Category: Uncategorized

by Tin Aung Win

Update : 24th October 2026

Dear Ko Hla Min,

I really do like reading your profile of past alumni. It is inspiring as well as very informative. I would like to suggest that you make it a regular feature, maybe in the future. I know you guys are really busy now and do admire for the time and energy you can give to the cause. You all have done a very good job and have my sincere best wishes. Thank you again to all of you.

I’m in awe of many alumni with PhDs and so on. However, I earned my doctorate a very long time ago. In fact, I believe I’m the only one who first got a doctorate before the first degree. I’ll let you in on the secret. It was back in the late 60’s when I was dating Sanda (daughter of the late Saya U Kyaw Tun). Although I was never in Sayagyi’s class, when he was lecturing, he would tell his class that he has two daughters and that he would only marry them off to someone whom has a Ph.D. From then on, whenever we were together and walking along the corridors, someone would say, “here comes Dr. Tin Aung Win”.

As I am leaving Sydney with my wife Sanda (Dorothy) on the 9th of October, 2000, I’m going to miss your countdown series. However, I have printed out most of them, which will enable me to read on the long flight to SF. I’ll be spending time in some countries before I hit SF on the 27th of Oct, and for the mega reunion on the 28th.

Cheers
Tin Aung Win

Comments

• Sayagyi is a saya of our sayas (including U Sein Hlaing and U Tin Swe).
• His elder daughter Elizabeth was my primary school friend.
  She received her Ph.D. in English in 1994 and worked at Indiana University and/or Purdue University.

by Hla Min

Update : 22nd October 2026

Highlights

U Myo Myint (M74)

• Class of M73
• Retired Deputy Chief Engineer of Railways
• Pon Tu Expert — Drew and donated Pon Tu of RIT Sayas and Sayamas
• Oil Painting & Water Color Painting — Exhibited selected paintings at SPZP-2016; Donated most of the proceeds to SPZP
• Cartoonist
• Cover Design — for several RIT Annual Magazines and Swel Daw Yeik Magazines

Health Issues

• Difficulty with breathing

• Mg Mar Ga and donors provided a machine

• Sadly, he passed away

Memories

Paintings

• He had an Exhibition at SPZP-2016 and donated to SDYF and YTU Library Project.

Cartoons

• He drew Cartoons.

Design

• He designed Covers for RIT Annual Magazines and Swel Daw Yeik Magazines.

Pon Tu’s

• He drew Pon Tu’s of many sayas and sayamas.
• He could not find photos of some sayas.
• He had to pause when his painting materials ran out.
• U Aung Myaing and Daw Gyn Yu helped replenish the materials.

• Most Pon Tus were handed over at RIT gatherings (e.g SPZPs).
• On behalf of Bagyee Myat Myo Myint, Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73) handed over the Pon Tu of Saya Dr. Khin Maung Win (Met) to Daw Khin Than Nwe (T62, Saya’s spouse).

• He also handed over the Pon Tu of Saya Dr. Aung Gyi to Saya at iNapa Winery gathering in 2015.

• Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, GBNF) archived Pon Tu’s. Saya U Tin Lin (ChE72) annotated the Pon Tu’s. He also grouped photos and posted them.
  

• Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and team created a Musical Video using the Pon Tu’s and photos to pay homage to the Sayas.

• Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72) provided some materials needed for the paintings. They also helped U Myo Myint during his medical check up in Bangkok.
  

• He drew Pon Tu of his spouse as a Birthday present. He also drew Pon Tu of his three Myees.
  

• He drew Pon Tu of some alumni (U Wynn Htain Oo, Daw Lei Lei Myaing and me).
  

• He was a Volunteer for Mg Mar Ga’s “Eradication of Starvation” project (before the Calamities).

• Per Daw Lei Lei Myaing’s request, he donated to specified pagodas and monasteries.

Related Posts

• O Bei Myat Saya — Musical Video
• Poetic Art Series
• Pon Tu

by Hla Min

Updated : 10th October 2026

Moderators

Several sayas & alumni accepted to be Moderators of “RIT Updates” FB Group. They are Organizers, Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins, Technology & Education Experts and more.

