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.
In the early days, there were no computers in Burma. IBM (International Business Machines) based in the USA and ICL (International Computers Limited) based in the UK had presence in Burma. Both companies were not ready to introduce computers to Burma. They were supposedly content with leasing unit-record equipment (calculators, tabulators, …) using punched cards (which were “reused” as wrappers of “zee thee htokes”). The companies maintained the machines with their staff. U Aung Khin was the IBM representative in Burma. U Kyaw Tha was the ICL representative in Burma. They were highly paid compared to the Government employees. Due to the policies then in place, IBM might not have “incentives” to introduce computers and computing technology to Burma.
In the early sixties, Saw McCarthy Gyaw (Burma Railways) wanted to “upgrade” to an ICL computer, but the Coup d’etat in 1962 and subsequent restriction of foreign currency exchange (and budget planning rules) “effectively derailed” the idea of “computerization in Burma”.
In the mid sixties, Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe) was Head of the Mathematics Department at IE (Institute of Economics). Saya Chit proposed the need of a computer for teaching and research to Saya Nyi Nyi (Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Secretary [Deputy Minister] of Education). Saya Nyi Nyi suggested the scope to be “extended” for a computer to serve the staff and selected students of the Universities and Institutes. Thus, the UCC Project was conceived”. Saya Chit later became Professor at Mathematics at RASU. Saya offered space at the Mathematics Department for the early volunteers of the UCC Project. Saya later obtained permission to use Mandalay Hall for use by the UCC Project before the UCC Building could be completed in Thamaing College Campus.
Saya Chit served as the Founder/Director of UCC. He initiated the academic and training programs. He stressed the importance of technology transfer, leapfrogging technology, knowledge sharing (internally and externally), and challenging the staff and students to try their best. Saya Chit requested Saya Paing (U Soe Paing) to help design and implement the UCC project. Saya Chit also inquired the mother of Saya Myo (U Myo Min), who was working at IBM UK after completing his CA (Chartered Accountant) if Saya Myo would be interested to come back to Burma and help with the UCC project. Saya Paing “recruited” his friend Saya Lay (U Ko Ko Lay, GBNF) to help with the UCC project in general and with the UCC Building Design and Implementation in particular.
It took a long time for UCC up and running. UNDP would be the Funding Agency. UNESCO would be the Executing Agency. Saya Paing’s articles can be downloaded from SCRIB-D.
Note : For several years, Saya Paing tried to recruit his top students — including my cousin U Thaung Lwin (EC66) — to help with the project and become the pioneer computer engineers.
U Thaung Lwin, who was “Top of his class”, received an offer to join IBM BURMA. It was Good News and Bad News. The Good News was that he was offered a reasonably high salary (based on the then salary of engineers joining the Government Departments). The Bad News was that he would have to wait a long time until the first computer was purchased and installed at the CSO Computer Section, He had to maintain the “leased” Unit Record Machines for several years.
Saya TAG (Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw, EC69) was the first and longest volunteer for the UCC Project. Saya Paing transferred from the Department of Electrical Engineering (EE) at RIT to UCC as Manager of the Systems Division. Saya Lay transferred from PWD to UCC. Saya Myo joined UCC. The three served as Managers for Systems, Operations, Applications (Scientific, Business …) .
I was fortunate enough to be a member of GENERATION ZERO along with my mentors and Saya TAG. Saya Paing left UCC in the eighties to pursue a career as Technical Adviser and Consultant for the UN projects in several countries. Saya has documented his experiences from the early States Scholarship in the USA to the UN assignments.
Since there are blanks to be filled in the history of UCC, DCS ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon), several people asked me to take the challenge or at the very least motivate others to share their experience and journey regarding IT in Burma. Relying on (a) my memory, which is reasonably good but imperfect, (b) my story telling skills which I inherited from my father, “THIN SAYA”, “MYIN SAYA”, and “KYAR SAYA”, (c) my training in “Communication and Leadership” from Toastmasters International to become a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster), (d) my experience as a freelance writer, editor, translator, editor, coach, mentor, I have tried my best to prepare material in the form of readable chunks. I am confident that other interested sayas and alumni will help enhance the document with photos and anecdotes.
GBNF
The following is a partial list of GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) from UCC. Some descriptions are brief. Some entries have been covered in detail in other posts.
Dr. Chit Swe — Founder-Director of UCC; Saya passed away in Sydney Australia in 2019
Dr. Chit Swe
Dr. Tin Maung — Succeeded Saya Chit as Director of UCC; During his tenure, Department of Computer Science & Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) with Saya as Rector were established.
U Ko Ko Lay — Co-founder of UCC; Saya served as Operations Manager, Scientific Applications Manager, Professor at DCS and ICST
U Aung Zaw — Wrote lecture guides and manuals with Saya Paing and me; Taught at UCC, CSO, Asssumption Univeristy and Sydney; Passed away in Sydney, Australia in 2021.
U Mya Thein — Transferred from the Department of Commerce, Institute of Economics to UCC as Business Applications Programmer; Retired as Business Applications Manager; Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST, but also at ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University).
