His name literally means “remain on a [fishing] net”.
Grapevine says that Saya’s mother had a few miscarriages.
When Saya was conceived, his mother wanted to make sure that the child would be born safe and sound.
She performed a “Yadaya” ယတြာ (or ritual) requiring someone close to her hold a “net” ပိုက်and “catch” ဖမ်းthe baby (in her imagination).
He received his Ph.D from Monash University, Australia. The dissertation is based on Stochastic Processes (and related topics).
For many years, he served as Reviewer for research papers.
I had the opportunity to audit his course on “Linear Programming” course and learn his teaching style.
I also worked with him and others from the various Mathematics Departments (e.g U Tin Hlaing, U Sein Min, U Soe Nyunt) on the “new” High School Mathematics Project.
ICST
UCC evolved into DCS (Department of Computer Science), ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Tehcnology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon).
Saya Dr. Tin Maung was the inaugural Rector of ICST. His successors include Dr. Kyaw Thein and Dr. Pyke Tin.
The photo was taken at the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST and UCSY.
She wanted Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe) to be a Yahan (temporary monk) at a monastery in Sagaing Hills.
Some monastery compounds are named after the towns in Irrawaddy Delta.
Ko Myint Oo and I offered to be temporary monks with Saya Chit.
Ordination
There are two phases to become a monk :
(a) Novitiation (ရှင်ပြု Shin Pyu) or “Lower Ordination” to become a “Ko Yin” (ကိုရင် novice)
(b) “Thane Wyn” or “Higher Ordination” in a Sima (သိမ် Thane) to become an Upazin ဥပဇင်း
At least five monks are needed to conduct the “Higher Ordination”.
In Yangon, the ceremony takes 15 – 30 minutes.
The final part is an Exhortation by the Preceptor. As Mentor to the newly ordained monk, the Preceptor shares his knowledge and gives advice.
When the Preceptor learned that Saya Chit is a renowned Professor and the Founder/Director of UCC, he gave “extra” attention by exhorting for “close to three hours”. Sayadaw enjoyed illuminating Saya Chit.
Since I could barely squat, I was “offered” a pillow to rest my knees and I was allowed to “kneel down” on the pillow.
Tourist Guide for a day
After a week of monkhood, we returned to our lay life sans (without) our hair.
Ko Myint Oo is a social animal. He knew two Guides from “Tourist Burma”. At least one of them was new. They had a reasonably tough assignment. They had to guide an American student (in his senior year at a New York University) trying to write a first-hand report about the Buddhist artifacts in Mandalay and Sagaing.
The Guides requested help from Ko Myint Oo. Ko Myint Oo shunted and in a moment I became a volunteer tourist guide explaining (to the best of my knowledge) Buddhism & rites and rituals.
His first nickname at the Institute of Economics was “Bo Gyoke ဗိုဘ်ချုပ်” because he had his hair cut like Bogyoke Aung San.
He would get involved in lots of activities thereby earning a second nickname “Bo Shoke” (ဗိုလ်ရှုပ်One who gets his hands wet in things that are of no concern to him).
Brilliant and talented student
He would explain the formal lectures to his fellow students. The turn out to his “free tuition” was larger than that at the regular classes given by the sayas.
Institute of Economics to UCC
Joined Commerce Department at the Institute of Economics as Tutor.
When UCC was formed, it needed people with diverse skills. U Mya Thein and U Thein Oo transferred to UCC. They became Business Application Programmer / Analyst. They went for further studies in the United Kingdom.
Business Applications Manager
U Myo Min was the first Business Applications Manager.
I succeeded Saya Myo.
U Mya Thein succeeded me.
Brilliant and Outspoken
Had a vast array of General Knowledge.
Read books on Religion, Medicine, and Engineering.
Taught at UCC and IE
Lectured at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University.
He was outspoken. During a visit to UCC, the ministers and deputy ministers were standing and waiting for U San Yu. He entered the room and shouted, “Sit down”. All complied. What a surprise!
Like Father, Like Son
One day his father came to UCC carrying a bunch of bananas. He asked U Tun Kywe, an army veteran serving as security, the office of Saya U Myo Min.
