Category: UCC

Epilog (UCC)
Computer Science (CS) and Computer Technology (CT) evolve.

Definitions

The following are two early definitions of CS.
- CS is the study of phenomena surrounding Computing.
- CS 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.

Final Thoughts

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 in 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.

Newsletter

SPZP-2000 Organizers

I had paid back to RIT.

I now have a chance to pay back to UCC.

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 hope that sayas and alumni of UCC, ICST and UCSY will enhance my document into one that professional historians will envy.
May 24, 2025
Dr. San Tint & U Shein Soe Myint
Singapore 1

Dr. San Tint (EE61, GBNF)
- He was my saya at RIT.
- He served as External Examiner for Computer Science students at UCC and DCS.
U Shein Soe Myint (EC83, GBNF)
- He is the son of Saya U Hla Myint (Eco Maths).
- He is a classmate of U Thaung Tin (KMD) and my cousin nephew U Thar Hlaing (son of Saya Dr. F. Ba Hli).
- He joined UCC, DCS and ICST as a graduate student, engineer and later saya.
- He was studying for his doctorate at NUS when he unexpectedly passed away.
Group Photo

It was taken at a mini-reunion of RIT and UCC alumni during my visit to Singapore.
May 23, 2025
UCC Gatherings

Gathering at Saya U Soe Paing’s house

Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69) hosted several gatherings at their house. Most of them are to welcome UCC alumni visiting Yangon.

Gathering at U Khin Zaw’s house

U Soe Win (EC70, UCC) visited his younger brother U Khin Zaw (UCC) in Cupertino, California.

Attendees include Saya U Myo Min (UCC), Dr. Rafiul Ahad (UCC), Benny Tan (M70), Charlie Tseng (EC70) and Diana (ChE71), U Myint Swe (EP74) and Daw San San (EC74), U Aung Zaw Maung (Pet78, UCC), U Aung Myint Oo (EC84, UCC)

Mini-gathering in Singapore

Saya Dr. San Tint (EE) and Saya U Shein Soe Myint (EC83, UCC) are GBNF.

May 21, 2025
KMZ
St. Paul’s High School

KMZ (Khin Maung Zaw) attended SPHS. After nationalization, SPHS was renamed as No. 6 Botathaung State High School. He matriculated in 1960.

Old Paulians

Rangoon Institute of Technology

He graduated with B.E (EC) from RIT. He was from the Class of 76, but due to school closure, the Convocation took place in March 1977.

RIT

UCC

He worked for the Systems Division at UCC before going to Singapore and the USA.

UCC Old Timers

Singapore

KMZ in Singapore

USA
- He moved to Seattle, Washington.
- He worked for Technology & Architecture Group at Nordstrom. He worked four days for 10 hours and had a three-day weekend.
- He worked for Microsoft until retirement.
- He visited the SF Bay Area to attend gatherings and meetings.
With Sayas & Rafiul

RIT Alumni International
- He is a founding member and the lone member from outside the SF Bay Area.
- He designed and implemented the ex-rit.org website.
- He set up Special Pages for SPZP-2000.
- He hosted us and took us to Oregon and Vancouver. The photo was taken at The Seattle Space Needle.
Hosted us
- He and U Min Maung (EP68) hosted Saya Dr. San Tint (GBNF).
With Dr. San Tint in Seattle (2000)

Friends

Two Dudes

With RIT classmates

Gathering to welcome KMZ

U Khin Zaw (UCC) and Daw Wai Wai Tun hosted a party to welcome KMZ and family.

Attendees include
- Saya U Myo Min (co-founder of UCC)
- U Myint Swe (EP74) & Daw San San (EC74)
- Maurice Chee (M75) and family
- U Hla Kyi (EC77)
- U Aung Myint Oo (EC84, UCC)
- Dr. Rafiul Ahad (SPHS69, UCC) &spouse
- Dr. Kyaw Tint
- U Thein Naing (Patrick) & Daw Khin Myo Aung
- U Hla Min (EC69, SPHS63, UCC) & spouse.
U Thein Maung
- He is a Literary Award Winner with the pen name Htin Lin.
- He also gave private tuition for English with Saya U Khin Maung Latt.
- He has four sons and a daughter.
- The eldest U Soe Myint (GBNF) worked as Editor for WPD and later as Chief Editor at Guardian. His spouse Ada is the daughter of U Than Saw (Chief Editor of PWD). KMZ’s spouse is their daughter.
- The younger brothers are U Soe Win (EC70, UCC, PTC), U Kyaw Zaw (EC72, DCA, GBNF) and U Khin Zaw (UCC).
- KMZ’s son is named Htin Lin.
May 21, 2025
ICST/UCSY PZP
- There have been six PZPs.
- I attended the last two PZPs.
PZP

Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe

PZP 1

With San Yin Myint and San San Lwin

Guest Lecture at UCSY

UCSY 1

UCSY 2

UCSY Rector and Staff Members

UCSY 3

Saya Myar Nay Celebration

PZP 3

Photos shared by San Yin Myint

PZP 4

PZP 5

PZP 6

PZP 7

PZP 8

PZP 9

PZP 10

PZP 11
May 21, 2025
UCC Twins
Ma Nge (GBNF) and Judy
- Ma Nge and Judy are close friends.
- Considered as “UCC Twins“
- One guy supposedly approached the Twins and gave them both a copy of his “Yee Sar Sar”.
- Both found their soul mates :
  Ko Myint Swe (for Ma Nge),
  Ko Myint Zaw (for Judy)
Ma Nge

Ma Nge 1
- Nge Ma Ma Than (Ma Nge, Theresa Aung Than, GBNF)
  Attended MEHS and Rangoon University
- Studied and taught at UCC
- Spouse : U Myint Swe (UCC)
Ma Nge 2
- During the Adhamma Era, Ma Nge, her brother and Ko Myint Swe were detained by higher authorities. They became Prisoners of Conscience.
- Despite having medical problems, Ma Nge has a strong will, and showed metta and karuna to her fellow prisoners (even in her final days).
Ma Nge 3
- Father : U Aung Than
- Uncles : Arzani U Ba Win, Bogyoke Aung San
Nwe Nwe Win
- Also known as Judy
- Represented RASU in Track and Field
- At UCC, she was often the sixth player of the men’s volley ball team.
- Taught at UCC, DCS, and ICST.
  Traveled overseas for studies, training and conferences.
Judy & Sweetie
- Judy found her soul mate Myint Zaw, who takes care of his “Ah Ma Gyi”.
- Retired after heading the Department of Computer Science at RASU
- Young ones would address her as “Ah Ma Gyi” and “Teacher”
- Still looks young (especially when attending conferences)
Comments

U Khin Maung Zaw wrote :

Those good old halcyon days!!!!!!
There actually was the third member, three musketeers if you will, who used to hang out together in the very early days of UCC. She is Sweetie Tin Moe We [UN Retiree].
May 21, 2025
GBNF (UCC)
Dr. Chit Swe
- Dr. Chit Swe / Saya Chit
  Founder and Director of UCC
  Passed away in Sydney, Australia in 2019
- Dr. Tin Maung
  Succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC
  Retired as Rector of ICST
- U Ko Ko Lay / Saya Lay
  Helped Dr. Chit Swe found UCC
  Retired as Professor of Information Systems at ICST
- CO U Hla Min / Pauk Si
  Passed away while serving as Chief Operator of UCC
- U Mya Thein / Bo Shoke
  Taught at the Institute of Economics, UCC and IMBTU
- U Kyaw Nyein / Kyein
  Scientific Applications Programmer
  Taught Numerical Methods
  Worked as UNV in the Middle East
- U Win Naing
  Science Scholar for Mathematics
  Scientific Applications Programmer
- U Soe Thein / Joe
  Business Applications Programmer
- U Soe Myint (Gyi) / Sunlun Kappiya
  Retired as Pro-Rector, UCSY
- U Maung Maung Gyi / Thein Tan / Henry Than Htay
  Chief Operator
- Daw Nge Ma Ma Than / Ma Nge / Theresa Aung Than
  Applications Programmer
  Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST
  Prisoner of Conscience
- U Myint Aung
  Retired as Superintendent at UCC
- Daw Khin Lay Myint
  Secretary
  Retired as Admin Officer at UCC
- U Shein Soe Myint
  Passed away in Singapore while doing graduate studies
- U Aung Aung Thein
  Worked and taught at UCC
- Daw Hla Hla Win
  Operations Division
- Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin
  Operations Division
  Transferred to SSB
- Daw Win May Thoung
  Operations Division
- Daw Khin Mya Swe (M.Sc,)
  Passed away in Lesotho
- Daw Khin Toe Nyein (M.Sc.)
- Daw Thida Aung (M.Sc.)
- Some M.Sc. students
  Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo
  U Thein Tan
- Some DAC students
  Henry Maung Maung
- Some who worked or studied at ICST
  Dr. Kyaw Thein
  U Kyaw Mya Thein
Advisors / Supporters
- Dr. F. Ba Hli
  Member, UCC Management Board
  Advisor, Ministry of National Planning
- U Sein Win
  Technical Advisor for Electrical Systems
- U Win Htein
  SE, PWD (Electrical)
- Dr. San Tint
  Lecturer (and later Professor), RIT EE
- U Tin Swe
  Power User with EP students
May 20, 2025
Knowledge Transfer
- Dr. Chit Swe (Founder / Director of UCC) firmly believed in Transfer of Knowledge and Technology.
- For the UCC Project, several distinguished Computing Professionals gave courses — short term and long term.
- Professor Harry D Huskey (UCSC) and Professor Anthony Ralston (SUNY, Buffalo) were Past ACM Presidents.
  They taught courses on
  “History of Computers”,
  “Structured Programming”,
  “PASS (Compiler)”,
  “ZIP (Interpreter)”
  …
- Professor Michael Stonebraker (then at UC Berkeley) gave a short course at UCC on Relational DBMS in general, and Ingres in particular.
  A few years back, he won the Prestigious ACM Turing Award and the $1 M prize.
  He joined Charles Bachmann, E F Codd and Jim Gray as DBMS Gurus to win the Turing Award,
  He is the lone Serial Entrepreneur among the 70 ACM Turing Award Winners.
- There were several other visiting Professors (e.g Peter Wegner, Foreman Acton) and IT Professionals (e.g. Sheldon Bacchus).
May 20, 2025
UCC GBNF
Dr. Chit Swe
- Dr. Chit Swe
  Founder and Director of UCC
  Passed away in Sydney, Australia in 2019
- Dr. Tin Maung
  Succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC
  Retired as Rector of ICST
- U Ko Ko Lay
  Helped Dr. Chit Swe found UCC
  Retired as Professor of Information Systems at ICST
- CO U Hla Min
  Passed away while serving as Chief Operator of UCC
- U Mya Thein
  Taught at the Institute of Economics, UCC and IMBTU
- U Kyaw Nyein
  Scientific Applications Programmer
  Taught Numerical Methods
  Worked as UNV in the Middle East
- U Win Naing
  Science Scholar for Mathematics
  Scientific Applications Programmer
- U Soe Thein
  Business Applications Programmer
- U Soe Myint (Gyi)
  Retired as Pro-Rector, UCSY
- U Maung Maung Gyi
  Chief Operator
- Daw Nge Ma Ma Than
  Applications Programmer
  Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST
  Prisoner of Conscience
- U Myint Aung
  Retired as Superintendent at UCC
- Daw Khin Lay Myint
  Retired as Admin Officer at UCC
- U Shein Soe Myint
  Passed away in Singapore while doing graduate studies
- U Aung Aung Thein
  Worked and taught at UCC
- Daw Hla Hla Win
  Operations Division
- Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin
  Transferred to SSB
- Daw Win May Thoung
  Operations Division
- Daw Khin Mya Swe (M.Sc,)
  Passed away in Lesotho
- Daw Khin Toe Nyein (M.Sc.)
- Daw Thida Aung (M.Sc.)
- Some M.Sc. students
  e.g. U Thein Tan
- Some DAC students
Advisors / Supporters
- Dr. F. Ba Hli
  Member, UCC Management Board
  Advisor, Ministry of National Planning
- U Sein Win
  Technical Advisor for Electrical Systems
- U Win Htein
  SE, PWD (Electrical)
- Dr. San Tint
  Lecturer (and later Professor), RIT EE
May 20, 2025
DEC & PDP