In alphabetical order

• U Aung Myaing, Saya (Okpo Maung Yin Maung)

• U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ)

• U Ko Ko Kyi, Saya (Kenneth)

• Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie)

• U Moe Aung, Saya (Tekkatho Moe War)

• U Myint Pe (Seik Kyee, Cartoon)

• U Nyunt Htay, Saya (Ah Htet Min Hla)

• U Ohn Khine (Gaing Gyi)

• U San Lin (Maung Lu Pay)

• Dr. Soe Thein, Saya

• U Thein Htut (Mandalay)

• U Thein Ngwe (Ko Thein Tokyo)

• U Tin Aung Win (Oscar)

• U Tin Lin, Saya (ChE)

• U Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu)

• U Wynn Htain Oo (Maung Mar Ga)

Provider of Photos, Info & Comments

• Dr. Freddie Ba Hli, Saya (EE)

• U Soe Paing, Saya (EE, UCC)

• Allen Htay, Saya (C58)

• U Myo Myint Sein, Saya (A58)

• U San Tun, Saya (M59)

• U Tin Htoon (A60)

• U Aye (M62)

• U Moe Aung, Saya (EE63)
• U Myo Myint (EC67)

• U Than Htut (M67)
• U Htun Aung Kyaw, Saya (ChE68)

• 69ers

• U Tin Aung Win (M69)
• Frederick Thetgyi (M69)

• Daw Tin Tin Myint, Sayama (ChE70)

• U Myint Than (M71)

• U Khin Maung Myint (M71)
• M72 Group

• Daw Tin Aye (C73)

Thanks to Saya U Moe Aung and EP/EC83 group for providing photos of the group’s Garawa.

Several classes (69, 70 & 71, 72, … 76, 77, 84, 87 & 91, …) used to have Reunion and/or PZPs.

Members may post photos from their gatherings.

Organizers

• SPZP

• HMEE

• SDYF

by Hla Min

Updated : 8th October 2026

U Soe Aung (M/Auto 70) visited Kampuchea (Cambodia) for a conference.

He was surprised and delighted to see a Burmese Inscription at a temple in Ankor Wat.

by Khin Maung Zaw

Updated : 6th October 2026

U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) commented on my post on “Disaster“.

No matter if there is a somewhat connection with the ‘climate change‘ concept, the natural disasters, storms/earthquakes/tsunamis are getting as often and more powerful in the past several years. These has caused severe damaged to many lives, killed, injured, livelihood wiped out among others.

In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which covers these emergencies have discovered that they alone albeit budget crunch could not handle each and every aspect of the damages, They are now encouraging, and working with local authorities, city/county/state on many aspects of the disaster preparedness and recovery process and procedures.

First, there is a FEMA App on all mobile platforms, where one can go through subscribing Alerts, Anticipate/Prepare for any disasters, Disaster Resources et al. In US, various regions have differing disaster, for example Washington State where I live, we have to be prepared for major earthquakes but not for Hurricanes etc. The local authorities have classes, training sessions, drills on where/how/what/who, the usual five ‘W’s on many possible disasters. My city, Kirkland has multiple levels of CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, classes, trainings, intensive training/classes for leadership levels, regular sync ups/meetings etc.

They are also aware that not all local/state/federal could communicate well in the cases of disasters due to proliferation of different communication equipment and trying to alleviate the issue.

One very interesting discovery they learned from the mega-disasters past couple of years is that the previous assumptions that they had for the preparedness were no longer adequate. The old assumption was that you need to have at least three day supply of food/water/first-aid – basic essentials. In the recent mega-disasters, they discovered that there are many instances no rescuers could get to you for more than a week or so, the new thinking/suggestion is that you need to have at least 2 weeks stock of live essentials. food/water/waste management/radios/batteries etc. There is also a movement where rather than you do it for yourself and/or your family, your neighborhood would pool resources in a commonly accessible area, like one’s spare space in a garage, you could store beds/cots/water tanks/medical supplies for multiple family etc. We live in a place where rain is given so tents/ponchos are a must. Dehydrated food, which could last 25+ years or so could be stored there.The city have all these info, with maps, co-ordinate with all authorities in the case a disaster,

I could go on and on as I went through the very basic level of CERT, and am thinking of week long class/training.