When he found out Saya was not much older than Bo Shoke, he went downstairs and then gave the bananas to U Tun Kywe.
Like father, like son.
Controller
It seemed like sayas and colleagues could not control him.
Finally, someone appeared. His sister-in-law was capable of controlling him.
U Soe Paing, U Win Paing (U Wara), Dr. Myo Paing, U Kyaw Paing
Family
Parents : ICS U Paing & Daw Oo Yin
Siblings : Dr. Myo Paing, U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, GBNF), U Kyaw Paing
Spouse : Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69)
U & Mrs. Soe Paing
Children : Two sons & One daughter
Grandchildren : 3
Education & Work
He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in Burma and won the Collegiate Scholarship.
At the Convocation of 1958, he won two Gold Medals — one for the Highest Total Marks in I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B); and another for Joint Highest Marks in Mathematics for I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
He received a States Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
He joined the RIT Electrical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
RIT EE
He helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe found Universities’ Computer Center. He transferred to UCC as Systems Manager in charge of Systems Division. He later also managed the Operations Division.
He received M.Sc.(Computer Science) from Southampton University in UK.
He worked for UNDP Projects in several countries.
Mentor
He was my mentor at RIT and UCC. He allowed U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and me to co-author Texts, User Guides and Manuals for use at UCC.
HMEE
He was an early supporter of the HMEE project. He prepared a draft for the HMEE book and handed it to Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF) & team. He and U Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 of the HMEE Book and summarized Section 2 of the book.
Posts
Post from March 2011
I went to the University Central Library and managed to get scanned photos from the Engg Student Annual Magazines 51-52, 52-53, 56-57 and 60-61. Photos include photos of Sayas, students of that year. From these when can know about the Sayas at that year. We can also identify the students at that year.
U Sein Hlaing (Prof EE) was a final year student in 1951-52 and became an A/L starting 1952-53. Saya U Tin Swe was a student in 1951-52 and 52-53. He was a member of the Eng Student Union and the victorious Prome Hall football team. Ex-Burma Selected Footballer U Chan Tha (Chief Engineer, Roads, Rangoon Municipal) was the Captain. U Khin Si (husband of RIT Finance Officer Daw Yin Yin Htway and part time lecturer Textile) and U Tin Si (U Khin Si’s brother and tennis doubles partnership that won RU as well as national championships) were members of the Prome hall team.
The 1956-57 magazine contains photos when the new Leik Khone Engineering Buildings were inaugurated in 1956 Nov by the Prime Minister at that time U Ba Swe.
In the 1952-53 magazine I found out that Mr. Robert Hole (ex-EE, Highways, PWD, PWC, CC; uncle of Percy Maung Maung and uncle Bobby to me) was the English editor. I called Uncle Bobby and requested him to write something about his engineering student days, his teachers and fellow students. He agreed and asked for about three weeks time.
I need to go back and to the UCL to get more info from the RIT handbook 1966-67 and photos from the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung.
U Ba Than has donated some of his Engineering College photos to the MES library and I need to go there to check up on the photos.
Post from May 2000
The mention of RIT, BIT, and BOC college in the first newsletter bring back memories of our good old days in Rangoon University. Although we did not graduate from Rangoon University, we had a really great two and a half years there before we went for studies aroad under government scholarship.
Our first year 1956-1957 was in Yankin College. Yankin was a campus of RU for first year science students. It is now Yankin State High School No. XX? Hteedan was for the 1st year arts students. Our second year I.Sc. was at the RU campus itself which we refer to as Main. The Arts students have classes at Judson. That time the new Social Science Building (now Institute of Economics) was completed. We had our second year ISc exams in that new building.
Then it is our 1st year B.Sc. Engineering course at the new Faculty of Engineering in Prome Road (now Institute of Medicine I). We attended for six months till December 1958. That campus was designed and built especially for the Faculty of Engineering. Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Departments were there but Chemical, Textile, etc. were in the old BOC building at the back.