U Kyaw Nyein — Scientific Applications Programmer; Taught Numerical Methods and/or Numerical Analysis; Joined UN; During a UN assignment, his team was relocated due to war/conflict in the area.
U Win Naing — Science Scholar; 1st batch of M.Sc. (CS) with Systems Option; Scientific Applications
U Hla Min (EP70) — Chief Operator; Attended post-graduate course in UK, where he met his beloved; Early casualty (passed away at the tender age of 30+).
U Soe Myint (M72) — Retired as Pro-Rector of ICST
U Khin Maung Aye (M73) — 1st batch of M.Sc. (CS) with Applications Option; Railways
U Myint Aung (Admin) — Would often drive the E-2000 ferry.
Daw Khin Lay Myint (Admin) — Joined UCC as Secretary; Became BC.
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) — Served in various capacities (Engineering, Teaching …); Passed away in Singapore while doing his Ph.D.
U Thein Tan — Attended M.Sc.; Close friend of U Zaw Tun.
U Aung Aung Thein — served in various capacities at UCC (Engineering, Teaching)
Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin — Ad hoc Tutor for Mathematics; Operator / Job Assembler; Transferred to SSB (Social Security Board) Computer Section.
Daw Win May Thaung — Operator / Job Assembler; Cousin: Ronnie Hla Maung (SPHS)
Daw Khin Mya Swe — M.Sc. (CS); Passed away in Lesotho
Daw Khin Toe Nyein — M.Sc. (CS); Classmate: Daw Pale (Pearl) Shein.
Daw Khin San Hlaing (Cynthia) — UCC Librarian.; M.Sc. (CS); Worked at (or attended) AIT; Passed away in Australia
Daw Nge Ma Than — Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST; Prisoner of Conscience; Spouse : U Myint Swe.
Daw Aye Aye Kyi — Operator / Job Assembler;Spouse: U Han Nyunt (SPHS)
U Maung Maung Gyi — Chief Operator
U Maung Maung Lay — Computer Operator
U Aung Myint — Computer Engineer
U Soe Thein — Business Applications Programmer
Courses at UCC
UCC Course
Saya Chit was Founder/Director of UCC and Professor of Mathematics Department at RASU. Saya Chit arranged UCC to conduct degree and post-graduate diploma courses under the aegis of the Department of Mathematics, RASU. UCC also conducted training courses for computer users. Several distinguished Professors from US, UK and Europe lectured at UCC as part of the “UCC Project”.
Saya Chit was succeeded as Director of UCC by Dr. Tin Maung (son of U Kar).
Academic courses
The courses given under the aegis of Department of Mathematics include :
M.Sc. (CS)
DAC
Courses for computer users
COC (Computer Orientation Course)
CPC (Computer Programming Course)
Elective for Honors and Post-graduate in other disciplines
Intensive training (e.g. for the Population Census Data Processing)
Special training (e.g. for those selected as State Scholars)
Planning (e.g. for departments intending to purchase computers)
Three Win Myint
There were three people at UCC (Universities’ Computer Center) named Win Myint.
Win Myint (1)
U Win Myint and U Maung Maung Lay
He was a High School Luyechun from Beik (Mergui). He was caught off guard when the then new Education System used the ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) to determine the admission to the Universities and Institutes. He found himself studying Philosophy along with others who supposedly had “low” ILA scores.
Instead of using the marks directly, the ILA uses a “distribution” of the marks for each subject and gives a score from 1 to 20. The ILA system helped students with balanced marks. By having marks in the top tier for each subject, a student can get a good score.
But a student with low marks in a subject (e.g. Burmese or English) would be penalized by the ILA system.
Philosophy is derived from Phil (love of) and Sophy (Wisdom). The highest degree is called Ph.D (Doctorate of Philosophy). It is ironic that students with low ILA scores were forced to major in Philosophy.
Ko Win Myint is an exception. He was determined to pursue a challenging career. Since he wanted to learn and work with computers, he enhanced his typing skills for both English and Burmese. It was a requirement for the position of Secretary at the newly formed UCC.
Grapevine says that his interview at PSC (Public Services Commission) was fast and smooth. When he said, “I am Bet Thar (or similar meaning ‘I am from Beik (Mergui)’”, the PSC Chairman who was from Beik validated Ko Win Myint’s appointment as Secretary.
He not only typed very fast, but he learned Computer Science and Applications quickly and proficiently. He became a programmer.
Win Myint (2)
He majored in Mathematics and received Masters.
He was from SLR Settlement and Land Record dept.
He got appointment in UCC as programmer and then got UNV post at PG.
Win Myint (3)
He operated the cyclostyle (Gestener). The lecture guides were printed mostly on Sittaung paper and some on the Ye Ni paper.
Lecture Guides
“Introduction to Computers”, “Introduction to Computer Programming” and several Guide Books were written by Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Zaw and me. We thank Ko Win Myint (1) and Ko Win Myint (3) for the production.
