Category: Uncategorized

by Hla Min

Updated : June 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
• lifelonglearning140.wordpress.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) 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.

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

• Terms
  Some terms (e.g. Class, Intake, HCF) that are used in my posts are defined and elaborated.
• Language
  The are natural languages and programming languages. In our student days, there were only a handful of programming languages.
  It is important to understand and master concepts.
• Meaning
  Some words have multiple meanings. Meanings change over usage and time. A harmless word in American English might have bad connotation in British English, and vice-versa.
• Vocabulary
  It is advantageous to have a good vocabulary. One may listen to a podcast (e.g. Merriam Webster’s Word of the day).
• Luyechun
  The Ministry of Education ran the “Outstanding Students” program from the Summer of 1964 to 1988.

Class

• The term generally refers to the year of graduation.
• The Class of 69 refers to the alumni from the academic year 1968 – 69, who graduated in 1969.
  The Class of 69++ will also include some alumni who took “sabbatical” (“waso”) and graduated a year or two later.

Intake

• The term generally refers to the year when the group was admitted to RIT, YIT, or YTU.
• Most from the 1st BE Intake of 64 graduated in 1970. Most from the 1st BE Intake of 65 graduated in 1971. The Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 has held Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for nearly two decades.
• Some Intakes unfortunately lost three years of their schooling, since the institute was “closed” for three years (from 1988 to 1990).

Burma Institute of Technology (BIT)

• The engineering school moved to the Gyogone Campus in 1961. BIT was still under the aegis of Rangoon University.
  U Yone Mo was Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
• Note: AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) might have been dubbed SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) School of Engineering (or equivalent).

Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)

• BIT was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1964.
• The intention was to have Mandalay Institute of Technology and more.
• Under the then New Education System, RIT became an independent Institute along with other professional Institutes. Rangoon University was renamed as RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University)
• I am not sure why it was not renamed as BIT (Rangoon Campus) a la IIT [Indian Institute of Technology]

Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT)

• Another name change occurred to be in line with the Naming Policy to refrain from using names from the Colonial Era.
• Note: The Naming Policy did NOT have a grandfather clause. Some “old” books could not be re-published without the name changes. For example, “Trials in Burma” was forced to be re-titled “Trials in Myanmar”.

Yangon Technological University (YTU)

• There was another name change to YTU.
• It may be to sound similar to NTU in Singapore.

Swel Daw Yeik

• It is a synonym for RIT and the engineering schools preceding and succeeding it. The term became established at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Rangoon University in 1970, when the Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shins of RIT took part as “Swel Daw Yeik Troupe [Ah Nyeint]”.
• During the Adhamma Era, Swel Daw Bins were razed from the so-called “Tha Bone Kyaung” (which is a disparaging term to describe “Thamudaya Kyaung”).
• With the dawning of the “Pwint Linn Era”, 50 Swel Daw Bins were planted to commemorate the Shwe YaDu in 2014.
• There are many artifacts with “Swel Daw Yeik” in their name and spirit.
  They include :
  Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
  Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
  Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)

Health Care Fund (HCF)

There are several HCFs. They include :

• Steeve and Helen Kay Heath Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
• U Khin Maung Tun’s Family’s Eye-care for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
• SDYF which now also handles to two funds described above
• Class-wide HCFs (e.g. Class of 69, Class of 70 & 71, Class of 72, and Intake of 83)

There has been some changes with to the Health Care of Sayas and Sayamas.

• Hospitalization still has the highest priority
• Case-by-case consideration for sayas and sayamas who have to visit clinics frequently
• Eligible sayas and sayamas (age 60+) can have Annual medical check ups
• If funds are available, spouses of eligible sayas and sayamas can also have Annual medical check ups.

Alumni Association of RIT/YIT/YTU (RITAA)

• The Association has provided SAYA’S CORNER. Tea and coffee are served.
• Life membership dues is K60000.
• The Association is coordinating the “Library Modernization Project”

Languages

There are natural languages (e.g. English, French, German) and programming languages (e.g. Java, Scala).