The 1st year classes were from 7 to 9 a.m. for Mathematics. We then have a one hour break and we start the engineering courses at 10 a.m. We usually have a snack during the break at a small cafe between Tagaung and Prome Halls. Those halls were only for engineering students then. The mathematics (Pure & Applied) lecturers were from India hired under contract. We had three engineering courses: Building Materials taught by Mr. Tan Ba Hli (the Dean of Engineering himself). Heat Engines taught by U Aung Khin. Principles of Electrical Engineering taught by U Kyaw Tun. We had EE lab with Ko Htin Paw and Ko Ba Nyunt as lab instructors. We also had engineering drawing with Ko San Hla Aung and Allen Htay (for Chem, Tex, etc.) as instructors.
Those were the days when Rangoon University was one of the best universities in SE Asia and Asia. It also had a really nice campus.
RIT Saya Soccer Team
Reading about the communications from Richard Khoo (Dr. Aung Soe, C61) and seeing the list of Sayas in the 1966-67 handbook brings back memories of our soccer team.
As I remember it was from 1964 to 1968 or 1969. We played against (i) the senior students of different majors Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc. (ii) the sayas at GTI and Natmauk Technical Institute (iii) the Burma Air Force officers.
We also played in the annual tournament for RIT Staff. The staff teams are the Sayas, Workshop staff, Lab staff, Hostel staff and the youth team from the RIT compound.
As I remember (other Sayas & graduates may correct me) these were the people in the team.
Goalkeepers :
Richard Khoo (Civil)
Maurice Kyaw Zaw (Chemistry),
Sein Myint/Ah Sein (Petroleum)
Defenders :
Ko Maung Maung Than (Textile)
Ko Aung Soe (Math)
Ko Aung Hla Tun (Met)
Ko Sann Tint (Elect)
Christopher Maung (Civil)
U Tin Swe (Elect)
Ko Tin Win (Mech)
Midfielders :
Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri)
Desmond Rogers (English)
Ko Khine Oo (Elect)
Ko Maung Maung Win (Mech)
Ko Tin Hlaing II (Mech)
Forwards :
Ko Pike Htwe (Chemistry)
Ko Aung (Math)
Ko Tin Hlaing I (Agri)
Ko Soe Min (Elect)
Ko Kyin Soe (Auto)
myself (Elect)
We rarely practiced but we enjoyed playing the games. We split games with the GTI sayas & the Air Force officers. We beat the Natmauk sayas and we won more than we lost in the RIT staff tournament. But I am sure we lost more than we won against the final year students. Would appreciate comments on this; especially on the names I missed in the team.
Qualification: BS (Stanford), MS (Stanford), MSc. Computer Science (Southampton)
Department: Electrical Communications Position: Assistant Lecturer, (Jan 1964 to March 1971) Reason for Leaving: Joined Universities’ Computer Center in April 1971.
Engineering Alumni: Attended First Year Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University from June to December, 1958. Reason for Leaving: Awarded State Scholarship to study in USA.
Occupation: Data Processing Adviser (Retired)
Organization: United Nations
Updates
Saya was my mentor at RIT and UCC.
He offered me and Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC, GBNF) to be his co-authors. We wrote programming texts, manuals and guides.
Saya was a prime mover to get the “RIT Alumni International Newsletters” and http://www-ex-rit.org started.
Saya would mention that I am a “Shay Hmi; Nauk Hmi. ရှေ့မှီ၊ နောက်မှီ”
Sayagadaw added: “Bay Hmi ဘေးမှီ as well’.
Saya wrote articles for the RIT Newsletter and selected journals & magazines. They can be accessed via SCRIB-D
He also gave an interview for MASTAA
UCC Gathering at Saya’s House
SP 2
Lovely Couple
SP 3
Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe
SP 4
RIT alumni in Singapore
With U Tu Myint, Daniel Tint Lwin, James Than With U Tint Swe & Vilma Khaing
Visit to California
With Saya U Tin Mg Nyunt, U & Mrs. Hla MinWith U & Mrs. Tin Mg Nyunt
UCC Gathering at MICT Park
With UCC Alumni
Leaving for UN Assignment
At Mingalardon airport
ICST Pu Zaw Pwe
U Thein Oo, Dr. Pike Tin, Saya U Soe Paing, U Hla Min, Dr. Kyaw Thein
Ma Ma Mi (Daw Khin Khin Latt) is from Sagaing. She wanted Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe) to be a Yahan (temporary monk) at a monastery in Sagaing Hills. Some monastery compounds are named after the towns in Irrawaddy Delta.
