most members enjoy swimming in the Inya Lake after they had finished rowing.

    A few members do not know how to swim, but they are confident that the eights and fours will not capsize even if someone “catches a crab”. There were a few instances where the scull and the pairs tripped over, but the non-swimmers felt safe and sound by clinging to the boat.

    At one time, Burmese Laungs were loaned by RUBC. They are liable to flip over more than the RUBC boats.

    There were two boatmen. U Par Oo was the senior. He and his son Tin Aung sold Than Pa Ya Yay. Ko Mya Hlaing was the junior. He sold Bu Thee Kyaw. They had to maintain the Tub Pairs and Tub Fours, and make patches to the boats and oars.

    Before our days, there were many boats that were imported and not so many active members.

    Later, due to restrictions for foreign exchange and the increase in active members, some local boats were used for training the novices.

    Zeyar Linn added :

    Our times 1992-2002, Swimming was prohibited but nowadays it is part of training sessions.

  • RIT — Table Tennis

    RIT — Table Tennis

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Saya Mao
    U Win Myint & Stan Liou

    Inter-Institute Champions

    Team Coach

    Saya Mao Toon Siong (M62)

    • Represented Burma in International Competitions
      (SEAP, Asian Games and World Championship)
    • Retired Burma National Coach

    Players

    • U Maung Maung – C67
      (aka Chin Kaung Hook – extremely good in Chess)
    • U Win Myint – E67 (aka Hin Lok Kung)
      Retired engineer, San Francisco Bay Area
    • Stan Liou – M67
      Former Chair, Board of Directors, NorCal RITAA
    • U Myat Lwin – Ch67 (GBNF)
  • Olympics

    Olympics

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Origins

    Modern Olympics was a revival of the ancient games held every four years at Olympia.

    The four year interval is called an Olympiad. The ancient Greeks use Olympiad instead of years when describing dates.

    Pierre de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.

    IOC selects a city or cities to hold the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The two Olympics are interlaced.

    Drama in the Olympics

    Summer Olympics has its share of drama.

    The 1936 Summer Olympics was held in Berlin and was attended by Adolf Hitler (who promoted the supremacy of the Aryan race). Jesse Owens, a black athlete from the USA, won four Gold medals : 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay, and Long Jump.

    The drama supposedly occurred in the Long Jump event. Jesse Owens was having some problems in the Long Jump when the German competitor Lang advised him to leave about six inches gap behind the broad to prevent overstepping and getting disqualified. Jesse took the advice, regained his poise and went on to win the Long Jump Gold. (One article stated that Jessie Owens later retracted his story.)

    1972 Olympics in Munich saw both good and bad.

    Mark Spitz (USA) won seven Gold medals in swimming : 100m & 200m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Butterfly, 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, 4 x 200m Freestyle relay, and 4 x 100 Medley relay. He saved energy by not competing in the trials for selected relay events.

    Olga Kolburt (USSR) was awarded a couple of Perfect Ten in Gymnastics.

    Eleven Israeli athletes were kidnapped (shown live on TV) and murdered by Black September. Mossad took several years to track down and decimate Black September.

    USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow.

    USSR retaliated with a boycott of the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles.