Context

• Noam Chomsky, a famous linguist, defined the Chomsky Hierarchy for languages and grammars.
• Natural languages are usually Context Sensitive. A word often has multiple meanings based on the context.
• Most programming languages are Context Free.

Language

A language has

• Syntax : rules for forming well defined constructs
  Sample syntax : A sentence is a sequence of (a) Subject (b) Verb (c) Object.
• Semantics : meaning
• Pragmatics : usage

We had to study English Grammar books (e.g. Wren and Martin) and Myanmar Thaddar မြန်မာသဒ္ဒါ by U Pe Maung Tin.

The Burmese language has a structure similar to the Japanese language, but has a structure quite different to the English language.

• Kyundaw Kyaung Thoe Thwa Thee (in Burmese) ကျွန်တော်ကျောင်းသို့သွားသည်
• I School To Go (word for word translation into English is not correct).
• I Go To School (slightly different structure is needed for the correct translation).

Meaning

The meaning of words can change with time.

In the early days, a computer is a person who computes (e.g. tables for firing artillery). Even in some NASA projects, astronauts ask expert mathematicians (including a black female) to compute trajectories to check against the calculations made by electronic computers in the space capsule.

Also, a compiler is a person who compiles data (e.g. historical data).

During our UCC days, several computer books were ordered through the Trade Corporation (and related departments). Some one sent a book “Compiler Construction for Digital Computers” to the Ministry of Construction, and another book “The Anatomy of a Compiler” to the Institute of Medicine.

iPad and iPhone are designed and manufactured by Apple.

The trademark iPad belongs to Fujitsu. Former colleagues of mine worked on Fujitsu’s Intelligent Pad (iPad). The trademark was transferred to Apple.

The trademark iPhone belongs to Cisco, which experimented with “Internet Phone” (or equivalent). The trademark was transferred to Apple.

Vocabulary

Children are not shy and tend to pick up words — often in multiple languages — quickly and easily.

As people grow older, most tend to live within their comfort zone.

Such people probably add only 10 – 20 new words a year.

Effort

To expand or refine one’s vocabulary, one must take extra effort.

In our younger days, we learn from a Reader’s Digest section “It pays to increase your word power” by Wilfred Funk, co-compiler of a dictionary.

We read Vocabulary Books which cover a lesson a day for three to six weeks. We also get tested along the way.

With the rise of Broadcasting and Internet, it is much easier to grow one’s vocabulary.

We can

• subscribe to Merriam Webster for “Word of the Day”.
• listen to “Word for the Wise” by NPR (National Public Radio).
• use “Visual Dictionary” and “Visual Thesaurus”.

Lu Ye Chun

Beginning

The Lu Ye Chun (Outstanding Student) Program was established in 1964.

Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Lu Ye Chun Camp.

The Lu Ye Chuns include

• Ko Win Aung (M70)
• Ma Pwint Than (EP71)
• Ko Kyaw Zaw (EP72)
• Ko Win Myint (UCC)

Extension

The Lu Ye Chun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes.

There were three Camps
(a) Inlay Camp for high school and university students
(b) Ngapali Camp for middle school students
(c) Rangoon “Combined” Camp

Inlay Lu Ye Chun

I was selected as RIT Lu Ye Chun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).

Grapevine says that a 3rd BE student had schedule conflicts to attend the Lu Ye Camp.

As a senior student, Ko Sein Shwe was given one Bar. I received three Stripes. Margaret received two Stripes.

Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U and Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry) were selected as Lu Ye Chun for IM(1).

Ko Soe Aung (IM2, elder brother of Ko Soe Myint [UCC], Ko Aung Kyee Myint (Agri), Ko Tun Naung (BDS), Ko Min Oo (Mathematics), Ko Ye Myint (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein (Physics), Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were Lu Ye Chun for their respective disciplines.

Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint, Ko Aung Win, Uttam Singh, and Ma Pwint Than. They joined RIT.

Others include :
Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, and Nelson Kaw.