Ko Myint Oo and I offered to be temporary monks with Saya Chit.
Ordination
There are two phases to become a monk :
(a) Novitiation (ရှင်ပြု Shin Pyu) or “Lower Ordination” to become a “Ko Yin” (ကိုရင် novice)
(b) “Thane Wyn” or “Higher Ordination” in a Sima (သိမ် Thane) to become an Upazin ဥပဇင်း
At least five monks are needed to conduct the “Higher Ordination”.
In Yangon, the ceremony takes 15 – 30 minutes.
The final part is an Exhortation by the Preceptor. As Mentor to the newly ordained monk, the Preceptor shares his knowledge and gives advice.
When the Preceptor learned that Saya Chit is a renowned Professor and the Founder/Director of UCC, he gave “extra” attention by exhorting for “close to three hours”. Sayadaw enjoyed illuminating Saya Chit.
Since I could barely squat, I was “offered” a pillow to rest my knees and I was allowed to “kneel down” on the pillow.
Tourist Guide for a day
After a week of monk hood, we returned to our lay life sans (without) our hair.
Ko Myint Oo is a social animal. He knew two Guides from “Tourist Burma”. At least one of them was new. They had a reasonably tough assignment. They had to guide an American student (in his senior year at a New York University) trying to write a first-hand report about the Buddhist artifacts in Mandalay and Sagaing.
The Guides requested help from Ko Myint Oo. Ko Myint Oo shunted and in a moment I became a volunteer tourist guide explaining (to the best of my knowledge) Buddhism & rites and rituals.
Only son of Sayagyi U Ba Hli, first native Dean of Engineering & Proponent of Twinning Program between Faculty of Engineering and prestigious US universities.
U Ba Hli
Sc. D (Doctorate of Science) from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Helped Dr. Aung Gyi & U Min Wun, who were doing undergraduate studies at MIT under “Twinning Program”.
Spouse : Daw Myint Thwe (sister of U Tin U & U Ba Than)
Children : Tin Tin Hlaing (ex-UCC, Tha Hlaing (EC 83) & Min Thet Tun (GBNF)
Daw Myint Thwe and children
Per request from Saya U Aung Khin, he wrote an article about his beloved father in the RIT Alumni Newsletterfor SPZP-02000,
Service in Burma
Part-time Lecturer, Electrical Engineering Department
Acting Director, Burma Atomic Energy Commission
Director General, Union Of Burma Applied Research Institute (UBARI)
National Advisor, Ministry of National Planning
Member, UCC Board of Management
External Examiner, UCC
Post-retirement in Australia
After retirement, he moved to Australia
Celebrated his 93rd birthday on June 28, 2015
Had a heart attack on June 30,2015 and was taken to West Mead Hospital.
Passed away at 3 AM (Australian Standard Time) On July 1, 2015.
Messages of Condolence
From Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
Ko Hla Min,
I am very sad to know that Dr F. Ba Hli has passed away recently.
As I have mentioned before in my contributing article to the History of Engineering Education in Myanmar, Dr Ba Hli was one of the nicest persons that I had the privilege of knowing in my life. He was helpful in every way to me and U Min Wun so that we were able to adapt successfully to our studies at MIT.
I send my heartfelt condolences to his family.
From Saya U Soe Paing
Please convey our condolences to Daw Myint Thwe, Htay Aung, Tin Tin Hlaing and the family of Saya Freddie Ba Hli.
Dr. Ba Hli was an active member of the UCC Board of Management
From Association of Myanmar Engineers in Australia
Funeral program details of Dr. F Ba Hli are as follow:
6 July 2015 Monday
3:00 pm
Castlebrook Memorial Park Cemetery, Windsor Rd, Rouse Hill NSW 2155, (02) 9629 1477
As per family’s request: it would be greatly appreciated if you wish to contribute donations toward ‘Heart Foundation’ instead of memorial/sympathy flowers.