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :
I had a different story about getting a job. I had only done 8 month internship, one of the tutors in medicine was transferred out. When Saya U Ba Than asked whom the professors wanted to replace her, they asked for me. I was called in by the Rector about posting me as tutor. When I told him I could not join not having finished my internship, he was so upset that “You want to erase with your feet, what I has written by hand”. I was made to report for duty. I went back and with the professor’s permission, I returned to finish my internship to get my medical registration.
Soon, my friends and I had to go for interview with PSC. The Chairman of PSC was U Khin Maung Phyu. Both he and Dr U Ba Than were classmates with my father. As I went in U Ba Than said to U Khin Maung Phyu, “Ko Khin Maung Phyu, he is Ko Kyaw Myint’s son and I have already posted him to Department of Medicine.” U Khin Maung Phyu said, “How is your father?” I replied that my father was good. Then he said that I could go !!! Must be the shortest interview in PSC.
History
I love history including History of Computing and History of Myanmar Engineering Education.
Why should we study History? Dr. Than Tun said, “So that one would not be stupid or dumb.” There’s an old adage, “History repeats itself”.
A historian presents facts. He should not give his opinion.
The historian from Smithsonian said, “There is no single correct history. There are often multiple competing histories.”
I am grateful to my spouse, who said “You should pay back to your alma mater and your country.”
Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) said that I should record my oral stories and put them to print for posterity. UCSY sayamas requested me to write for 30th Anniversary of ICST/UCSY.
My beloved parents said, “Any thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well”.
I have shared my memories about the early days of Computing in Burma.
I am revising the posts.
I hope that the readers will help “fill in the blanks” and correct errors and inconsistencies. Collectively, we can turn the posts into a reasonably good document worthy of printing (or at least publish as an e-book).
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :
When we conducted the Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Study, the data analysis was from me at UCC. Ko Ronnie Myo Min and many UCC staff helped us with the data analysis.
Dr. TOKM added :
The next project we did was “Risk Approach in Delivery of MCH Care”. We did a prospective study on the risk of mothers dying during pregnancy and child birth. As the outcome was measured by “relative risk” and “absolute risk” it was much easier to analyse the data.
Our team used 1MB handheld Sinclair computer for our study. Our team did not have monitors nor printers. Your nephew Peter (Khin Tun) worked out RR and AR on Sinclair, read the result on Saya U Tin U’s old TV and copied out the results by hand. Peter still had a copy of the final report. I left my copy at home and got lost.
UCC Gatherings
Over the years, I attended several mini-gatherings and gatherings hosted by UCC sayas and alumni.
Yangon
Saya U Soe Paing regular hosts gatherings (usually dinner meeting) at his house. Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my class mate. She also attended CPC course.
U Thein Oo, Daw Than Than Tint, Daw Tin May Lwin and several others help organize the gatherings.
U Thein Oo, U Htin Kyaw, U Aung Aung and several others provided us transportation to or from Saya Paing’s house.
UCC 40th Anniversary Gathering
It was the Reunion of Staff, Teachers (Past and Present) and Students.
Daw Ngwe Tin, Aye Aye Myint and sisters, Maung Myint, who maintained the UCC building rooms were among the attendees.
Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was represented by Sayagadaw and Saya’s daughter.
There was fun and laughter, music and dances, and good old memories.
Daw Khin Lay Myint joined UCC as Secretary and then worked as Administrator Officer. She is now GBNF.
U Soe Myint (M72) joined UCC as Operator. He served as Shift Lead, expert in Mechanical Drawing and AutoCAD, and retired as Pro-Rector of ICST. He is also GBNF.
UCSY Gathering
In January 14, 2018, I attended the 5th UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe as “Generation Zero” representative and the “Most Senior” (not by age). Several attendees started their studies and/or careers at UCC.
Sao Yan Naing, son of Dr. Saw Naing (SPHS59), gave me a ride to the Pu Zaw Pwe. He is a nephew of Dr Myo Khin & a cousin of Soe Lin Maung (UCC).
Sydney in 2006
During my visit to Sydney in 2006, I met several UCC alumni.
Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and Daw Kyawt organized a Reunion and mini-PZP for Saya Dr. F Ba Hla (GBNF) & Saya Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF). They were helped by U Sein Myint Maung & Daw Khin Aye Mu, U Htay Aung (Victor) & Daw Tin Tin Hlaing to name a few. I met Daw Thanda Htwe and “UCC Pha Yaung Daing”.
U Sein Tin hosted a dinner and also created a short music video.
USA
Dr. Raiful Ahad (Fremont), U Khin Zaw (Cupertino), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) and Daw Thida Khin (Fremont), U Sein Myint (EC76) & Daw Sao Mon Sint (New Jersey) and U Toung (EC69, Connecticut) hosted UCC gatherings (especially to welcome and alumni visiting US).
Ivan Lee (M69) hosts an annual joint gathering for UCC and RIT sayas and alumni at his home in New Jersey.
Singapore
U Tin Aung Win (C80), U Zaw Tun and Daw Pale Shein organized buffet gathering. U Aung Aung, & Daw Kyin Mya are regulars at the gatherings.
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) is GBNF.
Some (e.g. U Win Latt, Daw Myint Myint Thein) have moved from Singapore.