MIT Alumni

Ken Olson and several other MIT alumni founded DEC (Digital Equipment Corporate).

Supposedly, there was a protocol in government departments to purchase computers. In order to circumvent that, DEC named their mini-computers as PDP (Programmable Digital Processors).

CHM

CHM (Computer History Museum) has a PDP-1 on display. Retired DEC engineers restored a PDP-1. The exhibit has demos : one for play a “primitive” Space War game, another for “playing” music …

PDP

PDP-8 is a 12-bit mini-computer used in many universities of that period.

PDP-11 is a 16-bit mini-computer. UCC acquired it.

PDP 11/70

VT-101 (or similar) terminals became the “new” mode of entering and running programs.

VAX

DEC later introduced VAX (Virtual Address eXtended) series.

Gordon Bell was the VAX architect and co-author of the book using CMS (Computer Memory System) and formal methods to describe and evaluate computer systems. The artifacts that he collected for the book project were displayed in DEC as BCM (Boston Computer Museum) with Gwen Bell as the Curator. It later became CHM (Computer History Museum) in Mountain View, California.

Docent

I volunteered as a Docent for CHM for two years.

I gave guided tours (for 45 minutes to an hour).

One child asked his father how fast the 10 Million Dollar computer (Cray 1) was. The reply, “It’s slower than your PC and your smart phone”.

U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) wrote :

It was a shame that DEC/VAX/VMS did not take off well as some people hoped. Fortunately, Bill Gates hired VAX/VMS main architect Dave Cutler in 1988, who brought many of his team from DEC, 20+ as reported, as part of the hiring agreement of Dave Cutler.

Dave Cutler and his team developed Windows NT, New Technology – a 64bit OS, and the rest is history. He has his hands on RedDot, which be came Microsoft Azure.

Dr. Mark Russinovich, received his doctorate in 1989 from Carnegie Mellon, developed a very popular Windows utility suite called ‘SysInternals’ with his partner. This was a godsend for all Windows Systems Engineers, a Swiss Army Knife, if you will. He also had a short stint at IBM, he also wrote a series of articles comparing Windows NT with VMS?? in Windows Internals magazine. Microsoft eventually acquired the SysInternals, Mark included. Mark is now CTO of Microsoft Azure.

May 19, 2025