Saya Dr. Chit Swe founded UCC (Universities’ Computer Center) with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF).
The UCC staff and students address the founding members as Saya Chit, Saya Paing, Saya Myo and Saya Lay.
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing
Transferred from RIT EE Department to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
He managed Computer Engineers, Technicians and System Programmers.
He later also served as Manager of Operations Division.
He retired from UN after working for projects in several countries.
U Myo Min
He was a Gold Medalist for I. Com and B. Com (Acct).
He received C A (Chartered Accountant) and worked as Systems Analyst at IBM UK.
He returned to Burma to help establish UCC.
He joined UCC as Manager of Applications Division.
He later taught at Nang Yan Institute in Singapore.
He retired as Principal of Seagate and Connors.
He is studying the impact of AI on Buddhist Studies.
U Myo Min
U Ko Ko Lay
He was a classmate of U Soe Paing at St. Paul’s High School and Stanford University.
He transferred from PWD to UCC as Manager of Operations Division.
After reorganization of UCC, he served as Manager of Scientific Applications Division.
He became Professor at the Department of Computer Science, RASU.
He later served as Professor of Information Technology at ICST.
He is now GBNF.
U Ko Ko Lay
Projects of Dr. Chit Swe
Saya Chit
I have written about Saya Chit in several of my posts. He is a Pioneer and a believer of Life Long Learning, Knowledge Transfer, Leapfrogging Technology and the Talents of the Burmese sayas and students. He is my mentor. More importantly, he allowed me to work on most of his projects (including Preparation for the UCC Project, High School Mathematics Curriculum Change, Children’s Treasury of Knowledge, and Team of System Specialists).
Vision
Saya Chit ensured that there would be a component in the UCC Project to invite short term and long term Computer Scientists and Educators to UCC. Professor Harry D Huskey (Past ACM President and a Computing Pioneer) was given the sub contract to help with the academic and professional courses being given at UCC.
Saya Chit made sure that the post-graduate diploma (DAC) and post-graduate Computer Science courses were given under the “Mathematics Department” until a separate CS Department could be opened.
Passion
Saya Chit served as Director of UCC in addition to being Professor of Mathematics.
He moved back to RASU, but never lost his passion about his pet baby UCC.
Saya retired as Rector of RASU. He then relocated to Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia. He continued advising graduate students in Thailand and Australia.
To the very end, Saya was still passionate about UCC, Computers and Education in Burma and beyond.
He passed away in Sydney.
Dr. Tin Maung
He was a Mathematics Lecturer at RASU. He succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC.
He retired as Rector of ICST.
Dr. Tin Maung
DCS
During his tenure, the Department of Computer Science (DCS) was established under RASU.
Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF, brother of U Than Htut M67) was Professor.
U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor.
I was a Lecturer.
ICST
The Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) was established in 1988 with Saya Dr. Tin Maung as Rector.
There were initially four Departments :
Hardware Technology (with U Tun Aung Gyaw as Associate Professor and Head)
Software Technology (with me as Associate Professor and Head)
Information Systems (with Saya U Ko Ko Lay as Professor and Head)
Computational Mathematics
30 students were admitted to the first B.Sc (Computer Science) course.
15 students were admitted to the first B.Sc. (Computer Technology) course.
ICST later became UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon).
Gatherings
There have been gatherings to
celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of UCC
celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ICST
5th Acariya Puzaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY in January 2018
6th Acariya Puzaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY in December 2019
In January 2018, I was invited as the Generation Zero Member to attend the ICST/UCSY hosted the 5th Acariya Puzaw Pwe and give a short speech.
ICST PZPUCSYAt ICST
During my visit to Yangon in January and February of 2018, I spent almost three whole days writing “Memories of UCC”. I had provided Word and PDF files, but the UCSY sayamas suggested that I should submit a shorter version for the commemorative magazine for the 30th Anniversary has come out.