Activities
Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
U Saung Tin (CSO) and U Thein Oo are excellent players.
Volleyball
Rafiul Ahad (who was 3rd in Burma in Hurdles) hurt his knee. Daw Nwe Nwe Win (Judy) is often the sixth member of an all-male team.
Soccer
UCC team (including Saya U Ko Ko Lay & U Kyaw Nyein) played against other teams in and around Hlaing Campus.
UCC Dobat
U Win Hlaing played the Dobat. Others (e.g. Maung Myint, U Hla Pe) would play Wah Let Khote (bamboo clapper) and Ya Gwin.
Donlaba
UCC used to celebrate Thingyan and Su Paung Donlaba.
Dr. Chit Swe, Win Maung, Hla Min, Tun Aung Gyaw, Soe Myint, Khin Maung Aye, Daw Khin Khin Latt
UCC had a Su Paung Donlaba for several years at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung and other monasteries.
The Donlaba monks would be offered Soon at the UCC Thingyan.
There would also be Water Throwing and occasionally “Ye Pet Khan” to selected mandats.
Ad Hoc Trips
U Aung Zaw led some trips (e.g. to Maw Tin Zun).
Soul Mates
Some found their soul mates while working or studying at UCC.
Aung Aung & Kyin Mya
Aung Myint Oo & Thida Khin
Boe Ba Shan & Phyu Phyu Win
Kyaw Zwa Than (Jaws) & Khin Khin Kyu (K-cube)
Htay Aung & Tin Tin Hlaing
Myint Oo & Tin Tin Hla
Myint Swe & Nge Ma Ma Than
Myint Zaw & Nwe Nwe Win (Judy)
Sein Myint (Bei Gyi) & Sao Mon Sint (Cindy)
Sein Myint Maung & Khin Aye Mu
Soe Than & Wai Wai Than
Than Maung Maung & Khin Si Thoung
Thaung Tin & Tin Tin Aye
Thein Oo & Than Than Tint
Win Hlaing & Thida Kyi
Win Myint & Nu Nu Aung
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) wrote :
Ko Soe Myint Gyi was one of the very humble people I have ever known. He spoke very soft, never see him angry nor heard him raise his voice. Even though I am some years junior to him (he’s M72 and me EC76) he always treated me with dignity and respect. I really miss him, may his beautiful soul rest in peace.
Anniversary Soon Kway
U Thein Oo and Daw Than Than Tint Soon Kway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Kayung Daik.
Attendees include
Saya U Soe Paing and Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69)
U Myint Swe
Daw Tin Moe We (Sweetie)
Daw Myint Myint Thein (Susan)
Soon Kyway
Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (GBNF)
He matriculated from SPHS in 1968. Hewas admitted as Roll Number One to 1st BE. He was selected RIT Luyechun.
He graduated among the top of the EP74 class.
He studied Computer Science at UCC.
He received a Ph.D. in EE from Syaracuse University, New York.
His final job was as Part Time Professor at San Jose State University (SJSU).
He used the spare time for his hobbies : (a) Tinkering old cars (b) Painting (c) Cooking (d) Stock Market (e) Writing movie scripts
He did not miss a class. When he did not show up for a few classes, the students were alarmed and requested SJSU authorities to check his home. They found the doors locked. After a few days, they broke in to find him lifeless on his bed. Postmortem indicated an aneurysm.
Since he was single and had no next-o-kin in the USA, SJSU asked the Burmese Community to help. Members of the “RIT Alumni International” and BAPS helped with the fund raising for the final journey of HLN.
I was honored to push the incinerator, and later to scatter the ashes in the ocean. There was no next-of-kin of HLN in the USA. KMZ remembered that Kyaw Swa Than (Jaws, UCC) was HLN’s cousin. The missing link was supplied by some alumni (including Ko Ko Kyi). KMZ set up special web page for HLN. My poem was also posted there. I wrote about HLN’s Sea Burial for BAPS Newsletter.
HLN Memorial Pages
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, KMZ) set up the “HLN Memorial Pages” in the ex-RIT web site (which is now defunct). I wrote a poem “HTAY LWIN NYO“.
BAPS Newsletter
I also wrote “A Sea Burial for Professor Htay Lwin Nyo” for the BAPS Newsletter and the RIT web site.
Ko Ko Kyi (EC72) wrote :
Ko Hla Min, sad to read about Htay Lwin Nyo’s sea burial. I played a small part in notifying his first cousin Myo San Than in Toronto, when my brother called me from Birmingham, UK and informed me about HLN’s demise. Apparently, someone from California had contacted a friend of my brother’s and asked him to inform me, as he knew that HLN had a cousin living in Toronto. I informed HLN’s cousin Myo San Than, who called his elder brother living in Winnipeg, Canada. Subsequently, this cousin went to the US for HLN’s funeral. HLN was a good friend of mine, although he was two years my junior at RIT.
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
I was actually a former classmate of HLN’s younger brother Aung Lwin Nyo in St. Paul’s High School [SPHS (6) Botataung]. All their brothers were OPs, HLN was 2 years senior to us, Old Paulians. I did not know HLN that well until we met again, the third time, at UCC. Of course he was part of our rival group while at RIT. Both of us ended up in US, he was several years earlier than me.