    Highlights from Summer Olympics

    • 1896 Athens (Inaugural Olympics)
    • 1900 Paris (first time)
    • 1904 St. Louis
    • 1908 London (first time)
    • 1912 Stockholm
    • 1916 (Cancelled due to WWI)
    • 1924 Paris (second time)
    • 1928 Amsterdam
    • 1932 Los Angeles (first time)
    • 1936 Berlin (attended by Adolph Hitler)
    • 1940 (Cancelled due to WWII)
    • 1944 (Cancelled due to WWII)
    • 1948 London (second time)
    • 1952 Helsinki (e.g. Flying Finn in Track and Field)
    • 1956 Melbourne (e.g. Dawn Fraser, female Swimmer)
    • 1960 Rome (e.g. Abibi Bikila, barefoot Marathoner)
    • 1964 Tokyo (e.g. Japanese female Volleyball)
    • 1968 Mexico City (e.g. Long Jump Leap by Bob Beamon)
    • 1972 Munich (e.g. Mark Sptiz, swimmer; Black September)
    • 1976 Montreal (e.g. Nadia Comancie, gymnast)
    • 1980 Moscow (Boycott by USA)
    • 1984 Los Angeles (second time; Boycott by USSR)
    • 1988 Seoul (e.g. Carl Lewis, sprinter and long jumper)
    • 1992 Barcelona (e.g. USA Dream Team for Basketball)
    • 1996 Atlanta (e.g. USA, most medals)
    • 2000 Sydney (e.g. held in September rather than June or July)
    • 2004 Athens (second time)
    • 2008 Beijing (e.g. Michael Phelps, swimmer)
    • 2012 London (third time)
    • 2016 Rio De Janerio (first Olympics held in South America)
    • 2020 Tokyo (Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic)

    Olympians

    Jesse Owens : Four Golds in 1936 Berlin Olympics (for Track and Field)
    Later equaled by Carl Lewis

    Mark Spitz : Seven Gold Medals in 1972 Munich Olympics (for Swimming)
    Michael Phelps later won Eight Gold Medals

    Some Olympians went on to have illustrious careers.

    Johnny Weissmuller, swimming champion, gained fame as Tarzan in the movies.

    Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, went on to become Mohammad Ali, three time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

    Media Coverage

    During my SPHS days, there was no television in Burma. I received a ticket from Brother Austin as a prize to see the “1960 Rome Olympics” documentary at Thamada (President) cinema.

    I was in the UK and was fortunate to see the 1972 Munich Olympics on a Color television.

  • Prome Hall Football Team

    Prome Hall Football Team

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Feedback by U Aye (M62) & Dr. Richard Yu Khin (MEHS61)

    Prome Hall Soccer
    • For two successive years, the Prome Hall Football Team won the Championship at Rangoon University.
    • U Chan Tha (Class of 53) was Captain of the team. He is a Past Captain and Gold of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club).
    • Saya U Tin Swe (EE, Class of 53) was also a star player. Retired as Lecturer, EE Department, RIT.
    • Two athletic brothers (U Khin Si and U Tin Si) were members of the Champion team. They also were Tennis Doubles Champions at Rangoon University and at the National level.
    • The photo was scanned from a RUESU Annual Magazine by Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) for the “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”. Saya U Ba Than (M) and Saya U Thaw Kaung (retired Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library) were proud supporters and enablers for the project.

    U Aye (M62) wrote :

    In the photo of Prome Hall football team,

    • Extreme left standing- Jimmy Sein (U Tint Swe, C55, GBNF) Dy. DG of Vocational and Technical Schools. He was from St. Patrick’s HS, Mawlamyine.
    • Sitting extreme left- U Taik Ain (C54, GBNF), SE at PWD(CC), from Mudon.
      He was also a RU tennis champion.
      He passed away recently in 2020.
    • S. Mahindar (C52), Standing back row center, goalkeeper was from Moulmein. SE, PWD ( Retired).
      His younger brother B. Singh, was RU and Tennessarim division selected goalkeeper. B. Singh was my classmate at St. Patrick’s HS, Moulmein.
    • U Win Kyu (C52), SE, PWD (Retired). Sitting second from right.
      He was from Taunggyi.
    • U Thaung, (C55), SE, PWD ( Retired). Sitting extreme left,
      He was from Taunggyi.

    Dr. Richard Yu Khin (MEHS61) wrote :

    • My father [U Yu Khin] was Warden of Prome Hall in 1946-1947 and their football team (green shirts) became my favorite.
      
    • In 1946, former President of Burma Peter Wun [U Htin Kyaw] was delivered by my mother [Dr. Daw Phay] at Prome Hall at our residence.
      Mrs. Wun and my mother were classmates at ABM (American Baptist Mission) High School in Mandalay.
      