Multiple Lu Ye Chun

Some were selected Lu Ye Chun for two or more years. They include

• Dr. Khin Maung U
• Dr. Thynn Thynn Lin
• Dr. Pe Thet Khin

Camp Staff

In the beginning some officials from “Lu Nge Ye Yar” လူငဇယ့်ရေးရာ served as Camp Commander and staff (for Logistics).

Selected University teachers (e.g. Dr. Daw May May Yi, Daw Po) and High School teachers (e.g. U Aung Gyi, U Khin Aung) were assigned to manage the Lu Ye Chun students. Some (e.g. U Than Tun Aung Hlaing, U Khin Maung Htwe) were chosen to lead some activities (e.g. Volleyball).

A medical doctor (e.g. Naing Tint San) was assigned to take care of the health of the Camp attendees.

Later, Sayagyis (e.g. U Ba Toke) served as Camp Commander.

Visiting Lecturers

U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and Dr. Nyi Nyi are among the Visiting Lecturers for our Inlay Camp.

In 1988, I was invited to be a Visiting Lecturer at the Ngapali Camp along with Saya U Kyaw Myint (Physics, DHE).

End

The Lu Ye Chun Program ended in 1988.

Reunion

A few years back, a formal Reunion of Luyechuns from 1965 – 1988 took place.

I met Saya Ko Aung Win at Yangon SPZP.

I had phone contact with Dr. Uttam Singh (known as Uttam S Gill, NASA).

I had a surprise reunion with Ko Win Myint at the dinner hosted by Ko Wai Lwin and Ko Nyan Tun U for Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and selected sayas attending the SPZP in Yangon. Ko Wai Lwin invited Ko Ohn Khine and me to attend the gathering.

Bogyoke Win Myint was then Deputy Minister of Construction. He told me that he was inspired by Ko Sein Shwe to join RIT and that he had published some books.

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

U Lun (Thakin Kodaw Hmaing)

• Principal, Ah Myo Tha Kaw Leik (အမျိုးသားကောလိပ် National College)

U Than Tun

• Father of Ashin Pannagavesaka (Bobby Myo Tun, A69)
• He passed away in his late 90s.

U Han Zaw

• Retired minister
• Spouse: Daw Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi (A69)

U Ba Khin

• He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School and was First in the whole of Burma.

• He was the first native Auditor General. He also managed four Directorates.
• He is a renowned Vipassana teacher. His teacher was Saya Thet. His disciple was Goenkaji.

U Thein Oo

• He transferred from Commerce Department to UCC.
• He founded MCC with U Tin Win Aung, and Ace with his spouse Daw Than Than Tint.
• He is Past President of MCF.

Dr. Thein Htut and Dr. Nyunt Win

• Dr. Thein Htut is the son of Colonel Min Sein and Dr. Daw Yin May (first Triple FRCS). He is RUBC Gold.
• Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie, GBNF) is the grandson of U Po Sa.
• They moved to Australia.

Theikpan Maung Wa

• ICS U Sein Tin
• First student in Masters course for Burmese
• Author
• Cofounded Khit San Sar Pay with Zawgyi and Minthuwun

San Shwe Myint

• Character created by Cartoon Myint Thein

Pathan

• By Ashin Nandamarlabhivansa (Ph.D)

Pediatricians

• Credit: Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint

RASU Rowing

• Credit: Dr. Nyan Taw

Roll of Honor

• Donors for YTU Library Modernization

UNSG (United Nations Secretary General)

• U Thant was the 3rd UNSG and the First Asian UNSG.

University Athletes

• They represented Burma in the Second SEAP Games (Rangoon, December 1961)
• Credit: Dr. Richard Yu Khin

U Wun

• Laureate Poet — Minthuwun
• Lexicographer — မြန်မာအဘိဓာန်
• Cofounder of Khit San Sar Pay with Zawgyi and Theikpan Maung Wa
• Head, RU Translation
• Professor at RU; Visiting Professor at Osaka University

U Kyaw Mya Thein (Phy, ICST)

• He wrote “Kar Ku La Thinchar” (Calculus in Burmese).
• He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.