We met again when he moved to West Coast, namely San Jose, California while I was in Seattle. We visited him in San Jose, went Yosemite among other places, he visited us in Seattle, went up to Vancouver, Canada. Couple of years moved, he became upset with me for a reason unknown to me at the time, refused to take my calls. I eventually met him on one of my visits to California, forced him to tell me why he did not want to talk to me any longer. According to him, there were some rumors back in Yangon about his demise, his parents were very upset and he surmise that it could have been me who spread these rumors. I had to swear to him that those were nothing to do with me at all, as I lost contact with everyone, family and friends, back in Burma at that time.
So one could imagine my despair when I received a call, a year or so later, from Maurice Chee (M75) that HLN was found dead in his apartment, asking me if I knew him and also requested me to make an announcement on www,ex-rit,org site. I had to explain Maurice the background story, told him I would not do so until I have a solid information. I ended up calling HLN’s head of department at SJSU, San Jose State University. She assured me that they went to HLN’s apartment, broke it inside with the help of the Police. Sad news indeed. While Maurice Chee, Ko Banny Tan (M70), U Hla Min and RIT Alumni at BAPS, Bay Area alumni group, started working on the funeral, I called a friend, HLN’s cousin, in Manitoba, Canada, Kyaw Zwa Than (ex-UCC), to get the contact of HLN’s family back in Rangoon. I finally spoke with the elder brother, Ko Kyaw Lwin Nyo, who requested us to proceed with the funeral.
PS: I met HLN’s elder brother for the first time, this passed November 2018, at the OPA, Old Paulians’ Association, dinner. My OP friends told me that Aung Lwin Nyo met similar fate, passed away while in his bed some years back. Myo San Than (as mentioned in U Ko Ko Kyi’s comment) is the younger brother of Kyaw Zwa Than. KZT’s family : KZT, his wife KCube (Khin Khin Kyi) and their two sons, Alex and Nicholas, have since moved to Denver, Colorado, USA.
Daw Nge Ma Ma Than (GBNF)
Ma Nge (Theresa, GBNF) is the youngest child of U Aung Than (brother of Boyoke Aung San & Arzanee U Ba Win).
She matriculated from MEHS.
She graduated from RASU.
She studied and taught at UCC, DCS and ICST.
At UCC, she and Judy (Nwe Nwe Win) were considered as “UCC Twins”. Grapevine says that some guy approached them and gave each a copy of his “Yee Zar Sar” (love letter).
She found her love life U Myint Swe (ex-UCC).
During the Adhamma Era, she, her brother and U Myint Swe were detained by the higher authorities.
She became a Prisoner of Conscience.
I last met her at the 5th Acariya Puzaw Pwe of ICST.
Her health declined, but she kept on smiling. She did not complain about the aches and pains.
U Myint Swe reported the journal of her hospitalization and medical treatment.
Even in her final days, her thoughts were with former Prisoners of Conscience.
Ma Nge at the hospitalMa Nge and her cousin
U Soe Myint (M72, GBNF)
M72 friends call him “Phone Gyi Soe Myint”. At UCC, he is known as “Sunlun Soe Myint”.
His father U Thein Nyunt (Retired Secretary of Religious Affairs) was a friend and an early devotee of Sayadaw U Vinaya. U Soe Myint also served as Kappiya from his younger days.
He came to see me during my last visit and shared his knowledge about U Lokanatha (Italian American monk) and how he provided financial support to buy the land for Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung. He gave me a “Chone Hte” (for monk) to take back to the US.
On a subsequent visit to Yangon, we were sad to learn of his untimely demise.
On the fateful day, he made two trips to the Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung monastery, because he forgot his donation on his first trip. He also visited his nephew & niece who were having dialysis treatment. May be because of his karma or because of the trips he took that day, he passed away around 3 AM.
Four Decade Old Photo
Win Hlaing
Henry Maung Maung (Census, GBNF)
Kyu Kyu Lwin (GBNF)
Khin Si Thoung (Busi Baung – USA)
Khin Khin Win (Five Star Line – USA)
Phyu Phyu Win (Singapore)
Win May Thaung (GBNF)
Tin Tin Yi (Port Authority)
Hla Hla Win (Wa – GBNF)
Aung Myint (AM, GBNF)
Soe Myint (Sunlun, M72, GBNF)
Seven of the eleven in the photo are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
Annotation by KMZ, AM, Judy, Sweetie
Epilog
Computer Science and Technology is continually evolving.
There are two (or more) early definitions of Computer Science.
Computer Science is the study of phenomena surrounding Computing.
Computer Science is the study of Algorithms and Data Structures.
The first definition has the same flavor as a definition of Physics. It is general to say, “Physics is the study of natural phenomena.”
The second definition might sound restrictive, but it still covers a lot of topics and application.
There is a book called “PROGRAM = ALGORITHMS + DATA STRUCTURES”.