There is a consensus assessment that rescuers could not reached to many victims in major disaster where roads, telecommunication might be devastated. Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond and many other cities in and around Puget Sound, Western Washington where life is way overdue for major earthquake.

by Hla Min

Update : 5th October 2026

UCC

• Universities’ Computer Center (UCC) Project — proposed in the mid-1960s; took a long time to get approval and funding
• Funding Agency — UNDP
• Executing Agency — UNESCO
• Founders — Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF), U Soe Paing, U Myo Min, U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF)

University

• Concept
• College
• Faculty

Vipassana

• Meditation Centers
• Teachers
• Instruction

Volunteer

• Volunteer for five decades

Win

• Zero Sum Games
• Win – Win
• Four Wins

Y

• YMCA

Years

1946

• Matriculates
• U Tin U, Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein, U Sein Hlaing

1947

• Matriculates
• U Ba Than, Dr. Myint Soe, U Tin Swe

1948

• Matriculates
• U Aung Khin, U Aw Taik Moh

1949

• Matriculates
• Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Maung Maung Than, U Khin Aung Kyi

1950

• Matriculates
• Bilal Raschid

1951

• Top Matriculates
• George Chapman

1952

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Nyunt Tin, Dr. Myo Tint

1953

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong), U Ohn Khin

1954

• Top Matriculates
• Koon Yin Chu (Phillip), Dr. Tin Myo Than

1955

• Top Matriculates
• Lily Hwang

1956

• Top Matriculates
• U Ye Myint, U Thaung Tin, U Khin Maung Than, Dr. Than Myint (Harry)

1957

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Htin Kyaw, Nellie Liu

1958

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Soe Win, U Robert Sein, Daw Myint Myint Tin (Pearl)

1959

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Frankie Ohn , Dr. Shewan Lee, Dr. Than Nwe Aung, U Oo Tha

1960

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Austin Kyan, Dr. Nyan Win, Arthur Hla Maung, Marie Nyunt, Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint

1961

• Top Matriculates
• Lina Ong, Dr. Robin Ban (Kyaw Win)

1962

• First HSF Only Examination
• Coup d’etat
• Two State Funerals

1963

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Khin Maung U, Dr. Min Oo, Dr. Myo San (Freddie), Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor), Dr. Thein Wai, Kenny Wong, U Hla Min, Winnie Aung, Dr. Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny), Dr. Maung Maung Kyi, Dr. Khin Tun, U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie), Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank)

1964

• Top Matriculates
• Dr. Cherry Hlaing (Than Than Tin), Dr. Lyn Aung Thet, Dr. Aung Win Chiong, Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice)

1965

• Top Matriculates
• Bernard Khaw, Maung Aye, Winston Sein Maung, Cherry Than Tin, Dr. Yi Thway, Dr. Paing Soe

1966

• RIT Graduates
• U Thaung Lwin, U Soe Lwin

1967

• RIT Graduates
• Dr. Chan Nyein, U Win Thein, U Myo Myint,
• U Than Htut

1968

• RIT Graduates
• U Myat Htoo, U Aung Khin, U Tun Aung

1969

• RIT Graduates
• U Aung Min, Dr. Taing Oke, Daw Myint Myint, Daw Mu Mu Aye

1970

• RIT Graduates
• U Thaung Sein (Steeve), Tan Yu Beng (Benny), U Ohn Khine

1971

• RIT Graduates
• U Tin Win, U Myint Thin (GBNF), U Myint Toe

1972

• RIT Graduates
• U Aung Myaing, U Wynn Htain Oo, U Myint Pe

1973

• RIT Graduates
• U Hla Win, U Khin Maung Cho, Dr. Myint Thein, Dr. L Sein Myint

1974

• RIT Graduates
• Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (GBNF), U Myint Swe, Daw Khin Swe Oo

1975

• RIT Graduates
• U Hla Myint Thein (Maurice), Daw Mar Mar Yee, U Win Khaing

1976

• RIT Graduates
• U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ), U Moe Myint, U Thura Thant Zin

Zero

• Number
• The Dawn of Nothing

by Hla Min

Updated : 5th October 2026

U Kin Maung Yin (A60, GBNF)

• Third batch of Architects
• Classmates include Tin Htoon, Aung Kyee Myint & Victor Pe Win
• Loves Classical Music & Modern Art
• Directed the movie “Hna Ma Let Shawt Nay Lay Dawt နှမလက်လျှော့ နေလေတော့” . The movie was hard to appreciate by most Burmese. It set the record for the first movie not to have Full House at the First Day First Show. Grapevine says that some foreigners tried to purchase the movie. See comments by Uzin Bobby, Nan Khaming & U Wint Khin Zaw.
• His second movie was funded by Collegian Nay Win & Daw Khin Mar Lar. See comments by U Htun Aung.
• He would hang around at “Architects Incorporated” (founded by U Bo Gyi, U Tin Htoon & U Aung Kyee Myint) along with fellow artists U Paw Oo Thet and Director Win Pe.
• He was a friend of Architecture students. U Aung Khin (A69) posted a picture of him and U Tin Maung Hla (A69er, GBNF) with U Kin Maung Yin.