    • The residences on Pagan Road was reserved for British in pre-war Burma.
      A few months before Independence on January 4, 1948, these residences became available to Burmese. U Wun (Minthuwun) had the residence in front of us which had the same floor plan.
      Dr. Maung Maung Kha‘s residence had the same floor plan as U Thein Han (Zawgyi).
      All of these two storey residences are built on one acre lots.
  • Yu Khin

    Yu Khin

    by Hla Min

    Update : Aug 2025

    Dean U Yu Khin and RU Student Athletes

    Highlights

    • Dean
    • Chairman, Sports Promotion Committee
    • Former National Doubles Champion in Badminton
    • 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.
  • University Days (1963 – 69)

    University Days (1963 – 69)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)
    • 2500+ articles in my web site hlamin.com
    • Difficult to revise all articles
    • Events described here cover my journey as a University Student
    • Other events (e.g. 1946 to 1970s, Top Matriculates) are covered elsewhere

    1963

    • Took Matric Only exam in May
    • Most exams were held in March
    SPHS63
    Hla Min (7th Place)

    Collegiate Scholarship

    • Paulians had 5 in the Top Five, 7 in the Top Ten, and 10 in the Top Twenty
    • Khin Maung U (1st in Burma)
    • Min Oo (2nd)
    • Myo San (Freddie Ba San, 3rd, GBNF)
    • Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt, 4th)
    • Thein Wai (5th)
    • Hla Min (7th)
    • Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th)
    • Maung Maung Kyi (11th, GBNF)
    • Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, 13th, GBNF)
    • Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th)

    Leik Khone

    • Attended last ever I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone.
    • Following the “Anniversary of 7th July, 1962” events, most classes at Rangoon & Mandalay Universities were closed for an unspecified period.
    • Engineering & Medical Classes were spared at that time.
    • As a result, those who were a year senior in High School graduated 2.5 years ahead of us (Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems).

    RUBC

    • Joined Rangoon University Boat Club.
    • Paulian Crew was Runner-up for Senior Novices.
    • Maung Maung Kyi (Bow, GBNF)
    • Hla Min (2)
    • Kyaw Wynn (3)
    • Willie Soe Maung (Myint Soe, Stroke, GBNF)
    • Myint Thein (Cox, GBNF)
    • We were awarded Full Green.
    Maung Maung Kyi
    Kyaw Wynn (2nd from Left)

    40th Anniversary Gathering

    • President Sithu U Tin, VP U Po Zon & U Tin Htoon compiled Souvenir Magazine for the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC
    • Due to Security Concerns, the 40th Anniversary Annual Regatta was cancelled
    • Sithu U Tin & the Patrons decided to hold the “40th Anniversary Dinner of the founding of RUBC” at Orient Hotel in Kandawgyi
    RUBC 40th Anniversary

    Burma Institute of Technology

    • My elder brother and several sayas graduated from BIT in 1963.
    • They were from the second batch of BIT.
    • The degree conferred was B.Sc. (Engg).

    1964

    Education System

    • New Education System was implemented in November 1964.
    • Most Faculties of the Rangoon University became Institutes with their own Rectors.
    • Youth Affairs Department implemented Luyechun (လူရည်ချွန်) Program in the Summer of 1964. Eligible students from 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Standards were chosen to attend Ngapali Shwe Wah Gyaing Camp in the Summer of 1964.

    Rangoon Institute of Technology

    RIT Student

    In November 1964, three batches of students entered RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology).

    • 400+ were admitted to the first ever 1st BE using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA). Zaw Min was admitted as Roll Number One. Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Cho Aye (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) & Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, GBNF) were among the top students.
    • 300+ who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(A) exam were chosen by merit to attend the first ever 2nd BE. I was admitted as Roll Number One. Taing Oke, Kenny Wong, Tun Aung Gyaw, Tin Tun (GBNF) & Thein Swe (GBNF) were among the top students.
    • About 200 students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) exam were admitted to the 3rd BE. Tun Aung (Jeffrey, GBNF) was a top student.