Professor Donald Knuth (Stanford University) thought that he could finish his 7-volume book “THE ART OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING” in a couple of years. It was an under-estimate of the growth of Computers, Computer Science and Applications. It took over two decades to complete and revise the first three volumes and part of the fourth volume. One reason was that his book contributed to the growth of the Design and Analysis of Algorithms.
I have covered some topics in the early days of Computing in general and UCC in particular.
I missed out several people. I mentioned many names, but did not elaborate on some of them.
I did not cover in-depth the PDP configuration and use, the introduction of PCs, and robots.
It would take a long time and I would not be able to fill in all the blanks.
I believe an idea that characterizes Jules Verne. “If one can dream, others can fulfill”.
I had a personal experience to support that idea. In 1999, I started “RIT International Newsletter” and dreamed that sayas and alumni will get reconnected electronically and physically. With the help of sponsors (including five Golden Sponsors), able and dedicated sayas and alumni, volunteers, supporters and well-wishers, the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) was held in San Francisco in October 2000. The world-wide SPZPs were subsequently held in Singapore in 2002, 2007 and 2010, and in Yangon in 2004, 2012 and 2016.
I have paid back to RIT.
I am now paying back to UCC, DCS and ICST.
Thanks to my family members for supporting me in the endeavors to pay back to the institutions and my mentors that helped me develop to where I am today.
I am confident that sayas and alumni of UCC, ICST & UCSY will enhance my posts into a document that historians will envy.
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
One day, the people on the UCC ferry shouted, “Saya Paing”. To their amazement, ICS U Paing (Saya’s father) came out.
Saya U Soe Paing is the second son of U Paing and Daw Oo Yin (Daughter of Sir Po Tha and Lady Tha).
Golf Champions
Saya and his siblings Dr. Myo Paing, U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, ChE70) and U Kyaw Paing (Putra Cup Player) are excellent golfers and Champions at RGC (Rangoon Golf Club) and BGC (Burma Golf Club).
St. Paul’s High School
Saya matriculated from SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) in 1956 along with U Ko Ko Lay, U Win Htein, Percy Maung Maung, U Than Se (Richard Khoo), and U Ba Min.
Saya stood 13th in Matriculation and was awarded Collegiate Scholarship.
Rangoon University
Saya won two Gold Medals for excellence in the Intermediate of Science.
He scored the highest marks in the I.Sc. examinations.
He scored the highest marks in Mathematics in I.Sc. along with two other students.
Since the original endowment for the Gold Medals did not cover the rising cost of Gold, Saya’s family had to give K150 for each Gold Medal.
Saya rowed and coxed at RUBC. Saya won prizes including the Inter-Hall Fours.
Stanford University
Saya was selected as a States Scholar to attend Stanford University along with Saya U Ko Ko Lay and Bohmu Percy.
Saya received his BS and MS in EE (Electrical Engineering).
Saya did programming for his studies and also worked part-time as computer operator.
RIT Electrical
Upon his return to Burma, Saya joined the EE Department as Assistant Lecturer. His sponsor supposedly was UBARI (Union of Burma Applied Research Institute).
At a research congress held in the Main Campus, Saya presented a paper covering Digital Logic and Circuits,. Dr. Chit Swe was impressed. Through Saya U Nyi Nyi (EE saya, who moved to the UK), Saya Paing gained contact with Saya Chit. The rest is history.
Saya Paing would help Saya Chit with the UCC Project.
It would take a few years before the UCC Project got approved by UN and funded by UNDP.
UCC – RIT Connection
Saya Paing promised Saya Chit to recruit his top students to join the UCC Project, but the long delay of the Project to get funded made the task difficult.
Ko Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69), Ko Hla Min (EC69) and Ko Soe Win (EC70) joined UCC as Maintenance Engineers.
Ko Hla Min (Pauk Si, EP70) joined UCC as Chief Operator.
Ko Aung Myint transferred from the RIT EE Laboratory to join UCC as Maintenance Technician.
UCC
Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division. He managed Maintenance Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, System Programmers and Software Librarian (to name a few).
Saya did another Masters (this time in Computer Science) at Southampton University in UK.
Saya would later manage the Operations Division as well.
Saya allowed Ko Aung Zaw and me to co-author Lecture Guides and Training Manuals for use at UCC.
UN
Saya served as Project Manager / Advisor for UN projects in several countries.
For details
For a detailed story of Saya’s life and work at RIT, UCC and overseas as a UN Advisor, read his articles in English and Burmese. They are available in SCRIB_D.
Saya wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga”
Sayagadaw and Classmate
Saya U Soe Paing in CaliforniaSaya U Soe Paing in New Jersey (2018)Saya U Soe Paing in 2009
Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my classmate at RIT.
She and Saya Paing have hosted several UCC mini-gatherings at their house.
At one of the gatherings in 2007, Ko Po (U Htin Kyaw, Peter Wun) not only attended the gathering, but gave me a ride back home. He also briefly mentioned about his four-month detention.
After retirement
After retiring from the UN, Saya would visit UK, USA and Singapore to spend time with his children and grandchildren.