U Kyaw Myint (Phy, DHE)

• He retired as DG of DHE.
• The photo was taken at a fundraiser for his Foundation.

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Teaching and Learning

Teaching is only one aspect. A teacher learns by teaching and receiving feedback from the students. A teacher should be a life long learner.

Learning is another aspect. We should not encourage Rote Learning and mindless repetition. “Learning how to learn” and similar courses propose efficient and effective techniques.

Degree

Liberal education is usually offered at the Bachelor’s level.

A university degree was necessary for getting decent jobs. Now, there are some companies that do not mandate a university degree for selected jobs.

Disciplines

In the beginning, there were no computers and no Computer Science. Among the computer pioneers were engineers, mathematicians, physicists, psychologists, and linguists.

Edgser W. Dijkstra, who won the ACM Turing Award (equivalent of Nobel Prize in Computer Science), had to put “Theoretical Physicist” in his marriage license instead of “Programmer” or “Computer Scientist”.

The same is true for any emerging discipline.

Research and Development transcends multiple disciplines. It requires collaboration.

Main Facebook pages

• For relatives and close friends
• For not-so-close friends
• RIT Updates

Member of selected pages

• Old Burma
• RIT Updates
• Lifelong Learning
• Memories
• Myanmar

I used to be a member of the following:

• ကံ့ကော်မြေ (ရာပြည့်တက္ကသိုလ်)
• စကားပရိယာယ်
• စွယ်တော်ရိပ်ဖေါင်ဒေးရှင်း
• NorCal RITAA
• P.B.R.S Group
• RIT 69ers
• Team Old School IT
• YUBC Old Members
• Buddhism Q&A

Proper use of “Like” button

• Some users use the “Like” button indiscriminately.
• Puzzled to see Likes in an Obituary posting. Shouldn’t one be sad?
• Before clicking “Like”, check if the posting is current or old, and determine if the contents are really likeable.

Malware

• Malicious software industry is responsible for losses (in down time, data corruption, identity theft) in the billions.
• According to one report, the industry is more profitable and safer than the drug dealing.
• The penalty of offenders for malicious software is “peanuts” (e.g. little or no jail time) compared to drug dealers (e.g. life imprisonment and death penalty) in most countries.

Option

• One should be aware of “opt-in” versus “opt-out” options.
• Many do not read “fine print”.

Retire vs. Re-tire

• U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70) is a Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs.
• He told me, “You should not retire. You may re-tire (as in re-threading a tire). We will try to support you and your projects
• I am retired from working to make ends meet.

• I am re-tiring as long as my physical and mental health permit.
• Took a few on-line courses (for credit) Too taxing and slow; Opted to audit 100+ courses (covering many subjects)
• Listen to one Blinkist every day
• Listened to Merriam Webster’s Word of the day (WOTD) Podcast every day.
• Ride stationary bike for 30 minutes every day.
• Write or revise several posts every day.

Salutation

• Context and culture dependent.
• We call some old unrelated people as “Uncle” and “Auntie”.
• At St. Paul’s High School, we call our sayas without the formal U. e.g. Saya Sein
• I was reprimanded by a reader for writing Saya Aung Khin instead of Saya U Aung Khin or Sayagyi U Aung Khin.
• A visiting German wanted to be addressed as “Professor Doctor” (not just Professor or Doctor).
• Saya Allen Htay was told not use “Mr” in Netherlands. He was asked to use “Ingr” (for Engineer).
• Early surgeons in the UK were not necessarily doctors. So they did not force people to address them as Doctor
• People who have Honorary Doctorates usually put “Honoris Causa” (meaning the degree was awarded for esteem).

Speed and Scope of Writing

• A friend said, “You write too fast and too much. Slow down.”
• A few said, “We have read every post”.
• One said, “Cover topics of interest to the general reader, not just engineers and scientists”.

• One can please some readers all of the time, and all readers some of the time, but one cannot please every reader all of the time.
• I am just disseminating the teachings of Thin Sayas, Myin Sayas, Kyar Sayas