    RUBC

    • Elected Honorary Treasurer
    • Had to report to Professor William Paw (President)
    • Last Executive Committee member to be elected at the Annual General Meeting
    • Served as Vice Captain the following year
    • Higher authorities prevented me from becoming RUBC Captain by discarding the Bye Laws and using their ad-hoc rules (e.g. selecting instead of electing Captain)
    • My affection for Rowing & RUBC did not wither. I served as Contributing Editor for the RUBC 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine in 2013
    RUBC Souvenir Magazine

    Matriculation

    • Cherry Hlaing (Than Than Tin, St. John’s Convent) and Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) had Joint Highest Marks.
    • Based on ILA, Cherry was admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1). Was selected Luyechun in summer of 1965. Grandfather U Hoke Sein & father U Saw Hlaing were First in Burma.
    • Lyn Aung Thet had four distinctions and joint Highest Marks. He had lower ILA than Cherry. Scholar Athlete who excelled in Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis & Chess. Was Luyechun in a later year.
    • Aung Win Chiong (SPHS64) has the next best raw score. Had perfect ILA score. Admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number One.
    • Maurice Hla Kyi (Min Lwin, SPHS64) had the 5th highest marks. Admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number Two.
    Maurice & Aung Win

    1965 – 1969

    Matriculation in 1965

    • Bernard Khaw (SPHS65) had four distinctions (with 80+ marks in English) and stood First in Burma. Due to the revised policy (e.g. 3 NRC requirement), he could not apply for professional courses.
      Majored in Chemistry before moving to USA. Retired as a Chemical Engineer & Pastor.
    Bernard (Center)
    • Maung Aye (SPHS65) had second best raw marks. He and his twin brother moved to USA
    • Winston Sein Maung (SPHS65, GBNF) had third best raw marks
    • Cherry Than Tin had fourth best raw marks. She was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (2)
    • Yi Thwe (SPHS65, GBNF) had 5th best raw marks. Admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (1)
    • Paing Soe (Freddie, SPHS65) had same marks as Yi Thwe.
      Admitted as Roll No (2) to MC (1)
    • Forty four Paulians were admitted to MC in 1965. They are from the Last Batch of True Paulians.

    Nationalization

    Consequences of Coup d’etat include

    • End of Democracy
    • Nationalization of industry & schools
    • Indiscriminate demonetization
    • Increased censorship
    • With every turmoil (effecting “National Security”), the universities, institutes and schools were suspended.

    SPHS

    • The schools were nationalized on April 1, 1965.
    • St. Paul’s High School became No. (6) Botathaung State High School. Some Brothers left Burma. A few indigenous Brothers remained in Ady Road. Brother Joseph was ordained as Father Joseph.

    Luyechun

    • Program was extended to include Universitites & Institutes in Summer of 1965
    • I attended Inlay Khaung Daing Lu Ye Camp in the summer of 1965 along with Ko Sein Shwe, Khin Than Myint Tin and Zaw Min
    LYC 1
    LYC 2
    • MC(1) sent Cherry Hlaing, Khin Maung U, Anita Aye Pe and Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF).

    RIT

    Eight engineering departments

    • Architecture
    • Chemical
    • Civil
    • Electrical
    • Mechanical
    • Metallurgical
    • Mining
    • Textile

    Most departments have associations. The RIT Mechanical Engineering Association was active. Ko Win Thein (M67, GBNF) was a Prime Mover. He co-founded Set Hmu Thadinzin & Mechanical Magazine. He organized activities.

    RIT Sports Council was headed by Saya U Maung Maung Than (GBNF). U Maung Maung (Burma Selected in soccer) was Sports Officer. The associations for the various sports were headed by sayas.

    Several RIT students were Burma Selected. They include Sai Kham Pan (Badminton) and Htay Aung (Water Polo).

    Htay Aung

    Saya Mao Toon Siong (former Burma Champion) was National Coach for Table Tennis. He also coached RIT team which won the Inter-Institute Championship.