During his trips to New Jersey, there would be several UCC-RIT gatherings.
Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69) has hosted the annual RIT-UCC gatherings for a decade or so. He would invite Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Ma Ma Emma to stay at his house. The timing is chosen to coincide with Saya Paing’s visit to New Jersey.
Saya is healthy, but he had two operations :
by-pass heart surgery
surgery for the back
Saya meditates and plays golf. Saya stopped both activities when he had a minor ailment (hurting his back and leg). Per advice of Alice’s medical friends (MEHS Alumni), Saya had a surgery in Singapore.
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)
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.
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.
In the early days, there were no computers in Burma. IBM (International Business Machines) based in the USA and ICL (International Computers Limited) based in the UK had presence in Burma. Both companies were not ready to introduce computers to Burma. They were content with leasing unit-record equipment (calculators, tabulators, …) using punched cards. The managers and their staff were highly paid compared to the Government employees.
In the early sixties, Burma Railways wanted to upgrade to an ICL computer, but the Coup d’etat in 1962 and subsequent restriction of foreign currency exchange & budget planning rules effectively derailed the project.
Dr. Chit Swe
In the mid sixties, Dr. Chit Swe, Head of the Maths Department at the Institute of Economics, proposed the need of a computer for teaching and research to a Dr. Nyi Nyi, Secretary / Deputy Minister of Education. Dr. Nyi Nyi suggested the scope to be extended for a computer to serve the staff and selected students of the Universities and Institutes. Thus, the UCC Project was conceived. It was approved in 1970 with UNDP as the Funding Agency and UNESCO as the Execution Agency.
Dr. Chit Swe later became Professor at Mathematics at RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University). He offered space at the Mathematics Department for the early volunteers of the UCC Project. He then obtained permission to use Mandalay Hall for use by the UCC Project before the UCC Building could be completed in Thamaing College Campus.
UCC Founders
Dr. Chit Swe, U Soe Paing, U Myo Min and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) co-founded UCC.
Dr. Chit Swe served as the Founder/Director of UCC. He initiated the academic and training programs. He stressed the importance of technology transfer, leapfrogging technology, knowledge sharing (internally and externally), and challenging the staff and students to try their best.
He requested U Soe Paing (RIT Electrical Engineering) to help design and implement the UCC project. He inquired the mother of Saya U Myo Min (Chartered Accountant working as Systems Analyst at IBM UK) if U Myo Min would be interested to come back to Burma and help with the UCC project. U Soe Paing recruited his friend Saya U Ko Ko Lay (PWD, GBNF) to help with the UCC project in general and with the UCC Building Design and Implementation in particular.
On April 1, 1971, U Soe Paing transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division; U Myo Min joined UCC as Manager of Applications Divison; and U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) transferred to UCC as Manager of Operations Division,
I was a member of Generation Zero along with my mentors and U Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69), who was the earliest and longest volunteer of the UCC Project.
Dr. Chit Swe retired as Rector of RASU. He moved to Bangkok and Sydney. He passed away in 2019.
U Soe Paing left UCC in the eighties to pursue a career as Technical Adviser and Consultant for the UN projects in several countries.
U Myo Min migrated to USA. He taught briefly at the Nanyang Technical Institute in Singapore. He retired after serving as a Principal for Seagate Technology and Conner.
Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC. During his tenure, the Department of Computer Science (DCS) was established at RASU. U Ko Ko Lay served as Professor and Head of the Department.
Subsequently, the Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) was established with Dr. Tin Maung as Rector. U Ko Ko Lay served as Professor and Head of Information Technology. U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor and Head of Hardware Technology. U Hla Min served as Associate Professor and Head of Software Technology. Some sayas from UCC and RASU taught Computational Mathematics.
Courses at UCC
Dr. Chit Swe was Founder/Director of UCC and Professor of Mathematics Department at RASU. He arranged UCC to conduct degree and post-graduate diploma courses under the aegis of the Department of Mathematics, RASU. UCC also conducted training courses for computer users. Dr. Chit Swe was succeeded as Director of UCC by Saya U Tin Maung.
Several distinguished Professors from US, UK and Europe lectured at UCC.
The postgraduate degree and diploma courses given under the aegis of Department of Mathematics include M.Sc. (CS) and DAC (Diploma in Automatic Computing).
UCC Course
The Courses for computer users include
COC (Computer Orientation Course)
CPC (Computer Programming Course)
Elective for Honors and Post-graduate in other disciplines
Intensive training (e.g. for the Population Census Data ProcessinSpecial training (e.g. for those selected as State Scholars)
Planning (e.g. for departments intending to purchase computers)
Teaching & Training
U Aung Zaw
Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and U Hla Min wrote
Introduction to Computers
Introduction to Computer Programming
Lecture Guides
Manuals Books
UCC Gatherings
Over the years, I attended several mini-gatherings and gatherings hosted by UCC sayas and alumni.
Yangon
Saya U Soe Paing regular hosts gatherings (usually dinner meeting) at his house. Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) was my class mate. She also attended CPC course. U Thein Oo, Daw Than Than Tint, Daw Tin May Lwin and several others help organize the gatherings. U Thein Oo, U Htin Kyaw, U Aung Aung and several others provided us transportation to or from Saya Paing’s house.