Feedback

Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69)

U Kin Maung Yin was everyone’s friend – one of the most amicable individuals I’ve ever known. He was mentor to many of us student architects of the late 1960s and of the 70s. His versatile talents extended into move-making, authorship and painting. His avant-garde movie “နှမလက်လျှော့နေလေတော့” made six decades ago remains unrivaled to date in the Myanmar movie industry. He immersed himself in modern painting and writing during the last two decades of his life. An icon of the arts, indeed!

U Htun Aung (EP70)

In 1971, I was waiting for the governmental employment living with Demonstrator (civil) and Inlay hostel hall tutor Saya U Khin Mg Tint. One day U Khin Mg Yin came and unexpectedly invited me to accompany him as his aid in movie-making and shooting a film named “Bahman Bazan Akhyaung” (ဘမှန်ဘဇံအကြောင်း). For that film, he was the Director. I was always near him to help for everything he ordered me to do. In those days, from morning to night I was together with him at film shooting sites, especially at Collegian Nay Win and Dar Khin Marlar’s home where most of the indoor scenes of the film had been shot. Also we had to spend much time in making the film at Film upgrading [processing] Studio. The producer of the film was “Momyint Thawdar Film Production” which was owned by Daw Khin Mar Lar, Actor U Nay Win’s spouse. Time taken to shoot that film was nearly three months. Main actors were Collegian Nay Win, Khin Yu May and Aye Aye Thin.

After that film, I was also with U Khin Mg Yin to help reading and editing the directing schedules of the film named “Thway” the Novel written by Journal Kyaw Daw Ma Ma Lay. But that script was not approved by State Film Editing Committee [Censor Board] due to the Fascism hating point of view of the country at that time.

Nang Khaming (A70)

Most people didn’t like the movie Hna ma let shawt nay lay dawt because there was no dialog in the movie except ‘pea pyout’. Most can’t appreciate that kind of movie, but I like that movie and appreciate.

Ko Wint Khin Zaw (A79)

Architect UKMY must be too advanced for the period. I think he directed another movie called “Ba Hman Ba Zan Akyaung” which was appreciated a bit more by some audience.

Posts

• A Nu Pyinnya Shins
• Architecture
• Movie Stars & Directors

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Tun Naung (Noel Tin)

• Star sprinter
• Represented RU and Burma in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959, and the Second SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961
  Won Bronze in 1959 and Gold in 1961 for 4x 100 m Relay
• Team mates include Tun Mra (Sprint), Kyaw Mra (Hurdles) and Soe Mra (Pole Vault).

Mra Brothers

• Sons of U Shwe Mra (ICS; Chief Secretary, Union of Burma; UN)

• Tun Mra
  Represented RU and Burma in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959, and the Second SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961
  Won Bronze in 1959 and Gold in 1961 for 4x 100 m Relay. Full Green, Old member and Patron of RUBC. Appeared in Saya Nyein’s program for RU Diamond Jubilee.

• Kyaw Mra (GBNF)
  Represented RU and Burma in the First SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1959, and the Second SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961
  Won Silver for Hurdles at the Second SEAP Games. Retired as National Coach for Track and Field. Full Green, Old member of RUBC.

• Soe Mra won Gold for Pole Vault at the Second SEAP Games. He won Gold in subsequent Games.

• Win Mra was a Medalist in Burma Pole Vault before doctors asked him to retire.
  He is an excellent guitarist and vocalist.
  Taught English at RIT. Retired as Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations. Chair of Myanmar Human Rights Commission.

• Maung Maung Mra succeeded his elder brothers as Burma Pole Vault Champion.
  Won Bronze at the Fifth SEAP Games.
  Also competed for RASU in High Jump at the Inter-Institute Tournament.
• Dr. Aung Mra represented IM(1) in Track and Field. Pole Vault seems to be the favorite for the Mra brothers.

Kyaw Khin (GBNF)

• Represented SPHS, RASU and Burma in Track and Field.
• Events include 800m, 1500m, 110m Hurdles and 400m Hurdles
• Became National Coach in Track and Field

Richard Yu Khin (GBNF)

• Won Gold in Yachting with U Maung Maung Lwin (Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club)
• Trained with Burma Selected Swimmers, but he could compete in two sports at the SEAP Games.