    Saya Mao

    Electrical Sayas

    EE Sayas
    • Electrical Engineering was headed by Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor & Head).
    • Senior sayas included U Kyaw Tun (saya of our sayas), U Tin Swe & U Sein Win. All are now GBNF.
    • There were about 20 sayas. Five were on deputation for further studies abroad.
    • I wrote “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” for SPZP-2010. Sayas U Thein Lwin and U Nyi Nyi have since passed away.

    EC and EP

    There were two options : EC (Electrical Communications) and EP (Electrical Power). Per advice from the industry, only a quarter of students were accepted for EC.

    • 80+ EE students in 3rd BE.
    • 40+ EE students graduated in 1969
    EE69ers
    • EP students outnumbered EC students 3 by 1. Several bright students played safe by choosing EP (which provided a job guarantee).
    • We studied EC (Electrical Communications). Twelve of us graduated in 1969.
    • Five EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Aung Thu Yein, Chit Tin, Oo Kyaw Hla & Sai Aik Yee — are now GBNF.
    • Several years later, EC became Electronics Engineering.
    • A few decades later, Electronics Engineering and Electrical Power became full-fledged departments.

    Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :

    AFAIK, EC was the hardest and strictest discipline at the RIT in those days as we’ve been told. Some even asked us why we had to go there. Of course, I am not going to mention the easiest discipline there, but we joked like, “they had 109 students and 110 passed the exam”. I do not mean any disrespect to Sayas and friends from other majors!! At times, it made us wonder why were we there for god’s sake. CRAZY TIMES!!! Indeed.

    Volunteer

    I served as

    • Treasurer & Vice Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
    • Class Representative, Joint Secretary & Secretary of RITEE (Rangoon Institute of Technology Electrical Engineering Association)
    • Member of Committee for “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung”
    • Editor of the Bulletin published by RIT English Association
    • Member of UTC, Rowing, Scrabble, and Chess Assocations / Clubs
    • Free lance writer (articles, poems, translations). My poem “Men on the Moon” was sent to NASA by USIS, and it was published in the Guardian newspaper in July 1969
    Men on the Moon

    Updates

    • Some joined the Faculty. Some worked in the Industry. A few worked for private or family business. Some moved overseas.
    • Danny suggested to have a Class Reunion. It was realized as 30th Anniversary of Graduation & Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe in 1999.
    • I started “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in April 1999. It partially helped to have SPZP-2000.
    SPZP-2000 Orgsnizers
    • 69er Health Care Fund was established. Ko Aung Min is current Chair. He and his team maintain the finances & activities.
    GBNF List
    • 69ers hold monthly Breakfast Gatherings (except during the pandemic). They have major Reunions in 1999, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
    40th Anniversary (2009)
    Golden Jubilee of Admission (2014)
    50th Anniversary (2019)

    Awards

    • Received Alumni Appreciation Awards in October 2000, August 2016 and September 2016.
    • Received Distinguished Toastmaster in 2017
    Award 1
    Award 2
    DTM 1
    DTM 2
  • RUBC Magazines

    RUBC Magazines

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    RUBC

    Sir Arthur Eggar

    Rangoon University Boat Club was founded by Law Professor Sir Arthur Eggar in 1923.

    He provided a third of the salary for the operation of RUBC.

    1963

    I joined RUBC in 1963 along with my SPHS classmates : Maung Maung Kyi, Kyaw Wynn and Willie Soe Maung (Myint Soe).

    For security reasons, the Annual Regatta for the 40th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC was cancelled.

    Sithu U Tin, President of RUBC, gave the go-ahead to celebrate the 40th Anniversary with a dinner gathering at a hotel in Kandawgyi.

    Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon & U Tin Htoon compiled the Souvenir Issue for the 40th Anniversary.

    2013

    Magazine
    Committee

    I served as a Contributing Editor of the Souvenir Issue for the 90th Anniversary of RUBC.

    U Tin Htoon (Chair), U Myo Myint (Vice-Chair), U Htaik San (Henry Kao, Secretary) and the members are shown in the Group Photo.

    I wrote Preludes for the sections, and three articles.