UCC gathering at U Soe Paing’s house
UCC 40th Anniversary Gathering
The “40th Anniversary of UCC” was the Reunion of Staff, Teachers (Past and Present) and Students. Saya Dr. Tin Maung (GBNF) was represented by his spouse and daughter.
There was fun and laughter, music and dances, and good old memories.
Daw Ngwe Tin, Aye Aye Myint and sisters, Maung Myint, who maintained the UCC building rooms were among the attendees.
Among those present at the gathering, U Soe Myint, U Aung Myint, Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, Daw Khin Lay Myint and several others are GBNF.
UCSY Gathering
In January 14, 2018, I attended the 5th UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe as “Generation Zero” representative and the “Most Senior” (not by age). Several attendees started their studies and/or careers at UCC.
Sao Yan Naing, son of Dr. Saw Naing (Wesley, SPHS59), gave me a ride to the Pu Zaw Pwe. He is a nephew of Dr Myo Khin (C70) and a cousin of Soe Lin Maung (UCC).
Sydney in 2006
During my visit to Sydney, Australia in 2006, I met several UCC alumni. Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF) and Ma Kyawt organized a Reunion and mini-PZP for Saya Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF) and Saya Dr. Chit Swe. They were helped by U Sein Myint Maung, Daw Khin Aye Mu, U Htay Aung (Victor) and Daw Tin Tin Hlaing to name a few. I met Daw Thanda Htwe and “UCC Pha Yaung Daing”.
U Sein Tin hosted a dinner and also created a short music video.
USA
Dr. Raiful Ahad (Fremont, California), U Khin Zaw (Cupertino, California), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) & Daw Thida Khin (Fremont, California), U Sein Myint (EC76) & Daw Sao Mon Sint (New Jersey), and U Toung (EC69, Connecticut) hosted UCC gatherings (especially to welcome and alumni visiting US).
U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) hosts an annual joint gathering for UCC and RIT sayas and alumni at his home in New Jersey.
Singapore
U Tin Aung Win (C80), U Zaw Tun and Daw Pale Shein organized buffet gathering. U Aung Aung & Daw Kyin Mya are regulars at the gatherings. U Shein Soe Myint (EC83) is GBNF.
Some (e.g. U Win Latt, Daw Myint Myint Thein) have relocated.
Sojourn in Singapore
Activities
Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
U Thein Oo and U Saung Tin (CSO) are excellent players.
Volleyball
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF), U Kyaw Nyein (GBNF) and U Thein Oo are excellent players. Rafiul Ahad (who was third in Burma in Hurdles) hurt his knee in a volleyball match. Daw Nwe Nwe Win (Judy) is often the sixth member of an all-male team.
Soccer / Football
UCC team played ad hoc match against other teams (in and around Hlaing Campus).
UCC Dobat
U Win Hlaing played the Dobat. Others (e.g. Maung Myint, U Hla Pe) would play Wah Let Khote (bamboo clapper) and Ya Gwin.
Donlaba / Yahan Khan
UCC used to celebrate Thingyan and Su Paung Donlaba.
Dr. Chit Swe, Win Maung, Hla Min, Tun Aung Gyaw, Soe Myint, Khin Maung Aye, Daw Khin Khin Latt
UCC had a Su Paung Donlaba for several years at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung and other monasteries. The Donlaba monks would be offered Soon at the UCC Thingyan. There would also be Water Throwing and occasionally “Ye Pet Khan” to selected mandats.
Ad Hoc Trips
U Aung Zaw (GBNF) led some trips (e.g. to Maw Tin Zun).
Four Decade Old Photo taken at the Convocation Hall
Ko Win Hlaing
Ko Henry Maung Maung (Census, GBNF)
Ma Kyu Kyu Lwin (GBNF)
Ma Khin Si Thoung (USA)
Ma Khin Khin Win (Five Star Line – USA)
Ma Phyu Phyu Win (Singapore)
Ma Win May Thaung (GBNF)
Ma Tin Tin Yi (Port Authority)
Ma Hla Hla Win (GBNF)
Ko Aung Myint (GBNF)
Ko Soe Myint (Sunlun, M72, GBNF)
GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
Dr. Chit Swe Founder/Director of UCC
U Ko Ko Lay Longest tenured Co-founder of UCC; Professor at DCS and ICST
Dr. Tin Maung Director of UCC; Rector of ICST
Dr. Kyaw Thein Rector of ICST
U Hla Min (SPHS64, EP70) Chief Operator
U Maung Maung Gyi (SPHS64, Phy68) Chief Operator
U Maung Maung Lay (St. Albert’s, Ah Ba) Operator
U Aung Myint (SPHS64, Phy68) Maintenance Engineer, Systems Division
U Soe Myint (M72, DAC) Pro-Rector, ICST
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83, MSc(CS)) Passed away while doing his doctorate in Singapore
U Mya Thein Business Applications Manager; Visiting lecturer at ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University)
HlaMin 