U Aye (M62) wrote :

Mg Hla (Badminton), was from Moulmein. We were together at Moulmein College (1956-58). He was selected as a National player even at that time.

Aye Kyaw (Swimming) was from Mudon. He joined Navy after graduation.

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Jubilees

Rangoon University

• Rangoon University (RU) was established in December 1920 with two constituent colleges : Rangoon College and Judson College.

• Saya U Pe Maung Tin served as the first native Principal of Rangoon College.

• Saya Dr. Htin Aung served as the first native Rector of Rangoon University.

RU Golden Jubilee

• The RU Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1970.
• Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Thet Lwin are among the core organizers of the RU GJ Celebrations.
• I had a minor role as a volunteer for the “Zay Committee”.
• RIT Ah Nu Pyinnyashins took part in the Entertainment Program. The “Htee Yein” and “Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint” were attractions. The term “Swel Daw Yiek” became synonymous with RIT and the engineering schools which preceded RIT.
• The Commemorative Magazine reprinted Bogyoke Aung San’s translation of “Invictus”. The Magazine also had an account of U Hla Maung, who graduated with B.Sc. (Engg) degree in 1928.

RU Centennial

• The Centennial was celebrated in 2020.
• Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) and fellow authors (e.g. Shwe Ku May Hnin) have published “Collections of Poems and Articles” to commemorate RU Centennial.

Engineering Education in Burma

• Engineering Education in Burma started in 1924.
• The Centennial will be celebrated in 2024.
• The History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project compiled and published HMEE-2012 in time for SPZP-2012. Saya U Aung Hla Tun was the Team Leader. U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the book.
• HMEE-2018 is a follow up Project. In addition to revising the HMEE-2012 book, the Project will cover new material (e.g. History of the Engineering Departments).
• The 90th Anniversary was celebrated in 2014. The Centennial will be celebrated in 2024.

Rangoon Institute of Technology

• The New Education System which made RIT an autonomous Institute with was established in November 1964.
• The Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2014.
• Saya U Yone Moe served as the first Rector of RIT. He was succeeded by Saya Dr. Aung Gyi.
• In 1964, there were eight Engineering Departments : (1) Architecture (2) Chemical (3) Civil (4) Electrical (5) Mechanical (6) Metallurgy (7) Mining (8) Textile.
• Supporting Departments were established at RIT. They include (1) Burmese (2) Chemistry (3) English (4) Geology (5) Physics.
• For some time, there were Visiting Lecturers from USSR and selected Departments of other Universities and Institutes.
• RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology). YIT in turn became YTU (Yangon Technological University).

RIT Spirit

• The sayas and alumni are known for the “RIT Spirit” (which survived the brutal crushing in the Adhamma Era).
• RIT was considered a Dying Breed. The school was branded as “Thabone Kyaung”. The Swel Daw Bins were banished from the Gyongone Campus. Several equipment were taken away to set up a Military Engineering branch at DSA.
• The alumni wanted to pay back the metta and cetana of their mentors.
• The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in California, USA in October 2000. I wrote the “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” poem. It has been reprinted in several RIT-related publications.
• The subsequent World Wide SPZPs were held in Singapore (in December 2002, April 2007 and December) and in Yangon (in December 2004, December 2012 and December 2016).
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation was established in 2013.
• The Shwe YaDu Celebrations were held in 2014.
• RITAA is helping YTU in several ways. It is helping to raise the fund for YTU Library Modernization Project (which is a requirement to get YTU accredited at the Regional level and beyond).

Stories to illustrate the RIT Spirit

• I am an amateur historian and a folklorist.
• I have a dream to compile stories to illustrate the friendly and indomitable RIT Spirit.
• I will use the articles that were contributed to the RIT Alumni Newsletter and Updates.
• Sayas and alumni could provide new and old stories (e.g. published in the various Magazines, Sar Saungs, Thadin Zin, Wall Posters, Cartoon Box, Exhibitions).
• While we have reasonably good health and memory, we plan to pay back to our alma mater.

My Facebook Pages and Web sites

I have three kinds of Facebook Pages.

• The first is for my acquaintances.
• The second is for my family members, relatives and close friends.
• The third is for knowledge sharing (e.g. Life Long Learning) and/or archiving my posts (e.g. RIT Alumni International Newsletter updates).

Not all postings are of equal importance. They can be grouped as follows:

• Current news
• SPZP-2012 : Count down and Event
• Shwe YaDu Golden Jubilee Celebrations
• SPZP-2016
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
• Alumni Associations in Myanmar and Northern California
• History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar
• Memoirs by U Ohn Khine (M 70) and U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP 70)
• Golden Jubilee (GJ) Magazine published by the Class of 70 & 71
• Reunions of the Class of 69
• Class Photos
• Brief History of the RIT Departments by Sayagyis
• Excerpts from the archives of SPZP-2000
• Successors of RIT (e.g. YIT, YTU)
• Where are they now?
• GBNF : Sayas and alums

Hope the postings will be of interest to historians — professional or amateurs.

I have two web sites.

• http://Myanmar2021.wordpress.com is a free web site. I have archived most of my posts in the web site.
• http://hlamin.com is a paid web site. I have revised many of my posts. Some posts have been merged and enhanced.

SPZP and Alumni Activities

Paying respect to Sayas for their metta and cetana is a tradition that is unique to Burma/Myanmar.

The tradition is alive and well.

There have been SEVEN world wide SPZPs :

• SPZP-2000 (US)
• SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, SPZP-2010 (Singapore)
• SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016 (Yangon)
• SPZP-2020 (scheduled for December 26, 2020 in Yangon) was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

Many alumni are active in the following:

• SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
• RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
• MES (Myanmar Engineering Society)
• MEC (Myanmar Engineering Council)

HMEE Projects

• “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” (HMEE-2012) was published in time for SPZP-2012.
• The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni (See Acknowledgement in the Book).
• Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team (including Yours Truly) compiled the book.
• The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
• Ko Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2.
• Ko Ohn Khine’s translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.

Saya U Aung Hla Tun suggested that the Book should be revised/updated (e.g. every five years or so).

HMEE-2018 (follow up project to HMEE-2012 is headed by Saya U Aung Hla Tun. Some new members joined the HMEE-2018 project.

YTU Library Modernization Project

• Donations — large and small — were received.
• An alumnus had made monthly donation of One Lakh kyats for 27+ months,

• U Khin Maung Tun (T78), Daw Myint Myint (C69), Saya Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73), Saya U Tin Htut (M60) … donated K100 Lakhs each (or more) for the Project.

• Thanks to Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and tfund raising team. The team had published the list of donors.

The project was established as a requirement for the Accreditation of YTU.

Health Care

• There were several HCF (Health Care Funds).
• The balance of “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT sayas and sayamas” have been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
• The balance of “U Khin Maung Tun’s family for providing Vision Care to eligible sayas and sayamas” have been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
• SDYF provides limited financial assistance to eligible RIT sayas and sayamas for health care (e.g. hospitalization, frequent visits to clinics).
• SDYF also provides Annual Medical and Vision Checkup for eligible sayas and sayamas.

RIT related Facebook pages and web sites

• RIT Updates
• Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
• RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association

• Google Group for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
• Google Group for RIT Updates

• hlamin.com

No Last Journey for us

Last Journey

• I had the opportunity to serve as Master of Ceremonies at two last journeys.
• The first was for Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (EP 74), part time Professor at San Jose State University. Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) set up the commemorative web pages on http://www.ex-rit.org. I have excerpted some in my Trivia posts.
• The second was for Sayadaw U Silanandbhivamsa, Rector of the International Theravada Buddhist University.
• I volunteered as Book Committee member and Contributing Editor for “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silanananda.
• There is a 2-set DVD of Sayadaw’s last journey and can be found as a supplement for the Commemorative book.
• There will be no funeral services, viewing and eulogies for us. We have registered as organ donors.

Simple Joys of Living and Paying Back

• We are deeply honored to the sponsors, donors,volunteers, and well-wishers for the soon kyway on August 20, 2016 at Half Moon Bay monastery.
• Special thanks to sayas and alumni near and far who took special time to express their appreciation to the messenger turned amateur historian.
• We are simply following the practice of our beloved philanthropic ancestors who donated for the construction and maintenance of hospitals, schools, pagodas, zayats, free dispensaries.
• I have donated thousands of hours trying to get the sayas and alumni get connected electronically and physically, and also share my experience as a Life Long Learner.
• Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs, GBNF) said, “Do not retire. Re-tire.” He also mentioned that if we can serve the sayas and alums for two decades, we should be satisfied since RIT is a dying breed. I have completed 27 years as founder and editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter.